Vanderbilt's Franklin in demand; AD doesn't see his coach using the program as stepping stone

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Pick any school with a coaching vacancy, and James Franklin's name has probably been mentioned as a possible candidate by someone.

That happens when you win at Vanderbilt, the smallest school in the Southeastern Conference and the league's only private institution.

Franklin led the Commodores to an 8-4 record this year and in the process seen his stock skyrocket.

Vanderbilt's athletic director David Williams is monitoring reports about the coach he hired nearly two years ago. Williams said Tuesday he brought in Franklin with the idea of turning Vanderbilt into a destination program, not a stepping stone to a better job.

Williams also sees Franklin as a coach who understands he can create his own legacy at a program previously seen as an easy win in the SEC.