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Former UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin hired by Notre Dame

Former Bruins running back Johnathan Franklin will return to the college level at Notre Dame as an administrator for student welfare and development.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Former UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin will have a gold helmet in his life. It just won’t say “UCLA” on it.

Franklin, whose NFL career with the Green Bay Packers was cut short by an injury, has been hired by Notre Dame as an administrator for student welfare and development. He will coordinate outreach programs and workshops for the athletes.

“I’m really excited, and blessed how it came out,” Franklin said.

Franklin created a LinkedIn account and was contacted by Mike Harrity, a senior associate athletic director for Notre Dame.

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“They had me come out to Notre Dame for a weekend,” Franklin said. “I met a few people and by the time I left, they had offered me a job. I didn’t ask for an interview or even ask about a job. God always has a plan.”

Franklin gained 4,403 yards at UCLA from 2009-12, 85 more than Notre Dame’s all-time leading rusher, Autry Denson.

Twitter: @cfosterlatimes

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