Sources: Virginia Tech in early talks with Franklin

Published: Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 2:50 pm

Virginia Tech in Talks with James Franklin

Blacksburg, VA - Virginia Tech is reportedly in early discussions with former Penn State head coach James Franklin, according to sources. The talks are in the initial stages, with a decision on Franklin's potential hiring expected in the coming days. While Virginia Tech is still conducting a comprehensive coaching search, sources indicate a mutual interest between the university and Franklin.

The coaching vacancy at Virginia Tech arose following the firing of Brent Pry on September 14th. The decision came after a disappointing 0-3 start to the season, including a home loss to Old Dominion.

Franklin's departure from Penn State occurred on October 12th, after 12 seasons. His dismissal followed a three-game losing streak, which included a home loss to Northwestern. This string of defeats marked a significant downturn for the program, especially considering their appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals less than a year prior. The Nittany Lions also suffered a loss to UCLA, a team that had not previously held a lead all season.

During his tenure at Penn State, Franklin faced challenges against top-ranked opponents. His record against AP top-10 teams was 4-21, including 1-18 against top-10 Big Ten teams in conference games. His .160 winning percentage against AP top-10 teams is tied for the third-worst record by a coach (minimum 25 games) at a single school since the poll era began in 1936.

Despite the recent struggles, Franklin achieved considerable success at Penn State, accumulating 104 wins and reaching double-digit wins six times in 11 seasons, including the previous three.

BNN's Perspective: The potential hiring of James Franklin by Virginia Tech presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario. While Franklin's recent performance at Penn State raises concerns, his past successes and experience could bring a needed boost to the Hokies' program. However, Virginia Tech must carefully evaluate Franklin's ability to adapt and rebuild, considering the challenges he faced in his final seasons at Penn State.

Keywords: Virginia Tech, James Franklin, Penn State, coaching search, college football, Brent Pry, Nittany Lions, Hokies, hiring, football coach, Big Ten, AP top-10, losing streak, playoffs

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