If there are any football coaches out there who were planning to apply for a position at Vanderbilt, be sure to bring along a photo of your wife to your interview with Vandy head coach James Franklin. Unless, of course, your wife isn’t a looker. If that is the case and you really want the job, you had better show up with a photo of a good-looking woman. Otherwise, you need not apply.
As CoachingSearch.com shared with us (via Dr. Saturday), Franklin recently revealed one of his most important criteria for hiring assistant coaches, and it has nothing to do with football IQ.
“I’ve been saying it for a long time, I will not hire an assistant until I see his wife,” Franklin said during an interview with Clay Travis of 104.5 The Zone. “If she looks the part and she’s a D-I recruit, then you got a chance to get hired. That’s part of the deal. There’s a very strong correlation between having the confidence, going up and talking to a woman, and being quick on your feet and having some personality and confidence and being articulate and confident, than it is walking into a high school and recruiting a kid and selling him.”
Franklin says the movie “Moneyball” spoke directly to him when scouts were talking about how the lack of an attractive girlfriend can indicate a player has confidence issues. Maybe Franklin is onto something. Lane Kiffin seems to have no problem landing top recruits, and have you taken a look at his wife? For what it’s worth, Franklin backtracked on Thursday afternoon.
“My foot doesn’t taste good, I hope I did not offend (anyone),” he wrote on his Twitter account. “I love (and) respect ALL. Have a great day, enjoy the (family) and don’t forget to #AnchorDown.”
No worries, James — Steve Spurrier’s coaching criteria may still have yours beat.
