Virginia Tech The school announced Monday that it has hired James Franklin as its next head football coach.
He will be formally introduced at a press conference on Wednesday morning.
“I am honored and humbled to join the Hokie family,” Franklin said in a statement. “My vision is simple: to restore unmatched excellence, build something that will last, and serve this university, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our amazing fan base with respect, integrity, and passion. I look forward to working with our players, our staff, and the entire Virginia Tech community.”
Franklin was originally owed a $49 million buyout. after being fired from the job By penn state On October 12, all but one part of his deal with the Hokies, sources confirmed to ESPN, includes a $9 million deal from the Nittany Lions.
Franklin went 128-60 in 12 seasons and three seasons at Penn State VanderbiltHe brings a resume that includes winning over 68% of his games, an appearance in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals, and a Big Ten Championship in 2016,
He replaces his former defensive coordinator Brent Pry, who was fired in september That followed an 0-3 start and a 16-24 record in four seasons with the Hokies.
Franklin’s arrival in Blacksburg will give the Hokies their most accomplished coach since Hall of Famer Frank Beamer, who retired in 2015 after 29 seasons at the school. Since that time, Tech has endured the disappointing tenures of Justin Fuentes and Pry as the school struggled to assimilate into modern college football.
After firing Pry, Tech’s Board of Visitors passed a plan to add $229 million to the athletics budget over the next four years. The move was meant to help make Tech a more attractive job and attract a candidate who could revive the school’s lagging football fortunes.
“James Franklin embodies the spirit, vision and relentless pursuit of excellence that will lead Virginia Tech football back to the national stage,” athletic director Whit Babcock said in a statement. “This is a historic moment for our program. … James is a dynamic leader, a tireless recruiter and a coach who has proven he can build and maintain elite, championship-caliber programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Blacksburg and entrust them with the future of VT football.”
In Franklin, the Hokies get an established coach whose availability was not considered a possibility at the start of the 2025 season. Penn State began the season ranked No. 2 in the country and started 3–0, before suffering three consecutive losses, including a double-overtime loss to No. 6. oregon When the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 3 in September.
after the loss UCLA And NorthwesternPenn State fired Franklin.
Franklin came to Penn State in 2014 due to NCAA sanctions due to the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal. Franklin led the Nittany Lions to Rose Bowl and Big Ten titles in 2016.
Franklin’s tenure was ultimately defined by modest success that never manifested at the highest level of wins, as he finished 4–21 at Penn State against AP top-10 opponents. In his 12 seasons there, he led Penn State to double-digit wins six seasons, including three straight from 2022 to 2024.
The Center Daily Times first reported Penn State’s agreement with Franklin.
Virginia Tech has not won a game by double digits since Fuentes’ first season in 2016. From 2004 to 2011, Tech won games by double digits each season under Beamer.
Franklin brings strong ties to the I-95 corridor, including the talent-rich DMV area. Along with recruiting extensively in that area at Penn State, Franklin coached for two stints maryland as an assistant and for one year james madison,
