College Football: What Does Vanderbilt Potentially Get In James Franklin?

The Washington Post is reporting that the Vanderbilt Commodores will be naming Maryland offensive coordinator, James Franklin, as their head coach—as early as today. Of course, the natural question has to be this: are they sure this time?

Remember it was this same publication that told us Gus Malzahm was on his way to Vanderbilt a mere days ago. Eventually it was discovered that Malzahn was only considering the offer. He later opted to remain in his current post at Auburn for more than double the money he received this past season.

If this story turns out to be accurate, Vanderbilt will finally be able to end their coaching search and get down to the business of rebuilding their football program.

James Franklin was due to receive a $1 million bonus at the end of the 2011 season if he was not offered the head coaching position currently held by Ralph Friedgen. Quite frankly, after the departure of Will Muschamp from Texas and, possibly, now James Franklin at Maryland, we could be seeing the end of that whole 'coach-in-waiting' title.

So, what will the Commodores get in Franklin?

For one, he is a phenomenal recruiter. He has long been thought of as one of the best recruiters in the ACC, and one of the top recruiters on Friedgen's staff. Furthermore, he's proven to be adept at grooming phenomenal NFL prospects—among his handiwork—both Josh Freeman (currently in his 2nd season with the Bucs) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (a Top 10 NFL Draftee) excelled under his tutelage.

Vanderbilt is hungry for a young coach with innovative ideas and the energy level necessary to rebuild their shattered program and if Franklin does, in fact, turn out to be the chosen one, they could do a lot worse. 

Georgia Bulldogs Football: Ranking The 10 Best Performers In The Win Over Vandy

The start of the game was reminiscent of the start of Georgia's SEC season—wildly inconsistent, out-of-sync, and frustrating.

The offense found it difficult to get going, thanks in large part to the frequent stoppages of play and early on, it seemed as if the Bulldogs would be regressing back to the mediocre brand of football many came to expect during their four game losing streak (three timeouts used in the first six minutes).

However, the Bulldogs dominated that other team from Tennessee, both offensively and defensively, pitching their first shutout of the season and running all over and through the Vanderbilt defensive front—A.J. Green didn't even have to get his super hero clothing dirty on Saturday as there were plenty of big plays and familiar playmakers to go around.

So who made the cut for being the most productive on the day?...

1. Washaun Ealey, RB

Ealey ran with purpose on Saturday, breaking tackles, driving the pile, and making running lanes appear even when there didn't seem any. He even managed to hold onto the ball inside the five-yard line—the place he's struggled all season long—and score a touchdown.

He finished the day with 17 carries, for 123 yards, and one touchdown (7.2 ypc).

Note: Vanderbilt was the team Washaun Ealey broke out against last season as well. From that point on, he became a force in the Georgia running game, rushing for 595 yards and three touchdowns the remainder of the way.

2. Carlton Thomas, RB

Thomas finally hit pay dirt in the redzone, scoring twice on the day—once on a nice 15-yard run led by the blocking of center Ben Jones and, for the second time, on a nine-yard run late in the third.

He still isn't going to be the guy between the tackles but you have to applaud his efforts on Saturday.

Note: Those were the first touchdowns of Thomas' career. 

3. Kris Durham, WR

What more can you say about Durham?

Whether he was gaining yards on the first big passing play of the game (55 yards), or leaping above three defenders to pull down an ill-advised pass from Aaron Murray, the senior has given the Bulldog faithful everything he's got this year, and his four catch, 112-yard performance on Saturday just gave the fans yet another reason to smile.

Note: Durham averaged 28.0 yards per reception for the game, bringing his average, on the season, to 20.6. 

4. Aaron Murray, QB

He didn't have to run it much, but he stepped up and made a couple of really big plays from the pocket, a 48-yard strike to A.J. Green which led to a touchdown and a 22-yard completion to Aron White during a 16-play, 86-yard drive to end the first half.

The redshirt freshman ended the day with 287 yards and two touchdowns.

5. Uga VIII

How can you not mention Georgia's newest member?

"Big Bad Bruce" was a baaaaadddddddd Dawg on Saturday—bad meaning good—as he started his tenure both undefeated and, as coach Richt pointed out, "unscored upon".

6. The Defense

Wow.

Sure it was Vanderbilt, but that means nada—keeping a team off the board is impressive, no matter who they are or what they've done this season. After all, even Louisiana got on the board against Georgia in the first game of the year.

The Bulldogs held Vanderbilt to a total of 140 yards (82 passing and 58 rushing), 1-of-11 on third downs, and eight first downs....eight! Not to mention, they were +2 on the day after forcing an interception and a safety.

Note: Georgia is currently ranked 39th in the nation in turnover margin. They ended last season ranked 118th. Also, over the last two games the defense has allowed 14 points, 409 total yards of offense, forced five turnovers, and held the offense to 7-of-24 on third downs. 

7. Drew Butler, P 

That's the Drew Butler that Bulldog fans know and love. Butler averaged 49.0 yards per punt on the day.

8. The Offense

The Georgia offense has looked significantly better over the last two weeks and yesterday, against the Commodores, they totaled 547 yards of total offense (315 yards passing and 232 yards rushing). Add to that, they dominated the time of possession (37:15), and averaged better than 11.0 yards per passing play.

Note: Over the last two weeks, the Georgia offense has totaled 949 yards of total offense and scored 84 points.

9. The Offensive Line

There is still some improvement to be made in both pass protection and run blocking, but you have to give a nod to the reconfigured line which features a confidence-gaining Trinton Sturdivant at left tackle and an impressive Kenarious Gates at right guard.

10. Tavares King, WR

He's quietly having a good season for the Bulldogs at his position and caught four passes for 70 yards on Saturday.

What say you?...What caught your eye about the team on yesterday.

Vanderbilt Coach, Bobby Johnson, Retiring For "Personal Reasons" (Video)

Bobby Johnson has officially retired from college football as the head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores—his longtime assistant, Robbie Caldwell, will take over as interim head coach.

Johnson did not site health reasons as the cause for his decision but rather a desire to spend more time doing "other things". He also stated that he just didn't feel he was able to give his all any longer and didn't feel it would have been fair to return for the 2010 season knowing as much.

It sounds to me like his wife may have finally decided that she'd had enough of being a coaches' wife and simply wished for him to do something else.

You be the judge:

Johnson explains that this was a "personal decision", not made without considering everyone who was involved. Vice Chancellor David Williams stated that he was "shocked" and "saddened" by Johnson's decision and he tried to "talk him out of it". Robbie Caldwell is introduced as interim head coach:



Johnson explains that it was a "hard decision" and the health of neither himself, nor his wife, had anything to do with his decision. He just felt it was time to live his life and do "other things"...Furthermore, he did not know at the end of last season that he wanted to retire.



Johnson is asked if he will return after a time, he replies "I don't think so". He alluded to the rigors of being an SEC coach as a factor in making this decision. He also feels that he's leaving the program in good hands—is looking forward to the "uncertainty" that his retirement offers him...he will not remain in Nashville.

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