James Franklin Finds Fresh Start at Virginia Tech After Penn State Dismissal
In a surprising turn of events in college football, James Franklin has quickly found a new home at Virginia Tech following his recent dismissal from Penn State. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Franklin and Virginia Tech have finalized a deal that will make him the next head coach of the Hokies football program. The news comes just days after reports surfaced about “early talks” between Franklin and Virginia Tech, and mere weeks after his firing from Penn State following a disappointing 4-6 season that included three consecutive losses, with particularly shocking defeats to Northwestern and UCLA.
Franklin steps into the role previously held by Brent Pry—ironically, Franklin’s former defensive coordinator at Penn State—who was fired in September after a dismal 0-3 start to the current season. Pry’s brief tenure ended with a 16-24 overall record through four seasons, continuing the program’s struggles that began under his predecessor, Justin Fuente. Virginia Tech has been searching for stability and success since the retirement of legendary coach Frank Beamer in 2015, who led the program for 29 remarkable years. Franklin brings an impressive resumé to Blacksburg, having compiled a 128-60 record over 15 seasons as a head coach at Vanderbilt and Penn State, including a 2016 Big Ten Championship and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance just last season.
The timing of this hire is particularly intriguing given that Franklin was not expected to be on the job market this year. Penn State began the season ranked third nationally and started with three convincing victories before a double-overtime loss to Oregon triggered a downward spiral. This unexpected availability has provided Virginia Tech with an opportunity to secure a proven leader with significant recruiting prowess—something the Hokies desperately need as they attempt to rebuild their once-prominent program. The university’s commitment to athletic excellence is evident in their recently approved $229 million addition to the athletics budget over the next four years, creating the perfect environment for Franklin to attract top-tier talent to Blacksburg.
Despite his overall success, Franklin’s time at Penn State was not without criticism. His teams struggled notably against elite competition, posting a concerning 4-21 record against AP Top 10 opponents during his tenure in State College. This inability to consistently win the biggest games ultimately contributed to his downfall at Penn State, despite having led the program to multiple 10-win seasons. For Virginia Tech, however, Franklin represents a significant upgrade and potential return to national relevance. The Hokies haven’t achieved a double-digit win season since 2016, while Franklin has accomplished that feat six times as a head coach, including three consecutive 10+ win campaigns from 2022 to 2024.
The Atlantic Coast Conference, which Virginia Tech competes in, currently lacks a dominant program, potentially creating an opening for the Hokies to quickly rise in prominence under Franklin’s leadership. His modern approach to college football, particularly his understanding of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) considerations, could accelerate Virginia Tech’s return to competitiveness. Franklin has consistently demonstrated an ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of college football, which will be crucial as he takes over a program that has struggled to remain relevant in the post-Beamer era.
Virginia Tech fans have reason for optimism with this hire, as Franklin brings immediate credibility and a national profile to their program. The expectations will be high from the outset—Franklin has shown he can build and maintain a nationally competitive program, having transformed Vanderbilt from a perennial doormat into a respectable SEC team before leading Penn State back to national prominence following the Jerry Sandusky scandal. The Hokies administration is clearly hoping Franklin can work similar magic in Blacksburg, restoring the program to the consistent Top 25 presence it was under Beamer’s guidance.
As Franklin prepares for this new chapter in his coaching career, both he and Virginia Tech appear poised to benefit from this fresh start. For Franklin, it’s an opportunity to rebuild his reputation after a disappointing end at Penn State, while for Virginia Tech, it’s a bold move that signals their unwavering commitment to competing at the highest levels of college football. The Hokies are betting that Franklin’s proven track record of building programs, recruiting top talent, and developing players will translate into immediate success in the ACC. With significant financial resources now committed to athletics and an accomplished coach at the helm, Virginia Tech’s football future suddenly looks much brighter than it has in years.
