James Franklin, Orange Bowl

Why James Franklin–Marcus Freeman Matchup Is Progress for Black Coaches
The two will meet in the College Football Playoff semifinals with the winner becoming the first Black head coach to reach the college football title game.
An inspiration to Black coaches: James Franklin's historic position in the Orange Bowl
As James Franklin prepares for the Orange Bowl, the Nittany Lions head coach reflected on how two Black head coaches can impact the future.
Franklin, Freeman representing Black football coaches on national stage at 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.
Will James Franklin be first Black head coach in FBS 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.
Marcus Freeman, James Franklin hope CFP runs help all Black coaches
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.
Two Black Coaches Are About to Make College Football History. It Could Be Just the Start.
Penn State’s James Franklin and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman are the first nonwhite coaches to reach the playoff semifinals. Hiring shifts suggest they won’t be the last.
For the first time in history, a Black head coach will lead a team in college football’s FBS National Championship Game
This championship game also comes with a bit of additional history. Not only is this the first iteration of a 12-team playoff, but no matter what happens, for the first time ever, a Black head coach will lead a team in the National Championship Game.
Black coaches in college football: How Marcus Freeman or James Franklin will make history in 2025 championship game
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.
James Franklin or Marcus Freeman will make history on Thursday
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.

Penn State, James Franklin

After 155 Years, A Black Head Coach Will Finally Vie For CFB’s Crown
In the 155 years since the 1st college football game there's never been a Black head coach in the Championship, until this ...
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Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Was ‘Angry’ After Penn State’s James Franklin Joked About His Hair, Age
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was ‘angry’ after Penn State head coach James Franklin made a wisecrack about his ...
Black coaches have shot at college football title a generation after that milestone was hit in hoops
John Thompson led Georgetown to the championship in 1984, the first of four Black coaches to win it all. Carolyn Peck and her ...
Two Black head coaches in this CFP semifinal? How about just two head coaches?
Notre Dame football and Penn State both boast Black head coaches, which matters, but shouldn't be the central focus for ...
Brett Favre praises Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman for response to ESPN’s ‘terrible’ question on race
NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre praised Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman for his response to question about race after his ...
James Franklin one-upped his awful big-game reputation in Penn State heartbreaker
It could only end like this for James Franklin. No upset against SMU or Boise State, for this Penn State team. The Penn State coach has been plagued by losses in the biggest moments and that continued ...