James Franklin - Developing The Quarterback

The Coach

PSFCA

Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association

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James Franklin, a 26-year football coaching veteran, was appointed Penn State’s 16th head football coach on January 11, 2014 and enters his 11th season as a collegiate head football coach. Franklin’s career head coaching record is 84-43 and is one of only six current FBS coaches to lead his team to a bowl game in each of his first nine seasons as a head coach. Franklin attributes his success on the field to the strength of his teams’ dedication to four core values: positive attitude, great work ethic, compete in everything you do and must be willing to sacrifice. Franklin is one of six current FBS head coaches to lead his teams to a bowl game in each of his first nine seasons as a head coach. Franklin has led his teams to three Top 10 finishes (3 at Penn State) and six Top 25 finishes (2 at Vanderbilt; 4 at Penn State). From 2016-19, Franklin led Penn State to 42 wins, the most in program history for the Big Ten era in a four-year span, and 28 league wins, a program record. Franklin has 26 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and NFL level. In his first 10 years as a head coach, Franklin mentored 82 players who have gone on to the NFL ranks. Franklin has secured top-25 recruiting classes each of his last nine seasons, including a top-5 class at Penn State in 2018. Franklin is second all-time in winning percentage by an FBS African American head coach (minimum 80 wins) and is third in total wins.