James Franklin Repeatedly Interrupts Reporter During Zoom Press Conference
The short viral clip underlines his fraught rapport with local journalists, showing how Zoom glitches can make a brief greeting confusion spread widely.
Overview
- During a virtual press conference after Virginia Tech's Old Dominion game, coach James Franklin cut off Baltimore Sun reporter Michael Howes by repeatedly saying "Hey, Michael" as Howes began a question.
- Howes later posted that he was on Zoom without video and thought Franklin's audio was glitching, which explains his delayed response and the ensuing confusion.
- The exchange was widely shared online and described by multiple outlets as awkward or cringeworthy, turning a brief on-camera moment into a viral media item.
- Reporters noted the clip fits a pattern of prickly or unusual interactions between Franklin and the media dating to his time at Penn State, a dynamic he had said he wanted to improve in his new role.
- Beyond the immediate viral reaction, the episode highlights how virtual press formats can amplify small miscommunications and could influence Franklin's effort to build better local media relationships while he leads a 2-0 Hokies team.