Vanderbilt coach James Franklin apologized on Twitter Thursday multiple times for saying on the radio a day earlier that he judges assistant coach applicants on the attractiveness of their wives. (You can read those comments here.) Here is Franklin's apology...

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"I enjoy my family, my job, interviews w/ the media, meeting new people, learning & getting better & not taking my self or my job 2 serious!. ...

"Attempt at humor obviously fell a few yds short. Was speaking to the courage it takes 4 men 2 approach the women who become their wives!!!!! ... If a man can convince the women of his dreams 2 marry him,he can probably do just about anything,that type of confidence along w/ coaching ...

"Skills is what I am looking 4.As a husband & father of 2 daughters I regret the way I conveyed my message! ... I clearly used language that doesn't reflect my views on women and I am SORRY!"

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Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin told Clay Travis on 104.5 The Zone that he evaluates the appearance of coaches' wives during the interview process. Franklin said...

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"I've been saying it for a long time, I will not hire an assistant until I see his wife. If she looks the part and she's a D1 recruit, then you got a chance to get hired. That's part of the deal. There's a very strong correlation between having the confidence, going up and talking to a women, and being quick on your feet and having some personality and confidence and being articulate and confident, than it is walking into a high school and recruiting a kid and selling him."

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Let the backlash begin.

During a question-and-answer period in Macon on Tuesday, Georgia coach Mark Richt was asked about this fall's Vanderbilt game. In his answer the coach made light of defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s confrontation with Vanderbilt coach James Franklin last fall. Richt said...

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“Yeah, (Grantham) may need to go upstairs. … You know what, I think the Bulldog Nation likes a little piss and vinegar.”

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Richt went on about the confrontation...

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“But it was an interesting exchange, I’ll say that. I don’t think we’ll have much trouble getting jacked up to play the Vanderbilt Commodores this year, I’ll tell you that.”

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Vandy has already sold out of their initial allotment of tickets for their Liberty Bowl game vs. Cincinnati on Dec. 31. Now they're pushing for a substantial show of support for first year head coach James Franklin by teaming up Mr. Commodore with Elvis to sell even more tickets. This video could be a 1:00 shorter, but here ya go... watch it here.

Vanderbilt vice chancellor David Williams has announced that coach James Franklin has received a contract extension. He also said the university is planning to upgrade Vanderbilt Stadium and build an indoor practice complex for use by all Commodores athletic programs. Franklin's extension is undisclosed, but it said to be for several years.