Temple University Athletics
Football
Jethro Franklin
- Title:
- Defensive Line Coach
Jethro Franklin, who has spent 19 years coaching defensive lines at the NFL and collegiate levels, joins the Temple staff after his second stint coaching the defensive line at Southern Cal in 2009.
He spent the 2005 season at USC. In 2005, defensive ends Lawrence Jackson and Frostee Rucker were All-Pac-10 first teamers, while Rucker (third round) and LaJuan Ramsay (sixth round) 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 2 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, he spent the 1989 season playing defensive line for the Seattle Seahawks. He then was the No. 1 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. He started on the defensive line for two seasons (1986-87) at Fresno State, earning All-American second team honors both seasons. As a 1986 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 1987 senior. 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 on Oct. 25, 1965, in St. Lazaire, France, where his father was stationed in the military.
He and his wife, Cherise, have a son, Khalil (13) and a daughter, Takara (11).
He spent the 2005 season at USC. In 2005, defensive ends Lawrence Jackson and Frostee Rucker were All-Pac-10 first teamers, while Rucker (third round) and LaJuan Ramsay (sixth round) 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 2 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, he spent the 1989 season playing defensive line for the Seattle Seahawks. He then was the No. 1 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. He started on the defensive line for two seasons (1986-87) at Fresno State, earning All-American second team honors both seasons. As a 1986 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 1987 senior. 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 on Oct. 25, 1965, in St. Lazaire, France, where his father was stationed in the military.
He and his wife, Cherise, have a son, Khalil (13) and a daughter, Takara (11).
Ep. 11: American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti
Monday, October 13
Evan Simon, 10/11/25
Saturday, October 11
Allan Haye, 10/11/25
Saturday, October 11
K.C. Keeler, 10/11/25
Saturday, October 11
