Franklin, 68, works ABC or ESPN Saturday afternoon telecasts with analyst Ed Cunningham. Franklin, a graduate of Mississippi, joined ESPN in 1987 and built a strong following as play-by-play man on the network's College Football Primetime Saturday telecasts, a role he held through the 2005 season.
In 2007, Richard Deitsch of SI wrote of Franklin: "With his deep Mississippi pipes that scream Southern football, Franklin is a favorite of some bloggers. No argument here. The guy is as solid as oak."
Franklin told the Oklahoman last year that he was "98.5% sure" that he would retire when his contract expired in 2010. But he agreed to a two-year deal this past summer that reduced his number of assignments to 35 a year. He had been doing as many as 60.
"When the money came forward, I realized I couldn't do better initially with my freelance work than what they were going to pay me," he told the newspaper.
Franklin's career has not been without controversy. The veteran announcer was working a Notre Dame-Purdue game in 2005 when sideline reporter Holly Rowe lauded Boilermaker defensive coordinator Brock Spack for using three timeouts despite trailing by four touchdowns late in the game.
"If the coaches are giving up, what does that say to the players?" Rowe asked. Franklin responded: "Holly, it's not giving up. It's 49-21, sweetheart."
ESPN ombudsman George Solomon wrote: "Franklin's comment, and demeaning tone, in response to Rowe's legitimate observation was disrespectful to the audience and to a colleague."
Senior coordinating producer for college football Mo Davenport said: "It was an inappropriate comment and we've communicated that to Ron. There's never a reason to say something so mean-spirited. Ron apologized. We dealt with it internally."
Do you like Ron Franklin? Do you not like Ron Franklin? Let it rip!
Best in the business, and the legitimate heir to Keith Jackson. His being banished to mid-morning snooze-fests is proof that ESPN is the work of Satan.
Posted by: Will Collier | October 29, 2010 at 06:59 AM
Once again, in complete agreement with Will. Ron Franklin has no equal among working college football announcers/commentators. His exile from the prime-time SEC broadcasts was a travesty which has left us to endure the likes of Bob Davie.
Posted by: Jay G. | October 29, 2010 at 07:14 AM
I agree 100% with the comments above. He is by far the best play by play person in college football. ESPN screwed up by putting Mike Patrick in for a few while; they should've brought Frankin back.
Posted by: pete s. | October 29, 2010 at 10:35 AM
The Alpha and the Omega of play by play in college football.........
Posted by: B | October 29, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Of the current crop of college announcers, Ron Franklin is head and shoulders over everyone else. Brent Musburger is a distant second. The guys who hire talent at ESPN and Fox should be shot for their terrible choices.
Franklin never intrudes into a game, calls the down and distances, and does not let his partner prattle on about twaddle.
Posted by: bevo | October 29, 2010 at 05:23 PM
He was terrible during the Iowa-Michigan game. He mispronounced names (Adrian "Clayburn", Christian "Bu-lard") until someone corrected him during halftime. On at least three occasions, he said "We need to," instead of "Michigan needs to." Maybe that was just one game, but I can't say I approve of him after that performance.
Posted by: Ron | October 30, 2010 at 07:20 AM
The first 2 comments are right on the mark. Ron is the best in the business. I'd rather hear him call a game-any game in any sport-than endure Bob Davie. He is the worst. As someone said "His (Ron) being banished to mid-morning snooze-fests is proof that ESPN is the work of Satan." I could not agree more.
Posted by: Jim | October 30, 2010 at 04:46 PM