James Geoffrey Franklin is an American football coach and former player who was appointed as the 16th head football coach of Penn State on January 11, 2014. In his tenure at Penn State starting in 2014, Franklin has achieved remarkable success, including three New Year’s Six bowl wins, placing Penn State alongside elite programs like Alabama and Clemson. He made history as the first African American head coach to win a Big Ten Championship with Penn State’s 2016 triumph. Franklin's impressive career record stands at 112-54, featuring five Top 10 finishes and eight Top 25 finishes. His .724 winning percentage since 2016 is among the highest in the FBS.
Under Franklin’s leadership, Penn State has been a consistent contender, ranking in the top 12 of the College Football Playoff final rankings at least six times in the last eight seasons. His achievements include winning the Rose, Fiesta, and Cotton Bowls, and joining a prestigious group of coaches. He has also guided Penn State to back-to-back New Year’s Six bowls twice and set several program records, including the most wins in four years and the longest streak of top-25 rankings.
James Franklin Family Origin
James Franklin's family has diverse origins. He was born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 1972. His father, James Franklin Sr., is African American, and his mother, Jocelyn Franklin, is Caucasian of European descent, as per PennLive.
Who are James Franklin’s parents?
James Franklin’s parents are Jocelyn Franklin and James Franklin Sr. His mother, Jocelyn Franklin, was from Manchester, England, and moved to the U.S. after marrying James's father, who was in the Air Force. The couple eloped to Ireland before settling in Pittsburgh, where they lived with James's grandmother. However, James’s parents eventually separated, and his mother was left to raise him and his sister Debbie on her own. (via PennLive)
Who is James Franklin’s wife?
James Franklin’s wife is Fumi Franklin. The couple has been together for many years and has two daughters, Shola and Addison. (via PennLive)
Who are James Franklin’s kids?
James Franklin and Fumi Franklin have two daughters, Shola and Addison. Shola is the elder of the Franklins' two daughters. As of 2025, she is around 18 years old. James is highly involved in her upbringing, stressing the importance of keeping her grounded and safe in a complex world.
Addison, the younger daughter, is around 17 years old as of 2025. She was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease, a condition James is passionate about raising awareness for.
READ MORE: James Franklin Hometown
FAQs on James Franklin
A. James Franklin was born on February 2, 1972.
A. James Franklin is from Langhorne, Pennsylvania, U.S.
A. In college, James Franklin played as a quarterback.
A. James Franklin played college football at East Stroudsburg.
A. James Franklin's first coaching position was as a wide receivers coach at Kutztown in 1995.
