NASHVILLE -- James Franklin appears to have a decision to make. Stay at Vanderbilt or take over as coach at Penn State. Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams said Thursday night he exchanged text messages with his football coach and Franklin "basically said that he is our coach. He hasnt made a decision." Williams would not confirm Franklin has an offer from Penn State, but has indicated Nittany Lions officials have been in contact with the coach. CBS.com was first among several media outlets to report Franklin is expected to be Penn States replacement for Bill OBrien, who left for the Houston Texans. "He just wanted me to know that the things that are being said that he has made a decision to leave are not true," Williams said Penn State had no official comment, but the university did announce Thursday night that a new compensation committee is scheduled to meet Saturday morning in a closed session to discuss a contract for someone not yet being identified by the school. The school also said there will be a brief public session Saturday morning. Earlier in the day Williams said Franklin had called "to let me know the reports that he had accepted another job were inaccurate. And I didnt ask anything more than that nor did he volunteer anything more than that." Williams said he met with Franklin on Tuesday night and spoke with him Wednesday, too. Penn State interim coach Larry Johnson said Thursday night he hasnt been told anything about his future. "Im still the interim coach until a new coach is named," Johnson said. "As of right now, Im continuing to do my part." Vanderbilt had only one winning season since 1982 before Williams hired Franklin in December 2010. The Commodores also had only four bowl berths before Franklin arrived, and he now has taken them to three straight bowls. The 41-year-old Pennsylvania native is 24-15 in his three seasons as Vanderbilts head coach, matching Dan McGugin for the most wins in school history over a coachs first three seasons. The Commodores are 16-4 over the past 20 games, second in the SEC only to Alabama. Vanderbilt won the final seven games of 2012 and the final five of 2013 in a stretch that also includes back-to-back bowl wins. Vanderbilt has gone 9-4 and finished in the final Associated Press rankings each of the past two seasons, including No. 24 in the poll released Tuesday. Vanderbilt hadnt finished in the final AP poll before Franklin arrived since 1948 under Red Sanders. Franklin was given a contract extension in December 2012 designed to keep him at Vanderbilt for years to come. Asked if Vanderbilt has worked to restructure Franklins deal since the Commodores beat Houston in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Jan. 4, Williams said they have an ongoing process to remain competitive. "We think that we had a good season and a successful season, and we constantly reward people for that," Williams said. OBrien guided the Nittany Lions through two seasons of severe NCAA sanctions after taking over for the late Joe Paterno and went 17-9. Miamis Al Golden drew interest from Penn State during this search, though he stated Saturday he intended to stay with the school. Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak, a former Penn State offensive lineman, and 49ers offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman also have reportedly gotten a look from Penn State. Air Max2 Light Canada .75 million contract for the 2014 season and avoided arbitration. The team announced the agreement on Tuesday. Nike Air Max 360 Canada . After losing a shutout bid in the dying seconds of Sundays win over the Colorado Avalanche, Luongo would not be denied against the punchless Oilers and is now just one back of Patrick Roy for 14th on the all-time list. http://www.clearanceairmaxcanada.com/.com) - The collective hearts of Chicago Bulls fans sank on Friday night when Derrick Rose went down with a leg injury against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Air Max 90 Womens Canada .com) - Oregon wasnt going to let Arizona ruin its national title dreams for a second straight season. Air Max 200 Canada .C. Lions signed cornerback Dante Marsh to a contract extension on Friay and released receiver Paris Jackson.PORTLAND, Ore. -- Houstons All-Star tandem of James Harden and Dwight Howard refused to let the Rockets give in to fatigue. Harden scored 33 points, Howard added 29 points and 13 rebounds, and the Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 116-101 Tuesday night despite playing for the fourth time in five days. Houston (4-1) bounced back from getting routed by the Clippers 137-118 Monday night in Howards first trip back to the Staples Center since leaving the Lakers during the summer. "We got in at 3 a.m. last night," Houston coach Kevin McHale said. "That was a tough one but we got a big win here tonight. James and Dwight had tremendous games." Damian Lillard scored 22 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 to lead the Blazers, who fell after winning two in a row. Wesley Matthews added 19 points. Jeremy Lin and reserve Patrick Beverley each had 12 points for the Rockets. Howard, the seven-time All-Star has teamed up with Harden to give Houston one of the most talented duos in the NBA. Harden, who averaged 25.9 points last season, recovered from a poor shooting performance against the Clippers, hitting 11 of 18 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free throw line Howard was dominant under the basket as Houston outscored Portland 54-28 in the paint and outrebounded the Blazers 47-30. With centre Robin Lopez sitting in foul trouble and his backup Joel Freeland out with a hip injury, the Blazers couldnt defend the rim. "Dwight makes the whole game so much easier for each teammate," Harden said. &"He draws double teams.dddddddddddd Hes a great passer. He dominates the post and he can score it. He does everything." The Blazers shot better than 55 per cent and had six players score in double figures in a 115-105 victory over San Antonio on Saturday, but shot only 41 per cent from the field Tuesday and 65 per cent from the line. "We had a hard time getting shots to fall and when thats going to happen, weve got to do better defensively," Lillard said. Houston led 55-50 at the half and then went on a 15-2 run to start the second half. The Rockets led by as many as 18 points before Portland started chipping away at the lead, getting to 93-88 on a jumper by Mo Williams. However, Beverley hit a 3-pointer and Harden converted a three-point play to push the lead back to double figures. "They are a type of team that can put runs on you," Portland coach Terry Stotts said "They put up points quickly." Portland started the game strong and led 19-10 before the Rockets put together a 19-4 run, with Howard and Harden each contributing eight straight points. NOTES: Howard will face the Lakers Thursday, when the Rockets host his former team at the Houston Toyota Center. ... Beverley returned after missing three games with a torn muscle in his stomach. ... Lopez finished with no points, six rebounds and five fouls in 18 minutes. ... The teams split the series last season, with each winning one at home and away. However, the Rockets have won five of their last six in Portland. ' ' '
