James Franklin interview updates: Where fired Penn State coach stands with Virginia Tech, Arkansas, FSU

Former Penn State Nittany Lions football coach James Franklin has been active trying to get a new job after his firing in mid-October. Apparently, Franklin’s been in deep negotiations with several job openings but has his eyes on one.

Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Franklin and the Virginia Tech Hokies’ brain trust are deep in negotiations, but the ball is in the 53-year-old’s court.

“Former Penn State coach James Franklin and Virginia Tech are in the early stages of talks, with some resolution on his candidacy expected in the coming days, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Saturday,” Thamel prefaced before saying, “Virginia Tech is still running a full search, but it's clear there is mutual interest between the parties, sources said.”

That Franklin is making Virginia Tech wait shows where all the leverage is. In real time, Franklin has lowered the prestige of the Hokies’ job. If their planned financial infusion into their program can’t corral Franklin, the Hokies' job is clearly a tough sell.

Franklin reportedly had his interview with the Arkansas Razorbacks as well. Inside Arkansas’s John Nabors reports that things went even worse with the Hogs, since Franklin has already decided he doesn’t want Fayetteville.

“Assuming this isn’t everyone’s favorite word of a ‘smokescreen,’ make no mistake about it,” Nabors wrote. “Arkansas wanted James Franklin. They pursued James Franklin. They had serious talks with James Franklin. They missed on James Franklin.”

Meanwhile, On3’s Brett McMurphy reports that Franklin’s preferred landing spot is the Florida State Seminoles.

“How messed up is college football? Virginia Tech wants an answer from James Franklin, but he could have an eye on Florida State (if it opens). So if Hokies beat FSU today, they could increase chances of Norvell's firing & ultimately hurt Tech’s chances in hiring Franklin,” McMurphy tweeted.

The Hokies lost 34-14 to the Noles, so that’s not a concern.

What is concerning? Franklin is playing tough to get, and has already exposed two coaching jobs for not being up to snuff.