Overview
- A school-released term sheet pegs Franklin’s contract at a minimum of $41.75 million through 2030, with pay escalating to $12.75 million in year four and $13.25 million in year five.
- The deal features unique bonuses tied to TV viewership of up to $800,000 per year, plus incentives for 12-win seasons, coach-of-the-year honors, ACC title appearances and College Football Playoff success.
- Virginia Tech boosted its staff salary pool to $15.5 million, allocating $9.5 million for assistants and $6 million for supplemental roles such as analysts and recruiting, with additional increases triggered by win totals.
- Reporting confirms Penn State and Franklin negotiated his buyout down to about $9 million, far below the previously cited figure near $49 million.
- Early recruiting movement is underway as multiple Penn State commits schedule visits to Blacksburg, while quarterback Drew Allar publicly voiced support for his former coach.