COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin was named Thursday as the eventual successor to Ralph Friedgen, putting him in line to become the Terrapins’ first black head football coach.
There is no specific timeline for how long the 37-year-old Franklin would be the coach-in-waiting; Friedgen has three years remaining on his contract and has not indicated that he is ready to step aside.
Even though he has to wait Franklin said he has “always dreamed” of getting this type of opportunity.
“I think I have a pretty unique perspective on the university and what it’s going to take to be successful here,” Franklin said. “Really our plan and our discussion was about continuing to build off the foundation Ralph has laid here and continue to build this program into one of the elite programs in the country.”
Franklin at the moment would be only the second black head coach at a BCS school. Miami’s Randy Shannon is the other.
s and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
“I’m going to coach as long as I feel like coaching and as long as it’s enjoyable,” Friedgen said. “James has been such a big part of our success here, and to me it’s kind of an honor and a legacy to have one of your coaches be able to follow you.”
Franklin was Maryland’s wide receivers coach from 2000 to 2004 before leaving for the same job with the Green Bay Packers. He returned to the college game in 2006 as Kansas State’s offensive coordinator and remained with the Wildcats until taking a similar position at Maryland.
Franklin was also named the Terrapins’ assistant head coach, and Friedgen promised at the time to bring him into “the inner sanctum” of a head coach’s world.
Maryland is the latest school to set up a coach-in-waiting scenario. Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema was named as Barry Alvarez’s successor in 2005. Bielema took over the Badgers in 2006. Purdue also went through a similar transition at the end of last season, with Danny Hope succeeding the retiring Joe Tiller.
Florida State is the only other ACC school with such a plan, as Jimbo Fisher is under contract to take over for Bobby Bowden. Other schools with designated future head coaches include Kentucky, Oregon and Texas.
first season – but have earned three consecutive postseason berths.
“Both (Friedgen) and I want to ensure that Maryland football loses no ground at all in recruiting or staff continuity,” athletic director Debbie Yow said. “Coach Friedgen has already established a foundation these last eight years, and that foundation is going to be protected.”
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