Terps hire Franklin as offensive coordinator
Ralph Friedgen today announced that the program has hired James Franklin as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
Franklin spent five seasons in Maryland as the wide receivers coach from 2000-2004. He spent the past two seasons at Kansas State as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2005, he coached the wide receivers for the Green Bay Packers.
“James Franklin is definitely the person who fits what I have been looking for,” Friedgen said in a press release. “His knowledge of our program, his experience as a coordinator and his ability to recruit definitely strengthen us as a coaching staff and football program.”
Franklin agreed to a three-year contract and will begin his duties on Dec. 30. In 2003, he was promoted as Maryland's recruiting coordinator. According to the release, Rivals.com twice named him one of the nation's top-25 recruiters.
"I've always considered the University of Maryland to be one of the premier programs in the country, and I'm excited about the opportunity to return,” Franklin said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for coach Friedgen and what he's been able to accomplish throughout his career, and I'm looking forward to helping him take the program to new and exciting levels."
Kansas State ranked 20th in the nation in passing offense and 21st in the nation in scoring offense this past season.
Before arriving at Maryland in 2000, Franklin spent time at Kutztown, East Stroudsburg, James Madison, Washington State and Idaho State. He played quarterback at East Stroudsburg from 1991-94
Comments
Very good. Too bad it wasn't Locksely though as he's the one who seems to keep stealing all the DC recruits.
Posted by: Mark | December 23, 2007 5:22 PM
This is great news. Ralph has stretched himself too thin (ha!). He has done an admirable job filling two roles the past two years, but it's high time to let someone else take part of the load, and it seems that he did find someone with the right combination of knowledge of the Maryland program and OC experience. The fact that he also has a solid record as a recruiter in Maryland's target area is more than a plus.
Posted by: Smitty | December 23, 2007 7:30 PM
Great hire.
James was well liked in his previous tenure at Maryland.
He is young, relates well to his players, and is a good recruiter.
He and Locksley coached together at Maryland.
Also, as assistant head coach, looks like he will be in line to succeed Ralph whenever he decided to retire.
Posted by: UMDFAN | December 23, 2007 8:58 PM
According to this statement made back in '05 the new coach has what he wants at QB already "We definitely wanted to bring in a playmaker at the quarterback position. We kept scouring the country from coast to coast to find a guy that could come in and make an impact for us and compete. We ended up going out to California to recruit Chris Turner, who committed to us. We were fortunate. He came out, he wanted to study political science. He really liked it. It worked out well. We think he's the guy that is going to come in and make our fans proud."
Posted by: Keith | December 31, 2007 12:39 PM
Get ready for fireworks. James will make the best out of the endless talent at wideout. Turner is the truth. The pieces are coming together. West Coast(hopefully) offense will blow the ACC up. Go Terps!!!
Posted by: DOsr | January 3, 2008 4:26 PM