"This time already — and don't ask me any names because I'm not going to tell you — there's already a list of 20-25 people who've reached out to us," Williams said Saturday at a news conference. "And at least five of them are people who we asked to talk to us last time and said no."

Williams plans to hire someone who can build on the progress of the past few years after Franklin left for Penn State. He called Franklin's decision to leave after three seasons "disappointing" and wished the coach well.

"Coach Franklin and his staff have set the foundation for that, but we plan to take it to the next step," Williams said.

Junior defensive end Kyle Woestmann appeared with Williams and said the players trust their athletic director to bring in someone even better for their new head coach.

"The goal is still to win SEC championships and bring Vanderbilt to a top tier SEC team," Woestmann said. "That will never change since what coach Franklin has started. That's the belief and mentality, and it will be that way forever now."

Vanderbilt did not name an interim coach with assistants under contract until March 15.

In Franklin's three seasons, Vanderbilt is 24-15 with three bowl berths. That's a stark contrast with Vanderbilt going 4-20 in the two seasons before Williams hired Franklin over a field of candidates in 2010 that also included Gus Malzahn, who this season won the SEC championship and lost in the BCS national championship game in his first year as Auburn's head coach.

"We're going to move as quickly as we can, but we're not going to move quick in such a way to make a mistake," Williams said.


CLEMSON CREW


There'll be no turnover at Clemson, if coach Dabo Swinney has his way. Unless, of course, offensive coordinator Chad Morris decides to take the Vanderbilt job.

Sweeney expects all his staff back for next season, he told media members Saturday.

Morris, a frequent flyer in coaching rumors, was on campus Saturday to take part in the Tigers' annual postseason banquet. He is college football's highest-paid assistant at $1.3 million a year.

While Morris is free to leave for a coaching position, he would owe the school $5.2 million — $1.3 million for the four seasons left on his deal — if he moved on for another offensive coordinator position.

Morris has helped Clemson become one the country's top offenses.


CAUGHT


Dorial Green-Beckham, a sophomore wide receiver who led No. 5 Missouri in receptions last season, is facing legal and personal problems stemming from a drug arrest. The substance in question reportedly is marijuana.

Green-Beckham, 20, was arrested early Saturday in his hometown of Springfield, Mo. Law enforcement officials said the investigation was ongoing. The Greene County Sheriff's Department is expected to release more information on Monday.

An official with the Greene County Jail confirmed that Green-Beckham was booked Saturday and then released.

Missouri spokesman Chad Moller said the school was "aware of the situation and working to learn more."

Green-Beckham was considered the top prospect in the nation when he signed a letter of intent with Missouri. Last season, he had 59 receptions with a 15-yard average and 12 touchdowns.

It's not his first go-round with the law. Green-Beckham was charged in October 2012 with marijuana possession after he and two teammates were reportedly smoking in a campus parking lot. All three later pleaded guilty to second-degree trespassing in the case.


TIDE'S TEAM


Still scratching your head over Alabama hiring Lane Kiffin? Consider this: Three of the nine men on Nick Saban's staff are former head coaches.

Kiffin, introduced as offense coordinator this week, was canned at Southern Cal. Before that he had a one-year stint at Tennessee and time in the NFL with the Raiders. That's quite a resume for a 38-year-old, not matter the success.

Saban's strategy is to bring bright minds to the Crimson Tide. It doesn't hurt in Kiffin's case, because he has strength as a recruiter.

Kiffin joins Bobby Williams, who replaced Saban at Michigan State; and Mario Cristobal, who spent six years at Florida International. Plus, Kevin Steele, Alabama's director of player personnel, is a former Baylor coach.

Kiffin last served as an offensive coordinator in 2005-06 under Pete Carroll at Southern Cal. And by the way, his agent is Jimmy Sexton, who also represents Saban.


NEW WOLVERINE


Doug Nussmeier, whose departure from Alabama created the opening for Kiffin, was introducted to the media on Saturday for his new job at Michigan. A protégé of Brady Hoke, had the usual comments about being exciting to join the Wolverines coaching staff.

"This is a special place," Nussmeier said. "A special, special place. When you say the word 'Michigan,' everybody knows about Michigan football."

His job: Add pop to a Michigan offense that was essentially punchless in 2013. Nussmeier described his offensive philosophy as "tough, physical, explosive," according to the Detroit Free Press.

"That's what we want to do," he said. "We want to be able to run the football, and we want to be able to put points on the board and we want to force the defense to defend all different elements of the game."

Contributor: The Associated Press