Some quotes from Tony Franklin

December 12, 2007

Drew Champlin

I spoke with him a few minutes ago. His teleconference doesn’t start for 15 more minutes, but here’s what he had to say. He doesn’t think Troy will miss a beat because he “hired plenty of coaches smarter than him.”

“I was coming back Sunday from watching a quarterback in Kentucky. (Auburn assistant) Eddie (Gran) called me and asked me to stop by. We ended up talking for a few hours (with other coaches as well) and it went from there.”

“The hardest thing for me about leaving Troy was leaving Larry (Blakeney). He was gutsy enough to hire me and give me a chance. Not only is he a great coach, he’s just a wonderful human being and a great friend.”

On the opportunity...
“In any profession, you always want to try to make it to the highest level. I think this is an opportunity to compete in the best conference in all of college football. As you go through life, you look through challenges and this is one of them.”

Haven’t spoke with Chris Todd, the quarterback who committed from JUCO to sign with Troy, but he’s probably going to go to Auburn. I’ll see if I can catch him with him later.

Tony Franklin teleconference at 6 p.m.

Drew Champlin

Here’s the release that Auburn University sent out.
I may listen to the teleconference, but my focus for tomorrow will be what’s next for Troy. Collin Mickle of the Opelika-Auburn News will handle the actual TF to Auburn side.

AUBURN NAMES TONY FRANKLIN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

AUBURN—Tony Franklin, who served as offensive coordinator and
quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons at Troy, has been named
offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Auburn, announced head
coach Tommy Tuberville Wednesday.  Franklin, who also spent four years
at the University of Kentucky, helped both programs achieve a high level
of offensive success.

“Tony has had a tremendous amount of success offensively in
the Southeastern Conference and during his most recent position at
Troy,” Tuberville said. “He teaches an exciting brand of offense
that has posted some very impressive numbers, statistically. We’re
excited to have him on staff and look forward to having him get started
with us during preparations for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.”

During his tenure at Troy, Franklin helped lead the Trojans to
back-to-back eight-win seasons, consecutive Sunbelt Conference
Co-Championships and a New Orleans Bowl victory in 2006. Troy’s
offense, which was last in the conference in total offense prior to his
arrival, was second in the Sun Belt in 2006 and was first in the league
in total offense (452.8 ypg) and scoring offense (34.0 ppg) this season.
Nationally in 2007, his offense was 17th in total offense and 25th in
scoring offense.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to return to the
Southeastern Conference and work with an outstanding program at
Auburn,” Franklin said. “I’m very appreciative of Coach
Tuberville for giving me the chance to serve as Auburn’s offensive
coordinator and I’m excited about getting started and working with the
coaching staff and players. I’d also like to thank (Troy) Coach Larry
Blakeney and the Troy family for the opportunity they provided me during
the last two years.”

Under Franklin’s direction, Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook
was the Sunbelt Conference Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the
Year and Newcomer of the Year in 2006.  Haugabook repeated as the
Sunbelt Offensive Player of the Year in 2007.

Franklin, 50, coached four years at the University of Kentucky
from 1997-2000, where he was the Wildcats’ running backs coach from
1997-99 before serving as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers
coach during the 2000 season.

While at Kentucky, Franklin helped lead the Wildcats to
consecutive bowl appearances (1998-99) for the first time in 15 years
and their first New Year’s Day bowl game (1999 Outback Bowl) in 50
seasons.  Named one of the top 10 recruiters in the South during his
tenure in Lexington, Franklin’s offense in 2000 finished second
nationally in passing offense and 11th in the country in total offense.

In 2003, Franklin was the general manager and head coach of the
expansion franchise Lexington Horsemen football team in their inaugural
season in the National Indoor Football League.

Prior to his stint at Kentucky, he coached 16 years on the high school
level for seven schools.

Franklin was a two-year letterman at Murray State, from 1976-77,
where he played running back. He received his bachelor’s and
master’s degrees from Murray State in 1979 and 1989, respectively.

A native of Princeton, Ky., Franklin and his wife, Laura, have
three daughters, Chelsea (22), Caroline (20), and Caitlin (18).

What’s next?

Drew Champlin

The first year I covered Troy football was 2005. Since then, now eight coaches have left.

After 2005
DL coach/co-defensive coordinator Ricky Logo went to Vanderbilt
OC Mark Fleetwood was let go
OL coach Jeff Fela was let go
LB coach Ben Waldrop left to pursue other opportunities

After 2006
OL coach Matt Moore went to Texas Tech
RB coach James Joseph went to Memphis
DL coach/co-defensive coordinator Mike Pelton went to Iowa State

After 2007
OC Tony Franklin goes to Auburn

It’s still early, and I still need to have a more detailed chat with Troy head man Larry Blakeney. Where does Troy go from here? There are some good candidates to promote from within as far as offensive capabilities, but none have been quarterback coaches at this level. We’ll see what happens.

Looks like it is a done deal

Drew Champlin

Just spoke with Troy spokesperson Jason Wright. You might remember him, he used to be the punter. Now, he works in sports information. He told me that Tony Franklin’s office is being cleaned out as we speak, there’s a U-Haul outside, and a person from Auburn is helping him.

It’s starting to get reported by real media outlets elsewhere, too, so get ready. 

Could today be the day?

Drew Champlin

That we finally hear something?

As of noon, Tony Franklin is still the offensive coordinator at Troy, but Larry Blakeney was on WJOX radio saying that he believes Tony would take the Auburn job if offered. I talked to Blakeney about 15 minutes before he went on the air, and nothing had changed - he hadn’t heard anything and he’s not the one making decisions. I do think he’s used to his assitants moving on to better opportunities, and Auburn would be one, not just becuase of the money but because of the prestige.

I’m pretty sure something will be done/finalized/announced today, no matter what it is. I’ll edit this posting as much as possible and whatever I hear, I’ll pass along.