James Geoffrey Franklin, or simply James Franklin, is a former player and American college football coach. Born on February 2 in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, he played as a quarterback throughout his college years at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

The James Franklin era at Penn State came to an end last weekend when the Nittany Lions fired their coach of 12 years. Franklin left an indelible mark on the program in nearly all the right ways, rebuilding it into a perennial Big Ten and national championship contender after a period of turmoil.

These unemployed, but successful college football coaches are itching to get back into the grind. Here are the best currently open jobs for each.

The Florida Gators wouldn't be getting a football coach who wins the big one should they hire former Penn State Nittany Lions headman James Fraklin.

James Franklin’s $49-plus million buyout could soon look like chump change. Mike Norvell’s rump now roasts on the hot seat after a fourth consecutive loss, and his buyout would check in at more than $58 million at season’s end.

Gone are the days of Florida State and Clemson dominating the league, with programs like Virginia and Georgia Tech now having a real shot at the College Football Playoff via the ACC Championship Game. There’s no reason why Virginia Tech couldn’t return to that conversation with the right coach.

It won't be a surprise to Tennessee Vols fans that longtime nemesis Steve Spurrier had some thoughts on UT's 37-20 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. What might be surprising, though, is that Spurrier seemed to be a little more forgiving of the loss than Vols fans.