Coaching Career at Penn State: James Franklin has been the head coach of Penn State’s football team since 2014. Under his leadership, the team has had several successful seasons, including a Big Ten Championship in 2016.
Turnaround at Vanderbilt: Before joining Penn State, Franklin was the head coach at Vanderbilt from 2011 to 2013. He helped turn around the program, leading the team to back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time in school history.
Offensive Background: Franklin started his coaching career primarily on the offensive side of the ball, working as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at various schools, including Kansas State and Maryland.
Recruiting Success: Franklin is known for his strong recruiting abilities, regularly securing top-tier recruiting classes for Penn State. His recruiting prowess has helped Penn State remain competitive in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference.
Player Development: Several players who developed under Franklin at Penn State have gone on to have successful NFL careers, including Saquon Barkley, Micah Parsons, and Jahan Dotson. This track record has bolstered his reputation as a coach who prepares athletes for the next level.
