Penn State Coach James Franklin Named As Big Ten Coach Of The Year By Media

Penn State Coach James Franklin had a flying start in less than two months as he was named the Dave McClain Coach of the Year as voted by members of the media on Tuesday night. James Franklin guided the Penn State Nittany Lions to a 10-2 record, including an 8-1 mark in conference play, which helped the Penn State Football club secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship game.

Lion 247 Sports News reported that Penn State currently has an eight-game winning streak into Saturday's Big Ten title game against the Wisconsin Badgers. The Nittany Lions overcame a litany of defensive injuries and a recent 39-point loss to Michigan to beat Minnesota in overtime on Oct. 1. But since then, Penn State survived losses along the offensive line, upset No. 2 Ohio State, and climbed into the national polls.

James Franklin of @PennStateFball named the 2016 #B1GFootball Dave McClain Coach of the Year. pic.twitter.com/ntS1oINNZp

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 29, 2016

According to Roar Lions Roar News, Penn State Coach James Franklin entered the 2016 season with a 14-12 record in his first two years at Penn State. After a 2-2 start to the season, which included a 49-10 loss to Michigan, Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour spoke with the Altoona Mirror and publicly said that Franklin was not on any hot seat.

Since that time, Penn State Coach James Franklin loaded Penn State to win eight straight games by a combined score of 323-142. In his third year with the Lions, Franklin collected his first wins over conference rivals Ohio State and Michigan State, and his first win over the Spartans secured the team's first Big Ten East title. Franklin also earned a $100,000 bonus.

Penn State Coach James Franklin began his coaching career in 1995 at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. In 1999, Franklin served as wide receivers coach at Idaho State. That year, the Bengals recorded 29 touchdowns, 258 receptions, and in excess of 3,300 passing yards for one of the best statistical seasons in school history. Penn State Coach James Franklin had also held internships at several National Football League franchises including the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings.