Jethro Franklin enters his second season as the University of Miami's defensive line coach. Prior to arriving in Coral Gables, Franklin spent 20 years coaching defensive lines at the NFL and collegiate levels. The St. Lazaire, France, native has mentored some of the top defensive linemen in the NFL, including former Cane Russell Maryland. Franklin has also coached Packers' standouts Gilbert Brown and Santana Dotson and Pro Bowlers Mario Williams, Vonnie Holliday, Kabeer-Gbaja-Biamila and Maryland.
Franklin's line helped the Canes to a No. 9 national ranking in red zone defense and 21st in scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 20.08 points per game in his first season at Miami. Senior Marcus Robinson and freshman Anthony Chickillo combined for 10 sacks for a loss of 47 yards. Franklin's former standout lineman at Temple, Muhammad Wilkerson, was taken in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Prior to joining the Hurricanes' staff, Franklin spent one season at Temple on Al Golden's staff as the line coach.
In his only season at Temple, Franklin's line help lead the Owls to an 8-4 record, including 5-3 in MAC games. Under Franklin's direction, Wilkerson and Elisha Joseph garnered All-MAC first team honors.
He spent the 2005 season at USC--his second stint with the Trojans. In 2005, defensive ends Lawrence Jackson (first round, Seattle) and Frostee Rucker were All-Pac-10 first teamers, while Sedric Ellis (first round, New Orleans), Rucker (third round, Cincinnati), LaJuan Ramsay (sixth round, Philadelphia) were NFL draft picks. USC played in the 2006 Rose Bowl (BCS Championship Game) and 2009 Emerald Bowl.
Franklin then went on to coach the defensive lines with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006 and the Houston Texans for two seasons (2007-08). Mario Williams set the Texans' sack record in 2007 and made the Pro Bowl in 2008.
He went to USC after spending five seasons (2000-04) handling the defensive line for the Green Bay Packers. The defense set various Packers' game, season and all-time sack records during his tenure.
Franklin began his coaching career at his alma mater, Fresno State, where he was in charge of the defensive line for eight seasons (1991-98). The Bulldogs played in three bowls while he was there: the 1991 California Bowl, 1992 Freedom Bowl (a 24-7 upset over USC) and 1993 Aloha Bowl. While at Fresno State, he had a pair of NFL coaching fellowships, working with the Buffalo Bills in the summer of 1994 and the Cleveland Browns in the summer of 1995.
In 1999, he coached the interior defensive line at UCLA.
After being drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1988, Franklin spent the 1989 season playing defensive line for the Seattle Seahawks. He then was the No. 1 overall draft choice of the San Antonio Rough Riders of the World League of American Football in 1991, but instead opted to begin his coaching career.
Franklin spent two seasons (1986-87) as a starter on the defensive line for at Fresno State. His dominant play and football intelligence earned him All-American second team honors both seasons. As a junior, he set a then-school record with 19.5 sacks. He was the Pacific Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Fresno State's MVP as a senior in 1987. He had 31.5 career sacks.
Prior to Fresno State, he played two seasons (1984-85) at San Jose (Calif.) Community College, winning junior college All-American honors in 1985. He was on the football and track teams at Yerba Buena High in San Jose (Calif.).
He earned his bachelor's degree in criminology at Fresno State in 1989. He was born in 1965, in St. Lazaire, France, where his father was stationed in the military.
Franklin and his wife, Cherise, have a son, Khalil (15) and a daughter, Takara (13).
FRANKLIN AT A GLANCE
Personal Info
Full Name
Jethro Franklin
Age
47
Hometown
St. Lazaire, France
Education
B.A. Criminology, Fresno State (1989)
Wife
Cherise
Children
Son, Kahlil; Daughter, Takara
Franklin's Coaching Career
2011
Defensive Line, University of Miami
2010
Defensive Line, Temple University
2009-10
Defensive Line, University of Southern California
2007-08
Defensive Line, Houston Texans
2006-07
Defensive Line, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2005-06
Defensive Line, University of Southern California
2000-04
Defensive Line, Green Bay Packers
1999-00
Interior Defensive Line, UCLA
1991-98
Defensive Line, Fresno State
Bowl Games as a Coach (5)
2009
Emerald Bowl
2006
Rose Bowl
1993
Aloha Bowl
1992
Freedom Bowl
1991
California Bowl
NFL Career
1989
Seattle Seahawks
1988
Houston Oilers
Honors as a Player
Two-time second-team All-American
Pacific Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year
Set a then-school record with 19.5 sacks
Junior college All-American
Coaching Accomplishments
USC played in the 2006 Rose Bowl (BCS Championship Game) and 2009 Emerald Bowl during his time as defensive line coach
Mario Williams set the Texans' sack record in 2007 and made the Pro Bowl in 2008 under Franklin's guidance
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, under Franklin's tutelage, became the all-time sack leader in Green Bay Packer history.
Prominent Players Coached
Mario Williams
Two-time Pro Bowler, Houston Texans, Set single-season sack record in 2007 (14)
Vonnie Holiday
NFL All-Rookie selection, Green Bay Packers (currently with Arizona Cardinals)
