James Franklin is known for being a very emotional and motivating coach on and off the field. A video of an emotional speech from the top recruiter to a number of prospects last July surfaced thanks to Charles Wallace II, the father of class of 2019 commit Caedan Wallace, giving fans a look at how Franklin sells the program.

https://twitter.com/cawallace2/status/1000832059588468739

Franklin discusses how being the head coach of the Nittany Lions is not business to him, but instead, it’s personal. It makes it easy to see why so many recruits from across the country are drawn to him.

“Your kid’s success is personal to me — making sure they leave here as educated men and prepared for life, and also play great football,” Franklin said in the video. “That’s why we’re going to be successful here.”

Franklin made a point of saying he would go coach in the NFL if the game was just a business to him.

“This group of men that are here with me, these coaches, and their wives, and their kids, we’re in it for the right reasons — using the game of football to make a difference in people’s lives and make a difference in society,” Franklin continued. 

“You’re not going to find a place, you are not going to find a staff, you are not going to find a group of men or group of people that are going to care more about your son and his development than the way we’ll do it here at Penn State.”

Coach Joe Mangano of Virginia’s North Stafford High School, home to class of 2018 signing Nana Asiedu and class of 2019 commit Devyn Ford, also tweeted his praise for Franklin’s recruiting pitch after the video surfaced. 

I have sat in on two of Coach Franklins presentations to recruits/families. It is very very impressive. As a parent you believe you are sending your son to a program that is bigger and more important then winning football games.

— joe mangano (@Mangano0073) May 28, 2018