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1h ago

Virginia Tech Hires James Franklin as Head Coach

The hire follows a $229 million budget infusion aimed at accelerating the Hokies’ football rebuild.

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STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 11: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions claps during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 11, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 11: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during a press conference after the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 11, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Franklin, fired by Penn State on Oct. 12 after a 3-3 start, will be formally introduced Wednesday in Blacksburg, according to the school.
  • He succeeds Brent Pry, who was dismissed in September after an 0-3 start and finished 16-24 over four seasons.
  • The 53-year-old owns a 128-60 head-coaching record, including a 2016 Big Ten championship and a 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal appearance.
  • Penn State’s roughly $49 million buyout obligation is expected to be reduced through standard contract offsets once Franklin’s Virginia Tech deal is finalized.
  • Virginia Tech targeted Franklin for his recruiting reach in the DMV/I-95 corridor and to capitalize on an ACC landscape viewed as open for ascent.