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 serving as the head coach at Pennsylvania State University since 2014. Before Penn State, he was the head coach at Vanderbilt University from 2011 to 2013. His career is marked by his leadership in college football programs.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1994: Division II Player of the Year Nominee

In 1994, James Franklin, playing as a quarterback for East Stroudsburg University, was nominated as a Division II player of the year. He also set seven school records this year and was named a 'National Player of the Week' by Sports Illustrated.

1995: Coaching at Kutztown University

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

1995: Rose Bowl Win

In 1995, Penn State won their first Rose Bowl since 1995, ending the season 11–2.

1997: Coaching at James Madison

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

1999: Coaching at Idaho State

In 1999, James Franklin served as the wide receivers coach at Idaho State University. That year, the Bengals recorded 29 touchdowns, 258 receptions, and in excess of 3,300 passing yards.

November 2000: Head Coach Dismissal at University of Maryland

In November 2000, Ron Vanderlinden, the head coach at the University of Maryland, was dismissed and replaced by Ralph Friedgen. Ralph Friedgen 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.

2005: Wide Receivers Coach for the 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 University Coaching Role

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

2007: Kansas State University Coaching Role

In 2007, James Franklin served at Kansas State University as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

2008: Departure from Kansas State

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

2008: Return to Maryland

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

December 2010: Acceptance of Head Coach Position at Vanderbilt

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

2010: Hired as Vanderbilt Head Coach

In 2010, after Gus Malzahn turned down the job, Vanderbilt began talks to hire James Franklin as its head coach, and on December 17, Vanderbilt announced that James Franklin had been hired as head coach. Franklin was the first African American to be head coach of a major sport at Vanderbilt.

2011: Vanderbilt Season Record

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

2012: Ranking of SEC Teams

In 2012, James Franklin ranked three SEC teams, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, ahead of Notre Dame in the final regular-season coaches poll.

2012: Vanderbilt Season Record

In 2012, James Franklin's second season as head coach, the Commodores finished 9–4 and ranked in both the Associated Press and USA Today end-of-season coaches' top 25 for the first time since 1948.

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

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

2014: THON Supporter

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

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.

2017: Fiesta Bowl Win

In 2017, James Franklin led the Nittany Lions to another 10–2 regular season. They ended the season by defeating the Washington Huskies in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, 35–28.

2018: Citrus Bowl Loss

In 2018, the Nittany Lions took a step back from their recent success, finishing their regular season 9–3 overall and 6–3 in conference games. Following the regular season they played Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl, losing 27–24.

October 30, 2019: 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 confirmed unanimous approval of an extension of James Franklin's contract.

2019: Donation to Children's Medical Center Dallas

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

2019: Cotton Bowl Classic Win

The Nittany Lions finished the 2019 season 11–2, and had a conference record of 7–2. They received an invitation to the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic where they defeated the #17 2019 Memphis Tigers 53–39.

2031: Contract Extension

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.