Franklin, Penn State hammer out extension through 2022

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State's Board of Trustees voted Friday morning to approve a contract extension for James Franklin, thus ending an offseason full of questions about the head coach of the reigning Big Ten champions.

The new deal extends Franklin through the 2022 season and his base salary, while it remains the same this season as it was slated to be at $4.3 million, is noticeably upgraded, specifically in 2019 and beyond:

• 2018: $4.5 million
• 2019: $5.35 million
• 2020: $5.65 million
• 2021: $5.95 million
• 2022: $6.25 million

Under his previous contract, which Franklin was in the fourth year of a six-year deal after leading the Lions to a record of 25-15, his base pay wouldn't have hit $4.5 million until 2019.

“James and his staff have done an exceptional job with our football student-athletes and in all aspects of the football program,” athletic directory Sandy Barbour said in a statement. “His values are Penn State’s values and they resonate throughout every member of the organization and team he has built. James is a tremendous leader of young men, motivating them to extend their reach and impact far beyond what they might have thought possible on the field, in the classroom and community. We are excited about continuing to work together to strive to make a lifetime of impact, win championships and celebrate many successes on and off the field along the way.”