According to multiple reports, Virginia Tech is in discussions with former Penn State head coach James Franklin to be their next head coach. Franklin is also their top target
James Franklin and Virginia Tech have been "engrossed" in contract discussions for weeks, per @RossDellenger. pic.twitter.com/Lb2CEF46XY
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 15, 2025
James Franklin has been the top target at Virginia Tech for well over a week. Hokies want to get deal done soon, sources have emphasized to @On3sports.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) November 15, 2025
He’s also been in the mix at other openings. Franklin would be able to start immediately working on his 2026 roster. https://t.co/30v41HDRSi
James Franklin and Virginia Tech are engaged in the early stages of talks about him becoming the football program's next head coach, per @PeteThamel. pic.twitter.com/qbCkHnWSgC
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 15, 2025
Franklin has been linked with VT for weeks now with the former Penn State coach being understandably deemed a great fit given his reputation as a great recruiter in the region VT needs to recruits well and his ability to build high-level programs out of tough spots as he did at Vanderbilt and Penn State. If VT can pull this off, it would be a tremendous coup given the run that Arkansas has made at him too, the interest at minimum that Auburn has, the looming possibility of Florida State opening and their expected interest, and the potential for either Florida or LSU to consider Franklin seriously if either or both miss on Lane Kiffin.
Franklin is considering Virginia Tech after a highly successful 12-year at Penn State during which he went 104-45 with six 10+ win seasons, one Big 10 title, two Big 10 title game appearances, a 2024 CFP run to the semifinals, and four New Year’s Six Bowl victories in seven NY6 appearances. In the process, Franklin led Penn State out of severe and rightful NCAA sanctions that decimated the program and back to being among the top 10 programs in the country on a consistent basis. He also won big at Vanderbilt with three bowl games in three seasons including two nine-win seasons at the end of his tenure prior to taking the Penn State job.
We will have more as this story develops.
