NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - James Franklin is young and exuberant, and his confidence is rubbing off on the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Senior linebacker Chris Marve said their third head coach in as many seasons is younger than what the Commodores have been used to in recent years with first Bobby Johnson, then Robbie Caldwell last season. That age difference is helping Franklin connect with the Commodores as he pitches his plan to turn the Southeastern Conference's worst team into winners.
Franklin said he and his assistants know exactly what they've signed up for in choosing to come to Vanderbilt.
The SEC's only private school has one bowl victory since 1955 and only one winning record since 1982, and the Commodores had to win the 2008 Music City Bowl to do that.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
