AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCatching up with Auburn’s Tony Franklin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Auburn’s spring game set for Saturday, it seems like a good time to catch up with Tony Franklin, Auburn’s new offensive coordinator. Franklin, considered to be one of the gurus of the spread offense, joined Tommy Tuberville’s staff last December and began installing his system. The early results were good. He got enough of it in for Auburn to beat Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Here are some of the highlights of our conversation:
Q. What is the biggest adjustment that players must make to your style of offense?
A. The biggest thing is the faster tempo. We want to go no huddle all the time and ours is supposed to be a fast no huddle. We want to be ready to snap the ball as soon as the official marks it ready for play. We don’t always do that, but we want the defense to believe that we might. Right now, when our guys think we’re going fast, we’re really only going at half the pace we want it to be. It takes at least a good solid month of doing it to get the pace as fast as we want it.
Q. You were able to start installing parts of your offense last December before the bowl game. How much did that help you this Spring?
A. It was huge. What it meant was that when spring practice came around, this offense was not totally unknown. This offense is like a good car you’re heard about but you don’t know if you really like it until you take a test drive. They enjoyed the practice and the fact that so many people were able to touch the ball on this offense. Then we were able to go out and run it against one of the best defenses around (in Clemson) in the bowl game. It gave us a great head start for spring practice.
Q. Who would be the perfect quarterback to run this offense?
A. If you could combine Patrick White (of West Virginia) and (former Kentucky star) Tim Couch you would have the perfect quarterback for this offense. In a perfect world, he has to be somebody like (49ers great) Steve Young. You want a guy who can run the ball 60 yards for a touchdown but who can also make all the throws. The problem is, the Good Lord only makes about one of those guys every 10 years. So you take the quarterbacks you have and concentrate on what they do best. If he’s a running quarterback, he needs to be able to throw it a little bit. If he’s a passer, he has to be able to run a little bit. If you can’t at least do a little of both, the offense is not as effective.
Q. You have settled on two quarterbacks-Kodi Burns and (JUCO transfer) Chris Todd-and have said you will not name a starter until fall practice. What are the strengths of these two guys?
A. Chris has a few things that he does really well. He’s got great arm strength but he hasn’t been able to show it this spring because of arm fatigue. That will get better this summer. He’s a coach’s son and he knows this offense. He’s run some type of it for five years. Kodi is just a great competitor. He’s a winner who has a great feel for the game as a runner. He’s not afraid of anything. He’s not a good thrower right now but I think he will be.”
Q. Can you see using both quarterbacks once the season starts?
A. I don’t think there is any doubt that two guys will play unless one just jumps out way ahead of the other this summer. I’ve told them both that. The good thing is that they like each other and they understand that this is not going to be about stats. It’s going to be about winning. Some games we may run 90 percent of the time. Some games we may throw 90 percent of the time. Usually, our offense works out to be about 50-50. But I’ve told our guys that if you’re worried about stats you need to go play in another league. It’s too hard to win the SEC to think about numbers.
Comments
By RAMBLE ON!
March 27, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
AWBARN, YAWN!!!
2 New coordinators, and a head coach looking for another job…boring.
By Roswell Ed
March 27, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Thanks Tony Tony,
Auburn fans(I hate that nation crud) are excited.
That sez a lot for a fanbase that has always been more of a 3 yards and a cloud of dust type of fan.
No huddle on the Plains!!!
AU was ninth in the SEC in offense last year. If they can jump into the top 4 and keep that defense watch out SEC!!
An article about a football school for football fans.
By AUtiger
March 27, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Yep Nick Satan will be looking for another job after Auburn rolls over the tide for the 7th time in a row!
By Roswell Ed
March 27, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Yellow Jackets favorite cheer:
E to the X dy dx,
E to the X dx,
Tangent Secant Cosine Sine
3.14159,
Square roots, cube roots, Poisson brackets,
Disintegrate ‘em Yellow Jackets!
By Bamafan
March 27, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
I give credit to Coach Tubbs, he changes things up to stay a head of the other programs in the SEC. If Auburn can get the offense going like the defense watch out!! Lsu is still the best program in the SEC west, but Auburn is right behind them. Bama going to take a few more years to recruit to catch up with the tigers from LSU and the tigers from Auburn.
By UGAy Sux
March 27, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
War Eagle!! AU/LSU vs UGA/UF in SECCG!!!!
By Brian Nichols
March 27, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
When I get off I want to be a running back.
By Jerry
March 27, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
autigger-
Guess what..another aubie obsessed with BAMA and Saban. You must be getting nervous. I thought it was a good article but it took only a couple of post before a auburn fan had to talk about big brother.
ROLL TIDE!
By AUtiger
March 27, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Hey Jerry,
I was responding to your buddy’s comments knucklehead
PA-ROLE TIDE!
By hop
March 27, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
auburn still lacking at wide receiver especially long threats. it might still be three yards and cloud of dust.
By AtlantaTiger
March 27, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
I believe it is the Bammers that are obsessed with Auburn. You paid a coach 4 million dollars to beat us..And you’re reading an AUBURN article. Hurts that you can’t beat us doesn’t it?? By the way..it has been over 2,000 days since Bammer last beat Auburn!
By is Ros Dead?
March 27, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
good one ed…. SEC southern easy conf
By SecIsFootball
March 27, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
AU fans….You guys seem to think that Franklin is the best offensive mind in football yet his 2 most high profile jobs have been Kentucky and Troy?
AtlantaTiger…by your friend AUtiger commenting on Nick Saban in an article that was about your cow school, he showed AU’s obsession with UA. As for your comments about paying a coach to beat AU, I think you have things backwards. We all know that 6 in a row is by far AU’s greatest football accomplishment seeing as how a NC has not seen it way to the plainest village in the state in over 50 years. Saban was hired to rebuild BAMA football an to make us a NC calibre team. Something AU knows very little about. Good luck with your new OC, DC and a head coach that goes job shopping every year. Next year though, if Wingnut loses to BAMA, he wont have any choice but to find a new job because we all know the head of your university, Bobby Lowder, will have him gone and this time he wont screw it up!
By shane #1
March 27, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
War Eagle,there You go, both QBS will play,and We heard it from the horse’s mouth! I still think Burns has the edge because of His running ability. Burns has outside speed, unlike Tebow, and without Tebow’s running ability UF almost becomes Hawaii. Brennan could not avoid the rush, and He was no threat running the ball, so UGA’s des could pin Their ears back and tee off on Him. Thus, He got slaughtered. You don’t want to give these fast sec linemen a stationary target. Burns is a threat to turn the corner, so someone on the d line will have to stay at home.
By Dick Rod
March 27, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
In unrelated news… Tennessee and Ohio State have worked out a deal to play in 2018-2019.
By zinoDawg
March 27, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Yes War Eagles, please keep that dreaded Defense that we put up 45 points on last year. 24/7, Go Dawgs.
By RAMBLE ON!
March 27, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
1.LSU 2.MISS ST 3.BAMA 4.ARK 5 AWBARN 6.OLE MISS
The expert has spoken. Poor Awbarn, it’s going to be an ugly year.
By shane #1
March 27, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Sorry Auburn fans,but the AJC hasn’t given Us Dogs a blog lately,please excuse Me butting in. Dog fans,according to the Athens Banner Herald Richt is not happy with the O line play. All the shuffling of posistions has taken it’s toll. Richt also said the timing between the C and the QB is not down yet. IMO, We are really missing ‘Nando and big cheese. We have no Senior O linemen, so new leaders on the line are badly needed. Hopefully, things will be worked out before the G-Day game. The D hit the ground running, and has been dominating, especially the O line.
By quaildawg
March 27, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Tony and Tony, Lest ye forget. When Richt came to UGA and began utilizing the no huddle, that had served him well at FSU, the league immediatley changed the way and timing that the ball is released for the snap. Seems some other Coaches in the league didn’t cotton to this style and complained to the league office and immedialtey things began to change. To his credit Richt didn’t voice much of a complaint but if asked or if you check you will find this to be fact. I will be a curious to see if there is a double standard for AU.
By JJ
March 27, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
And the kids that will be playing for Tennessee and Ohio State in 2018 are sitting in an elementary school somewhere today…4th, 5th or 6th grade.
By Roswell Ed
March 27, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Answer:
Frosted Flakes know what to do when they are in a bowl.
Question:
What’s the difference between the Ga Tech Yellow Jackets and a bowl of Frosted Flakes?
We don’t know how good the AU receivers are yet because they haven’t had anybody throwing to them the past couple of years.
By Roswell Ed
March 27, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Answer #2:
You don’t have to go to Idaho to
get them in a bowl!!
By Brian Nichols
March 27, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Zinodawg, When I get off I am coming after you.
By War Eagle
March 27, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
secis football, Coach Franklin must have left his mark at his only high profile jobs, Kentucky lost to UGA 2006, Troy scored 34 points in 2007, for a last quarter win against the dawgs with his offense…shane#1, you again are correct abouts Burns, along with Fannin, Tate, Davis RBs and hopefully a corp of young WR , Auburn offense should be top three SEC team. Auburn best years are ahead, like UGA and few other SEC schools youth is all around.Whats up with Moreno this spring, is he hurt? It has been all King. Dawgs got so many solid players I guess its hard to get them all mention this spring.
By SecIsFootball
March 27, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
wareagle…A LAST QUARTER WIN??? Huh? Oh, do you mean by the time all of UGA’s starters were over on the sideline watching and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th stringers were in? Wow…color me impressed. I dont doubt for a second that he is a good coach. I just believe he is the greatest offensive mind in the nation like some AU fans want to think he is. If so, why would other big programs not come after him?
By SecIsFootball
March 27, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
wareagle…A LAST QUARTER WIN??? Huh? Oh, do you mean by the time all of UGA’s starters were over on the sideline watching and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th stringers were in? Wow…color me impressed. I dont doubt for a second that he is a good coach. I just believe he is the greatest offensive mind in the nation like some AU fans want to think he is. If so, why would other big programs not come after him?
By SecIsFootball
March 27, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
quaildawg….did i understand your post correctly as saying the league changed some rules to prevent UGA from running a no huddle? If so, all I have to say is…Now I have heard it all.
By shane #1
March 27, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
War Eagle, according to the Dogs staff They know what Moreno can do and don’t want to take a chance on Him getting hurt. They are looking for the third rb,either Samuel or Jackson. One will make the three deep, the other will Red shirt. Also They want more reps for King. He needs to work on pass protection, running between the tackles, and all the back-ups need to be better at finishing off the run. Ball wants Them to dish out hits, rather than take hits. From what I have read Moreno is chomping at the bit to hit something. You know how it is because You played, all the juices start flowing and You want to knock the You-know-what out of somebody. IMO, They need to let that Kid get some of that aggression out before He gets in trouble.
By reservoirDAWG
March 27, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
I am sick and tired of the spread offense. I find it boring. DC’s will figure it out and it will go away.
By shane #1
March 27, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
R-Dawg,IMO, some DCS have found ways to at least slow down the spread. They go with some kind of nickle package and try to get pressure onthe QB with Their down linemen. Speed is important, but defensive speed alone won’t do the job. Pro players are super fast, and the Colts and Patriots have done pretty well with the spread. I think the keys are pressure on the QB and sure tackling by the secondary. The typical spread has no TES or FBS to help protect the QB, so a couple of fast DEs and a blitz from time to time can make a long day for a spread QB.
By Buckhead Eagle
March 27, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
War Eagle!!!!!…..Should be a fun year!!!
I look for Auburn to win a minimum of 8 games - our defense will be great and spread will be exciting to watch:
Wins - La Monroe, So Miss, Miss State, Vandy, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Tn Martin and Bama.
Bama still a year away from being Bama again.
Arkansas - too much rebuilding this year
Watch Out Games: LSU, TN, West VA, and UGA.
LSU will be interesting. LSU should be legit Top 10 - winner of this game in drivers seat for SEC Title game.
Tennessee - Auburn should win due to key losses at TN - but TN is TN….. this should be a war! Always fun to play TN.
West Virgina - Spread vs Spread. Wonder if losing Coach Rod to Michigan will make a difference. Game at West Virgina - very exciting match up.
UGA - playing at Auburn…..hope home team curse is over due to UGA’s black-out win last year. UGA maybe tired physically, emotionally and mentally by the time they play us…..this will be their 6th conference game in a row - TN, Vandy, LSU, FL, KY and AU. Pretty tough stretch!! Auburn plays Ole Miss and TN Martin before UGA.
War Eagle!!
By Yellowblood
March 27, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
You SEC people are goons. Why don’t you kick back and enjoy a Tickle Pile like we do at The Institute.
By bryan
March 27, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
coach shane,dont quit your job at waffle house,u are a long,long, way off!`go ask richt,if u can wash some jocks!! GEEEZ what a idiot!!WDE
By War Eagle
March 27, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Buckhead, you are close on your prediction, I don`t see UGA winning three in a row against Auburn, so 9-3, 2008, 13-1 2009.LSU will be close, Ark. and Ole Miss will be better along with Miss State.I think UGA and Florida have the most talent, but CMR has a hard time winning the BIG game and Florida has schedule advantage.I hope Auburn and UGA are undefeated when they play at Auburn and play again in Atlanta.We will put some spread on them for a long trip back to Clark County.If this occurs shane#1, cuz, Hunk, alt.dawg,. samoandawg and buddies will have fun
By Mr. Football
March 27, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
I think Burns has a lot of potential and AU has some decent backs. Line is fair and Franklin will work things out to score more points. Burns can definately turn the corner and make some thing happens. Against the weak opponents you will see some big numbers. When you face a big physical and fast defense will slow the attack down. As far as the defense goes, AU fans are wishful thinking. The defense is soft and lacks speed. Look what UGA did to them last year. UGA abused the Tigers and let face it, Richt could have scored more than 45 on them. LSU is still the team to beat. Most players in the conference and can win despite Les Miles. They just reload and knock the other team off the ball. AU will have a winning record but do not look for anything great. As soon as a better offer comes along Tuberville will bolt. He changes coordinators like Nick Saban changes jobs. Maybe Franklin will be the new coach one day? What does everyone think about the Garcia deal over at USC? Looks like Spurrier and the Cocks want to win at any cost. Garcia should have been kicked off campus. He has problems and lets face it if Tubs, Richt, Saban, or even Myer would have kicked him off the team for good. Goes to show that the ole ball coach does not have a SEC caliber QB. Fulmer and the ole ball coach let the players get away with murder. They need to be tough and set an example. One thing I think everyone is overlooking is Ole Miss. Nutt will turn that team around fast. Any one that plays the Rebs this year better be ready.
By Hoopie1
March 27, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
The AU WR’s will be better. Last season’s passing game problems were a combination of Cox’s weak arm, WR’s that couldn’t get seperation and an OC that couldn’t find a way to overcome that.
By orange&bruce
March 27, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
First for you bammer homers, Saban’s smart for taking your money. You had to reach deeper to save face.
But what did you really get. LSU won the NC for him, and not the other way around. Doubt me, ask Les Miles.
Saban probably wouldn’t been at Miami much longer before they showed him the door. He won’t be at Bama three more years.
LSU will be down this year. Lost to many good players.
OLE MISS- NUTT??? It is what it is, they don’t have the talent.
Bama won’t have the talent. You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken feathers.
Georgia, yeah, they got my attention, and yes they can be a NC contender. They must play flawless.
Auburns got the talent, just hope they can put it all together. Even with new OC and DC. For CTT to be so traditional and make this move was visionary. No doubt the spread can work with the right talent. Doubt me, ask Florida NChamps previous year.
Looking forward to A-Day Game, gonna fling it around Jordan-Hare some.
By KB
March 27, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
You are crazy. Auburns defense is nasty every year. Last year we were sixth. There is a reason texas sold our defensive coordinator because I defense is really good. SO they had a bad day against a team(uga) that was hitting on all cylinders. When you have the team cranking it on the sidelines Karma pointed to UGA. The Auburn Tigers defense will be 100% better this year. Going from 6th last year to 1 this year. This is just the kind of low profile we had in 04. Oh yeah 13-0. The schedule was easy and that is just how it is this year(as easy as it can get in the SEC). All are hard game are at Home. SEC Championship game at least this year.
By Miles
March 28, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
There’s plenty of talent in Auburn. Only time will tell if Franklin’s creative offense is the answer. Hopefully, it is. Excellent topic Mr. Barnhart, i.e., all the right questions.
By shane #1
March 28, 2008 2:55 AM | Link to this
Bryan,I wanted to work at Waffle House,but Gen Nyland got there first. You know what They say about the early worm. Then I discovered UGA had installed automatic jock washers, so I was foiled again.Did I give up? NO! I have a new job and I will be happy to greet You at Wally-World and make sure You get a cart of Your very own. If that cart has a wobbly wheel, I will gladly exchange it for one in tip-top shape at no cost to You! BTW, though UGA has automatic jock washers, the jock sniffing is still done manually. I will put in a good word for You to be the new Jock Sniffer. As a matter of fact Bryan, I have MAJOR connections at UGA, and since We are friends, I will see that You are appointed————SKID MARK LICKER! Imagine that, getting paid for sniffing jocks and licking skid marks, and to think You do it for free. Don’t worry,You can thank Me later.
By brad toney
March 28, 2008 6:21 AM | Link to this
All you UGA fans acting like you have dominance over AUBURN because you won two years in a row big deal. Auburn won a couple years in a row before that.You gotta love being ranked in top 3 this fall. Remember last time ranked this high? Don’t get your hopes like like dawg fans always do and leave themselves crushed
By quaildawg
March 28, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
SECisFootball, Read post again. The way that the ball was put into play again (by the referee) was changed in order to allow the Defense to reset and opportunity to rotate some players. As mentioned some Coaches complained and it was noted by the league and the way things were handled between snaps was altered. Basically it was meant to slow the momentum down which is what part of the “no huddle” accomplishes and helps to create mismatches as the O rotates out receivers and backs while ball was being marked for play. Basically the D is being given a chance to rotate personnel as well.
By quaildawg
March 28, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
War Eagle, “Richt has a hard time winning big game” ???? Please quit sniffing your airplane glue!!! What do you call those SEC Championships and Sugar Bowl W’s??? I guess the AU game has become somewhat of a yawner and fallen to a middle of the road game when you put up numbers like UGA has on your vaunted D the last two years.
By War Eagle
March 28, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
quailddawg, South Carolina,Tenn 2007.(cost BCS title bid) I love CMR,coaching and his charter, but with his past recruiting classes,only two SEC championships, should be better. Please dont say Auburn has won only one during this time, true, their recruiting is not compared to UGA We will see this year, UGA has a chance to run the table, if Auburn cant, hope dawgs succeed.
By Jimmy
March 28, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Is it just my browser or is today’s Tony’s “fun facts about the SEC” entry closed for posting?? Anyway, I just read an article where the Dogs gymnastics team is dusted the football team in the weight room. The football team got smoked by a bunch of stupid girls, ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
By Jimmy
March 28, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Is it just my browser or is today’s Tony’s “fun facts about the SEC” entry closed for posting?? Anyway, I just read an article where the Dogs gymnastics team is dusted the football team in the weight room. The football team got smoked by a bunch of stupid girls, ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
By Jimmy
March 28, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Is it just my browser or is today’s Tony’s “fun facts about the SEC” entry closed for posting?? Anyway, I just read an article where the Dogs gymnastics team is dusted the football team in the weight room. The football team got smoked by a bunch of stupid girls, ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
By James Pruett
April 5, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this
AUBURN,GEORGIA,LSU,TENN,FLORIDA,MISS.ST.,BAMA,OLE MISS,ARKANSAW,ETC.THIS IS THE WAY THINGS WILL PLAY OUT IN SEC …………AUBURN PLAYS GEORGIA IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME …..AUBURN WINS …… AUBURN PLAYS IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ……AUBURN WINS IT ALL…DONT GET MAD AT ME ,ITS JUST MY OPINION ..