FOOTBALL

Even PSU haters can't resist Franklin's charms

Frank Bodani

fbodani@ydr.com

James Franklin's passion and football family atmosphere at Penn State is winning over former players, ages 25 to 55.

The former University of Maryland offensive lineman walked into the Heritage Hills Golf Resort and Conference Center the other day.

He was going to sign autographs and chat with fans during another York Area Sports Night.

Then he saw the name placard on his table:

"Andrew Zeller, Penn State football"

The Red Lion grad and notable free spirit laughed as he re-told his reaction.

"I almost walked right out of there," he said.

Zeller grew up disliking the Nittany Lions for a lot of the same reasons others do who live in the middle of their massive paw print.

You get weary of the hometown propaganda, like what all of those fans talk about endlessly, the gear they always wear, the games always on the TV and radio.

Zeller wanted something else as a high school senior.

And that's where James Franklin comes in.

He was the offensive coordinator and head coach-in-waiting at Maryland when Zeller was wading through the recruiting process. Franklin not only wanted Zeller, he won him over big-time.

Zeller committed to the Terps before Franklin eventually left to be the head coach at Vanderbilt.

"He was awesome. He was very personable, very easy to get along with. Very high energy. He was very easy to relate to as someone 17 years old," Zeller said. "He never steered me wrong."

All of that from a guy who isn't bashful about expressing his dislike of Penn State.

Zeller was part of an interesting "celebrity" mix at last week's York Area Sports Night, which included former Penn State players Derrick Williams and Shane Conlan.

Each of them have formed unique connections with the Lions' head coach.

Andrew Zeller carried the American flag onto the Beaver Stadium field before the acrimonious 2014 meeting with the Nittany Lions. Zeller, a Red Lion grad, said he's a big fan of coach James Franklin, despite his dislike of the Penn State program.

Williams has known him since he was 6 or 7 years old. Back then, his father was an assistant athletic director at Maryland when Franklin coached there.

"I was the little kid running up the steps working out and Franklin was always there helping me. He was always there giving me hints and pointers," Williams said.

And several years later Franklin put everything into recruiting Williams, arguably the nation's top player, to the Terps. He even wanted him to give quarterback a shot. By then, though, Williams' father had lost his university job in a regime change.

"If my Dad was still there I probably would have went to Maryland because of coach Franklin."

Now, Williams is back at Penn State and with Franklin. He spent last fall as a sideline reporter for radio broadcasters Steve Jones and Jack Ham. He found time outside of his medical sales job to be around the team more than ever.

"He lets his coaches coach and he preaches about family and taking care of your brothers and taking care of your community," Williams said.

"That's what he's always been doing. When I was sneaking into meetings (years ago) just to hear some things, that's always what he's been preaching. And it goes a long way because the kids love playing for him right now."

Williams talked last week as Conlan signed autographs next to him. Conlan finished his Penn State playing days before Franklin ever began attending college at East Stroudsburg.

Derrick Williams talked about his admiration and long relationship with James Franklin as he signed autographs during York Area Sports Night. Williams said he nearly followed Franklin to play for Maryland more than a dozen years ago.

The two apparently have formed a friendship recently.

Franklin attended Conlan's College Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony three years ago and won over his parents immediately, particularly his mother.

The two men talked recently on the phone about Conlan's daughter, who expects to attend Penn State.

"You can see (his) team unity, which is why we won in '86," Conlan said. "We were just good together. We were best friends. And they have that again. They all play for each other. That's what we did."

Of course, it's usually much more difficult to talk glowingly about the man leading the team you hate. That's what Zeller does, though, and does it without pause.

"I respect him as a coach, I respect the athletes, but I don't respect the team. That's the way I've always been. Nothing's changed," Zeller said. "I root for him to do well, but for the team …

"You see what you're going to get out of me. I'm the same as Franklin. What you see is what you're going to get."