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. With his ticket punched for State College, PA, new Penn State football coach James Franklin is officially closing up shop in Nashville. The Class of 2016 at Penn State finished in the top 20, ranking as high as 18th by ESPN, and featured a pair of five-star recruits. Bonfire Old-Fashioned BBQ Opens on East College Avenue, Decision to Approve License for Nittany Mall Casino Appealed to Pa. Supreme Court, State College Landlord Accused of Unfair and Deceptive Practices Files Lawsuit Against Penn State, Pa. Attorney General. Under Franklins direction, Penn State has finished in the top 12 of the final College Football Playoff rankings in four of the last six seasons, has earned berths in three New Years Six bowl games with two wins and won the 2016 Big Ten Championship. Penn State finished the season 94, ranked #17 in the AP and Coaches Poll. Thats GMs. The 2011 bowl berth was Vanderbilts second since 1983 and running back Zac Stacy broke the Commodores season record with 1,193 rushing yards. Head football coach James Franklin and Jesse James (18) celebrate James' touchdown against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at Beaver Stadium. 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. Penn State had a program-record 38 student-athletes claim Academic All-Big Ten honors in the fall of 2021, besting the previous mark of 35 set by Franklins squad in 2017. You know, and the good thing is, that responsibility aligns already with what Im doing.. October 26, 2021 7:44 am PT. Franklin and former Nittany Lion head coach Bill OBrien (running backs) were Maryland assistant coaches in 2003 and 2004 under Friedgen. From building team camaraderie, to recruiting, to coaching spring ball, he ha In February 2015, Franklin was the lone college head coach among the speakers and panelists at the prestigious MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston. 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. . 8 Arkansas 3128, at Florida 2621, and at Tennessee in overtime 2721. 1999 - Idaho State (Wide Receivers) The 2011 seniors for the Vanderbilt football team became the first class in program history to qualify for two bowl games while at the school. A total of 56 Nittany Lions earned a 3.0 GPA or higher during the 2015 fall semester, which set a school record. 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. Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford drops back to throw against Purdue during a 35-7 Nittany Lion win on Oct. 5, 2019 at Beaver Stadium. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - James Franklin rises from his bed before sunlight can break through his new Port Matilda home. There is a pressure that comes with this honor though. The 2018 recruiting class was ranked No. Published. Since arriving at Penn State, his teams have devoted hundreds of hours each semester to service, including an annual team trip to the Penn State Children's Hospital at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to visit with young children battling pediatric cancers. Matt Thomas. Backgrounds play a part in that, age, experience all of it. The longest road winning streak (4) since 1950. Stout, a Ray Guy Award finalist, set Penn States school record for career punt average (44.54) and season punt average (46.01) and became the second specialist in Big Ten history to earn Special Teams player of the Week in a season four times. Penn State finished the season 112, ranked #8 in both the AP and Coaches Poll. font-size:1.10em; Franklin was named the 16th head football coach in the storied history of the Nittany Lion program on January 11, 2014. First time a Vanderbilt team went to a bowl in back-to-back years. 6 Penn State coach James Franklin has finally been reunited with his family kind of. Franklin and his staff organized a top-25 recruiting class in short order after being hired at Penn State in January 2014. We have done a very thorough vetting of this and we feel comfortable with the situation.' James Franklin had a rough press conference, calling Ohio State "Illinois," and The 'Shoe "The Big House." 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. I think the numbers show that. 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. There was a lot of conflict. [5], Franklin first served at the University of Maryland as the wide receivers coach starting in 2000. [15] They took graphic photos and videos of the rape. Tyler Yazujian collected a berth on the CoSIDA Academic All-America first team in 2016 after an appearance on the second team in 2015. In addition, Parsons became the 101st first-team All-American and 43rd consensus All-American in Penn State history. Franklin and his wife, Fumi, established the Franklin Family Educational Equity Scholarship to help make the Penn State experience affordable for students who havent had access to enroll in the past. The Nittany Lions also signed 12 ESPN300 recruits in 2018, the first time since 2006 when ESPN rankings started. So I think more progress needs to be made. 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. "He has been through the most thorough vetting process that any individual has gone through at the university," Erickson said after a press conference at Beaver Stadium where Franklin made his first official appearance as a leader of Penn State. Penn State earned its third 11-win season in the last four years with an 11-2 record, including a win over No. I think what everybody ultimately wants is getting to a point where its not a discussion, you get to a point where that whatever your background is, that people are being hired on merit and thats it, Franklin said. Wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton ended his Penn State career as the programs career receptions leader (214) and second in school history in receiving yards (2,842). It also marked the first time Penn State as a program went to three New Years Six bowls in four years since 1980-83 (1980 Fiesta, 1982 Fiesta ,1983 Sugar). James Geoffrey Franklin (born February 2, 1972) is an American football coach and former player. Penn State ranked third in the Big Ten in total defense (328.8; 17th nationally), second in in passing defense (198.6; 24th), second in tackles for loss (6.7 per game) and fourth in rushing defense (130.2). Franklin was born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 1972, to James Oliver and Jocelyn "Josie" Franklin. It was obvious that I was different. There are no new white faces setting the racial achievement bar higher for people like them to chase and beat. Although there is an eagerness for a time when that isnt the case. You know, thats all of it. 5-rated recruit in the 247Sports Composite, which is the highest recruit signed by Penn State since 2005 when Derrick Williams was the No. So I think for all of our female student-athletes to look and see her in her position I think it is empowering for all of our student-athletes [and] to see someone, you know, like me sitting in the head coaching position it is empowering.. Barrett (2014, 2017). In 2017, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to another 102 regular season, 72 in Big Ten Games. In 2019, punter Blake Gillikin took home CoSIDA Academic All-America first-team honors for the second-straight year to become the 12th two-time first-team selection in Penn State history. I got into a lot of fights in elementary school and got in some fights in junior high. Franklin finished the 2011 regular season with an overall record of 66 and a mark of 26 in conference play, finishing in a tie with Kentucky for fourth place in the SEC East. We have a female athletic director in Sandy Barbour, which is not common within the industry, and an African-American football coach, which is not common, he said. 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. During his first few press conferences, he had said how he wanted Penn State to again be the most dominant school in recruiting in Pennsylvania.[21]. Longest win streak (7) since 1948. He collected first-team accolades from Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and second-team laurels from the Football Writers Association of American (FWAA), Walter Camp and Sporting News. 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. Even with a losing record, the 2011 team outscored their opponents 347 to 281. The Commodores were 5-3 in SEC play, winning five SEC games for the first time since 1935, and posted two shutouts for the first time since 1968. In the eyes of some you are not quite white, not quite black. Penn State finished the 2019 season ranked #9 in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. The Nittany Lions earned a New Years Day bowl berth against Arkansas in the Outback Bowl. Dear James Franklin, We know you are busy trying to go 1-0 this week, but the college football world is not going to let you focus solely on Penn State beating Illinois. Franklin has secured top-25 recruiting classes each of his last 10 seasons, including a top-5 class at Penn State in 2018 and the sixth-ranked class in 2022. [22][23] In the days following the move to Penn State; on January 7, 2014, James Franklin was forced to discuss the gang rape allegations by four of his former players at Vanderbilt. Largest margin of victory over rival Tennessee (23) 4118 since 1954 (260). The Nittany Lions, started the season off with a 50 record and with wins over #12 Wisconsin and #22 Auburn were ranked as high as #4 in the country. Most times scoring 40 (5) or more points since 1915. 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. In his second season (2012), the Commodores finished 94 and ranked in both the Associated Press and USA Today end-of-season coaches' top 25 for the first time since 1948 (and the first ranking in any week since 2008). His incentives are capped at $1 million per year.[28]. James Franklin, the Nittany Lions' head coach, is building a championship culture at Penn State football. By Dec. 30, 2018 there were just 10 black head football coaches within the Power Five conferences with only a few more in total over the span of 130 programs nationwide. In 2003, Franklin's duties expanded to include the position of recruiting coordinator. Wide receiver Jahan Dotson led the league in receiving yardage (884; 19th nationally) and was tied for the nation's lead in catches of 60-plus yards (4). [30], Penn State got off to their worst start in school history in 2020, starting 05. In 2016, Franklin secured the No. Thats owners. I think its going to bring more understanding. Barkley became the 100th first-team All-American in program history with Consensus All-America honors and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. 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. He helped the Terrapins to victories in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl and the 2010 Military Bowl. Franklin and his wife, Fumi, have two daughters, Shola and Addison. Franklin's departure from Vanderbilt was not without controversy, as his sudden move to Penn State upset most of Vanderbilt's fans. Through the transfer portal, Penn State has been able to address needs at wide receiver and defensive back so far. Among the season records he set were for total offense (3,128 yards), passing yards (2,586) and touchdown passes (19). The special teams unit was strong on punt and kick coverage, as the Nittany Lions ranked second in the country in net punting (44.5), fifth in kickoff return defense (14.0) and ninth in punt return defense (2.79). Redlining was agovernment supported practice formuch of the reconstruction era and the 1900s. 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. Offensively, the Nittany Lions continued to put up big numbers, ranking 15th in FBS in scoring offense with a 35.8 average, which ranks eighth in program history. 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. I look at diversity on our staff. In August 2019, Franklin was named a Penn State University Renaissance Fund honoree, which awards outstanding community members for helping students in need. 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). They received an invitation to the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic where they defeated the #17 2019 Memphis Tigers 5339. In the 2020 fall semester, five student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA), 37 made Dean's List (3.5 GPA or higher) and 86 posted a 3.0 GPA or higher with the Universitys alternative COVID-19 grading system in place. A victory at Missouri sparked an 8-1 finish, which included three consecutive SEC road wins for the first time in program history. Franklin has guided the Nittany Lions to an 86 percent graduation success rate, a perfect single-year 1,000 APR for the 2018-19 school year and record-breaking performances in the classroom. Hired by the Nittany Lions to replace Bill O'Brien. It was very early on that I realized that I was different, Franklin said. I look forward to diligently working with President Barron and Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour on implementing a plan that puts our University and our student-athletes in the best position to compete on the field and in life.". The Nittany Lions sent nine players to senior all-star games, which is the most since 2003 when nine student-athletes were in postseason games (Senior Bowl: Allen, Gesicki, Hamilton, Christian Campbell; East-West Shrine Bowl: Hamilton, Jason Cabinda, Curtis Cothran, Parker Cothren, Grant Haley; NFLPA Collegiate Bowl: Troy Apke). In 1997, he became wide receivers coach at James Madison, and, the following year, became tight ends coach at Washington State. 2006-07 - Kansas State (OffensiveCoordinator/Quarterbacks) Everything is magnified, especially when you exist against the grain, against what has always been the safe hire. 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. James Franklin hosts newcomers for pizza, tacos, and water ice Share this article 73 shares Kevin McGuire June 23, 2022 11:00 am ET It has become a bit of an annual tradition for Penn State. Four decades removed from Jeffries hire the world of sports is still a long way from where it could be and the examples are plentiful. The teams will open the 2022 season on Sept. 1 at West . I think for me in a lot of ways it is magnified because of how I grew up, Franklin said early Thursday morning, years, miles and millions of dollars later. Since taking the Penn State head coaching job in January, James Franklin hasn't had but a few seconds to breathe. Following the regular season they played Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl, losing 2724. Its something that Im conscious of. Diversity is important because Ive got a team of 125 kids, from all different backgrounds rural, urban, black, white, Catholic, Jewish and everything in between. I think geographic [plays a part in that]. 80% of consumers turn to directories with reviews to find a local business. 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. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. He owns an 91-49 career record, with a winning record in nine of 11 seasons at the helm. I think thats important for our society and thats important for our country. Defensively the Nittany Lion finished seventh in FBS in tackles for loss (8.1) and 19th in sacks (2.86). Franklin began his coaching career as the wide receivers coach at Kutztown (Pa.) University (1995) and was a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University in 1996, working with the secondary. Last fall, Penn State's head football coach, James Franklin, received a 10-year contract extension making a guaranteed $7 million each year. Sports Illustrated named him a National Player of the Week that season. I dont think that helps anybody.. The Commodores finished 23rd in the final 2012 Associated Press poll, marking their first AP final ranking since 1948. 4 overall recruit. 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. Longest rush from scrimmage 90 yards by Zac Stacy. The Commodores defeated Florida, Georgia and Tennessee in the same season for the first time in program history, winning in Gainesville and Knoxville. 14 by Rivals and No. The Nittany Lions had 19 players garner All-Big Ten accolades, including two first-team selections in Micah Parsons and Yetur Gross-Matos. It wasnt a dream to have, a goal to chase, a career path to ponder. Their objective: to assess insurance risks, the potential for development and the racial composition of nearly every major city. In February 2015, the Nittany Lions highly-regarded class of 25 signees was ranked in the top 15 nationally by the four major recruiting services. Franklin was the highest-salaried employee on Penn . Despite impressive wins over a top 5 team and an appearance in the inaugural Texas Bowl, the Wildcat program was a far cry from the title contending teams fielded during the Snyder era. That is athletic directors. But I [also] grew up in a predominantly white area in a suburb just outside of Philadelphia. The defense led the way for the Nittany Lions in 2018, finishing in the top 20 in team passing efficiency (8th; 106.10), red zone defense (11th; .750), passing yards allowed (15th; 181.5) and third down conversion defense (19th; .336). StateCollege.com provides local news, entertainment, and information for State College, PA. We offer the latest breaking news and videos straight from the Centre County region in Central PA. 220 Regent Court, Suite B, State College, PA 16801, Copyright 2000 document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) | StateCollege.com | All Rights Reserved | State College, PA Centre County Central Pennsylvania Home of Penn State University. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. With the Pinstripe Bowl win, Franklin became just the third Penn State coach to lead the team to at least seven wins in his first season, joining Dick Harlow (1915) and Bill OBrien (2012). [7] Friedgen retained Franklin as the wide receivers coach, one of only two assistants to be kept on the new coaching staff (running backs coach Mike Locksley was the other).[8]. The Nittany Lions earned 16 All-Big Ten honors (six on offense, nine on defense, one on special teams), including first-team laurels for Freiermuth, defensive end Jayson Oweh and defensive end Shaka Toney. 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 . Penn State continued to be among the nations elite in 2017, climbing as high as No. The Franklins spent the next three weeks together, their . Franklin signed a new 10-year contract on Tuesday that will guarantee him at least $75 million through the 2031 college . Mark. Franklin was inducted into the East Stroudsburg Athletics Hall of Fame October 15, 2016. The Penn State head coachs inaugural season began with a final-play 26-24 victory over UCF in Dublin, Ireland, in Penn States first-ever international game and ended with a comeback, a 31-30 overtime win over Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium. 1995 - Kutztown University (Wide Receivers). In court testimony, Franklin admitted to changing his story about whether he told Vanderbilt players that he had viewed a video recording of the incident. Saturday, December 4, 2021 . Penn State allowed just 11 passing touchdowns on the year, ranking fourth in the nation, while allowing 199.8 passing yards per game, ranking 23rd. He had an annual guaranteed pay increase of $100,000 along with retention bonuses, plus performance incentives each year. On the offensive side of the ball, the Nittany Lions posted their highest rushing average (204.9) since 2008 (205.8) and were No. This is not a phenomenon unique to sports, but few occupations allow for such exposure. { In 2018, Penn State inked three 247Sports Composite 5-star recruits for the first time since rankings began in 2001. 6 by 247Sports. In the last six seasons under Franklin, Penn State is one of six teams to rank in the top 12 of the CFP final rankings at least four times, joining Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Oklahoma. But I think I think youd love to get to a point where theres more people with diverse backgrounds in decision making positions. 12 in the final CFP rankings and No. Franklin continued in that role under new head coach Ralph Friedgen in 2002 and 2003 and helped the Terps to three consecutive 10-win seasons, including an appearance in the 2002 FedEx Orange Bowl. Franklin has also been an ardent supporter of Be the Match, encouraging community members to join the national bone marrow registry. 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. 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. The 2012 team had numerous milestones. And if they dont, he would have to contend with State Colleges status as a blue town. } I think thats an important number to talk about when you talk about the percentage of coaches out there.. "[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. [3] Franklin was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity while at East Stroudsburg. Franklin has also been an ardent supporter of "Be the Match," encouraging community members to join the national bone marrow registry. Penn State was also 11th in tackles for loss (7.8). 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. That year, he was also the offensive coordinator for the Roskilde Kings of the Danish American Football Federation. State College Webcams; Sports. Penn State finished No. Inside Russell Wilson's first year in Denver Bracket watch [11] The Washington Post reported other candidates for the job were Al Golden of Temple and Larry Coker of UTSA (and formerly Miami), and that Franklin was not the frontrunner. As part of the Cotton Bowl festivities in 2019, Franklin and his family made a $10,000 financial commitment to the Dallas Childrens Hospital. Jonathan Sutherland led the way with a pair of blocked punts in the season-opener against Idaho, marking the first time since 2000 the Nittany Lions had two blocks in a game. The season was scarred early on by the sudden retirement of starting running back Journey Brown due to a heart disease.[32]. Apke was the MVP of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. 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. Of course normal is not the same thing as easy. And in many ways that makes sense. Barkley is just the fifth player since 1924 to win two career Silver Football honors. Under Franklins tutelage, Carl Nassib claimed a trio of national awards Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Ted Hendricks Award and became Penn States 13th unanimous Consensus All-American. color:#091F40; The class was also ranked No. 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.