Vanderbilt Coach James Franklin Under Fire For Saying Assistants Need Hot Wives
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- What to look for in an assistant football coach: a solid grasp of the X's and O's; inspiration and fire; the ability to squeeze the last drop out of young talent.
And if you're Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin, an attractive spouse.
"I've been saying it for a long time, I will not hire an assistant coach until I've seen his wife," Franklin said Wednesday during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone in in Nashville. "If she looks the part, and she's a D-1 recruit, then you got a chance to get hired. That's part of the deal.
"There's a very strong correlation between having the confidence, going up and talking to a woman, and being quick on your feet and having some personality and confidence and being fun and articulate, than it is walking into a high school and recruiting a kid and selling him."
It didn't take long for the public to throw the flag at Franklin, who issued an apology Thursday via Twitter: "My foot doesn't taste good, I hope I did not offend any1, I love & respect ALL."
The interview that has Franklin under fire ('D-1' wife comments around the 10:30 mark):
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WFAN's Boomer Esiason, a Maryland alum, had an interesting question for Franklin, who served as an assistant coach for the Terps from 2000–04 and 2008-10.
"You know, I didn't know him that well," Esiason said Friday morning on the Boomer & Carton show. "I guess this would mean that he would not hire any gay coaches. Right?"
Boomer & Carton take on the Franklin situation:
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The embattled 40-year-old tried to clarify his remarks in a series of tweets, saying it was an "attempt at humor" that "obviously fell a few (yards) short."
"If a man can convince the women of his dreams 2 marry him,he can probably do just about anything,that type of confidence along w/ coaching," he posted. "Skills is what I am looking 4.As a husband & father of 2 daughters I regret the way I conveyed my message! ... I clearly used language that doesn't reflect my views on women and I am SORRY!"
For some, Franklin's apology didn't hit the mark.
"Thank you for showing me how never to be if I get an opportunity," one person responded on Twitter.
"What does your wife look like? Post some pics," wrote another.
Vandy vice chancellor of athletics David Williams distanced his program from the "inappropriate" message and added, "None of those things are criteria for hiring at Vanderbilt."
"Coach is sorry that he made that statement," Williams said, according to the Tennessean. "He's issued an apology on Twitter. I've talked to him about how inappropriate his statements were and how offensive they could be to some people.
"He said he was really in a joking mode, if you like, and didn't mean all of that. And I explained that's a thing you don't even joke about."
Do you think Vanderbilt should punish their second-year head coach? Be heard in the comments below!
