Penn State University’s head coach, James Franklin, is one of the top college football coaches. He attributes his unique perspective and ability to relate to different settings to his upbringing.
James Geoffrey Franklin was born on 2 February 1972 in Langhome, Pennsylvania to his parents, James Oliver and Jocelyn “Josie” Franklin.
Highlights
- James Franklin’s father is African American, and his mother is from England.
- He has a sister named Debbie, with whom he shares a close bond.
- His dad was in the Air Force and stationed in Manchester, where he met James’ mother. They eventually eloped to Ireland.
- His father passed away in 1997 and his mother in 2007.
While talking about his unique upbringing, the Penn State University head coach said he can relate and be comfortable in several different settings because of the way he was raised.
“It’s given me a really unique perspective. I can relate with and be comfortable in so many different settings because of the way I was raised.”
James Franklin
Franklin grew up in a family with a unique background. Although being biracial is more common these days, it was pretty rare back then.
The head coach said it is decisive for this country in many ways. He added,
“In a lot of ways, it’s probably going to change our country for the better, in terms of eradicating racism in our country,”
Franklin also mentioned that he has seen some interesting pictures on the Internet showing what a person might look like 50 years from now. It’s just going to be a blend of all these different people.
James Franklin’s Parents Jocelyn And James Sr. First Met In Manchester
James Franklin’s father and mother first met in Manchester and fell in love with one another.
The head coach’s father, James Oliver Franklin Sr., who also went by the name Jim, was in the Air Force and stationed in Manchester at that time.
On the other hand, his mother, Jocelyn Franklin, was born and raised in England. Jim and Josie married, eloped to Ireland, and then moved to Pittsburgh.
The couple welcomed two kids, James Franklin and his elder sister, Debbie. The football coach’s elder sister was born five years before him.
Although the Franklin siblings’ parents relocated to Pittsburgh, their father got a job for General Motors in Trenton.
Due to this, the family moved between Trenton and Philadelphia and did that until the plant closed.
He Was Raised By His Mother But Spent Much Time With His Father’s Side Of The Family
James Franklin’s parents divorced and went separate ways when he was young.
His mother raised him. However, growing up, the coach spent much time with his father’s side of the family, as his mother’s side wasn’t nearby.
As mentioned, his mom, Josie, is originally from England, and Josie’s family is still there. Because of this, James only saw them in England a handful of times.
“My mom’s from England, so that makes my family in a lot of ways small because basically the side I grew up with was just my dad’s side of the family.”
James Franklin
According to the coach, his mother had two brothers. One of them passed away from polio at a young age.
He said there was not much the family could do medically at that time. Franklin said,
“It was one of those deals (his arms out), ‘Take him home and love him,”
The head coach’s other uncle was tragically kil*led in an accident when he stepped off the curb and was hit by a bus.
As a result of these tragic circumstances, the coach’s mother lost both of her brothers. This leaves James without any uncles or cousins on her mother’s side of the family.
His Paternal Family Has A Deep Root In Rocky Mount And Pittsburgh
The Penn State coach has mentioned that he has a cousin who coaches at Friendship Academy in Washington, D.C., and formerly played at Howard.
However, he once revealed that he is his dad’s cousin’s kid, and he wondered, “What does that make me – a second, a third, a fourth cousin?”
BREAKING: James Franklin agrees to a new 10-year contract with Penn State that goes through 2031
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 23, 2021
via @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/PGUyx02Kj0
The college football coach’s paternal family has deep roots in Rocky Mount and Pittsburgh.
James Sr. had a brother who was the coach’s godfather, but unfortunately, he passed away from cancer right before the coach was born.
Franklin traveled between Philadelphia with his single mom, Josie, and Pittsburgh with his dad, Jim.
James Franklin Was Greatly Influenced By His Aunts
He was influenced by his many aunts, who were divorced but well-educated despite their tough childhood.
“My great, great uncle Winstead came from Rocky Mount to Pittsburgh and was fairly successful.”
James Franklin
His aunts LeWanda, Romaine, Melbadene, and grandma Leoda came from Rocky Mount.
Those are the people Franklin grew up with. They all came from a farm in Rocky Mount, picking cotton.
The Franklin family can trace their lineage on his dad’s side back to the first free slave in the family.
According to the coach, the family still has a property and a cemetery there, with the first family members, originally named Battle, still buried on the property.
Franklin spent summers in Pittsburgh after his parents separated and considers this an important part of his identity.
This was partly due to his aunts, most of whom married into the Franklin family and later divorced but remained close.
Additional Information
- According to Celebrity Net Worth, Franklin’s net worth is $25 million.
- His annual salary is $7 million.
- He is married to his wife, Fumi, and shares two daughters, Addy and Shola.
