It’s been rumored for weeks that former Penn State coach James Franklin could be coming to Virginia Tech, and we now have the most concrete info to date on the matter.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on College GameDay Saturday morning that Franklin and Virginia Tech are “in early stages of talks, with some resolution on his candidacy in expected in the upcoming days.”
“Tech is still running a full search, but it’s clear there’s mutual interest between the parties,” Thamel wrote.
Matt Zenitz of CBSSports posted that Franklin “continues to be the top target for the Virginia Tech head coaching job.”
“A final decision from Franklin on whether he’s going to take the job expected to come in the near future,” Zenitz wrote.
Franklin was Penn State’s coach as recently as last month.
But three straight losses— two of which as heavy favorites to UCLA and Northwestern— led to Franklin’s dismissal.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.This was predated by Virginia Tech firing one of Franklin’s closest friends, Brent Pry.
Pry was Penn State’s defensive coordinator for six seasons before taking the Virginia Tech head coaching job ahead of the 2022 season.
Virginia Tech was once a formidable program, but hasn’t had a consistent level of success since Frank Beamer retired after the 2015 season.
With Franklin’s success at Penn State (five New Year’s Six bowl wins, 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals), and his recruiting ties to the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t have success there.
The ACC is also easier than the Big Ten, which gives Franklin an advantage in qualifying for the College Football Playoff.
