After his bold Big Ten Championship claims, James Franklin had become the talk of the town as fans and naysayers wondered if his hefty net worth might be boosting his confidence.
James Franklin is a hot shot in the college football scene as he is famous for his leadership skills. As the head coach of Penn State, he has transformed the team into a powerhouse with his constant guidance.
But the chatter is not about James Franklin’s impressive track record, instead people are curious about his net worth.
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 1, 2025
As of 2024, James Franklin has an estimated net worth of $65-$85 million based on his consistently high salary and bonuses. Penn State hired him as their head coach in 2014 and agreed to be responsible for payment of Coach Franklin’s buyout obligation of $1.5 million to Vanderbilt.
However, Penn State University has refused to make the contract with James available to the public.
In 2014, his base salary was around $4 million, with a retention bonus of $300,000. Over the years, the salary figure has steadily increased from $4.3 million to $8.5 million.
#PennStateFootball #JamesFranklin #RoseBowl2023 Congrats to James Franklin & the Penn St. Lions for a big Rose Bowl Win over a rugged Utah team. This has been a year of great bowl games – TD pic.twitter.com/vP3WYVjB8h
— Tony DeMeo (@TDCoach) January 3, 2023
In 2024, James Franklin received a $1,000,000 annual loan for life insurance, payable by December. Furthermore, he was eligible to bag up to $ 1 million per year in performance-related incentives had he won the Big Ten.
These potential bonuses also add to the overall value of James Franklin’s net worth.
Even if Penn State decides to terminate his contract, they would need to pay him $8 million for each remaining year. This deal makes James one of the highest-paid coaches in Big Tens and ranks him ninth in overall football earnings.
However, he didn’t amass this wealth overnight; it was a result of his unwavering dedication to his career.
James Franklin’s story from underdog to the head honcho is oh-so inspiring!
In a recently held press conference, James Franklin had discussed the Big Ten Championship game against Oregon. Franklin was vocal about the intensity and importance of the game, as well as the challenges and opportunities that were ahead.
However, they lost the Big Ten Championship to Orgeon with the final score of 45-37 in favor of Oregon.
The loss was a bummer, but this setback didn’t take away from or diminish the remarkable career he had built for himself. James Franklin has proved repeatedly that he is one of the best in the business.
Incredibly proud of @olu_fashanu! Thank you for the jersey & the visit Paige & @tonyfashanu. Happy Valley will always be HOME to you all. We appreciate your love & support! #WeAreFamily pic.twitter.com/a0MSqEddtz
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) October 5, 2024
James Franklin started off as a quarterback at East Stroudsburg University, where he set several school records. Then, he began his coaching journey as an assistant coach at universities like Kutztown, East Stroudsburg, and James Madison.
In 2011, James Franklin became the head coach at Vanderbilt University and carved a niche for himself.
He led the team to back-to-back bowl victories, a first in the school’s history. This caught the attention of Penn State, and in 2014, he was appointed as the head coach of the Nittany Lions.
The Legend!
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) September 25, 2024
@pmarboe33 | #WeArePennState pic.twitter.com/M7XDLMNfu4
One of James Franklin’s career highlights was the 2016 season when the Nittany Lions won the Big Ten Championship and earned a spot in the Rose Bowl. This was a huge milestone for him since he was honored as Dave McLain’s Big Ten Coach of the Year.
He was also a finalist twice for the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year award at Penn State.
James Franklin has mentored 107 players as a head coach for 13 years who have stepped up to the NFL league. He has made a name for himself as the first (and only) African American head coach to win a Big Ten title.
James Franklin’s impact on the college football field and sports community will continue to live through generations. His victories on the field and his resilience will serve as a beacon of motivation for many.
In case you did not know
- While pursuing an athletic career, James Franklin also balanced his studies. He graduated from East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University with a degree in psychology.
- James Franklin was also named the wide receivers coach at Maryland under head coach Ron Vanderlinden.
- In 2012, James Franklin was among five finalists for the Bear Bryant National Coach of the Year award.
