Watch out, James Franklin. There’s another James Franklin out there.

James Franklin Mattern, a Penn State fan who was born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania, shares more than just a name with Penn State football’s head coach – Mattern even looks like him.

We reached out to Mattern to learn more about what it’s like to live life as ~almost~ James Franklin.

Onward State: Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from, what do you do, etc.?

James Franklin Mattern: I was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, but currently live in Beverly Hills, California. I’m a partner in a specialty insurance business (boring), but also help facilitate investments for technology companies and cannabis businesses across the country. My wife and I also have a production/management company where we produce online streaming content and represent a few rappers and a few boxers.

OS: How did you get the name “James Franklin?” Were you named after a family member, or is there some other connection?

JFM: James was my great-grandfather’s name and Franklin was my grandfather’s name… I basically have three last names.

OS: When did you first realize that you shared the same name as a CFB head coach?

JFM: When the other JF was head coach at Vanderbilt.

OS: In your pictures, you look remarkably like Penn State’s head coach. Is this a chosen look, or have you rocked the goatee before you were aware of the connection?

JFM: I’ve rocked a goatee or beard for decades… making up for the lack of hair on the top of my head!

OS: Do you often get comments on the similarities between you and Franklin? Do people say that you look like the head coach, or realize that you have the same name?

JFM: In Beverly Hills… not often. But whenever I see someone with PSU gear on, I often get a reaction. I was popular at this year’s Rose Bowl game… several fans took pictures with me and your colleague did an interview with me during halftime.

OS: Do you have a favorite college football team, and if so, how did you come to support them?

JFM: Well, my alma mater was in the D2 National Championship game this year (Colorado School of Mines), but it’s tough to watch them other than during playoffs. But I’ve been a Penn State fan from birth.  Reportedly my placenta was blue (and I’m white… so…). I don’t remember that personally, however. My dad (Penn State ’51) had season tickets for 40+ years. I went to my first game at Beaver Stadium in 1976 – I was 11 years old. I used to listen to the games as a teenager on a transistor radio (Google it) while cutting the grass at our home in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

OS: Are you a James Franklin fan? Have you rooted for him as a head coach?

JFM: Absotively. Posilutely.

OS: Franklin is sometimes a controversial figure on campus. Do you have any thoughts on the man as a coach?

JFM: I was unaware he was controversial. Everything I know about the man, I like. Being in the public eye, not everyone is going to like you. If you’re true to yourself, your family, and God, that’s the best you can do in life. I don’t judge people on what mistakes they’ve made… that does not define a person… that’s what they did, not who they are. Love conquers all and he has been a positive influence to many young men and women – I am sure.

OS: Have you ever met or reached out to Franklin? Do you know if he’s aware of your connection?

JFM: Never met the other JF, but I attempted to get his attention before the Rose Bowl on social media. If he was aware, we’d be best friends by now.

OS: Finally, per Onward State tradition, if you could be a dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

JFM: Interesting question, considering I am a geophysicist by degree – I would definitely be a Supersaurus. If you’re going to go big, might as well go really big!