The biggest coaching domino of the 2025 carousel landed on Sunday when the Penn State Nittany Lions fired head coach James Franklin. First, the Penn State job immediately jumps to the top of the list of coaching openings, and Franklin becomes a leading contender for every team that needs a coach.
Which leads us to Virginia Tech. Should the Hokies pursue Franklin?
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This one is easy: YES! Virginia Tech should not only call Franklin, but they should pursue him. Of course, this one is weird. The Hokies just fired Franklin’s good friend, Brent Pry, but money talks. We know the Hokies are expected to receive a significant influx of cash, and Virginia Tech could be a soft landing spot for Franklin if he wants to coach immediately.
Of course, maybe he wants some time off. Penn State owes Franklin $45 million for the remainder of his contract, the second largest in college football history behind Jimbo Fisher when Texas A&M fired him in 2023. Interestingly enough, Fisher could also be an option for the Hokies.
Franklin will be a top contender for other jobs that may also open. Florida, Florida State, North Carolina and Wisconsin are jobs that could potentially open. The 53-year-old Franklin is an elite recruiter and holds a career record of 128-60-1 in 15 seasons as head coach at Vanderbilt and Penn State. Franklin was in his 12th season with the Nittany Lions and finished his time in Happy Valley with a 104-45 record, including a 64-36 mark in Big Ten play.
That’s not good enough for Virginia Tech?
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So why was Franklin fired? Simply put, he never won big games. He had plenty of chances, but failed repeatedly, despite always having talented rosters. Amazingly, one month ago, Penn State was 3-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country. First, PSU lost to then-No. 6 Oregon — another big game lost — but what happened afterward was even more embarrassing for the Nittany Lions. They lost to previously winless UCLA (42-37) and Northwestern this weekend at Happy Valley.
Virginia Tech fans may ask: Why would we want a guy who can’t win big games? Have you seen what the Hokies have trotted out there for the past 10 years? Franklin hasn’t won big games, but when was the last time the Hokies truly played in a big game?
Franklin may have issues, but he’ll have no shortage of suitors. He can flat-out recruit and can assemble a quality coaching staff. Of course, he may want to wait for another job.
As for Penn State, you’d have to think it already has a top target in mind. Matt Rhule of Nebraska is already a popular name. Rhule played at Penn State under Joe Paterno and would make many in Happy Valley…..happy. Don’t be surprised if that’s the hire.
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Whoever Virginia Tech hires, they’ll have to get busy assembling a roster as soon as a new coach is hired. The NCAA voted for only one transfer portal window. The new rules mean the transfer portal will only be open for 10 days in January, instead of the previous two portal windows.
Several Virginia Tech fans will not want Franklin. I’m not sure why. He would immediately upgrade the Hokies’ profile, become a powerhouse on the recruiting trail — more cash helps — and bring instant credibility. A coach like Franklin would also do well in the transfer portal at his next stop.
While it’s doubtful that Franklin will be Virginia Tech’s next head coach, he should vault to the top of the board.
