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Contract extension talks for Penn State coach James Franklin proceeding

At the Big Ten media days, Penn State Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour talked about the progress of contract extension talks with football coach James Franklin.

Penn State coach James Franklin and the university continue to discuss a contract extension.
Penn State coach James Franklin and the university continue to discuss a contract extension.Read moreMATT MARTON / AP

CHICAGO — When you win, you get rewarded. It's the American way. The NCAA way, too.

James Franklin signed a six-year contract when he became Penn State football coach in 2014, worth more than $4.5 million a year. Last year, the Nittany Lions surprised most folks by going 11-3 and reaching the Big Ten championship game. They will start this season in the top 10, for the first time in what seems like forever.

So at the Big Ten mediathon on Tuesday, director of athletics Sandy Barbour — who's also been in Happy Valley for three years — was naturally asked about the status of ongoing extension discussions/negotiations between the sides.

"We continue to talk," said Barbour, who later noted that season-ticket sales have increased by some 8,000, never a bad piece of leverage. "I can tell you that we're 100 percent committed to trying to get coach Franklin to the right place. Sometimes, it can be complicated. I have no concern about [getting it done]. It's just taking us longer to get there than anyone thought. We're just trying to get to the right place.

"I'm so proud of James and the program, and what the young men did last year was spectacular. But it's also how they go about their business. They want to be part of having it all. I think he's the perfect fit for Penn State. We've had a long history of success. [Last year] might have been a little unexpected, but we've been there before. And they act like it."

Job search

The Lions have few question marks. But one of them will be finding a new guy to kick off, now that Joey Julius has left the team. Last year, he was one of the nation's best — 43 of his 95 kickoffs went for touchbacks. He also underwent treatment for an eating disorder and re-entered the center in the spring.

"Obviously, I'm not going to get into specifics," said Franklin. "It's a delicate situation. The most important thing to us is the health and welfare of the player. We supported him, and we're going to continue to do so …

[James Franklin says Penn State has 'less question marks than most']

"We'll see how it plays out [on the field]. It's not ideal."

The possibilities are Tyler Davis, who converted 22 of 24 field goals; Blake Gillikin, who averaged nearly 43 yards per punt; and redshirt freshman Alex Barbir.

Franklin also is searching for a long-snapper.

Looking back

Penn State's captivating run to the conference championship is the subject of a show this fall on the Big Ten Network, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Called "Big Ten Elite," it will air at a time to be announced.