The Vol Nation reaction to Vanderbilt losing Coach James Franklin to Penn State has been interesting. But not in a way that should flatter anyone involved. As someone with a vested interest in the University of Tennessee Football Team, I’m happy to see James Franklin gone. But Vol fans should understand that James Franklin was to Vanderbilt what Bruce Pearl was to Tennessee.

Prior to the arrival of these two relentlessly charismatic figures, not much was expected of the programs they inherited. The results were pure joy. During that first Pearl season, even the most skeptical Tennessee fans fell in love after the Vols won at home against Florida in a spectacular game where Thompson-Boling Arena was at its best.

Franklin scored six hard earned wins, was competitive throughout most of the year and many SEC teams that viewed Vandy as an irrelevance, now had to view them as a threat.

That second season, Pearl and his team answered unfinished business with a deep NCAA run and a heart stopping team that was a joy to watch every time the Vols tipped off.

Franklin finished unfinished business by whipping the Vols, ending the Derek Dooley era for good. In the post season, Pearl accomplished things that Tennessee basketball had never experienced before.

With three bowl appearances (two wins), James Franklin accomplished more at Vandy than anyone since VU won the national championship in 1923.

Off the court, Pearl relentlessly made Vols fans feel good. His charitable work was terrific. His friendship with Coach Summitt yielded iconic results. His recruiting was always spot on.

Every off season, Franklin made Vandy fans feel proud as well. Everytime he promoted the great city of Nashville, recruited good players and was poised and polished on television, Vandy fans swooned.

The NCAA stole Bruce Pearl away from Tennessee, for reasons that were/are/will always be preposterous, an abuse of power and morally reprehensible. But, ironically, that keeps Pearl untarnished. He was taken from Vol Nation, in a reprehensible manner.

Franklin left.

It’s the difference between losing a loved one because they moved away vs. someone breaking up with you.

The former makes you curse the circumstances but cherish the good times. The latter makes you question yourself, your worth and time that you could look back on and enjoy is tinged with regret.

That makes what happened to Vandy even worse. They’re now on the rebound, their dreams for next season are shattered. Kick them while their down if you’d like, Vol Nation. I, like many, braved the cold in Neyland this November and saw Vandy shatter Tennessee’s bowl dreams. A bit of schadenfreude at their current misfortunes is certainly understandable. But ultimately, it’s an empty feeling.

When King George IV, who had a terrible marriage with Caroline of Brunswick, was informed of Napoleon’s death with the words: “Sir, your greatest enemy is dead” he replied: ” By God, dead, is she?”

This is a similar circumstance. Tennessee needs to focus on Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Tennessee needs to yell up. Tennessee needs to move up.

Vandy beating Tennessee was a symptom of a larger disease. The Vols had fallen. Hard.

Vanderbilt has lost something that was truly special. New Vandy coach Derek Mason may enjoy living in Nashville, and he should because it’s awesome, but the program he’s taking over is losing recruits faster than Vandy alumni can throw their James Franklin love notes in the trashcan. You never want to follow someone who took a mediocre job and became a legend. Just ask Cuonzo Martin.

Meanwhile, after a few false starts, Tennessee has found the right leader in Butch Jones. There’s no need to dwell on the wounds suffered during these lean years.

Vol fans should turn the page.

Franklin already has.