Right before taking the stage for his final 2017 Fiesta Bowl pregame press conference, Penn State Head Coach James Franklin took a moment to introduce himself, shake hands with several volunteers and personally thank them for their help during game week.
 
A small act of kindness can make an immediate impact on the media operations volunteers who assisted that year at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn. It did just that for the people on the receiving end and for Franklin, it was another example of one of his core values of having a positive attitude.
 
"Something as simple as thanking the people who help make game day and our team events possible is important to me," said Franklin. "It's something I remind the team of after every win in the locker room and it's something I hope sticks with them throughout life."
 
Franklin made history the next day as he became the first African-American head coach to win the Fiesta Bowl, leading the Nittany Lions to a 35-28 victory over the Washington Huskies.
 
This was the fourth time in his head coaching career where he made history with a bowl game victory. The previous victories were in the Music City and Birmingham Bowls (formerly the Compass Bowl), when he was at Vanderbilt, and the Pinstripe Bowl during his first year with Penn State.
 
"I tell my staff and team daily that it takes every person in our organization to be successful and win," said Franklin. "Achieving milestones like this is something I view as us doing together.
 
"I am blessed to work with the best staff in the country. I hope that what my staff and I are doing is inspiring and continues to open doors for more."
 
Franklin's core value of a great work ethic can be traced back to his days growing up in Langhorne, PA, where he was a 1991 graduate of Neshaminy High School. He continued his playing career at East Stroudsburg University (ESU) where he was a four-year letterman at quarterback and a two-time All-PSAC selection. It was during this time when he knew he wanted to become a football coach.
 
"All my buddies and teammates from college are high school coaches throughout the state," said Franklin. "Their drive, work ethic and impact are what influenced me. They have all been a tremendous resource.
 
"I was a (NCAA) Division II guy who had to work for everything that he got in this profession, but I had a great experience and the chance to work for a bunch of really good coaches."
 
Franklin's coaching career began after graduation in 1995 at Kutztown University. Except for a brief stint in the NFL and coaching overseas, he spent the next 15 seasons working as an assistant with some of the top collegiate programs in the country who ultimately impacted his career.
 
"I have been lucky to come across many coaching mentors in my career," said Franklin. "Denny Douds was my college coach at ESU, who was there for 52 years. My quarterbacks coach, Mike Terwilliger, has been coaching there for 44 years and is still going strong. Mike Santella, who is a good friend and was my college roommate, has been at ESU for 23 years. I learned so much early in my playing and coaching career from those guys."
 
Franklin also credits past head coaches and administrators Mike Price (former Washington State Head Coach), Ralph Friedgen (former Maryland Head Coach), Mike Sherman (former Green Bay Packers Head Coach) and Debbie Yow (former Maryland Athletic Director) as individuals who also helped him develop his coaching philosophy.
 
His last two core values of competing in everything you do and being willing to sacrifice were evident throughout his career as an assistant coach and leading Franklin to his first head coaching position in 2011 with Vanderbilt. During his three years with the Commodores, Franklin become the only Vanderbilt head coach to lead a team to consecutive bowl appearances.
 
That head-turning success in Nashville provided Franklin an opportunity to return home and be the head coach at a place that was always had a special place in his heart.
 
"Growing up in Pennsylvania, you can't help but be a Penn State fan," said Franklin. "I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for the University and the football program.
 
"My wife, Fumi, and I had a conversation on one of our first dates about dream jobs and opportunities. For me, Penn State was on a very short list. I didn't know if I would ever have this opportunity, but I am so thankful and proud to represent my home state."
 
During his nine years in State College, Franklin became the first Black Head Coach in 2016 to win a Big Ten Football Championship. He has also led the Nittany Lions to three wins in four New Year's Six Bowl appearances.
 
Franklin is always quick to recognize and thank those who helped him throughout his career, including in his time at Penn State. He and his staff recently played a key role in the inaugural meeting of the PSFCA (high school) Minority Coaches Association hosted in State College.  
 
"I hope that this forum is the first of many that can be offered for African-American and minority coaches in the area, and that my staff and I can actively be a part of them," said Franklin. "It's important that we serve as examples that there is a place for coaches from all backgrounds at the highest levels of football.
 
"I take a lot of pride in the diversity within our staff, and I hope to see more of that throughout the country. These forums and discussions lead to relationships. I wouldn't be where I am today without the relationships I have fostered, and I hope to do the same with these coaches throughout the state."