folks that Franklin is shutting out local media, etc. This element has been critical of his locking down Merriman center, etc. and his desire to have excessive control. My guess is there are local boosters who will feel similar if they do not yet. My feeling is in many ways VT locals have been spoiled for years and Beamer, MY, and Pry levels of access and laid back approach are not typical of majority of sucessful Coaches. They should be asking themselves if Franklin's approach is more like Nick Saban. or was Saban more like Beamer and Pry? We know Brent Pry had some time management issues that were part of his failure as HC. Could it be that allowing local boosters and local media to just drop in on folks by walking through Merryman contributed to the problem. If one is a friendly personable type and you do not limit access to building, then it may be coach or coaches who strike up conversation with someone cutting through even if the booster or local media guy/gal had no intent on dropping in to try and get access ot coach, etc. Also, some have complained of very structured and limited time for presser introducing coaching staff. Could it be that Brent Pry was too nice and allowed media to take up too much of his and his assistants time? Yes, one needs to allow acccess and fans want info. that is provided by local media. Flip side of this is that time for coaches and players is a distraction from tasks that prepare and training team to win on the field. Finally, some have complained that Frankin is getting out info through National meda that he has relstionship with vice local guys. Well, there are several legit reasons doing this may be more benefical to VT Football program and Franklin personally. Local media is not going to get VT attention that will help VT have higher profile for national recruits and even many in the so called footprint. So getting VT name in national ESPN vice local media benefits recruiting raising profile of VT in a way local media cannot. Also, Franklin did not get national reputation by just talking to Happy Valley media. Bottomline if you as coach and program want a higher "nationaly revevant" profile you do not get it by spending time with local media. I think Franklin is aware enough and listen's enough where he will not totally shut out or shun local media, they can help with fans support and fundraising. However, it is going to be different and less laid back and more time managed than it was under Pry. This is imho necessary and a good thing.