Following the loss for the Nittany Lions, Franklin sent a message to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman . Franklin shared high praise for Freeman and the Fighting Irish, mentioning that he's a "class act" and wishes Notre Dame success in their next matchup.

Before their teams square off in the Orange Bowl, Penn State head coach James Franklin admitted Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is living his follicle fantasy. During a Wednesday, January 8, press conference ahead of the game on Thursday night,

One head coach will make history by winning the Orange Bowl on Thursday. When Penn State-Notre Dame goes final in the College Football Playoff semifinal either James Franklin or Marcus Freeman will become the first Black head coach to lead a team into the FBS National Championship game.

The spring and summer of 2020 was a fraught time for college football coaches. Their sport was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting them off from recruiting future players and on-field interaction with their current players.

Orange Bowl coaches James Franklin of Penn State and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame discuss key injuries to Jeremiyah Love and Abdul Carter ahead of the game.

Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman and Penn State's James Franklin are aware they are on the brink of making history in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Either Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman or Penn State’s James Franklin will become the first Black coach to compete for a college football national championship.

College football will see its first Black head coach guide his team to the national championship game at the highest level of the game with either Penn State’s James Franklin or Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman.

In line with the 12-team playoff's historic nature, the CFP semifinals feature a matchup that will guarantee more history in the national championship game.

The Orange Bowl is still several hours away from kickoff, and yet, Penn State coach James Franklin is already getting criticized on social media. During Wednesday's media availability for Penn State and Notre Dame,