Ultimate respect, BSU’s Danielson says he’s been a fan of James Franklin from afar

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (Nittany Nation) — At 52-years-old, somehow James Franklin is the oldest remaining coach in the College Football Playoffs.

“I guess first thing is I probably don’t have a whole lot of years left, is what you’re saying,” joked Franklin.

It’s an intriguing revelation that came to light Monday on Fiesta Bowl eve when Penn State’s Franklin and Boise State’s Spencer Danielson spoke with the media one final time.

As coaches like Nick Saban and Mack Brown retire in their 70s, College football is shifting younger and younger. BSU’s Danielson (36) is one of four head coaches still coaching in the CFP who is in their 30s. While Ryan Day (45) Kirby Smart (49) Steve Sarkisian (50) and Franklin (52) make up the “grizzled veterans” club.

“To me, I think it’s a positive,” said Franklin. “You see it in the NFL. You see it in college football. Obviously, guys like Spencer have earned this opportunity. Then once he was able to get his foot in the door and get in that seat, he’s run with it, which I think will create other opportunities for other guys, just like I’m trying to create opportunities for guys as well.”

While Franklin, who was a relatively young hire in 2014, has spent a decade with Penn State, Danielson was hired in 2017 as a grad assistant. He took over as an interim head coach last season and is in his first season as the head coach. He instantly found success leading the Broncos to a Mountain West title and the Fiesta Bowl.

“I love being around these kids, and that’s why everything about it for me is developing these guys for life,” he said. “It’s not because I love football more than somebody else. It’s not about chasing other jobs. I believe guys put me here to develop people and it’s all about these kids. So every day I’m around them, I’m fired up to be in the building.”

While Danielson and Franklin’s paths haven’t crossed much, this is Penn State and Boise’s first ever meeting, they did once years ago. Danielson reflected on a coaching conference he attended in the early years where he saw Franklin speak, he said ever since then, he’s had a ton of admiration for him.

“He was a Division II football player. Seeing his journey, seeing the success that Coach Franklin has had everywhere he goes,” he said. “Obviously [I] did not know him. He did not know me. But just so much respect from afar and seeing the product that is continually put on the field in every spot he’s ever been in, obviously for the past decade of Penn State, the success they’ve had, he’s just been someone that I’ve admired from afar for a long time. “

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