Tim Corbin convinces James Franklin to come to CWS

OMAHA, Neb.— Some Vanderbilt fans may have been surprised by the appearance of former Commodores football coach James Franklin at the College World Series on Saturday, but not Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin.

Corbin encouraged Franklin to be there for the Commodores' 5-3 win over Louisville in the opening round.

"He didn't want to (come) at first because he was hesitant," Corbin said. "But I said, 'No, don't worry about that. People get traded all the time. But at the same time it's fine to maintain a relationship.' And he came and I appreciated it."

Franklin sat in the Vanderbilt cheering section behind the third-base dugout. He took time to take pictures and shake hands with Commodores fans before the game began in a mostly positive reunion.

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The Penn State coach brought his wife and two daughters along, even tweeting a photo of the girls with Corbin with the caption: "Love that my daughters are getting some time w/ one of their favorites, Uncle @TimCorbin & @VandyBaseball ! Good Luck"

"The fact that the kids came just speaks to their support of our program and us and our kids," Corbin said. "He spent a lot of time down at our field."

Corbin said his relationship with Franklin did not end just because he left Vanderbilt for Penn State in January after three bowl appearances in three seasons with the Commodores.

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"It is a situation where when they hired him I was 'all in' in trying to get him to come to Vanderbilt," Corbin said. "And then after that point I became very close with him. We did a lot together.

"He's been there for Maggie and I and I appreciate that."

Franklin said he was "not interested" in commenting about his appearance in Omaha.

Reach Nick Cole at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @ncole6.​