Virginia Tech has formally extended a comprehensive and highly structured Letter of Intent (LOI) to James Franklin, offering him the position of Head Football Coach effective November 15, 2025.
The LOI, pending execution of a full employment agreement and approval by the University’s Board of Visitors, outlines a lucrative and highly detailed compensation, performance incentive, and program governance package.
Under the proposed terms, Franklin’s contract runs through December 31, 2030, ensuring a five-plus-year foundational window for rebuilding, recruiting, and elevating the program.
The compensation structure is divided into a $500,000 annual base salary across all contract years and a substantial supplemental compensation package that scales significantly over time.
Supplemental compensation begins at a pro-rated $5.5 million in 2025 and remains at $5.5 million in 2026 before adjusting to $4.5 million in 2027 and $3.5 million in 2028.
Compensation spikes dramatically in the final two years of the term, reaching $12.25 million in 2029 and $12.75 million in 2030—reflecting an investment approach aligned with projected program growth and evolving competitive expectations.
The LOI contains an extensive achievement-based bonus structure, rewarding Franklin and designated assistant-coach and support-staff pools for regular-season wins and postseason achievements.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Win totals from six to twelve generate bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for Franklin, with corresponding pool bonuses for staff. Postseason incentives include rewards for ACC Championship Game appearances and victories, as well as escalating College Football Playoff (CFP) bonuses, topping out at $800,000 for capturing a national championship.
Additional incentives include performance-based viewership bonuses (up to $800,000) and national Coach of the Year awards.
Beyond financial compensation, the LOI offers a robust suite of fringe benefits.
These include a private suite at home football games, extensive ticket allotments, a courtesy vehicle, country club membership, comprehensive family travel privileges, and standard university employee benefits. A one-time relocation bonus of $65,000 is also provided, with an option for up to $50,000 in reimbursable relocation expenses.
Virginia Tech is committing significant resources to staffing and program infrastructure, allocating up to $9.5 million annually for assistant coaches and up to $6 million for football support staff. Roles supported include analysts, recruiting personnel, data analysts, creative media, NIL-related positions, sports science, and more. An annual recruiting budget of up to $3 million further reinforces the university’s investment in roster building.
Franklin has a minimal buyout of $8 million under the liquidated damages prior to July 15, 2026, which reduces to $6 million for the 2026 season.
