Vanderbilt News Conference - 2 p.m. EST Friday
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Maryland's James Franklin has been named the head football coach at Vanderbilt University, the Commodores announced Friday.
One of the nation's top young coaches, Franklin was in his third season as Maryland's assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. He was also in charge of guiding the Terrapin quarterbacks.
Franklin led an evolving and improving offensive unit at Maryland this season. The Terps posted more than 400 total yards in four of the last five games and ranked 42nd nationally in scoring offense (31.4 ppg).
Only three teams in the FBS turned the ball over less than the Terps this season which was a big reason Maryland was in the hunt for a berth in the 2010 ACC title game.
Franklin, 38, also tutored redshirt freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien the last two seasons. O'Brien was voted the 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year after posting the lowest interception percentage in the country among freshmen (1.90) and tossing 21 touchdown passes, the second-highest total in school history.
"James did a very good job for us while he was here," Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen said. "I'm very happy that he's gotten an opportunity to be a head coach. We wish him nothing but the best of luck at Vanderbilt."
Franklin was in his eighth overall season with the program, having served as an assistant from 2000 through 2004.
He has spent most of his coaching days in the collegiate ranks, though he was a wide receivers coach with the Green Bay Packers in 2005. The 1995 graduate of East Stroudsburg (Pa.) went on to become the offensive coordinator at Kansas State (2006-07) before returning to College Park.
Franklin also had assistant coaching stints at James Madison (1997), Washington State (1998) and Idaho State.
A tireless and renowned recruiter, Franklin was in line to be the next Terps head coach. He was named the eventual successor to Friedgen in February, 2009.
"I'd like to thank James for his service to Maryland Athletics and his contributions to our football program, including helping the team reach 8-4 so far this season and be in the hunt for an ACC Division title," said Maryland's director of athletics Kevin Anderson.
"Coach Friedgen and I have already had substantive conversations regarding our plans to keep the Maryland football program moving forward in the 2011 season and beyond. We will be continuing our conversations and finalizing those plans over the coming days. I also remain quite confident Coach Friedgen and his staff will have our football team fully prepared for the 2010 Military Bowl."
Vanderbilt is holding a news conference at 2 p.m. EST Friday to discuss the hiring. Click here to view.
