Virginia Tech announced Monday that James Franklin will be its next head football coach and will be formally introduced at a Wednesday news conference. Franklin said he is honored to join the Hokie community and aims to restore sustained excellence, build a lasting program, and lead with integrity and passion.
Sources told ESPN that part of Franklin’s contract with Virginia Tech includes a $9 million settlement from Penn State; he had originally been owed a $49 million buyout after his Oct. 12 firing. The Centre Daily Times first reported the settlement.
Franklin’s résumé includes a 128-60 record across 12 seasons at Penn State and three at Vanderbilt, a 2016 Big Ten title, and a 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. He won better than 68% of his Power Five games overall and guided Penn State to six seasons of 10 or more wins, including three straight from 2022-24. Still, his teams went 4-21 against AP top-10 opponents.
He succeeds Brent Pry, Virginia Tech’s former defensive coordinator, who was dismissed in September after an 0-3 start and finished 16-24 over four seasons with the Hokies. Athletic director Whit Babcock described Franklin as a transformative hire —
