James Franklin: Vanderbilt record| Record vs top 25 teams| Did get hired

Introduction

James Franklin is a well-known figure in American college football — a coach whose career has spanned multiple programs and left significant mark, particularly at Vanderbilt University. In this article, we will deep-dive into Franklin’s tenure at Vanderbilt, examine his record vs top-25 teams, and discuss what happened after Vanderbilt — did he get hired elsewhere, and how has his career progressed.

Early Career & Hiring at Vanderbilt

James Franklin was appointed head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores football team in December 2010. 
Before that, he had built up experience as an assistant coach at various schools, including Maryland, James Madison, Idaho State, and Washington State. 
Franklin came in with a mission: to rebuild a struggling Vanderbilt football program, historically one of the weaker teams in the SEC (Southeastern Conference).

Vanderbilt Record Under James Franklin

Tenure: Franklin coached Vanderbilt for three seasons, from 2011 to 2013. 
His overall record in that span was: 24 wins, 15 losses (regular season).

Some key highlights of his record:

• Back-to-back top-25 finishes: Under Franklin, Vanderbilt achieved consecutive seasons finishing in the AP or Coaches’ Polls top 25 — a historic first for the program.

• Bowl appearances: In his three seasons, Vanderbilt went to a bowl game each year.

  • 2012: Music City Bowl vs. NC State — Vanderbilt won.

  • 2013: BBVA Compass Bowl vs. Houston — Vanderbilt won big.

• November performance: Historically one of Vanderbilt’s weak months, November became a strong suit under Franklin. According to Vanderbilt’s official site, before Franklin, the Commodores were 5–46 over 15 seasons in November. Under him, they went 10–2 in November.

• Non-conference games: Vanderbilt performed very well against non-SEC opponents under Franklin. The Commodores were 11–1 in regular-season non-conference games during his tenure.

• Historical recognition: The Tennessee State Senate passed a resolution lauding Franklin for tying Vanderbilt’s single-season record with nine wins (in 2012), marking one of the best seasons in school history.

In sum, Franklin dramatically improved Vanderbilt’s competitiveness, elevating a program that previously struggled to respectability in the SEC.

Record vs Top-25 Teams (Vanderbilt Period)

One important metric in evaluating a coach is how he fares against ranked, top-25 opponents. Let’s analyze Franklin’s performance during his Vanderbilt years.

• According to available data, Franklin’s record vs ranked (top-25) teams while at Vanderbilt was 1–8.

• That lone win came against No. 13 Georgia in 2013.

• This indicates that while Franklin elevated the program and posted very good season records, he struggled against the elite SEC-level competition when the opponent was ranked.

This is not entirely surprising: Vanderbilt, historically, has not had the resources or recruiting clout of conference powerhouses, and building a program to consistently compete with top-tier teams takes time.

Why His Vanderbilt Tenure Matters

Franklin’s time at Vanderbilt is significant not just for the win-loss record, but for the culture change he brought:

1. Program Transformation: Before Franklin, Vanderbilt was often at the bottom of the SEC. His leadership brought credibility, and he delivered back-to-back bowl seasons — something the school had never done before.

2. Recruitment Momentum: Improved performance under Franklin helped in recruitment, laying a foundation for future coaches.

3. Legacy: The Senate resolution in Tennessee, honoring his impact, shows how his success was recognized at the institutional and state level.

In short, Franklin’s Vanderbilt record is not just about the numbers, but about lasting impact.

Did He Get Hired After Vanderbilt?

Yes — after Vanderbilt, James Franklin moved on to Penn State University, a major step up.

Some key points about his hiring at Penn State:

• Announcement: Penn State officially selected Franklin to lead their football program, citing his success at Vanderbilt and ability to build a winning culture.

• Record and Impact at Penn State: At Penn State, Franklin’s career continued, and he added many wins to his head coaching record.

• Why Penn State Hired Him: The university was looking for a coach who could recruit, lead, and restore competitiveness — Franklin’s turnaround at Vanderbilt made him a strong candidate.

So yes — he did get hired, and his Vanderbilt success was a major factor. James Franklin Vanderbilt record.

Overall Assessment: Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Turnaround Artist: Franklin took a struggling Vanderbilt program and made it competitive in a short span.

• Consistency in Bowl Games: Three straight bowl seasons in just three years.

• Strong November Performance: Overcame Vanderbilt’s historical November weakness.

• Non-conference Excellence: Impressive record against teams outside the SEC.

• Cultural Impact: Elevated not just wins but also the program’s reputation.

Weaknesses / Challenges:

• Performance vs Ranked Teams: A 1–8 record against top-25 teams suggests difficulty when facing elite competition.

• Resource Disparity: Vanderbilt is typically at a disadvantage in recruiting compared to SEC powerhouses, which may limit sustained top-tier success.

• Sustainability: While Franklin made large strides, building Vanderbilt into a perennial power was perhaps unrealistic given institutional constraints.

Legacy at Vanderbilt

James Franklin’s stint at Vanderbilt remains one of the most transformative in the school’s modern football history. Although his record vs top-ranked teams was modest, his broader impact — culture shift, consistent wins, and bowl appearances — is highly significant.

Even after he left, Vanderbilt’s raised profile helped the school in recruiting, attendance, and respectability. Over his three years, he laid a foundation that later coaches could build upon. James Franklin Vanderbilt record.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What was James Franklin’s win-loss record at Vanderbilt?
A: He went 24–15 (regular season) during his three years (2011–2013).

Q2: How many times did Vanderbilt finish in the top 25 under Franklin?
A: They finished in the top 25 in two consecutive seasons (2012 and 2013), a first in school history.

Q3: What was Franklin’s bowl record at Vanderbilt?
A: He led Vanderbilt to bowl games in all three seasons. They won the 2012 Music City Bowl vs NC State and the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl vs Houston.

Q4: How did Franklin perform vs top-25 teams while at Vanderbilt?
A: He had a 1–8 record vs ranked opponents during his Vanderbilt tenure.

Q5: Did James Franklin get hired after Vanderbilt?
A: Yes, after Vanderbilt he became the head coach at Penn State University.

Q6: Why was Franklin’s hiring at Penn State significant?
A: Penn State hired him because of his demonstrated ability to rebuild and lead a program, his recruiting strength, and the positive turnaround he engineered at Vanderbilt. James Franklin Vanderbilt record.

Conclusion

James Franklin’s tenure at Vanderbilt stands out as a pivotal chapter in both his career and the university’s football history. With a 24–15 record, back-to-back top-25 finishes, and consistent bowl appearances, he demonstrated he could turn around a struggling program. While his record vs top-25 teams (1–8) reveals some limitations, his broader legacy — rebuilding culture, improving recruiting, and changing program perception — is undeniable.

Importantly, Franklin’s success at Vanderbilt directly paved the path for his next role at Penn State, where he continued to build as a major figure in college football.