Duke Hires Gators Asst. Franks

Florida assistant Carl Franks is getting the football coaching job at Duke, his alma mater, according to sources close to the Blue Devils' football program.

Franks, the only prospect known to have been interviewed, will succeed Fred Goldsmith, who was fired Monday after five seasons, sources told The Associated Press.

Duke athletic director Joe Alleva and president Nan Keohane planned to introduce the new coach to the media on Thursday.

Franks, who was a tight end at Duke, has been assistant offensive coordinator for the Gators and is considered their best recruiter. Franks was an assistant under Steve Spurrier when he was at Duke in the late 1980s and in 1989, when Duke won the ACC title.

He followed Spurrier to Florida and became Spurrier's assistant offensive coordinator in 1995. Spurrier doubles as head coach and offensive coordinator.

While Franks has been at Florida, the Gators have won one national championship, five SEC titles and gone to eight bowl games.

Franks could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Relatives in Garner, N.C., said he was en route to Gainesville, Fla., but efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.

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