Penn State head coach James Franklin has raised some eyebrows with his support of Vanderbilt at the College World Series.
Franklin has been cheering on Vanderbilt as they face Michigan in the CWS Finals. During Game 2 of the series, he was seen celebrating a Vanderbilt home run.
James Franklin celebrates a Vandy HR at the #CWS (r @wrottler25) pic.twitter.com/6aG5u3A8UN
— Paid man gets bored (@cjzero) June 26, 2019
ESPN’s Ryan McGee also reported on Monday that Franklin was in Vanderbilt gear for the series.
The CWS tailgaters are abuzz because Penn State head football coach James Franklin was spotted in Vanderbilt gear. He's close friends with Vandy head coach and former coworker Tim Corbin. https://t.co/1Xf1aHlRqS
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) June 24, 2019
Franklin coached at Vanderbilt for three seasons from 2011-2013. He is now entering his sixth season at Penn State.
This is not Franklin’s first trip to Omaha to support his former school in the College World Series. He also did so in 2014. Corbin talked about it with The Tennesseean.
“He didn’t want to (come) at first because he was hesitant,” Corbin told the newspaper at the time. “But I said, ‘No, don’t worry about that. People get traded all the time. But at the same time it’s fine to maintain a relationship.’ And he came and I appreciated it.”
Corbin said he recruited Franklin hard to come to Vanderbilt and that they became close while working at the school.
Franklin continuing to support his close friend makes plenty of sense in that context. But he might be advised to avoid wearing their gear so as not to upset his current fanbase.
