
James Geoffrey Franklin is an American football coach and former player who became the 16th head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 11, 2014. With 30 years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels, Franklin is one of only four FBS coaches to lead his teams to bowl games in 12 of their first 13 seasons.
Franklin attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where he was a standout athlete, excelling in both football and baseball. His high school football performance earned him an opportunity to play quarterback at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he became a four-year starter and earned All-PSAC honors. Franklin later transitioned into coaching. He was the only football coach in program history to lead Vanderbilt to a bowl game in each of his three seasons as head coach. The team had never before played in a bowl game in back-to-back seasons. After working his way up through various positions, he became the head coach at Penn State University. He became the first African-American head coach to win a Big Ten Championship following Penn State’s 2016 victory.
James Franklin Hometown
James Franklin grew up in Langhorne, where he attended Neshaminy High School. At Neshaminy, Franklin was a standout athlete, playing quarterback and leading his team to success on the field. After high school, Franklin went on to play college football at East Stroudsburg University, where he was a quarterback for the Warriors.
James Franklin Birthplace
James Franklin was born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 1972, and that makes him 53 years old as of August 2025. His father is James Franklin Sr., and his mother is Jocelyn Franklin.
James Franklin Nationality
James Franklin was born in Pennsylvania and is an American national.
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FAQ's on James Franklin
A. James Franklin is the head coach at Penn State, as of 2025.
A. James Franklin's coaching record at Penn State is 125-57.
A. According to USA Today, James Franklin, the head football coach at Penn State, makes $8.5 million a year.
A. James Franklin coached as a wide receivers coach for the Green Bay Packers in 2005.
A. James Franklin has coached in 14 bowl games as of July 2025, with a record of 8-6.