Who Is in James Franklin’s Family? All About the Penn State HC’s Wife, Daughters & Sister

Franklin has lifted the Nittany Lions to great heights as head football coach of Penn State since 2014, with three New Year’s Six bowl wins and a Big Ten Championship in 2016. Consistent top finishes and program revitalization have defined his tenure. But it’s his family, Franklin’s “grounding force,” who he says have helped form the man he is today.

But his road hasn’t been easy. College football programs of the country’s stature demand a lot, often pulling him away from home. His daughters, Shola and Addison, have grown up watching their dad navigate game-day pressure, and autograph requests around breakfast tables. Outside of roars of crowds and strategic plays that matter, Franklin always finds himself in the thoughts of his family, who keep him grounded on what actually matters.

Franklin’s father, James Franklin Sr., was in the Air Force, and his mother, Jocelyn, was from Manchester, England. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the couple had eloped to Ireland. Jocelyn separated from Franklin’s father and raised him and his sister Debbie Franklin as a single mother who was very determined, and who instilled values in him of hard work and determination that he carries with him today.

James’ wife and confidante is Fumi Franklin, née Funmilayo J. Ala. Fumi, who is of African American and Japanese descent, met James in 1998 at Washington State University, where he was coaching and she was a graduate student. And as fate would have it, the two started dating, and well, the rest is history. After several years of dating, Franklin eventually popped the ring in 2005 and the couple now has two children, Shola and Addison (Addy).

Shola, who was born in 2007, is an athletic whirlwind who loves soccer, basketball, and track. During Penn State games, her curiosity about her father’s world of football comes out as she asks lots of questions about the plays. On the flip side, Addison, born in 2008, is more tech-savvy, which is why her dad dubs her a “techie.”

Addison’s diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease has shaped the family. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Franklin lived apart from his family for months to protect Addison’s health. He also campaigns for awareness of the condition. “My family is my fuel,” Franklin has said of their role in helping to fuel his resilience both on and off the field. 

James Franklin’s family life: Challenges and joys

Though his role comes with such pressure, Franklin tries to put his family first. Sometimes during lunch break, Fumi and the girls make a pit stop in his office for a glimpse of him. Franklin admitted, “I struggle with coach guilt.” He talked about how much his job requires. But his daughters are grounding for him—they don’t care about the game outcomes—and they remind him what’s more important in life.

His daughters’ tears and embraces on the sideline after a devastating loss at the Rose Bowl told volumes about their support. “To have daughters has made me a better man,” Franklin said of parenthood. His coaching philosophy is also authentic like his fatherhood. Players and peers have come to respect Franklin for his ability to “love players hard and coach them hard.” Penn State’s resurgence wasn’t the only thing boosted by his adaptability and resilience; he has also made his name as one of the most accomplished African American head coaches in history.

Franklin’s vision for the future is still based on his family personally and professionally. From leading Penn State through challenges or the highs and lows of fatherhood, James Franklin represents dedication, resilience, and love. His story reminds us all of the value of staying connected to your roots while making a path forward.