Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(CBS) Well, this is certainly interesting hiring criteria.
Vanderbilt head football coach James Franklin said Wednesday that he makes hiring decisions based on what the wives look like.
“I’ve been saying it for a long time, I will not hire an assistant coach until I’ve seen his wife,” Franklin said on 104.5 The Zone in in Nashville. “If she looks the part, and she’s a D-1 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 fun and articulate, than it is walking into a high school and recruiting a kid and selling him.”
Naturally, Franklin is under fire for those comments and it didn’t take long for him to issue an apology on Twitter:
My foot doesn't taste good, I hope I did not offend any1, I love & respect ALL,have a great day, enjoy the fam & don't forget 2 #AnchorDown—
James Franklin (@jamesfranklinvu) May 31, 2012
Attempt at humor obviously fell a few yds short. Was speaking to the courage it takes 4 men 2 approach the women who become their wives!!!!!—
James Franklin (@jamesfranklinvu) May 31, 2012
If a man can convince the women of his dreams 2 marry him,he can probably do just about anything,that type of confidence along w/ coaching—
James Franklin (@jamesfranklinvu) May 31, 2012
Skills is what I am looking 4.As a husband & father of 2 daughters I regret the way I conveyed my message!—
James Franklin (@jamesfranklinvu) May 31, 2012
I clearly used language that doesn't reflect my views on women and I am SORRY!—
James Franklin (@jamesfranklinvu) May 31, 2012
Vanderbilt Athletics Director David Williams addressed Franklin’s comments Thursday at the SEC meetings in Destin, Fla.
“He clearly made a mistake,” Williams said, according to The Tennessean. “And clearly what he said is not how he feels and not how we feel.”
Williams said he talked to Franklin about the comments.
“Coach is sorry that he made that statement. He’s issued an apology on Twitter. I’ve talked to him about how inappropriate his statements were and how offensive they could be to some people.
“He said he was really in a joking mode, if you like, and didn’t mean all of that. And I explained that’s a thing you don’t even joke about.
“None of those things are criteria for hiring at Vanderbilt.”
