When you’re the head coach of a compelling football program like Penn State, it’s typically wise to be circumspect with any words you use openly. James Franklin knows the weight of his words, and he’s generally prudent in his messaging.

Franklin rarely lets the public into his emotions, but the Nittany Lions coach broke his typical tenets of temperance within the initial five seconds of his first media availability since the Big Ten fall season was postponed last week.

“The announcement to postpone football was extremely disappointing,” Franklin said Wednesday via Zoom. “Witnessing the confusion on our guys’ faces when I shared the news of the postponement last week was gut-wrenching. It is my responsibility to help our guys chase their dreams, and delivering this news felt like I was doing the opposite. It felt like I was taking away their dream to play at Penn State, even if it is only temporary for some.

“We, as a coaching staff and administration, fought as hard as we could to fulfill the desires of our student-athletes and their parents to play this fall,” Franklin said. “While I appreciate the complexities and difficulties of this decision for our conference leaders, I am extremely frustrated because we still have very few answers to communicate to our young men and their families about their futures and very little understanding of the factors contributing to this decision.”

The hour-long press conference was akin to Franklin going through each of the seven stages of grief in front of the world.