Aug. 31, 2011
Vanderbilt football Head Coach James Franklin fielded questions from national media members during the SEC’s weekly teleconference (listen to audio) Wednesday morning. Read a transcript of the call below.
The Commodores will open its 2011 slate against Elon Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT inside Vanderbilt Stadium.
Coach Franklin’s opening statement…
“Let me start by saying it’s a pleasure to be coaching in the SEC and a part of this conference. I’m really, really excited about it. We’ve been ripping and roaring since we got on campus. We’ve really made a lot of progress in a short period of time. I think everyone’s at that point right now, like the rest of the coaches are, where we’re excited to line up and hit somebody else in a different-colored jersey.”
On his emotions of coaching his first game at Vanderbilt…
“I’m just excited. I think the staff, the players, and the administration have worked so hard. We’ve made a lot of changes since we’ve arrived on campus. There are things that I’ve been planning on specifically for over 10 years. We’ve been very detailed and very organized. We’re excited to get out there on the field. I think the players are extremely hungry as you could imagine with two years worth of frustration. Everybody’s excited to go out there and show what the new Vanderbilt’s all about.”
On if he’s stopped to realize it will be his head coaching debut…
“Obviously, a lot of other people bring that up. I don’t want you to think this is just coach speak here. The reality is that we have a huge job to do, and I’m so busy doing the job that I really haven’t taken the time to sit there and think about this being the first game just because we’re too busy doing things. Probably in the hotel Friday night after I speak to the team, I’ll have a little bit of time. But I’m just looking forward to getting out there to continue to grow this program and continue to head in the right direction.”
On the mood of the team and if they’re buying into the program…
“I wouldn’t allow us to have anybody in the program that wasn’t bought in to what we’re doing. I made that clearly obvious to everybody. To be honest with you, it didn’t take a whole lot of sales to do that. I think our kids are excited and they believe in what we’re doing. The other thing is that I think we have a great opportunity right now because our kids are extremely hungry. We haven’t had the type of success that they want or we want, so right now they’re willing to do whatever we ask them to do. They’ve been awesome. I couldn’t be more pleased with how that’s going with the staff, with the players, with the administration, and with everybody.”
On if opening with three home games is a good thing…
“Our focus is on Elon. I don’t like to talk too much beyond that. Starting out at home and having an opportunity to be in your own setting, in your own stadium, in front of your friends and family, I think that’s always a good thing. What we have to do is find a way to make Vanderbilt’s home games more of a true home field advantage. That’s one of the challenges that we have.”
On if there’s a blueprint on how the Elon game will unfold…
“No, I think the biggest thing is we have to build on the buzz. We’ve had a really positive buzz since we got on campus and we have to build on that. Our goal is to win the game. However we have to do that– to win the game– and build on that for the weeks to come. I think a lot of people talk about making a statement, and doing this and doing that, but I don’t know if we’re at the point in the program right now where we can be worried about making statements. We just want to be in the business of wins and trying to get as many of those as we possibly can by taking it one step at a time.”
On his expectations of quarterback Larry Smith…
“I think you’ve probably heard me say this before– I’m a little protective of Larry. I think he’s taken a lot of criticism here for a couple of years. I understand that it’s part of playing the position because I played it as well. There’s a lot more to a quarterback’s success than just what he does. It’s protection up front, it’s receivers making plays for him. I’ve been very, very pleased with what he’s done this camp and how he’s approached the game and how he’s handled himself.
“My emphasis now is more on the team supporting Larry. Guys making plays for him in the passing game, the offensive line protecting him, and all those types of things. That’s really what I’m looking for. I’m looking for the team to come around Larry.”
On the potential impact of Texas A&M leaving the Big 12…
“We have a very, very talented and qualified commissioner in Commissioner (Mike) Slive. I really leave all of those decisions and information to him. My focus is on Vanderbilt and the job that we have to do. I will talk about the state of Texas. We’re going to take an approach of recruiting nationally to get the best and the brightest to our campus. We’re excited about doing that. We’re excited about recruiting the entire state. But my focus is really on Vanderbilt and the things that I can control on our campus.”
On if he’s anxious to see Chris Marve play in a game…
“He’s one of the guys that maybe a lot of teams in this league have; he has the ability to change a game. Does he have physical attributes that are attractive in terms of recruiting that you’d recruit in the future, and what you’d want to possess on your team? Yeah, there’s no doubt about that. What he has is his mind for the game is how quickly he can determine what the offense is doing. He can read the line and read the backfield action. How quickly he can make his decision and determine what the offense is doing is amazing.
“I think he’s a guy on the defensive side of the ball that can really take over a game. I’ve been very impressed with him and I’m excited to see what he’s going to do in the lights because he’s been so productive here for the last few years. I think that’s going to continue. I think he likes the scheme we’re running and obviously he’s more experienced, so I’m really excited to see what he’s going to do this year.”
