Virginia Tech Lands James Franklin as New Head Coach
Big news in college football today, especially for Virginia Tech fans. The Hokies have officially moved to hire James Franklin as their new head football coach, filling the vacancy left when Brent Pry was let go earlier this season. This decision marks one of the most high-profile moves on the 2025-26 coaching carousel, and it’s a hiring that could immediately reshape the ACC landscape.
Franklin, who was most recently at Penn State, is no stranger to big programs. Over 12 seasons with the Nittany Lions, he compiled a 104–45 record, consistently keeping Penn State near the top of the Big Ten. His teams won at least 10 games in six of those seasons, and in 2024, they made it to the College Football Playoff semifinal, narrowly losing 27–24 to Notre Dame. Despite this success, the 2025 season started off rocky with a 3-3 record and injuries to key players, including starting quarterback Drew Allar. That led to his dismissal in October, ending a decade-plus run in Happy Valley.
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Even though his final season at Penn State didn’t go as planned, Franklin brings a résumé that few coaches can match. He had 10 postseason appearances from 2014 to 2024 and guided his teams to multiple top-10 finishes in the AP poll. While critics noted struggles against top-ranked teams, Franklin’s overall record and experience at major programs make him an immediate upgrade for Virginia Tech. In fact, he now becomes the first Hokies coach since Frank Beamer to have won 11 games at a Power Four school.
Virginia Tech hasn’t seen this level of coaching attention in years. After Brent Pry’s departure following a rough start to the 2025 season, the Hokies were looking for someone who could quickly bring credibility and success back to the program. Franklin not only fits that mold but also brings strong recruiting ties to the Mid-Atlantic region, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the DMV area. At Penn State, he successfully recruited some of Virginia’s top talent, a connection that could pay immediate dividends for the Hokies.
The timing couldn’t be better. With traditional ACC powers like Clemson and Florida State struggling this season, Virginia Tech has a prime opportunity to rise in the conference standings. The university has shown it’s serious about supporting Franklin, approving a plan to add $229 million to the athletic budget over the coming years, with a significant portion aimed at improving the football program.
In short, James Franklin’s hiring is a bold statement by Virginia Tech. The Hokies are betting on a coach with a proven track record, national experience, and strong regional recruiting ties to bring them back into contention. For fans in Blacksburg, it’s a move full of promise—and one that could signal the start of an exciting new chapter in Virginia Tech football.
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