But the neat thing is theres kids now that are viewing it that way.. The Nittany Lions earned back-to-back 11-win seasons for the fifth time in program history and first time since 2008 and 2009 with an 11-2 record. There might not be a more insightful way to experience that contrast than how Franklin did. Parsons was also selected as the Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year to become the third Nittany Lion to claim the award, joining Mike Hull (2014) and Michael Mauti (2012). The football teams 2,100 hours of community service in 2014-15 equated to nearly 40 percent of the 5,300 community service hours by Penn State student-athletes. In each of his three seasons in Nashville, Franklin signed classes that finished in the top 50 nationally. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. On January 11, 2014, the Athletic Department at Penn State announced the appointment of Franklin as the head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. A total of 56 Nittany Lions earned a 3.0 GPA or higher during the 2015 fall semester, which set a school record. First 8-win season since 1982. Matt Thomas. Franklin is one of four current Big Ten coaches (Ryan Day, Kirk Ferentz, Jim Harbaugh) to have won a Big Ten Championship and became the first African American head coach to win a Big Ten title after Penn States 2016 victory. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - James Franklin rises from his bed before sunlight can break through his new Port Matilda home. [15] They took graphic photos and videos of the rape. Vanderbilt continued its historic rise under Franklin during the 2013 season, capping a school-record 9-4 campaign with a 41-24 win over Houston in the BBVA Compass Bowl. Even as Jeffries took to the sideline, nobody knew how it would go, or how long it would be before another black coach would lead a football team at the D1 level. In Franklins first season at Penn State, he helped Mike Hull to the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year award to carry on the Linebacker U tradition. The first 9 win season since 1915. From 2016-19, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to three New Years Six bowls - 2016 (Rose), 2017 (Fiesta) and 2019 (Cotton) - making Penn State one of eight teams to accomplish the feat during the four-year span. Franklins 24 wins tied Dan McGugin for the most by a Vanderbilt coach in his first three seasons. And if they dont, he would have to contend with State Colleges status as a blue town. Franklin's departure from Vanderbilt was not without controversy, as his sudden move to Penn State upset most of Vanderbilt's fans. The Nittany Lions laid claim to the No. Penn State Football. On June 15, 2020, Franklin was named to the Big Ten Equality Coalition, which includes student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, chancellors, presidents and other members of the Big Ten family representing all 14 member institutions. [5], Franklin first served at the University of Maryland as the wide receivers coach starting in 2000. Penn State finished the season 94, ranked #17 in the AP and Coaches Poll. That year, he was also the offensive coordinator for the Roskilde Kings of the Danish American Football Federation. We have done a very thorough vetting of this and we feel comfortable with the situation.' [20] Penn State agreed to pay $1.5 million that Franklin owed Vanderbilt for early termination of his contract, Penn State disclosed this information January 24, 2014, according to USA TODAY Sports. Id love to have more open discussion, and Ive had them with the team. The Commodores had played in four bowl games all-time in the 121 seasons prior to his arrival, none in consecutive years. Everything is magnified, especially when you exist against the grain, against what has always been the safe hire. Oweh and Toney became the first Penn State defensive end duo to receive first team honors since Courtney Brown and Brad Scioli in 1998. Vanderbilt finished with 9 wins in consecutive years for the first time in school history, and was also ranked in the top 25 of AP and Coaches polls in back-to-back years for the first time. Franklin has also been an ardent supporter of Be the Match, encouraging community members to join the national bone marrow registry. They were invited to the Liberty Bowl where they were defeated by Cincinnati 3124 to finish the season 67 in 2011. 5-rated recruit in the 247Sports Composite, which is the highest recruit signed by Penn State since 2005 when Derrick Williams was the No. Penn State Coach James Franklin, center, with his players at Beaver Stadium, is the highest-paid state employee in Pennsylvania, at more than $4 million per year. Running back Saquon Barkley finished a stellar collegiate career by winning the Paul Hornung Award for the nations most versatile player, three major Big Ten awards Graham-George Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football for the second-straight season. 12/15 Wisconsin and No. They began a long-distance relationship that led to an engagement in Green Bay, where Franklin worked in 2005. He has a $2 million buyout for the 2017 season and a $1 million buyout for every subsequent year. 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. Penn State University President Rodney Erickson and Director of Athletics Dave Joyner said a deep background search and intense interview questions left them confident that hiring Franklin would not bring any more damage to Penn State University, which was still working through the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal that damaged the program in 2011. And within Franklins lifetime, that scene was one nearly impossible to imagine. In 2017, McSorley broke the Penn State single-season record for completions (284), total offense (4,061), touchdowns responsible for (37), 300-yard passing games (5) and 200-yard passing games (11). Franklin coached quarterback Josh Freeman and oversaw an offense that produced a 3,000-yard passer (Freeman), 1,500-yard receiver (All-American wide receiver Jordy Nelson) and 1,000-yard rusher (James Johnson) during the 2007 season, a first in school history. Penn State finished the 2019 season ranked #9 in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. Fifty-two squad members compiled at least a 3.0 GPA in the fall of 2019, which was the second-highest semester total in program history. Franklin graduated having broken or tied 23 school records. James Franklin and the No. James Franklin is ranked #10th among the best college football coaches while Alabama's Nick Saban, Clemson Tigers' Dabo Swinney, and LSU's Ed Orgeron are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. Theres no advantage from [your race] but theres no disadvantage either, youre just being hired on your ability to do the job. But in a lot of ways it wasnt, because I didnt know if it was a real possibility, Franklin added, now entering his sixth year on the job. Franklin served at Kansas State University as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Franklin was born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 1972, to James Oliver and Jocelyn "Josie" Franklin. "[24][25], During the 2016 season, Penn State started the season 22, but Franklin rallied his team to win the next eight games, winning the Big Ten's East Division, followed by a victory over Wisconsin in the 2016 Big Ten Football Championship Game. A big and significant development in the coaching carousel occurred Monday night when it was reported that Penn State head coach James Franklin switched agents, Franklin said on Tuesday that he switched representation over the summer. Prior to his injury, Freiermuth led all FBS tight ends with 5.8 receptions per game and ranked fifth averaging 77.5 receiving yards per game. Head football coach James Franklin and Jesse James (18) celebrate James' touchdown against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at Beaver Stadium. So for me its kind of interesting because youve got people that grow up in White America, youve got people who grow up Black America and youve got myself, who kind of grew up in a mix of both. A program-record 10 Nittany Lions were named 2020-21 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, besting the previous mark of nine set a year earlier. Franklin was welcomed to an America eight years removed from the Civil Rights Act, but the nation's march toward true equality was still ongoing, the impact of segregation still so prevalent that. Four straight wins in SEC play for the first time since 1949. Barkley was selected as the Graham-George Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year and Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner for the conferences top player. Vandy defeated Houston Cougars in the BBVA Compass Bowl 4124. Franklin guided Penn State to back-to-back New Years Six bowls in 2016 (Rose) and 2017 (Fiesta) for the first time since 1985 (Orange) and 1986 (Fiesta). "My family and I are very thankful to be a part of the Penn State community," Franklin said in a statement. I didnt grow up in Pennsylvania thinking I could be or would be the head football coach of Penn State, Franklin said as the fog rolled across Mount Nittany on the horizon. Ive talked to [Stanford head coach] David Shaw, a good friend of mine and a number of other coaches and I do think that a lot of the [minority] coaches carry a little bit of extra pressure, Franklin added. I didnt know if it would go outside of the family you know, the Penn State family, and the coaching tree that was here. We're very, very careful and very methodical about doing that. 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). Franklin was named the 16th head football coach in the storied history of the Nittany Lion program on January 11, 2014. Inside the 11-day search that brought James Franklin from Vanderbilt to Penn State, complete with Texas rumors and building attention. For Franklin, the importance and impact of that diversity goes beyond his own team and beyond race. Gillikin set the Penn State record for punting average in a season with a 44.00 mark, besting the previous record of 43.55 set by Ralph Giacomarro in 1981. Barrett (2014, 2017). One hundred eleven of the 205 signees (54 percent) under Franklin are from within a 250-mile radius of State College. He was a panelist for the session, The Formula to Win: College Football Analytics, which was moderated by ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols. Tight end Pat Freiermuth was selected as the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year, becoming Penn States first tight end to win the award. To be a minority hire is to carry the heritage of those who came before you and the pressure of keeping the door open behind you. [1][2] He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, and went to college at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he played as a quarterback all four years. He also encourages them to visit. I think the numbers show that. I think its going to bring more understanding. The NHL is almost exclusively white with nine black coaches having been a part of an organization in any capacity, and, as of 2018, just 87 black players having seen the ice at the sports highest level. A victory at Missouri sparked an 8-1 finish, which included three consecutive SEC road wins for the first time in program history. The Penn State defense was a permanent fixture in the oppositions backfield, leading the country in sacks (3.62) for the second time in the last four years and ranking fourth in tackles for loss (8.2). And if he can come across as guarded, its not for a lack of wanting to share. The Nittany Lions ended the season in the AP Top 25 in four consecutive seasons for the first time since a seven-year stint from 1993-99. First winning record in the regular season since 1982. While at Vanderbilt, Franklin assembled a recruiting class that finished as high as 19th in 2014. And thats a healthy thing in any relationship in life with your friends, with your team, as long as its done in a respectful manner. Franklins first season was bookended with a pair of thrilling victories for the Nittany Lions. These papers generally relate to her . They know if theyre successful its going to open up opportunities for more [minorities]. Through the transfer portal, Penn State has been able to address needs at wide receiver and defensive back so far. It opens up a bunch of young assistant coaches across the country that feel like thats a possibility for them one day. Its a responsibility that I think I have. Franklin has never indicated who he voted for (or if he did), but there are a myriad of reasons to think his political leanings might run counter to the natural majority of rural America and rural Pennsylvania. You know I can see things from both perspectives, which I think is very valuable in a lot of ways.. Penn States No. If nothing else, his decision to keep his opinions private is a pragmatic business move given the political landscape that surrounds Centre County, one of only nine Pennsylvania counties Donald Trump failed to win despite winning all seven that border it by a wide margin. [31] They were able to rebound, however, by winning their last four games after that to finish 45. That is athletic directors. Penn State continued to be among the nations elite in 2017, climbing as high as No. Franklin was inducted into the East Stroudsburg Athletics Hall of Fame October 15, 2016. Freeman would go on to become the Wildcats highest NFL offensive draft pick since 1954 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him 17th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Quarterback Sean Clifford (2021) and linebacker Brandon Smith (2017) were selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works team for their selflessness and community service. Parsons was the No. 1995 - Kutztown University (Wide Receivers). 2011-13 - Vanderbilt (HeadCoach) James joined Penn State in 2014, agreeing on a six-year contract. Barkley was named the Big Ten Networks Freshman of the Year and claimed second-team All-Big Ten honors, while wide receiver Chris Godwin (second team) and defensive tackles Austin Johnson (second team) and Anthony Zettel (third team) also earned All-Big Ten accolades. The last three regular season losses were close games to No. [30], Penn State got off to their worst start in school history in 2020, starting 05. Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks on the field prior to the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver . Donald Driver was among the top receivers in the NFL, ranking second in receptions and eighth in receiving yards, with a then-career-high 86 catches for 1,221 yards. Defense was dominant for the Nittany Lions, finishing in the top 10 in FBS in yards per rush (1st; 2.55), forced fumbles (1st; 22), rushing defense (5th; 95.0), sacks (7th; 3.46), scoring defense (8th; 16.0) and fumble recoveries (10th; 12). State College Webcams; Sports. Penn State and James Franklin are in this for the long haul, and the university will be investing heavily in Franklin's leadership for . James Franklin Delivers an Invitation, and a CTA, to Penn State's Trustees 'We have to embrace the new college football,' Franklin tells the board. Franklin has spoken at every THON since 2014,[37] and the Franklin family has generously supported THON through annual gifts[38] including a $10,000 gift made in honor of football players Charlie Shuman, Nick Scott.[39]. padding-top:5px; }, 2014-current - Penn State (HeadCoach) James Geoffrey Franklin (born February 2, 1972) is an American football coach and former player. The first time in Vanderbilt history a player (Zac Stacy) had rushed for over 1,000 yards back to back years. The Nittany Lions surged in 2016, winning nine consecutive games en route to the Big Ten Championship, a Rose Bowl berth and an 11-3 overall record. Wide receiver Jordan Matthews broke the Vanderbilt season receiving record with 1,363 yards on 94 catches. I think for our players to be able to look up and see people in positions of power and in decision-making positions is important. The 3.83 average star ranking for the 2019 class was the highest in program history since the inception of the 247Sports Composite in 2000. Thats owners. width:50px; Id love to be one of these guys that says so much that you can pretty much say anything and it doesnt faze anybody, Franklin said with a laugh. 2000-04 - Maryland (WideReceivers/RecruitingCoordinator) Penn State came under fire from fans who thought the team was faking injuries to slow Iowa's momentum during the Hawkeyes' 23-20 home win in Week 6. 12 according to ESPN.com, No. Religion plays a part in that. And I think thats an important piece the number of athletes that make up the sports and the breakdowns, but also that you never hear people talk about the number of assistant coaches. Twenty-three Penn State players have been selected in the last four NFL Drafts, the most in a four-draft span since 1993-96 (27 players drafted). In 2017, the newest set of Nittany Lions finished in the Top 15 in the country, ranking as high as 12th by Rivals. With his ticket punched for State College, PA, new Penn State football coach James Franklin is officially closing up shop in Nashville. And then you know obviously, [when I was younger] you just didnt know if there would be someone that looked like me in this job or in this position I try to avoid politics as much as I possibly can. The Nittany Lions posted their first 1,000 single-year APR in program history in 2018-19, topping the previous high of 993 in 2014-15. Dotson also finished the year averaging 24.6 yards per punt return, a school record. [5] He joined head coach Ron Prince as the first coaching staff to follow the legendary Bill Snyder. With a pair of thrilling victories for the 2017 season and a $ 1 million for. 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