James Franklin Begins New Era as Virginia Tech Hokies Head Coach

James Franklin embarks on his inaugural season as the head coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies, expressing optimism about the team’s future. He has brought 12 of his former players from Penn State to the Hokies, aiding the team’s No. 7 rank in the transfer portal class. This influx of talent complements Virginia Tech’s strong lineup of returning players. The previous head coach, Brent Pry, rejoining as the defensive coordinator also strengthens the team.

At the ACC Media Days on Thursday, Franklin shared his confidence following his first offseason with the Hokies. According to college football expert Brett McMurphy from On3 Sports, Franklin stated, “We have won the offseason. We have had a great offseason.” He emphasized that the team has improved physically, saying, “We are bigger, we are stronger, we are faster than before.” However, he acknowledged the need for these improvements to manifest during the season.

Franklin’s departure from Penn State came after a challenging start in the 2025 season, getting fired following a 3-3 record despite his prior success in leading the team to over ten victories for three consecutive seasons. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, is eager to bounce back after a tough 2025 season that had them securing only three wins.

The Hokies are set to kick off their 2026 season against VMI on September 5. This game marks the beginning of a new chapter under Franklin’s leadership.