“There’s great passion & support”: James Franklin explains why the Hokies were impossible to turn down

James Franklin has accepted the head coach role with the Virginia Tech Hokies. The former Penn State Nittany Lions head coach wasn't in the job market for long, and he's now taking his talents to Virginia.

While speaking before the Miami vs. Virginia Tech game, James Franklin explained why the Hokies' job was too good to refuse. He said,

"There's great passion and support for this place ... and now it's my job and our job to get this program back to where everybody wants it to be."

The Virginia Tech Hokies play their football at the 65,632 capacity Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. The program has an impressive fan base, and Franklin is enthusiastic about savoring the experience as their head coach.

Franklin was relieved of his responsibilities as Penn State head coach after starting the 2025 season 3-3. He's now taking over a Virginia Tech side that has performed well below its historic standards in the past few seasons under his former assistant, Brent Pry.

James Franklin brings CFP pedigree to Virginia Tech

James Franklin is a seasoned campaigner who guided the Penn State Nittany Lions to their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. He achieved the feat by compiling an 11-1 regular season record with his team's sole loss coming against eventual national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Franklin guided the Nittany Lions to two wins in the playoffs before suffering a 27–24 loss to the Marcus Freeman-coached Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the semifinal round. It marked the end of a historic season for the Nittany Lions.

Franklin's troops had a poor start to the 2025 season, going 3-3. It ultimately cost him his job, and he departed the program after over a decade and a 104–45 overall record. The Virginia Tech Hokies jumped at the chance to hire one of the most experienced coaches in the current CFB landscape.

According to The Palm Beach Post, Franklin has signed a five-year deal worth at least $41.75 million. His 2026 salary is $6 million, which will increase to over $13 million by the final year in 2030. He'll look to start his tenure in 2026.

Edited by Nick Igbokwe