Virginia Tech swung big and landed one of the most accomplished coaches on the market. The school announced Monday that James Franklin is the new face of Hokies football, giving the program its most proven leader since Frank Beamer.
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Franklin will be introduced Wednesday, but he wasted no time outlining his mission.
"My vision is simple," he said in a statement. "To restore unmatched excellence, to build something that lasts, and to serve this University, the Commonwealth of Virginia and our amazing fan base with honor, integrity and passion."
It's a major splash for Tech. Franklin arrives with a 128-60 career record, a Big Ten title, six double-digit win seasons at Penn State and an appearance in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals.
His buyout situation made things interesting — Penn State owed him $49 million after firing him in October, but sources told ESPN that his deal with the Hokies includes a $9 million settlement from the Nittany Lions.
Franklin replaces former defensive coordinator Brent Pry, who went 16-24 in four seasons and was fired after an 0-3 start. Tech's administration clearly wanted a reset. The school's Board of Visitors approved a four-year, $229 million athletics investment in the wake of Pry's firing, aimed at making the job appealing to someone with Franklin's résumé.
Athletic director Whit Babcock called Franklin's hire "a landmark moment," praising his track record of building and sustaining championship-caliber programs. And while Franklin's tenure at Penn State was criticized for a 4-21 record against AP top-10 opponents, he kept the Nittany Lions nationally relevant through sanctions, upheaval and high expectations.
Virginia Tech hasn't won 10 games since 2016. Hiring Franklin signals the school is done rebuilding and ready to rejoin the national conversation — with a coach who knows the DMV talent corridor as well as anyone.
