Overview
- Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft publicly congratulated Franklin on X, drawing sharp pushback from fans a month after firing him.
- Conflicting reports surfaced on Franklin’s Penn State buyout, with one outlet citing a reduced $8 million figure and a TV commentator referencing a sum near $49 million.
- Franklin has begun assembling his Virginia Tech operation, with multiple reports saying he is targeting former Penn State AD Sandy Barbour for a senior personnel and recruiting role.
- ESPN-linked coverage noted an introduction in Blacksburg scheduled for Wednesday, and Yahoo Sports reported Virginia Tech is lining up a major recruiting weekend for the Miami game.
- Reaction across the ACC framed the move as significant, with Clemson’s Dabo Swinney calling Franklin a strong fit and one insider reporting Franklin declined Arkansas before choosing the Hokies.