Virginia Tech is reportedly closing in on an agreement to hire James Franklin as their next head coach, according to ESPN insider Pete Thamel.
The move comes after the Hokies fired Brent Pry just three games into the 2025 season, leaving the program in search of a high-profile replacement.
Franklin, a seasoned coach with a long track record, could bring stability and experience to Blacksburg, where expectations remain high for a historically successful program.
A Rollercoaster Run at Penn State
Franklin’s most recent tenure was at Penn State, where he spent 12 seasons trying to restore the Nittany Lions to national prominence following the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky scandal and Joe Paterno’s resignation.
During his time in Happy Valley, Franklin led the team to a 104-45 record and guided them to multiple New Year’s Six bowl games, winning the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, 2019 Cotton Bowl, and 2022 Rose Bowl.
He also helped Penn State reach its first-ever College Football Playoff last season, although they fell to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.
Despite these accomplishments, Franklin faced heavy criticism for his performance against top-ranked opponents.
His record stood at 15-29 against ranked teams, including 3-21 against top-ten opponents and 1-15 against top-five squads.
Vanderbilt Beginnings and Climb to Stardom
Before Penn State, Franklin made a name for himself at Vanderbilt, where he went 24-15 over three seasons.
He led the Commodores to a bowl game each year and posted 9-4 records in both 2012 and 2013, proving his ability to elevate a struggling program.
Virginia Tech’s Coaching Shake-Up
Franklin will inherit a Virginia Tech program that has struggled under recent leadership.
Brent Pry, his successor to Justin Fuente, managed only one winning season in 2023 and finished with a 16-24 overall record.
Ironically, Pry had spent over a decade working under Franklin as a defensive coordinator at both Vanderbilt and Penn State.
The Hokies have a storied history, highlighted by Frank Beamer’s legendary tenure.
Beamer guided Virginia Tech to a 1999 BCS National Championship game appearance with Michael Vick at quarterback and captured multiple conference titles in both the Big East and ACC.
The Challenge Ahead
Franklin faces the challenge of reviving the Hokies’ program midseason while meeting the expectations of fans and alumni accustomed to competing for ACC titles.
His experience managing pressure at Penn State and restoring a program after a crisis may serve him well as he navigates the challenges of Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech hopes that Franklin can recapture the winning tradition that made the Hokies one of Virginia’s most dominant football programs and restore pride to Lane Stadium.
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