James Franklin hired as Virginia Tech’s coach, just over a month after Penn State fired him – Chicago Tribune
BLACKSBURG, Va. — James Franklin was hired as Virginia Tech’s coach Monday, a little more than a month after he was fired during his 12th season at Penn State.
The Hokies became the first Power 4 football program to fill a coaching vacancy this season. Franklin is expected to be formally introduced at a news conference Wednesday morning.
He was fired by the Nittany Lions on October 12, a day after losing at home to Northwestern to fall to 3-3.
Franklin, 53, went 104-45 at Penn State, winning a Big Ten championship (during the 2016 season), a Fiesta Bowl (2017) and a Rose Bowl (2022). Last season, he led the Nittany Lions to a victory in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
“I am humbled and humbled to join the Hokie family,” Franklin said in a statement. “My vision is simple: restore unparalleled excellence, build something that lasts, and serve this university, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our incredible fan base with honor, integrity, and passion. I look forward to working with our players, staff, and the entire Virginia Tech community.”
Terms of Franklin’s contract were not disclosed. Before being hired by Virginia Tech, Penn State was facing a buyout worth nearly $50 million.
Franklin has an overall record of 128-60, including his three seasons at Vanderbilt. In Blacksburg, he succeeds his former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Brent Pry, who was fired Sept. 14 after the Hokies lost their first three games by an average of 18.7 points. Virginia Tech started 0-3 for the first time since 1987.
Pry went 16-24, including 10-13 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, in his three-plus seasons. The Hokies (3-7, 2-4 ACC) have since been led by interim coach Philip Montgomery.
Franklin was maligned at Penn State for not winning big games — he went 4-21 against teams ranked in the top 10 in the AP poll — but he brings credibility to a Virginia Tech program that has struggled since Frank Beamer retired in 2015 after 29 years at the helm.
Athletic director Whit Babcock hired first Justin Fuente and then Pry in hopes of continuing the success Beamer had, but both coaches failed. That prompted Virginia Tech President Tim Sands to form a search committee to hire the next coach and limit the scope of Babcock’s role.
The Hokies have just four winning seasons since Beamer retired and six since Babcock became AD in 2014.
The committee landed on Franklin, whose Penn State teams won at least 10 games six times during his tenure. Franklin also showed an ability to recruit in Virginia. In 2023, he recruited six of the state’s top 10 prospects, according to various recruiting services, and one of his best players over the past five years was Tyler Warren, a tight end from the Richmond area who was a first-round NFL draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts this spring and is thriving as a rookie.
“His experience, passion and success embody our commitment to competing at the highest level,” Sands said of Franklin in a statement. “His selection is the result of an unprecedented collaboration of our athletic administration with university leaders, esteemed alumni including former NFL coaches and players, and our most dedicated supporters.
“James will provide the leadership and inspiration our student-athletes need, as well as the on-field performance that our university community, alumni and fans expect and deserve.” »
Virginia Tech is committed to providing Franklin with the resources he needs to succeed. The Board of Visitors approved a plan in late September to add $229 million to the athletic department’s budget over the next four years, primarily to strengthen the football program. However, half of this money comes from philanthropy and must be raised.
