The first domino is falling for coaching hires in this year’s college football carousel.
Virginia Tech is set to hire former Vanderbilt and Penn State head coach James Franklin. The Hokies dismissed Brent Pry on Sept. 14 after an 0-3 start, and Franklin was let go weeks later following Penn State’s third straight loss.
BREAKING: Virginia Tech is hiring James Franklin as its next head coach, @PeteNakos reports👀https://t.co/ToDICc4qlB pic.twitter.com/1yZNIGI2I7
— On3 (@On3sports) November 17, 2025
A lot has been made about Franklin’s abysmal 4-21 record against top ten teams, but he also won double digit games in six of his last nine seasons at Penn State.
Virginia Tech is seeking a full rebuild, having not reached double-digit wins since 2016. Under longtime coach Frank Beamer, the Hokies hit 10 or more victories every season from 2004–11.
Franklin has a proven track record at the Power Four level, winning nine games in back-to-back seasons at Vanderbilt and leading Penn State to a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance last year.
Franklin has a career record of 128-60 for a winning percentage of .681.
Penn State and James Franklin recently negotiated his buyout down to $9 million, sources tell @CBSSports.
His contract called for a buyout of $49 million to be paid through 2031, which could be offset by future earning at another job. He’s now headed to Virginia Tech. pic.twitter.com/cWrg2EfPdJ
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) November 17, 2025
