There’s an interesting dynamic at play in Hoover, Alabama, as Vanderbilt battles Ole Miss for the SEC Baseball Tournament title.
Former Vanderbilt football head coach James Franklin is not just in attendance at the game, but present in the Commodores’ dugout. Franklin, who has been at Penn State since 2014, spent 3 seasons as Vandy’s head coach from 2011-13. During that time, he built up a good relationship with Vandy baseball coach Tim Corbin — who is still at the head of the baseball program.
With that in mind, it wasn’t too surprising to see Franklin present at the game on Sunday afternoon. However, it was a bit striking to see current Vandy football coach Clark Lea also at the game — but in the stands.
Franklin was part of the broadcast during the game as well. The cameras panned to him celebrating after Vanderbilt took an early 2-0 lead on a home run. He also later participated in a brief TV interview with the SEC Network broadcast.
Penn State HC James Franklin approves of Vandy’s two-run homer. Franklin is in the Dores dugout today in Hoover. pic.twitter.com/ALdBz35fOD
— Pat Smith (@patsmithradio) May 25, 2025Franklin had tremendous success in a short stint at Vanderbilt. He won 9 games in back-to-back seasons before moving on to Penn State. When Vanderbilt won 9 games in 2012, it was the first time the program had accomplished that feat since 1915.
Lea is approaching his 5th season at Vanderbilt. He’s coming off of his best campaign yet in Nashville, which included 7 wins and a historic victory over Alabama.
There was plenty of reaction on social media to Franklin getting the dugout treatment over the current Vandy head coach:
Former #Vanderbilt football coach James Franklin got a spot in Commodores’ dugout on Championship Sunday… meanwhile current head football coach Clark Lea is in the stands…
— Tyler Raley (@traley34) May 25, 2025James Franklin in the dugout, Clark Lea in the stands. Uhhhhh…….what? ?????
— Chris Phillips (@CPhilly19) May 25, 2025James Franklin in the dugout and Clark Lea in the standsAwkward
— Steven Willis (@TheStevenWillis) May 25, 2025James Franklin in our dugout….. that’s kinda weird lol
— Crazy Clark Lea (@ClarkLeaYo) May 25, 2025Current Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea is here at the SEC Baseball Tournament final sitting behind the Vandy dugout.Former Vanderbilt football coach James Franklin is here standing IN the Vandy dugout.
— Kevin Scarbinsky (@KevinScarbinsky) May 25, 2025Interesting he’s got James Franklin in his dugout and not Clark Lea… pic.twitter.com/rYCeOpLL27
— It’s All A Game (@40AcresBuilt) May 25, 2025Weird/cool scene to see in Hoover with James Franklin IN the dugout and Clark Lea in the row behind it.
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) May 25, 2025Vandy has James Franklin in the dugout but Clark Lea in the stands, seems like that’s a little backwards
— Faul Pinebaum (@faulpinebaum3) May 25, 2025So James Franklin is in the dugout and Clark Lea is in the stands. WTF
— Brant (@DCDoubleDore) May 25, 2025James Franklin in Vanderbilt dugout, Clark Lea in the stands for SEC title game Saturday Down South.
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