Fresno State Athletics
Football
Jethro Franklin
- Title:
- Defensive Line/Defensive Run Game Coordinator
- Phone:
- 559-278-3015
THE FRANKLIN FILE
Hometown: St. Lazaire, France
High School: Yerba Buena
Family
- Son: Khalil
- Daughter: Takara
EDUCATION
Fresno State
- Bachelors in Criminology (1988)
COACHING HISTORY
Fresno State
2022-24: Defensive Line
Missouri
2021: Defensive Line
Seattle Seahawks
2018-19: Assistant Defensive Line
Oakland Raiders
2015-17: Defensive Line
Miami
2011-14: Defensive Line
Temple
2010: Defensive Line
USC
2009: Defensive Line
Houston Texans
2007-08: Defensive Line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2006: Defensive Line
USC
2005: Defensive Line
Green Bay Packers
2000-04: Defensive Line
UCLA
1999: Interim Defensive Line
Fresno State
1991-98: Defensive Line
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Position: Defensive Lineman
1984-85: San Jose City College
1986-87: Fresno State
1989-90: Seattle Seahawks
Jethro Franklin returned to The Valley for his second stint on the Bulldogs’ coaching staff on Dec. 23, 2021.
Franklin had at least one All-Mountain West selection in his defensive line room in his three seasons on staff with veteran Devo Bridges earning the honors in back-to-back seasons.
The 2024 season saw Bridges earn second team All-MW honors as he finished with 48 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and seven quarterback hurries to lead the defensive line. Fresno State’s defense ranked third in the Mountain West in total defense, allowing 355.62 yards per game. The Bulldogs’ rushing defense also ranked third in the conference, allowing just under 140 yards per game. Fresno State allowed a conference low of 14 rushing touchdowns to its opponents in 2024.
In 2023, Franklin’s defensive line was led by the efforts of second team All-Mountain West selection Bridges. In their second season together, Franklin was able to take Bridges to a new level as he set single-season career-highs in tackles, TFLs, sacks, quarterback hurries and interceptions.
Leading the defensive line in the 2022 season, Franklin’s group played a large part in the success of what Fresno State was able to accomplish. His first year back at Fresno State was a memorable one as Fresno State became the first program in FBS history to start the season 1-4, and finish with 10 wins. Fresno State ended the year on a nine-game winning streak, and won the 2022 Mountain West Championship and the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.
The defensive line was led by first team All-Mountain West selection David Perales who led the group with 47 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, an interception, five pass breakups, six quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Following his Bulldog career, Perales moved on to the NFL as an undrafted free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Franklin assisted in amping up the diversity in young lineman Bridges. Bridges played as both an interior and edge lineman in 2022. He finished the season with 43 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and four quarterback hurries. Bridges was named the Defensive MVP of the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.
With over 30 years of coaching experience total - 20 in college football and 13 in the NFL - his most recent professional football stops include the Oakland Raiders (2015-17) and Seattle Seahawks (2018-19). Franklin has helped lead three NFL teams to seven playoff appearances and three FBS teams to 10 bowl games in his illustrious coaching career.
He has had college coaching stints with Fresno State, UCLA, USC, Temple, Miami, and Missouri.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, he has NFL coaching experience with the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, and the Green Bay Packers.
Franklin mentored two of the NFL’s best pass rushers, Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, with the Raiders. Mack earned back-to-back NFL All-Pro honors in 2015 and 2016 and racked up 36.5 sacks in three seasons under Franklin's guidance.
He first broke into the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, where he spent five seasons as the team's defensive line coach (2000-04). In Green Bay, Franklin helped lead the Packers to three NFC North Division titles (2002-04) and four consecutive playoff appearances (2001-04). Notable NFL stars under Franklin's direction during these stops include Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (Green Bay) and Mario Williams (Houston).
Franklin coached at Fresno State under Pat Hill (1991-98). While a coach for the ‘Dogs, Fresno State made three bowl game appearances - 1991 California, 1992 Freedom and 1993 Aloha Bowl.
Franklin's playing career began at San Jose City College (1984-85) where he was named a 1985 NJCAA All-American. He then moved on to Fresno State (1986-87), where he set the school record for sacks (19.5) in 1986 and was named the 1987 Pacific Coast Conference Player of the Year.
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.
Franklin graduated from Fresno State with a degree in criminology in 1988. He is the father of a son, Khalil, and a daughter, Takara.
Post-Practice Interviews: E.J. Warner, Richie Anderson III
Tuesday, September 30
FB Weekly Press Conference [9/29]
Monday, September 29
Jeff Tedford to be inducted into the Fresno State Football Ring of Honor
Tuesday, September 23
FB highlight at Hawai'i [9/20/25]
Monday, September 22
