James Franklin's first coaching staff continues to come together with Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reporting that Virginia Tech is expected to retain WRs coach Fontel Mines.
Virginia Tech is expected to retain wide receivers coach Fontel Mines as part of James Franklin’s staff, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 14, 2025
Was on the staff under Brent Pry and coached players like 2025 fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane. Now expected to continue on at Va Tech under Franklin. pic.twitter.com/KLWeAzFCSm
Mines is the first true retention of an assistant since the arrival of James Franklin given Brent Pry's dismissal a few months ago before news broke of his stunning return. Mines joins offensive coordinator/TEs coach Ty Howle, QBs coach Danny O'Brien, and assistant TEs coach David Rocco as part of Franklin's first offensive staff.
This is not the first time that Franklin has tried to Mines after Franklin tried to poach him to fill Penn State's WRs coach a couple years ago. However, Mines instead agreed to a raise at VT with Franklin then turning to UVA WRs coach Marques Hagens to fill that position on his staff.
Mines has been Virginia Tech's top recruiting ace since his arrival prior to the 2022 season, landing several four-star wide receivers while helping the Hokies land lots of talent out of two crucial, talent-rich parts of Virginia: Richmond and the 757. He's also been effective finding talent through the transfer portal and winning some major battles in that areas for guys like Ali Jennings and Jaylin Lane most notably.
Mines has developed one draft pick so far in Jaylin Lane while Ayden Greene seems likely to have a NFL future after a solid junior season amidst a messy passing attack.
We will have more as this story develops.
