FBS News: Penn State set to hire Franklin


James Franklin is expected to be named the new head coach at Penn State. (Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports)

James Franklin is expected to be named head coach at Penn State.

CBS Sports reported Franklin would replace Bill O’Brien, who was hired as Houston Texans head coach after two seasons at Penn State. Franklin, 41, took Vanderbilt to three consecutive postseason appearances.

Franklin talked to Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams on Thursday and told him he had not accepted the Penn State job but that he would talk with Williams later, the Commodores AD told CBSSports.com. Franklin, a Pennsylvania native, has been mentioned as a candidate for a number of high-profile openings after guiding Vandy to 24 wins in the past three seasons.

–Louisville forgave but clearly did not forget coach Bobby Petrino, who was named head coach of the Cardinals on Thursday.

Even with some loose ends on a contract that includes a $10 million buyout left undone early Thursday, the Louisville Athletic Association’s personnel committee unanimously approved his hiring, which the school announced with a press release and video labeled “Hungry for More.”

Petrino emerged from six candidates who interviewed for the head-coaching vacancy left by Charlie Strong’s departure to Texas. The 52-year-old Petrino’s first head coaching gig was at Louisville, where he went 41-9 in four seasons (2003-06). He was fired at Arkansas after a scandal in April 2012.

–Auburn running back Tre Mason announced Thursday he will forego his senior season and declare for the 2014 NFL Draft.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound junior is rated in this year’s draft as the 49th overall player and the No. 2 running back by NFLDraftScout.com. Mason broke Bo Jackson’s season rushing record on his last carry at Auburn, led the SEC in rushing and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Mason leaves Auburn after rushing for more than 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons, including his 1,816 yards in 2013, a mark that broke Jackson’s record of 1,786 yards set in 1983.

–Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, ESPN.com reported.

Jernigan led Florida State with 11 tackles for loss in 2013 and he was regarded as a strong run stuffer up the middle. He is projected as a first- or second-round selection in this year’s NFL Draft and is rated as the 26th overall player and the No. 3 defensive tackle by NFLDraftScout.com.

–Michigan coach Brady Hoke officially announced Thursday the hiring of Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Wolverines.

Nussmeier comes to Ann Arbor after spending the past two seasons in the same capacity at Alabama.

Hoke announced on Wednesday the firing of offensive coordinator Al Borges.