The photo on the left was taken on Wednesday (02/04/2009). I am on the left , James Franklin is to the right. Coach Franklin was named the next head coach for the Maryland Terps football team on Friday (02/06/2009).
I knew who James Franklin was on his first trip here as a Maryland coach a few years ago. Then he left to be the receivers coach with the Packers. The he went on to work with his friend Ron Prince (then the new head man at K State, recently let go; former UVA coordinator) at Kansas State as the offensive coordinator.
I ran into Coach Franklin upon his return, about one year ago, to TerpLand. I was at the DeMatha @ Good Counsel basketball game and Coach Franklin (along w former D Coordinator Chris Cosh) were there to recruit current Terp (#18) Kenny Tate of DeMatha. Kenny was playing center on the basketball team, he is currently a safety on the Terps football team.
I recognized him (Franklin) and he said that was his first brush with fame. He sat with me (and my sons) for the first few minutes of the game. After a few minutes, he had to leave to work the crowd. You could tell he was special. The passion he has for the game and our Terps is evident. He is the kind of guy that gets the job on the first interview.
I have seen him a few times since, over the past year. Coach Franklin remembers our first meeting. Now he is the coach in waiting.
It should come as no surprise that he will be the successor to Ralph Freidgen. The NFL offers Coach Franklin has received over the past 10 days are legitimate. Maryland wanted to make sure that the best and brightest stay. Ralph has 3 years left on his contract. If Freidgen stays, than that frees James to go on to another job if he wishes.