By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) (Marta Lavandier, AP)
James Franklin has more than 30 years of coaching experience. His journey as a football coach is one to admire. Franklin is currently in his first season as the Virginia Tech head coach.
Franklin grew up playing baseball and football. His love for football grew dramatically when he got to high school. Franklin played football in high school. God had bigger plans for him. Franklin surrounded himself with great football minds. Leadership became a focal point in his life.
Franklin grew up in a two-parent household. Although his dad was constantly moving around because he was in the Air Force, his parents were present. His mom is the biggest influence in Franklin’s life and had a tremendous responsibility raising him and his siblings.
In 1995, Franklin started as a wide receiver coach at Kutztown University. From there, Franklin made stops at James Madison and Washington State in the late 90s.
“Ron Prince was the O-line coach,” Franklin said, referring to James Madison. “That’s how I ended up going to Kansas State later. At Washington State, Ryan Leaf showed up. I wasn’t there with Ryan, but I showed up for Ryan’s pro day.”
Leaf played at Washington State from 1995-97. Franklin got to Washington State in 1998 as Tight Ends coach. Franklin met his wife there. Franklin slowly built his connection and overall resume. Franklin has gone from starting in small schools to big schools.
“When you play small school ball, you got to work your way up the ladder,” Franklin said. “There’s an advantage of coaching small school ball because you get a lot more responsibility and you have to wear a lot more hats and there’s value in that.”
Franklin had a good run at Maryland. He was there for five seasons. Coach Mike Price played a major influence in his life. Franklin had other coaches who taught him offensive football and how extremely demanding it is.
Franklin was with the Green Bay Packers for one season. He learned from coach Mike Sherman. He got to be around Brett Favre. Franklin also got to see Aaron Rodgers get drafted and coach wide receivers such as Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson.
“I will tell you, the Green Bay organization, I learned a ton; just a first-class organization,” Franklin said.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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