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James Franklin

James Franklin

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  • Head Coach
  • Hometown: Langhorne, Pennsylvania
  • Age: 41 yrs 3 mo
  • Alma Mater: East Stroudsburg
  • Vanderbilt Commodores
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Timeline

Photos

  • article image Edit

    Three for Friday: Best Opposing QBs

    20 days ago

    A day late this week, but this week's edition of "The Three" takes a look at the best opposing quarterbacks the Aggies are scheduled to face in 2013. More

  • article image Edit

    SEC Recruiting Roundup

    24 days ago

    Since we are now one-fourth of the way through the 2014 cycle, we break things down in this week's SEC recruiting roundup. Right now, Kevin Sumlin's Aggies are the top dog. More

  • article image Edit

    First offers excite 2015 Ga. RB

    25 days ago

    A sophomore running back from Tyrone, Ga., who's expected to be one of the top prospects from Georgia in the 2015 class recently received his first offer from Tennessee. More

  • article image Edit

    Breaking down Wilbon

    25 days ago

    We break down every angle of Mikale Wilbon's weekend commitment to Vanderbilt. More

  • article image Edit

    4-star RB commits to Vandy

    26 days ago

    Four-star running back Mikale Wilbon took an unofficial visit to Vanderbilt this weekend and has given the Commodores a verbal commitment. More

Bio

2011
Head Coach, Vanderbilt
Guides Commodores to 6-6 regular record and appearance in AutoZone Liberty Bowl in first year...Team shows vast improvement, ranking as the SEC's most improved offense and defense...Wins five home games, 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 the 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).