James Franklin The Pen State Renaissance Man
Franklin is Penn State football. He has propelled the Nittany Lions to where they are today. His energy, intellect and devotion make Penn State a Big Ten power.
Early Life and Rise
Franklin, born on Feb. 2, 1972 in Langhorne, PA, began his career as a head coach after playing at East Stroudsburg University. Following his playing days he transitioned into coaching, climbing the ladder to assistant positions at Kansas State and Maryland.
It was also in 2011 that Franklin got his big break — he became the head coach at Vanderbilt. During his three years at the helm, he led the Commodores to record success, including bowl games and top 25 rankings. His knack for reviving a program that Nittany Lions ran for years did not go unnoticed with Penn State.
The Penn State Era
Franklin took over the Penn State program in 2014 after it was still reeling from the Jerry Sandusky scandal. It was an new hope era for the Nittany Lions with his arrival.
Franklin has had the Nittany Lions rolling as a Big Ten power. Under him, the team has scored several bowls victories, even including New Year’s Six bowls. Penn State boasts several NFL draft picks and demonstrates the skill and depth in the program.
James Franklin How Affected Penn State
Franklin is more than the football coach. He has been an outspoken champion for his players and has placed an emphasis on academics and community service. His infectious energy on the sideline and powerful speeches have become a source of inspiration for fans and players alike.
Franklin’s biggest strength is his warmth with his players. He has done a great job of making a culture in the program and making it a family like team. A good portion of the recruiting has been the same elite talent that he has brought to Happy Valley.
Challenges and Future
It was a lot of winning, but these seasons have not been without their challenges for Franklin at Penn State. The Nittany Lions have been the epitome of a Big Ten also-ran and Playoff pretender. There is so much history and expectation on the program that Franklin has to walk a tightrope to keep the team successful, enough to compete for championships on a constant basis.
Honestly, the future looks bright for Penn State football, under Franklin. The Nittany Lions will continue to ascend with the foundation and the staff in place. Penn State is not going away as long as Franklin is in Happy Valley.
