RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-613

A resolution recognizing Coach James Franklin of the Vanderbilt University Commodores Football Team.

WHEREAS, James Franklin became the 25th head coach of Vanderbilt football on December 17, 2010 and in accepting the position, Franklin became the first African-American head coach in the team's history; and

WHEREAS, in his second season, James Franklin has changed the culture of Vanderbilt Football by taking the program to new heights of success, resulting in huge wins on the field and unparalleled enthusiasm among the Commodore fan base and his 16 victories are the most by a second-year Vanderbilt head coach in more than a century; and

WHEREAS, the Commodores tied a single-season team record with nine victories in 2012. The other nine-win seasons came in 1904 and 1915 and it also marks the most wins since Vanderbilt joined the SEC in 1933; and

WHEREAS, after the 2012 season, Franklin was one of six finalists for the Bear Bryant Awards Coach of the Year recognition; and

WHEREAS, the Commodores concluded 2012 on a seven-game win streak, the Southeastern Conference’s longest active streak; and

WHEREAS, Coach Franklin has directed Vanderbilt to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in its history and the 2012 Commodores capped their 9-4 season with a convincing win in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl; and

WHEREAS, Vanderbilt was 5-3 in SEC play in 2012 and the program’s only other five-win season against SEC teams came in 1935; and

WHEREAS, Vanderbilt was 6-2 in the month of November under Franklin and in the decade before he arrived on campus, Vanderbilt was 3-32 in November games; and

WHEREAS, Under Franklin, Vanderbilt has captured four SEC games by 23 or more points. From 1957-2010, Vanderbilt had four total wins against SEC opponents by 23+ points. They did so with an offense that topped 40 points in five games and a defense that ranked among the nation’s Top 20 in several important statistical categories; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, total home attendance at Vanderbilt spiked nearly 15 percent from the previous year and the Commodores played to three sellout crowds on campus, the most since 1996; and

WHEREAS, Franklin’s Commodores won four road games in 2012, including three in SEC action which marks the most road victories by a Vanderbilt squad since 1948; and

WHEREAS, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) recognized Vanderbilt again in 2012 among the Division I leaders in student-athlete graduation rates; and

WHEREAS, Coach Franklin laid the groundwork for this year’s team by sharing with these young men his substantial knowledge of football, his many years of coaching and athletic experience, and his passion for the sport; and

WHEREAS, Coach Franklin is a man of true character and commitment, exemplifies dedication and leadership, respected for his tireless efforts to excel, and is always guided by solid principals and high standards; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognize Coach James Franklin and wish him continued success in his coaching career, and applaud him for his achievements on the football field.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Coach James Franklin of the Vanderbilt University Commodores Football Team.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Coach James Franklin.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Charlie Tygard, Edith Taylor Langster, Phil Claiborne, Erica Gilmore, Buddy Baker, Jacobia Dowell, Walter Hunt, Karen Johnson, Carter Todd, Anthony Davis, Sandra Moore

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	March 5, 2013
Adopted:	March 5, 2013
Approved:	March 8, 2013
By: