Stephen Franklin (American football)

Stephen Franklin (born September 26, 1988) is an American football and former linebacker. He is the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for the University of Central Missouri, a position he has held since 2023. He initially signed with the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent following the 2011 NFL Draft. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars before moving onto the Sioux City Bandits of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL), Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League (IFL), and Kansas City Phantoms of the Champions Indoor Football (CIF).

Playing career
Franklin began his playing career at North Kansas City High School in Kansas City, Missouri. He played college football for Southern Illinois.

Franklin went undrafted following the 2011 NFL Draft and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He would be released and sign with the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars throughout the remainder of the season.

After three seasons away from football he joined the Sioux City Bandits of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL) in 2014. He would play for the Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in 2015 and the Kansas City Phantoms of the Champions Indoor Football (CIF).

Coaching career
Franklin began his career with Unity Christian High School in 2018 where he served as the school's defensive coordinator. He then moved onto his alma mater in North Kansas City High School as the defensive line coach. Following his one year stint with North Kansas City he accepted a head coach position for Turner High School in 2020.

In 2021, Franklin joined Bethel as its inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.

On March 22, 2023, Franklin was hired by Central Missouri to be the team's linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.