Chicago Bears: Keeping An Eye on James Franklin

Ever so quietly one of the most intriguing coaches in football has built a resume that the Chicago Bears have to evaluate before 2018 proper arrives.

No it’s not Jim Harbaugh, or David Shaw or Josh McDaniels or some of the other red hot candidates floating around the NFL right now. It’s high time somebody mentioned James Franklin. Some might call him the red-headed stepchild of the Big Ten. He’s no Harbaugh or Urban Meyer. He’s that third wheel everybody forgets about until it starts squeaking. The thing about Franklin is his wheel gives a hell of a loud squeak.

The man has been a head coach in college football since 2011 and in that time cultivated a reputation for getting more out of his programs than people originally though possible. In fact it goes back even further to his days as an assistant. It is for these reasons and more that the Bears must consider putting him on the short list to become their next head coach this January.

Franklin studied under some quality NFL head coaches

Even before getting into his college successes, it’s worth noting that Franklin took every opportunity open to him to study under some of the top NFL head coaches of his day. In 1998 he interned with the Miami Dolphins who were run by the great Jimmy Johnson. A year later he did the same in Philadelphia with new young Eagles coach Andy Reid. This experience carried him into a successful stint with Maryland as their wide receivers coach and eventually recruiting coordinator.

Franklin’s first big break came after his brief stint in Green Bay (2005) to become offensive coordinator under Kansas State. With his help the offense flourished, as did two key talents by the name of Josh Freeman and Jordy Nelson. Freeman became a 1st round pick in 2009 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nelson went a year prior in the 2nd round to the Packers.

He returned to Maryland as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, helping them win two bowl games in three seasons. At last in 2011 he got his first crack at head coaching.

Turning downtrodden programs into winners again

Vanderbilt has long been considered the whipping boy of the SEC. The team that other powerhouse programs build their confidence on by steamrolling. Prior to Franklin’s arrival, the Commodores had one winning season since 1982. Their last season with at least nine victories didn’t take place since 1915. Suffice to say it was a college that struggled for years to gain recognition and respect.

His first year he took them from 2-10 to 6-7, showing marked improvement across the board. It was then Franklin announced himself to the college football world when Vanderbilt went 9-4 in both 2012 and 2013. It was the only time in their long history that had ever happened. Both seasons ended with bowl victories too. He also churned out some quality talent including Pro Bowl corner Casey Heyward, safety Andre Hal and wide receiver Jordan Matthews.

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Then of course there’s Penn State. Franklin arrived with little fanfare following the exit of Bill O’Brien to the Houston Texans in 2014. Things weren’t easy at first. He still had to deal with residual effects of the disastrous Sandusky/Paterno fiasco that nearly crippled the program. His first two years Franklin went 14-12. It didn’t daunt him though.

By Year 3 the Nittany Lions had re-emerged as a legitimate power. They went 11-3 in 2016 and lost a thriller in the Rose Bowl to USC. This season they’re 10-2 and his offense is performing at elite levels. Not only is running back Saquon Barkley at 1,728 yards and 19 touchdowns, quarterback Trace McSorely has thrown for 3,228 yards with 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

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If that weren’t enough his defense ranks 21st in the country. This is a well-round head coach who has proven at two different locations he can get the job done. Franklin turns 46-years old in 2018. He’s primed and ready for an NFL shot. All it will take is for a team to extend an offer.