Career Timeline of James Franklin (American football coach): Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how James Franklin (American football coach) made an impact.

James Franklin is an American college football coach, currently the head coach at Penn State since 2014, with his contract extending until 2025. Prior to Penn State, he served as the head coach at Vanderbilt from 2011 to 2013.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1994: Division II Player of the Year Nominee

In 1994, while playing quarterback at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, James Franklin was a Division II player of the year nominee and was named a "National Player of the Week" by Sports Illustrated.

1995: First Rose Bowl Since 1995

After a strong season, Penn State beat Utah in the Rose Bowl, winning their first Rose Bowl since 1995. This win marked Coach James Franklin's first Rose Bowl win and his third New Year's Six win with the Nittany Lions.

1995: Coaching Career Begins

In 1995, James Franklin started his coaching career as the wide receivers coach at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

1997: Wide Receivers Coach at James Madison

In 1997, James Franklin became the wide receivers coach at James Madison.

1999: Wide Receivers Coach at Idaho State

In 1999, James Franklin served as the wide receivers coach at Idaho State, where the team had one of its best statistical seasons, ranking ninth nationally in total offense.

November 2000: Retained as Wide Receivers Coach at Maryland

In November 2000, after head coach Ron Vanderlinden was dismissed, Ralph Friedgen retained James Franklin as the wide receivers coach at the University of Maryland.

2003: Recruiting Coordinator at Maryland

In 2003, James Franklin's duties at the University of Maryland expanded to include the position of recruiting coordinator.

2005: Wide Receivers Coach for Green Bay Packers

In 2005, James Franklin departed Maryland to serve as the wide receivers coach for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL.

2006: Kansas State Quarterbacks Coach and Offensive Coordinator

In 2006, James Franklin served as Kansas State University's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

2007: Kansas State Quarterbacks Coach and Offensive Coordinator

In 2007, James Franklin continued to serve as Kansas State University's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

2008: Departure from Kansas State

In 2008, James Franklin left the Wildcat coaching staff prior to Ron Prince's dismissal.

2008: Returns to Maryland as Offensive Coordinator

In 2008, James Franklin returned to the University of Maryland as the offensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and head coach in waiting.

December 2010: Accepts Head Coach Position at Vanderbilt

In December 2010, shortly before then coach Ralph Friedgen was fired, James Franklin accepted the head coach position at Vanderbilt.

2010: Hired as Head Coach at Vanderbilt

In 2010, James Franklin was hired as the head coach at Vanderbilt, becoming the first African American to be head coach of a major sport at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt announced Franklin had been hired as head coach on December 17.

2011: Vanderbilt's 2011 Season

In 2011, James Franklin finished the regular season with an overall record of 6–6 and a mark of 2–6 in conference play at Vanderbilt. They were defeated by Cincinnati 31–24 in the Liberty Bowl to finish the season 6–7.

2012: Successful 2012 Season at Vanderbilt

In 2012, James Franklin's second season, Vanderbilt finished 9–4 and ranked in the Associated Press and USA Today end-of-season coaches' top 25 for the first time since 1948. It was only the third nine-win season in school history.

2012: Milestones Achieved in 2012 Season

The 2012 Vanderbilt team achieved numerous milestones including: the longest road winning streak (4) since 1950, longest win streak (7) since 1948, most times scoring 40 (5) or more points since 1915, first Vandy player Zac Stacy to rush for over 3,000 yards in career, and first time since 1949 to 1951 that Vanderbilt beat rival Ole Miss in consecutive years.

January 11, 2014: Appointed Head Football Coach at Penn State

On January 11, 2014, James Franklin was appointed as the head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions.

2014: Franklin speaks at THON

Since 2014, James Franklin has spoken at every THON event, and the Franklin family has consistently supported THON through donations, including a $10,000 gift in honor of football players Charlie Shuman and Nick Scott.

2016: Named Dave McClain Coach of the Year

In 2016, James Franklin was named the Dave McClain Coach of the Year in the Big Ten after leading Penn State to win the Big Ten's East Division and the Big Ten Football Championship Game.

August 18, 2017: Contract Extension Signed

On August 18, 2017, Penn State announced that James Franklin signed a six-year contract extension worth $5.738 million a year, including retention bonuses.

2017: Fiesta Bowl Victory and Season Ranking

In 2017, James Franklin led the Nittany Lions to another 10–2 regular season, ending the season by defeating the Washington Huskies in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl. Penn State finished the season 11–2, ranked #8 in both the AP and Coaches Poll.

2018: Season and Citrus Bowl Loss

In 2018, after losing key players, Penn State finished their regular season 9–3 overall and lost to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl 27–24. Penn State finished the season 9–4, ranked #17 in the AP and Coaches Poll.

2019: Contract Extension Approved

At the end of the 2019 regular season, Penn State announced that the board of trustees had confirmed unanimous approval of an extension of James Franklin contract after rumored interest from several other programs.

2019: Cotton Bowl Classic Victory

In 2019, the Nittany Lions finished the season 11–2 and defeated the Memphis Tigers in the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic 53–39. Penn State finished the 2019 season ranked #9 in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll.

2019: Donation to Children's Medical Center Dallas

Prior to Penn State's 2019 Cotton Bowl appearance, James Franklin matched a $10,000 donation from Goodyear to the Children's Medical Center Dallas.

2024: 2024 Season, Big Ten Championship, and College Football Playoff

During the 2024 season, Penn State went 11-1 in the regular season and qualified for the Big Ten Championship Game, losing to Oregon. They qualified for the College Football Playoff for the first time, advancing to the semifinal round before losing to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

2025: Fired from Penn State

After a disappointing 2025 season, James Franklin was fired from Penn State on October 12. He ended his tenure with a 104-45 overall record.

2031: Contract Extension Through 2031

Prior to the regular-season finale against Michigan State, James Franklin agreed to a 10-year, $75 million extension to remain as Penn State's head football coach through the 2031 season.