SEC INSIDER

Report: Vanderbilt’s Franklin offered Penn State job

The Sports Xchange

January 09, 2014 at 2:05 am.

James Franklin could be the next coach of Penn State. (Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports)

According to a report in the Scranton Times-Tribune, Penn State University offered Vanderbilt’s James Franklin its head football coaching position Wednesday. The offer reportedly came after a lengthy meeting with the search committee to decide the replacement for Bill O’Brien, who left Penn State after two seasons to become the head coach of the Houston Texans.

The Times-Tribune sources said no official announcement had been made because “Franklin is expected to either accept or reject the job (Thursday).”

It is speculated that Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams offered Franklin more money in an attempt to keep him.

“I can’t shed any light on that,” Williams told The Tennesseean on Wednesday morning. “I can only tell you that I met with James last night. I’m not going to get into details of the discussion.

“James came in yesterday from working with ESPN on the BCS Championship game and I met with him last night. I met with my football coach. I’m not going to get into details of the substance. I’ve probably already said more than I should.”

Franklin, a Pennsylvania native, has been mentioned as a candidate for a number of high-profile openings after guiding the Commodores to 24 wins over the past three seasons.

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