Alma Mater: East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University (B.S., Psychology, 1995)
Graduate Degree: Washington State University (M.A., Educational Leadership, 1999)
Family: Wife, Fumi; Daughters, Ava and Addison
Doubters said it could not be done, but in two short years Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin has already taken Vanderbilt to heights not seen in decades, while completely changing the culture of the football program.
Armed with a tireless work ethic, contagious personality, strong leadership and an invigorating passion for his team, Franklin has guided Vanderbilt to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history, signed the highest-rated recruiting class in school history three years in a row and mentored a squad that earned the AFCA Academic Achievement Award in 2012.
The program's all-around success has turned heads of fans and media members across the country as people look to learn more about the mind behind the team's rise from the depths of the SEC.
In two years, Franklin has reshaped the image of Vanderbilt football by not only his success, but also his energy and love for the program. He has created a fun, energetic and close-knit family atmosphere that players crave.
His passion for Vanderbilt is also on full display publicly through his relentless promotion of the program and random acts of kindness. Whether it is speaking to local organizations and businesses in Nashville, helping freshmen students move into their dorm rooms, allowing an inspiring 11-year-old boy to lead the team onto the field for homecoming, passing out ice cream on campus or sitting in the home of a potential student-athlete, Franklin spreads his goodwill and vision for the program to all that will listen.
To help spread his message, Franklin has provided unprecedented access to what takes place behind the scenes with his program. From pregame and postgame locker room speeches, to team meetings and trips inside the war room on signing day, Franklin has made a conscious effort to provide the public with an inside look at his program.
His efforts have paid dividends in the media with feature stories and videos landing on prominent websites such as SI.com and SBNation.com and in publications such as Sports Illustrated and the Washington Post. Just last August, a video featuring Franklin awarding a scholarship to walk-on fullback Marc Panu went viral, collecting 400,000 views on YouTube and was featured on ESPN SportsCenter, FOX's morning show and elsewhere.
Hired as the first African-American head coach in Vanderbilt gridiron history on Dec. 17, 2010, Franklin's off-the-field accomplishments have been outstanding, but the results on the field have simply been staggering.
In his first season with Vanderbilt in 2011, Franklin became the only first-year coach in school history to guide the Commodores to a bowl game and surpassed the total wins achieved by the program in each of its previous two seasons. As an encore, all Franklin did in his second season was run circles around what he achieved in 2011 and more, much more.
He guided Vanderbilt to a 9-4 season, matching the school record for wins (1915), and ending the season with the longest winning streak in the SEC, having won seven straight. It was Vanderbilt's longest win streak since an eight-game streak in 1948.
The Commodores capped the season with a 38-24 win over NC State in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. It was Vanderbilt's first bowl win since also winning the Music City Bowl in 2008.
Vanderbilt finished among the nation's best in a number of defensive statistical categories, ranking No. 6 in pass efficiency defense, No. 14 in pass defense, No. 15 in scoring defense and No. 19 on total defense.
Before the bowl game, Franklin was rewarded for his efforts with a new contract that included facility enhancements to McGugin Center and Vanderbilt Stadium.
Franklin's new contract came after a regular season in which the Commodores rewrote a number of Vanderbilt records. The team's eight regular season wins were the most by a Commodore team since 1982.
Vanderbilt also finished the season 5-3 in the SEC, marking the first time the Commodores had won as many league games since 1935. Three of Vanderbilt's SEC wins also came on the road - the most in school history. Overall, Vanderbilt won four games on the road, which was the most by a Vanderbilt team since 1948.
Vanderbilt's SEC wins came at Missouri, Kentucky and Ole Miss and at home against Auburn and Tennessee. Vanderbilt's road win at Missouri was Franklin's first road triumph in the SEC. The team's 40-0 shutout at Kentucky was its second shutout of the season, marking the first time Vanderbilt had two shutouts in the same year since 1968.
The team's win at Ole Miss was its sixth win of the season and came after facing a 23-6 deficit in the third quarter. Vanderbilt's win against Tennessee was its first at home over the Volunteers since 1982.
Other wins came against Presbyterian, UMass and Wake Forest. Vanderbilt won at Wake Forest, 55-21, and scored the second-most points ever allowed at BB&T Field. The win also helped Vanderbilt eclipse 300 points for the second straight year - a first in school history.
Vanderbilt excelled in all three phases of the game in 2012. On offense, the team scored 40-plus points on five occasions for the first time since 1915. The defense allowed just 18.7 points per game - the fewest since 1997. On special teams, Vanderbilt had a player ranked in the top 25 nationally in field goals made, punting average and punt return average.
Franklin also helped mentor three players to school records in 2012. Running back Zac Stacy became Vanderbilt's all-time leading rusher and was the first player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Wide receiver Jordan Matthews set Vanderbilt's single-season receiving yardage record. Kicker Carey Spear set a new school record with 87 points scored and 20 field goals made.
Six different players also received weekly awards from the SEC in 2012: Andre Hal (defensive), Wesley Johnson (offensive lineman), Richard Kent (special teams), Walker May (defensive lineman), Carey Spear (special teams) and Joe Townsend (offensive lineman).
In two seasons at the helm, Franklin has compiled a 15-11 overall record. The 15 wins are the second most wins in school history of any second-year head coach. Only Dan McGugin registered more victories (16, 1904-05) in his first two seasons than Franklin has.
Franklin is 7-1 all-time in non-conference games and went 4-0 in non-conference games in 2011, marking the first undefeated non-SEC record since 1999.
In SEC play, Vanderbilt has also more than held its own. Four of Vanderbilt's SEC wins have come by 23 points or more. From 1957-2010, Vanderbilt had four total wins against SEC opponents by 23-plus points.
Before Franklin arrived, Vanderbilt had historically struggled to finish seasons on a strong note. However, it has been just the opposite under Franklin. For the first time since 1948, Vanderbilt finished undefeated in November. In two years, Franklin's teams are 6-2 in November. In the decade before he arrived on campus, Vanderbilt was 3-32 in November games.
The success of the team on the field has also translated to the stands. In 2012, attendance rose nearly 15 percent at the newly-renovated Vanderbilt Stadium, which hosted three sellouts for the first time since 1996.
In the offseason before the 2012 season, Vanderbilt installed a new video board in the south end zone, along with new hillside seating below the video board. New stadium lights and an artificial playing surface was also installed in place of natural grass. A new multipurpose facility is also currently being constructed and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2013.
In his first season at Vanderbilt, Franklin led the Commodores to the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis on New Year's Eve. The team totally reversed two consecutive seasons of disappointment by earning the fifth postseason appearance in school history.
Vanderbilt's drastic improvements could also be measured by statistics. Under Franklin, the Commodores featured the Southeastern Conference's most improved offense and defense. Offensively, the unit scored more points than any Vanderbilt team in the previous 50 years. The defense soared from 95th nationally in total defense to 18th in Franklin's first year.
Franklin's first season began with a convincing 45-14 season-opening victory. In the second game against defending Big East champion UConn, he set the tone for the season. Seeing a lack of energy with his team trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, an emotional Franklin rallied his squad, telling all that this Vanderbilt football team was different from the others. Within minutes, cornerback Casey Hayward returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown, and Carey Spear capped the comeback with a 31-yard field goal. One week later, the Commodores were off to an impressive 3-0 start after a resounding 30-7 win over Ole Miss.
Two games later, the Commodores returned home to play eventual SEC East champion Georgia in what turned out to be one of the most intense games of the season. But it was Franklin's reaction after the bitter 33-28 midseason defeat to the Bulldogs drew more admiration from Commodore fans. "We're going to compete with class," Franklin said at the postgame press conference. "But we are not going to sit back and take stuff from anybody. Those days are long gone and never coming back. Ever!"
The Commodores seemed to take momentum from the Georgia disappointment. Vanderbilt outscored its final six opponents by a 193-117 margin. Late-season victories included a 38-8 win over Kentucky, which marked the program's widest margin over an SEC team in 40 years, and a decisive 41-7 road triumph over Wake Forest to achieve bowl eligibility.
Vanderbilt's six wins were two more than the combined total of the 2009 and 2010 Commodore teams. The team went 4-0 in non-SEC games and won five of its games at home, the most victories at Vanderbilt Stadium since the mid-1990s. The Commodores also outscored their opponents by 73 points, a remarkable 244-point improvement over the previous year. The 73-point differential is the program's largest since 1974.
Several Vanderbilt players enjoyed tremendous seasons during Franklin's first year on campus. Junior running back Zac Stacy put together the finest rushing season in Commodore history, setting a team single-season record of 1,193 yards. He also rushed for 14 touchdowns, the highest total in modern-day team history. Junior Jordan Rodgers passed for 1,523 yards - the most ever by a first-year Vanderbilt quarterback - and tossed nine touchdowns. Sophomore Jordan Mathews blossomed as Rodgers' top target, averaging 111 receiving yards during the final six regular season games.
On defense, Casey Hayward matched the all-time Vanderbilt record with 15 interceptions, became just the third Commodore All-American in the last decade, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the NFL Draft. Hayward, senior linebacker Chris Marve and senior defensive end Tim Fugger also earned All-SEC recognition.
As a result of his success, Vanderbilt's administration committed to Franklin on a long-term basis following the regular season. Vanderbilt extended his contract with a pay raise and promised a series of major upgrades.
Prior to accepting the Vanderbilt position, Franklin spent the last five seasons coordinating highly productive offensive units at top Division I programs. Most recently, Franklin served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at the University of Maryland. In 2010, Maryland enjoyed an impressive one-year turnaround with a 9-4 campaign. Franklin's explosive offense averaged 32.2 points and topped 50 points in three games. Maryland redshirt freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien finished the season as one of the nation's most efficient signal callers, throwing for 2,438 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions while earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors. First team All-ACC receiver Torrey Smith, an eventual second round NFL pick, flourished under Franklin's system, finishing 2010 with 67 receptions, 1,055 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
Franklin went to Maryland after spending the 2006-07 seasons as offensive coordinator at Kansas State. He helped the Wildcats earn their first winning season since 2003 and a berth in the inaugural Texas Bowl. In 2006, Franklin focused on mentoring talented true freshman quarterback Josh Freeman. In 2007, Franklin's offense produced a 3,000-yard passer (Freeman), 1,500-yard receiver (All-America wide receiver Jordy Nelson), and 1,000-yard rusher for the first time in school history. Franklin was also part of the staff at Kansas State that recruited 2012 Heisman Trophy Finalist Collin Klein.
Today, Freeman and Nelson have found great success in the NFL. Freeman is the starting quarterback for Tampa Bay after being selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Nelson grabbed a touchdown pass in the Green Bay Packers' 2011 victory in Super Bowl XLV.
Franklin spent the 2005 season coaching wide receivers for the Green Bay Packers under Mike Sherman. During that season, wide receiver Donald Driver set new career-high marks with 86 receptions for 1,221 yards.
After his brief but successful NFL tenure, Franklin returned to college coaching for the opportunity to devise offensive schemes and gain in-game play calling experience at the coordinator level. Franklin's opportunity with the most-storied team in the NFL came on the heels of a five-year role coaching wide receivers at Maryland. During his tenure, the Terps earned three postseason berths including an appearance in the 2002 BCS FedEx Orange Bowl.
Franklin's role expanded to recruiting coordinator in 2003. Franklin delivered back-to back recruiting classes ranked in the Top-25 by Rivals.com.
Early in his career, Franklin committed himself to being a student of the game: gleaning strategies, tools and tips from great coaches at a variety of competitive levels.
Franklin began his career in 1995 as the wide receivers coach at Kutztown (Pa.) University. Then, he returned to his alma mater, East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University learning the game from the defensive side of the ball coaching cornerbacks and safeties under veteran coach Denny Douds. He earned a Division I position at James Madison University coaching wide receivers.
In 1998, Franklin earned his first opportunity to participate in the NFL's Minority Coaching Fellowship Program. Franklin interned with the Minnesota Vikings, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins. Franklin also worked with Mike Price coaching tight ends at Washington State in 1998. The following year, Franklin helped Idaho State rank among the NCAA's best in total offense as ISU's receivers coach.
Franklin developed a passion for the game as a four-year letter winning quarterback at East Stroudsburg. He was a two-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference selection. As a senior, he garnered MVP honors and was a Harlon Hill Trophy nominee for Division II Player of the Year after setting seven school records.
Franklin earned a bachelor's in psychology from East Stroudsburg in 1995 and a master's in educational leadership from Washington State in 1999.
Franklin and his family have become fast fans of Nashville. He and his wife, Fumi, are the parents of two daughters, Shola, 5, and Addy, 4.
Coaching Career:
2011-12 Head Coach, Vanderbilt Guides Commodores to 6-6 regular record and appearance in AutoZone Liberty Bowl in first year... Follows it up by matching school record with nine wins (1915) and finishing 9-4 overall after defeating NC State (38-24) in Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl... The 2012 Commodores finished the year with seven straight wins - the longest win streak in the SEC and longest in school history since 1948... Vanderbilt also finished the season 5-3 in the SEC, marking the first time the Commodores had won as many league games since 1935... Three of Vanderbilt's SEC wins also came on the road - the most in school history... Overall, Vanderbilt won four games on the road, which was the most by a Vanderbilt team since 1948... The 2011 team showed vast improvement, ranking as the SEC's most improved offense and defense...Won five home games, the most by Vanderbilt in more than a decade... Four players earned postseason recognition, including defensive back Casey Hayward (All-America by Walter Camp Foundation) and team rushing record setter Zac Stacy... Builds enthusiasm among fan base and works non-stop growing support for program on campus and in the community... Excites fans after each season by inking strong signing class of prep recruits.
2008-10 Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach, University of Maryland On December 23, 2007, Ralph Friedgen brought Franklin back to Maryland as the Terrapins' assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. In February 2009, Franklin was designated as Friedgen's successor at Maryland.
The Terrapins compiled an 9-4 record in 2010, finishing second in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division and posting a convincing postseason win over East Carolina in the Military Bowl. Redshirt-freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien earned the ACC Rookie of the Year and first-team Freshman All-America honors under Franklin's mentorship, ranking third nationally among freshmen with a pass efficiency rating of 135.2. O'Brien threw for 22 touchdowns against only eight interceptions after becoming the team's starter in week four.
Franklin's offense committed only 12 turnovers during the 2010 regular campaign, ranking No. 3 nationally in giveaways. Wide receiver Torrey Smith also flourished this year, catching 67 passes for 1,055 yards and 12 touchdowns en route to earning first-team All-ACC honors.
For the fourth time in his career, Franklin also was honored as a Top 25 recruiter by Rivals.com for helping to secure a class that included a number of four-star athletes
In Franklin's first season as offensive coordinator in College Park, the Terrapins defeated four ranked teams en route to a victory in the 2008 Roady's Humanitarian Bowl and an 8-5 overall record. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was chosen by the Oakland Raiders as the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
2006-07 Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, Kansas State University Franklin was hired to be the offensive coordinator for Kansas State in 2006. He helped the Wildcats to a 7-6 record that season, including a 45-42 victory over No. 4 Texas. Kansas State earned a berth in the inaugural Texas Bowl, making its first postseason appearance since 2003.
In 2007, under Franklin's guidance, K-State offense becomes first team in history to feature a 3,000-yard passer, 1,500-yard receiver, and 1,000-yard rusher in the same season. Franklin mentored quarterback Josh Freeman to numerous school records. Freeman threw for 3,353 yards, including 122 completions to All-America receiver Jordy Nelson. Freeman was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft (17th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is currently their starting signal caller, while Nelson is a key receiver for the 2011 Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.
2005 Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers, Green Bay Packers Assisting Head Coach Mike Sherman, Franklin served as the Packers' wide receiver coach in 2005, mentoring a strong arsenal that included Donald Driver, Javon Walker and Robert Ferguson catching passes from legendary quarterback Brett Favre.
Despite losing Walker to an injury early that season, the Packers still posted the sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL that season. Driver established then-career highs with 86 receptions for 1,221 receiving yards, becoming just the fourth Packers player with 85 receptions in a season.
2000-04 Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator, University of Maryland After being hired by Ron Vanderlinden prior to the 2000 season, Franklin continued on with Maryland when Ralph Friedgen accepted the post that November.
The Terrapins would earn three consecutive postseason berths from 2001 to 2003, including an appearance in the 2002 FedEx Orange Bowl, and post at least 10 victories in each of the three seasons. The Terps followed the Orange Bowl berth with a 30-3 victory over Tennessee in 2002 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and a 41-7 win over West Virginia in 2003 Toyota Gator Bowl. Prior to Franklin's tenure under Friedgen, Maryland had made just one bowl appearance in the previous 15 years. In Friedgen's 10-year career that ended when Franklin came to Vanderbilt, the Terps made seven bowl appearances.
In 2003, Franklin was promoted to be Maryland's recruiting coordinator and delivered back-to-back recruiting classes that were ranked among the nation's Top 25 by prominent recruiting outlets. He was named a Top 25 recruiter by Rivals.com in both 2003 and 2004.
1999 Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers, Idaho State University Franklin was the wide receivers coach at Idaho State under Head Coach Larry Lewis, helping the Bengals' offense rank ninth nationally in total offense.
1998 Graduate Assistant Coach, Tight Ends, Washington State University Franklin's first coaching job at a BCS conference school came in 1998 at Washington State as the graduate assistant in charge of tight ends under Head Coach Mike Price.
1997 Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers, James Madison Head Coach Alex Wood hired Franklin to mentor the wide receivers at James Madison in 1997. Junior receiver Earnest Payton would finish his career as the school's leader in receptions with 185.
1996 Graduate Assistant Coach, Secondary, East Stroudsburg Franklin returned to his alma mater, Division II East Stroudsburg, to assist his collegiate head coach, legendary Denny Douds. Franklin helped lead the Warriors to a 6-4 record, including a win.
1995 Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers, Kutztown University Franklin helped lead the Golden Bears to a 6-4 record and a third-place finish in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. He coached Darrien Peoples, who is fifth all-time at Kutztown in receptions (134), and Justin Bordlemay, who is fifth all-time in touchdown catches (16).
NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program Franklin has been involved in the NFL's Minority Coaching Fellowship Program since a 1998 internship with Miami. While assisting the Dolphins, Franklin worked with NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino. Franklin also gained valuable experience through stints with Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999 and Minnesota Vikings in 2008.
Playing Career:
Franklin was a four-year letterwinner at quarterback for East Stroudsburg University from 1991 to 1994. He was a two-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference selection. As a senior he garnered team MVP honors and was a Harlon Hill Trophy nominee for NCAA Division II Player of the Year after setting seven school records, including single-season marks for total offense (3,128), passing yards (2,586) and TD passes (19).
Quotes on Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin:
"James Franklin worked for me at the Green Bay Packers. I noticed early on that he always saw the big picture. He didn't just coach his players on the field, but saw the need for them to be accountable off the field as well. He took an interest in every aspect of their lives and coached not just the player, but the person."
"Coach Franklin is a great hire for Vanderbilt University. He will fall in line with the value system of the university as to what they expect from their athletes in all areas, as well as being totally committed to winning football games. I have no doubt he will have great success in Nashville." - Mike Sherman, Head Coach, Texas A&M; former head coach, Green Bay Packers
"Coach Franklin and I worked together at Kansas State back in 2006. He is a first class coach, and a perfect fit for a university like Vanderbilt. He's a tremendous motivator of men, and inspires character in each of his players. He works really hard to be the best that he can be as a coach, and has the toughness to build up a program in the SEC. He will no doubt be a great representative of Vanderbilt University." - Raheem Morris, Head Coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"Coach Franklin is a terrific fit for Vanderbilt...an over achiever who maximizes every opportunity. He will bring with him a relentless work ethic and a staff that does the same. Working hard and working smart are his trademarks, along with expectations of academic excellence." - Debbie Yow, Director of Athletics, North Carolina State, formerly AD at Maryland
"I've had the chance to work closely with Coach Franklin and I can't say enough good things about his approach, his work ethic, his passion for the game and his ability to teach the game. He's a tireless recruiter and one of those coaches who can get the most out of his players and is excellent at making and maintaining relationships. He would be a great fit with Vanderbilt and an asset to the campus and football program both." - Darrell Bevell, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
"Coach Franklin has a lot of energy, a lot of passion for the game, and obviously knew what he was doing. He cared about his players and was a great family guy. He was intense, but yet had fun and like I said, he had his passion for the game, his love for the game and a love for his players, and he cares about his players like family. I think he'll do a great job and I think Vanderbilt will be pleased with the guy they got." - Jordy Nelson, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers, 2009 graduate of Kansas State University
"James did a very good job for us while he was here. I'm very happy that he's gotten an opportunity to be a head coach. We wish him nothing but the best of luck at Vanderbilt." - Ralph Friedgen, Former Head Coach, University of Maryland
"The hiring of Coach Franklin represents a new day for Vanderbilt football. He has my full support and commitment that we will help him create an environment where the successes on the field equal the university's extraordinary successes off the field. Coach Franklin will have an immediate and positive impact on our students, alumni, faculty, staff and broader Vanderbilt community, and I welcome him to Vanderbilt." - Nicholas Zeppos, Vanderbilt University Chancellor
"Coach has meant so much to me, both on and off the field. One of the best things that ever happened to me was getting to work with Coach Franklin."
"I was very raw, and needed development in really every area. Coach taught me proper footwork, how to better understand pass routes and schemes, just how to play the position. Truly, to this day, my fundamental foundation as a quarterback came from the time with him." - Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay QB; former Kansas State QB
