ESPN gives Franklin an "A"...

Thursday, January 28, 2010
A review of the top 2008 first-year assistant coach hires

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By Graham Watson

At the beginning of the season, I tabbed the top five new assistants among the non-AQs that I thought would make a difference for their respective teams. I thought I would look back and see how those assistants fared and grade them on their performance.

1. Tony Franklin, Middle Tennessee, OC: Franklin lived up to all the expectations that were levied on him and his offensive scheme, and made Middle Tennessee a legitimate contender not just in the Sun Belt Conference but across its schedule. The Blue Raiders won 10 games, ranked 27^th nationally in total offense and 23rd in scoring offense. He turned Dwight Dasher, who had been thought of as a running quarterback, into a solid dual threat. Dasher ranked seventh in the country in total offense.

Grade: A

Telling time...

Along with the New Orleans Bowl ring MT players & staff will receive a bowl watch. Just like the watch Coach Stockstill had his pick of several designs and styles. It will also be delivered around Mid-March...

Final proof of the Bowl watch...

Bling Bling from the Boro....

We have had many questions about the 2009 New Orleans Bowl Championship Ring.The New Orleans Bowl gives rings as part of the gift package to players and allows the schools to choose from many different designs. The only part of the ring that must remain unchanged is the New Orleans Bowl side, other than that Coach Stockstill got to create a unique piece of history for the Middle Tennessee players & staff. The rings have been ordered and should be delivered around the end of February to the middle of March.

Below is a final proof of the ring...

Local restaurant giving out some thanks...

One of Murfreesboro's most popular restaurants is giving out some love to MT Football...

Mardi Gras Night...

Make sure to be at the MTSU Men's Basketball game against New Orleans tonight to cheer on the guys and because the 2009 New Orleans Bowl Champions will be recognized at half-time. The annual Mardi Gras theme will be the highlight of the evening.

A pre-game autograph session with the football team will get underway at 6 PM on the track level of Murphy Center. New Orleans Bowl championship posters will be available while supplies last.

The 10-3 Blue Raiders will then be introduced on the court during a halftime celebration, and then members of the team will participate in the annual Mardi Gras parade.

Due to the final week of recruiting for the 2010 class, Head Coach Rick Stockstill will not be in attendance for the celebration.

The Grand Finale....

Because of the positive response we got during the year we know many of you have enjoyed the team's motivational videos that we post on the blog each week.What you may not know is who is behind the production of all these great videos. The mastermind behind these productions is Middle Tennessee Football Video Coordinator Andrew Rossetti. Rossetti is in his first year at MT after arriving in the summer from Washington State University's football program. Andrew takes great pride in his work and especially these motivational videos, they have to be the perfect mix of music, highlights and underlying messages. Not only do they have to pass the inspection of Coach Stockstill but the toughest critics are the players, so many hours are spent each week pouring over clips to create these videos.

Over the past few weeks have been covered up in requests for the 2009 Season highlight video that was shown at the MT Football Banquet. This is the last highlight of the season incorporating everything from Clemson to New Orleans. Until now this video hasn't been seen by anyone outside of those banquet chambers...well until now. So enjoy this exclusive release and a 2009 Grand Finale you will only see on the Stock Report Blog...

New Orleans Bowl Motivational Video..

It's been quite a while since the blog has been up and posting with all the recruiting work happening around the office. But as we near the calm before the storm that is "National Signing Day" we are firing it back up and getting on track..

Here is the motivational video the team watched on Saturday December 19, 2009 before becoming the 2009 New Orleans Bowl Champions!