Lead: Virginia Tech announced on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, that it has finalized an agreement to hire 53-year-old James Franklin as its next head football coach. Franklin arrives five weeks after his dismissal at Penn State and will replace Brent Pry, who was fired on Sept. 14 after a 16-24 run at the school. The move concludes the Hokies’ national search and positions a high-profile, experienced leader to try to reverse multiple losing seasons. Athletic department officials and sources say the deal reflects both financial investment and an expectation of renewed competitiveness in the ACC.
Key Takeaways
- James Franklin, 53, was formally hired by Virginia Tech on Nov. 17, 2025, five weeks after his Oct. 12 firing at Penn State.
- Brent Pry, Franklin’s predecessor and former defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt and Penn State, was dismissed on Sept. 14 after a 16-24 record at Virginia Tech.
- Penn State had been contractually liable for nearly $49 million to Franklin; sources say the parties negotiated a $9 million buyout recently.
- Franklin led Penn State since 2014 and took the program to a College Football Playoff semifinal the prior season; his teams were 4-21 versus top-10 opponents and 1-18 versus top-10 Big Ten teams.
- The Hokies have not won more than eight games in a season since 2017 and are on pace for their fifth losing season in six years, making leadership change a priority.
- Virginia Tech’s hiring process included an eight-member search committee with alumni and former program leaders such as Bruce Arians, Bud Foster and Eddie Royal.
- The university approved a $229 million athletic budget increase over four years aimed at elevating competitiveness within the ACC.
- Franklin brings regional recruiting ties, particularly to Hampton Roads, and a demonstrated track record of rebuilding programs, notably Vanderbilt’s 2012 turnaround.
Background
James Franklin took over Penn State in 2014 and quickly returned the program to national relevance, culminating in a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance in the 2024 season. Despite that high-water mark, Franklin’s teams repeatedly faltered against the sport’s elite: he finished 4-21 against top-10 opponents and only 1-18 versus top-10 Big Ten teams, a recurring criticism during his tenure.
The 2025 season began with playoff expectations for Penn State, but a mid-October stretch of losses to Oregon, UCLA and Northwestern precipitated a collapse. Athletic director Pat Kraft dismissed Franklin on Oct. 12, citing the program’s trajectory. Franklin publicly signaled his desire to return to coaching within days, including a high-profile appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay.
Virginia Tech has been searching for a coach to end a prolonged competitive slide. The Hokies have not exceeded eight wins in a season since 2017 and risk another losing campaign in 2025. The school convened an eight-member search committee blending alumni, former coaches and program figures to evaluate candidates and craft a turnaround plan.
Main Event
On Nov. 17, 2025, Virginia Tech finalized terms with Franklin, a process school officials say followed extensive internal deliberations and financial planning. Franklin will replace Brent Pry, who had served as Virginia Tech’s head coach since succeeding previous staff and was dismissed on Sept. 14 following a 16-24 record. Members of the search committee — including alumnus and Super Bowl-winning coach Bruce Arians, former defensive coordinator Bud Foster and ex-wide receiver Eddie Royal — endorsed the hire.
The negotiated terms reportedly follow a recent settlement with Penn State that reduced Franklin’s potential payout from nearly $49 million to roughly $9 million, a figure sources tied to the transaction described as part of the path enabling the new contract. Virginia Tech officials have signaled they were prepared to make significant financial commitments; the Board of Visitors had earlier approved a $229 million athletic budget increase designed to improve competitiveness.
Franklin inherits a roster and staff in mid-rebuild. The Hokies won their first two games under interim coach Philip Montgomery before a late-season fade; they held a 16-7 halftime lead at No. 16 Louisville in early November but could not sustain it. Program leaders view Franklin’s experience and regional recruiting ties, particularly in Hampton Roads, as assets to restore local pipelines and accelerate roster turnover.
The hire also marks the first major move in a broad coaching carousel: several Power Five programs, including LSU, Florida, Penn State, Auburn, Arkansas, UCLA and Oklahoma State, remained in search or transition mode, and Franklin’s availability sparked interest around how quickly veteran coaches would be reallocated.
Analysis & Implications
Strategically, Virginia Tech’s hire balances reduced external pressure with an aspirational ceiling. Blacksburg is a lower-pressure environment than State College in some respects, but Franklin’s history of competing for conference titles means expectations will grow if the team progresses. The ACC’s current parity — with traditional powers Clemson and Florida State underperforming in 2025 — creates a clearer route to conference contention than in prior years.
Financially, the reported buyout adjustment with Penn State and the Board of Visitors’ $229 million commitment suggest Virginia Tech is willing to pay to compete. That spending could attract higher-profile assistants and improve facilities, but it also raises the stakes for short-term results. Athletic departments increasingly view hiring as a capital investment tied to recruiting, donations and TV valuations; Franklin’s name recognition is intended to accelerate those levers.
On recruiting and roster construction, Franklin’s ties to Virginia and the Hampton Roads region provide an immediate advantage. Penn State continued to pull top Virginia prospects as recently as 2023, and Franklin’s relationships may help the Hokies recover local talent. Success in recruiting will be a key early indicator of the hire’s effectiveness and will shape the program’s five-year trajectory.
There are competitive risks: Franklin’s track record against elite opponents and in high-stakes matchups at Penn State will be scrutinized if Virginia Tech reaches key postseason thresholds. Moreover, turning around a program that has produced multiple losing seasons requires upgrades across staff, facilities and player development; the financial plan provides resources but not a guaranteed timetable.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | James Franklin (Penn State) | Virginia Tech (recent) |
|---|---|---|
| Tenure | 2014–2025 | Brent Pry: 2023–2025 |
| Top-10 record | 4-21 vs top-10; 1-18 vs top-10 Big Ten | Program has not won >8 games since 2017 |
| Recent head-coach record | Playoff semifinal (2024 season) | Pry: 16-24 at VT; fired Sept. 14, 2025 |
| Institutional investment | — | $229M athletic budget increase (4 years) |
The table highlights the contrast between Franklin’s national-level experience and Virginia Tech’s recent underperformance. While Franklin offers a resume that includes postseason success and program building, Virginia Tech’s institutional investment and recruiting geography will be crucial to converting that experience into sustained wins.
Reactions & Quotes
Hokie Nation, we got our guy. Coach Franklin’s here to win.
Virginia Tech Football (official social media)
The athletic department’s social channels framed the hire as a rallying moment for fans and alumni, emphasizing immediate optimism about recruiting and competitiveness.
We’re just going to go win the national championship somewhere else now.
James Franklin (College GameDay appearance, Nov. 2025)
Franklin’s public comments after his Penn State departure signaled ambition and readiness to return to coaching quickly. The remark has been cited by supporters as evidence of confidence and by critics as audacity given the recent collapse at Penn State.
The search committee conducted a thorough process and evaluated candidates with Virginia Tech’s long-term competitiveness in mind.
Search committee representative (statement)
Committee members told donors and stakeholders the school prioritized a balance of immediate credibility and program-building skills when recommending Franklin.
Unconfirmed
- The precise annual salary and total compensation Franklin will receive at Virginia Tech have not been publicly released and remain unverified.
- Details of the Penn State settlement reportedly reducing the buyout to $9 million have been reported by regional outlets but have not been confirmed in full by Penn State or Franklin’s office.
- Any staff changes, assistant-coach hires, or guaranteed recruiting commitments tied to Franklin’s contract have not been finalized in public documents.
Bottom Line
Virginia Tech’s hiring of James Franklin combines a high-profile, experienced coach with a program that has underperformed for several seasons. The move represents an attempt to accelerate recruiting, energize the fanbase and position the Hokies to compete for ACC titles amid a period of conference volatility.
Success will depend on multiple near-term variables: how quickly Franklin assembles a supporting staff, whether the school’s financial commitments translate into facility and personnel upgrades, and whether regional recruiting improves. For Virginia Tech supporters, the hire restores a clear vision; for skeptics, the questions about Franklin’s record in marquee games will follow and shape assessments of the hire’s long-term value.
Sources
- The New York Times / The Athletic (news report)
- Centre Daily Times (regional news report on reported buyout negotiations)
- Virginia Tech Athletics (official athletics site)