Why James Franklin thinks college football needs its own commissioner originally appeared on The Sporting News
Penn State head coach James Franklin has emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of appointing a college football commissioner. He believes the sport needs a central figure to guide it through a turbulent era and resolve the conflicts that have surfaced between conferences.
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Currently, no single leader oversees college football. Franklin argued that conference commissioners are left to fill the void, which often results in disputes because each league prioritizes its own interests.
“I do think a commissioner of college football would be good,” Franklin said during an appearance on SiriusXM College Sports Radio.
Franklin outlined the qualities he believes a commissioner should possess. In his view, the ideal candidate would have experience as both a coach and a member of the media.
“I think we need somebody in that position that has really good experience on the field coaching, maybe now in the media,” he said. “Because the media offers some opportunities to get behind the scenes in other programs and be able to compare and contrast. So there’s a lot of value there.”
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He drew on his experience in AFCA meetings to explain the challenge of building consensus across different leagues.
“You’d have a coach that one year, was in the SEC and had very strong opinions on what we should be doing for college football. And then, the next year, they’re in the Big 12 and have totally different opinions and we’re supposed to be doing what’s best for college football,” Franklin said.
Franklin compared the situation to politics, noting that many decisions are made with a narrow focus.
“It’s hard to do that, to take your hat off and say, ‘This is the best thing to do for college football,’ not for the program that you’re representing at the time,” he said.
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While the role does not exist, recent changes such as the College Sports Commission’s creation following the House v. NCAA settlement highlight the shifting landscape.
More: Chaz Coleman making waves at Penn State with James Franklin’s nod of approval
