Vanderbilt's Franklin gets new contract

Dec 3, 2012 - 2:55 AM Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - After James Franklin led Vanderbilt to an 8-4 season in his second year as head football coach, the school has given him a new contract.

"We have a commitment to excellence and we have a commitment to James Franklin as our head coach," Vanderbilt vice chancellor and athletics director David Williams said in a statement. "He has done a tremendous job and we want to be sure that he has all the tools he needs to continue moving our football program forward. We are committed to having first class facilities and we both look forward to a bright future for Commodore football."

Franklin guided the Commodores to their first eight-win season since 1982 and their five SEC wins matched the school record set in 1935.

The 40-year-old coach has racked up 14 wins over his first two seasons at Vanderbilt, leading the Commodores to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history.

Vanderbilt will play in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on December 31.

Franklin spent eight years as the offensive coordinator at Maryland before taking over for interim coach Robbie Caldwell in December of 2010.