ALTOONA, Pa. -- The timing couldn't be more peculiar, or perhaps telling, since news of this has broken not only during the season, but during Ohio State week.
Penn State coach James Franklin has hired a new agent, according to a report by Football Scoop, which tracks coaching moves and business tidbits. There had been speculation about this throughout the day Monday, then later in the evening, Football Scoop cited sources saying that it is indeed true and that Franklin has hired Jimmy Sexton.
Franklin was asked about switching agents at his Tuesday press conference and said this:
"This is being reported now, but this is something that happened over the summer."
From the Football Scoop story:
College football's most powerful man, and college football's most powerful collective of agents, have gotten even more powerful on the national landscape.
Multiple sources confirm to FootballScoop Monday night that Jimmy Sexton and Creative Artists Agency (CAA) have been tabbed to direct the representation of college football powerhouse coach James Franklin.
Franklin had been represented for many years by Trace Armstrong, who has handled his contracts with Penn State.
The move to Sexton is a big deal, because Sexton is a big deal.
He's the most powerful agent in college football, representing the likes of Alabama's Nick Saban, Georgia's Kirby Smart and even Tim Tebow. Sexton reportedly represents at least 11 coaches in the SEC, so he obviously is very well connected in that league.
LSU is in that league, obviously, and reportedly has a lot of interest in hiring Franklin to replace Ed Orgeron.
Franklin also is being linked to the USC job.
Between those two powerhouse programs, along with Penn State, there very well could be a bidding war for Franklin's services after this season. And no agent in the country is better known for getting his clients top dollar than Sexton.
So, does this mean it's a done deal that Franklin is leaving Penn State? Not necessarily. A lot of things still could happen on many fronts, starting with how the Nittany Lions perform this week at Ohio State.
But one thing that is guaranteed is that Sexton will be looking to get the absolute best deal for his new client. So even if Franklin does stay at Penn State, one would think it would come at a higher cost than what the school is currently paying him, which is more than $6 million a year.
Franklin will address the media for his weekly press conference today at 12:30 p.m., so we'll have more on this development later on.
