Virginia Tech reportedly looking to hire James Franklin as next head coach

article

Penn State's head coach James Franklin reacts following an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Sam Balkansky)

BLACKSBURG, VA. - Virginia Tech is reportedly finalizing a deal with former Penn State football Head Coach James Franklin, according to ESPN. 

The sports network says that a deal is expected to come down soon, and that Franklin will serve as the school's next head coach. 

What we know:

Assuming the deal goes through, Franklin will replace Brent Pry, who was fired earlier this year following a 0-3 start to Virginia Tech's season. 

Following Pry's firing, Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors announced that it was planning to add $229 million to the school's athletics budget through 2029; this was partially done to lure bigger names to the school's coaching staff, as ESPN notes.  

Penn State fires Franklin 

The backstory:

Penn State fired Head Coach James Franklin following the team's loss to Northwestern last month. He also previously served as the head coach at Vanderbilt. 

Franklin went 128-60 between the two schools over 15 seasons, according to ESPN. He's reportedly won more than 68% of the games he's coached and led Penn State to the semifinals of the 2024 College Football Playoffs and helped them win a Big Ten Championship in 2016. 

According to the details of Franklin's contract with Penn State, the school still owes Franklin $49 million, but depending on what Virginia Tech offers the coach, that figure could change.