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Executive Vice President and Head Coach Mike Sherman Tuesday named James Franklin wide receivers coach. The move completes the Packers coaching staff, which remains the same size it was in 2004.
Franklin, 33, is a burgeoning coach who comes to Green Bay highly recommended. Entering his 11th season in the coaching profession, he is no stranger to the NFL, having served minority coaching internships with the Miami Dolphins (1998) and Philadelphia Eagles (1999).
A former quarterback, Franklin joins the Packers from the University of Maryland, where he coached the Terrapins' receivers for five seasons and doubled as recruiting coordinator the last two academic years. In the latter role, Franklin helped the school land consecutive classes ranked among the nation's Top 25 by several prominent recruiting publications.
Ascending through the college ranks, Franklin made stops at five schools in as many years prior to coaching at Maryland. He coached receivers at Kutztown (1995), James Madison (1997) and Idaho State (1999), coached tight ends at Washington State (1998) and worked one season as a graduate assistant/secondary coach at East Stroudsburg (1996).
By adding Franklin, the Packers' offensive staff has four former quarterbacks, including Tom Rossley, Darrell Bevell and Turner Gill. Franklin earned multiple all-conference selections as a four-time letterman (1991-94) at Division II East Stroudsburg. As a senior in 1994, he garnered team MVP honors, setting seven school records, and earned Sports Illustrated national player of the week in October. After college, Franklin led a team of Europeans to the Danish national title, playing quarterback and serving as offensive coordinator (1996).
Franklin earned his master's in educational leadership from Washington State in 1999.
Franklin, who replaces Ray Sherman, becomes the 18th wide receivers coach in Packers history, joining a group that includes current NFL head coaches Tom Coughlin (1986-87) and Jon Gruden (1993-94), and Hall of Famer Don Hutson (1944-48). Sherman joined the Tennessee Titans Jan. 28.
The complete coaching staff is a healthy blend of youth and experience: Rossley (offensive coordinator), Jim Bates (defensive coordinator), John Bonamego (special teams coordinator), Joe Baker (secondary/safeties), Larry Beightol (offensive line), Edgar Bennett (running backs), Bevell (quarterbacks), James Campen (assistant offensive line/quality control), Mark Duffner (linebackers), Franklin (wide receivers), Gill (director of player development), Charlie Jackson (defensive quality control), Brad Miller (assistant special teams), Robert Nunn (defensive tackles), Joe Philbin (tight ends/assistant offensive line), Barry Rubin (strength and conditioning), Bob Sanders (defensive line/defensive ends), Lionel Washington (defensive nickel package/cornerbacks).