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 football coach, currently the head coach at Pennsylvania State University since 2014. Prior to Penn State, he was the head coach at Vanderbilt University from 2011 to 2013. His career highlights include turning around the Vanderbilt program and maintaining Penn State as a competitive force in the Big Ten Conference. He is known for his recruiting abilities and offensive coaching acumen.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1916: Largest Margin of Victory Against Secondary Rival Kentucky (40) Since 1916

In 2012, The Vanderbilt team under James Franklin achieved the largest margin of victory against secondary rival Kentucky (40) Since 1916 when Vanderbilt won 45–0.

1935: Won Five SEC Games in a Year Since 1935

In 2012, James Franklin led the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 9-4 season, and it was the first time since 1935 that Vandy won five SEC games in a year.

1948: Ranked in Top 25 for the First Time Since 1948

In 2012, James Franklin led the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 9-4 season, ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 1948.

1949: Beat Rival Ole Miss in Consecutive Years for the First Time Since 1949-1951

In 2012, The Vanderbilt team under James Franklin achieved beating rival Ole Miss in consecutive years for the first time since 1949-1951.

1951: Beat Rival Ole Miss in Consecutive Years for the First Time Since 1949-1951

In 2012, The Vanderbilt team under James Franklin achieved beating rival Ole Miss in consecutive years for the first time since 1949-1951.

1954: Largest Margin of Victory Over Rival Tennessee (23) 41–18 Since 1954 (26–0)

In 2012, The Vanderbilt team under James Franklin achieved the largest margin of victory over rival Tennessee (23) 41–18 Since 1954 (26–0).

1982: First 8-win Season Since 1982

In 2012, The Vanderbilt team under James Franklin achieved their first 8-win season Since 1982.

1994: Division II Player of the Year Nominee and National Player of the Week

In 1994, James Franklin, playing as a quarterback for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, set seven school records and was a Division II player of the year nominee. Sports Illustrated named him a "National Player of the Week" that season.

1995: Coaching Career Begins

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

1997: Wide Receivers Coach at James Madison

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

1999: Master's Degree and Coaching at Washington State

In 1999, James Franklin completed a master's degree in educational leadership at Washington State University. He also served as the tight ends coach at Washington State the previous year.

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 became the new head coach at Maryland and retained James Franklin as the wide receivers coach.

2003: Recruiting Coordinator at Maryland

In 2003, James Franklin's duties at the University of Maryland expanded to include the position of recruiting coordinator, establishing his reputation as a top recruiter.

2005: Wide Receivers Coach for Green Bay Packers

In 2005, James Franklin left the University of Maryland to become the wide receivers coach for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.

2006: Kansas State Quarterbacks Coach and Offensive Coordinator

In 2006, James Franklin became the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Kansas State University, joining head coach Ron Prince's staff.

2007: Continued Role at Kansas State

In 2007, James Franklin continued his role as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Kansas State University, nurturing offensive talent.

2008: Departure from Kansas State

In 2008, James Franklin left the Kansas State coaching staff prior to Ron Prince's dismissal and the subsequent return of Coach Bill Snyder.

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.

2008: Ranked in Any Week Since 2008

In 2012, James Franklin led the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 9-4 season, ranked in the top 25 for the first time in any week since 2008.

December 2010: Accepts Head Coach Position at Vanderbilt

In December 2010, shortly before the firing of coach Ralph Friedgen, James Franklin accepted the head coach position at Vanderbilt University.

2010: Hired as Head Coach at Vanderbilt

In 2010, James Franklin was hired as the head coach at Vanderbilt University, becoming the first African American head coach of a major sport at the university and the third African American head football coach in the Southeastern Conference.

2011: First Season at Vanderbilt and Liberty Bowl Appearance

In 2011, James Franklin finished his first regular season as Vanderbilt's head coach with a 6-6 record. The team was invited to the Liberty Bowl where they were defeated by Cincinnati 31–24 to finish the season 6–7.

2012: Successful Season at Vanderbilt

In 2012, James Franklin led the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 9-4 season, ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 1948 and the first time in any week since 2008. It was only the third nine-win season in school history and also was the first time since 1935 that Vandy won five SEC games in a year.

2012: Ranking SEC Teams Above Notre Dame

In 2012, James Franklin ranked three SEC teams (Alabama, Georgia, and Florida) ahead of the consensus Number 1 Notre Dame in the final regular-season coaches poll, highlighting his belief in the strength of Southeastern Conference football.

2012: Numerous Milestones with the Vanderbilt Team

The 2012 Vanderbilt team under James Franklin achieved numerous milestones, including the longest road winning streak since 1950, the longest win streak since 1948, and the most times scoring 40 or more points since 1915. Zac Stacy also became the first Vandy player to rush for over 3,000 yards in his career, and the team beat Ole Miss in consecutive years for the first time since 1949 to 1951.

January 11, 2014: Appointment as Head Football Coach at Penn State

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

January 24, 2014: Penn State Pays Termination Fee

On January 24, 2014, Penn State disclosed it agreed to pay $1.5 million that James Franklin owed Vanderbilt for early termination of his contract, according to USA TODAY Sports.

2014: Speaking at THON

Since 2014, James Franklin has spoken at every THON, and the Franklin family has generously supported THON through annual gifts.

December 31, 2014: Retention Bonus

James Franklin's contract included a $300,000 retention bonus payable if he was Penn State's coach on December 31, 2014.

2016: Big Ten East Division Win and Dave McClain Coach of the Year Award

In 2016, James Franklin led Penn State to win the Big Ten East Division and defeat Wisconsin in the Big Ten Football Championship Game, earning him the Dave McClain Coach of the Year award.

August 18, 2017: Contract Extension with Penn State

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 Win and Season Ranking

In 2017, James Franklin led the Nittany Lions to an 11-2 season, ending with a victory over the Washington Huskies in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl. Penn State finished the season ranked #8 in both the AP and Coaches Poll.

2017: Contract Details Announced

In 2017, Penn State announced James Franklin would make $4.3 million during the 2017 season as part of a contract that would escalate each year through the 2022 season in which he would make $6.3 million. The contract included a $2 million buyout for the 2017 season and a $1 million buyout for every subsequent year.

2018: Citrus Bowl Loss and Season Ranking

In 2018, after losing key players, James Franklin led the Nittany Lions to a 9-3 regular season. They lost to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl and finished the season 9-4, ranked #17 in the AP and Coaches Poll.

October 30, 2019: 43rd Annual Renaissance Fund honoree

On October 30, 2019, James Franklin was named Penn State's 43rd Annual Renaissance Fund honoree. The dinner raised over $287,600 for endowed scholarships at Penn State.

2019: Contract Extension Approval

At the end of the 2019 regular season, Penn State announced that the board of trustees had unanimously approved an extension of James Franklin's contract, amidst rumored interest from other programs.

2019: Cotton Bowl Classic Win and Season Ranking

In 2019, James Franklin led the Nittany Lions to an 11-2 season. They won the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic against the Memphis Tigers and finished the season ranked #9 in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll.

2022: Contract Details Announced

In 2017, Penn State announced James Franklin's contract would escalate each year through the 2022 season in which he would make $6.3 million.

2031: Extension as Penn State's head football coach

In 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.