HOOVER, Ala. – When head coach James Franklin first took the reins at Vanderbilt, the Commodores were coming off of two back-to-back 2-10 seasons and were generally considered to be an afterthought in Southeastern Conference football.
In his two seasons in Nashville, Franklin has led Vanderbilt to its back-to-back bowl games for the first time in program history and its first nine-win season since joining the SEC in 1932.
Franklin said the success has fans excited about the future of the program.
“I think more than anything you see a commitment at Vanderbilt right now,” Franklin said. “Not only from the head coach and the players, but from the administration and the boosters and the fan base and everybody else, probably more so than it has ever been in Vanderbilt.”
The Commodores will not have to wait long for their first test, as they open the season against Ole Miss.
The match-up will feature two up-and-coming programs looking to make their mark early in the season on the national stage.
“[These are] two programs that are on the rise,” Franklin said. “There is a lot of excitement nationally about what is going on, so I think it is going to be a great opportunity.”
Many speculated Franklin may jump ship to another program due to his success since arriving in Nashville.
Franklin immediately denied any such thought.
“We believe in what we’re doing,” Franklin said. We believe in the commitment that the kids have made…. We believe in the difference we are making in kids’ lives, in people’s lives.”