When Did James Franklin Start Coaching at Penn State?

Penn State head coach James Franklin is one of those coaching institutions that’s heavily associated with the program that he leads. 

In a sport where few coaches last beyond their first decade, Franklin has posted four 11-win campaigns in the past six full seasons. Penn State football odds remain very prominent in the table.

Now, let’s answer the question that gets asked every offseason outside of Happy Valley: How long has James Franklin been at Penn State?

When Did James Franklin Start Coaching at Penn State?

Penn State announced that James Franklin had been hired as head coach of Penn State football on January 11, 2014.

What’s James Franklin’s Record at Penn State?

Penn State’s record under head coach James Franklin is an impressive 78-36. 

Where Did James Franklin Coach Before Penn State?

Immediately prior to taking the job at Penn State, James Franklin was the head coach at Vanderbilt for three years. Franklin did such a good job in Nashville that Vanderbilt had crept into the AP Top 25 by the time he left.

Prior to becoming a head coach, Franklin worked as an assistant head coach for a variety of collegiate teams, including Division II East Stroudsburg, then-FCS James Madison, Kansas State and Maryland. 

Franklin worked for a handful of professional teams as well, including the Green Bay Packers and Denmark’s Roskilde Kings.