COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou head coach Eliah Drinkwitz has hired Jethro Franklin as the Tigers' defensive line coach, as announced today. Franklin joins Mizzou with 29 years of coaching experience, 16 in college football and 13 in the NFL, including his most recent stops with 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 seven bowl game appearances in his illustrious coaching career.
"Jethro Franklin will be a valuable addition to our football program," said Drinkwitz. "His expertise at both the NFL and collegiate levels will be invaluable on the recruiting trail and in the development of our defensive line."
Franklin most recently served as the assistant defensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2018-19 where he mentored Jadeveon Clowney and helped lead the team to back-to-back NFL playoff appearances in his two seasons on staff. Prior to Seattle, Franklin spent three seasons as the defensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders, where he mentored two of the best young pass rushers in the NFL, Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin. 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.
Franklin spent the 2006 season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line coach and the 2007 and 2008 campaigns with the Houston Texans. 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).
"I have always believed an effective coach is someone who makes you do what you don't want to do, so you can become who you always wanted to be," said Franklin. "I am very excited to be coaching the Defensive Line at the University of Missouri, and to continue to add to the legacy of #DLineZou. We want to maintain a relentless pursuit to find a competitive edge. Our definition of competition is striving for excellence, and that's what we will continue to work towards each and every day. MIZ!"
In between his second and third stints in the NFL, the San Jose, Calif., native spent six seasons at the college level with USC (2009), Temple (2010) and Miami (2011-14). Franklin was a part of three teams which reached bowl games during this six-year stint as the Trojans reached the 2009 Emerald Bowl, while the Hurricanes played in the 2013 Russell Athletic and 2014 Independence Bowls. He first joined the USC football program in 2005 where he helped lead the team to a PAC-10 championship and a National Championship appearance in the Rose Bowl against Texas, a game often considered as the greatest NCAA college football game ever played.
Franklin spent the 1999 season as the interim defensive line coach at UCLA after spending eight seasons at his alma mater, Fresno State from 1991-98. In Fresno, the Bulldogs made three bowl game appearances during his tenure, advancing to the 1991 California, 1992 Freedom and 1993 Aloha Bowls.
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.
Commit to the #NewZou, season tickets and renewals for the 2021 Mizzou Football season are now on sale. For more information, visit MUTigers.com/NewZouTix or call 1-800-CAT-PAWS. For all the latest on Mizzou Football, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouFootball) and like the team on Facebook and Instagram.
Jethro Franklin File
Coaching History
- 2018-19 – Seattle Seahawks – Assistant Defensive Line Coach
- 2015-17 – Oakland Raiders – Defensive Line Coach
- 2011-14 – Miami (Fla.) – Defensive Line Coach
- 2010 – Temple – Defensive Line Coach
- 2009 – USC – Defensive Line Coach
- 2007-08 – Houston Texans – Defensive Line Coach
- 2006 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Defensive Line Coach
- 2005 – USC – Defensive Line Coach
- 2000-04 – Green Bay Packers – Defensive Line Coach
- 1999 – UCLA – Interim Defensive Line Coach
- 1991-98 – Fresno State – Defensive Line Coach
Bowl Games (7):
- Fresno State (3) – 1991, California; 1992, Freedom; 1993, Aloha
- USC (2) – 2005, Rose; 2009, Emerald
- Miami (2) – 2013, Athletic; 2014, Independence
NFL Playoff Appearances (7):
- Green Bay Packers (4) – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
- Oakland Raiders (1) – 2016
- Seattle Seahawks (2) – 2018, 2019
Playing Experience:
- 1984-85 – San Jose City College
- 1985 – NJCAA All-American
- 1986-87 – Fresno State
- 1987 – Pacific Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year
Education:
- 1988 – Fresno State – Criminology
