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The James Franklin effect is already happening.
Franklin was fired from Penn State last month after a terrible start turned out to be icing on the cake for a lack of success against top 10 teams during his tenure. But last week, Virginia Tech officially hired him to lead its football program and he’s apparently already making his mark.
According to Rivals, five Penn State committees have taken, or are scheduled to, official visits to the new Franklin school.
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Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin speaks during the press conference at Cassell Coliseum. (Brian Bishop/Image Images)
Offensive linemen Benjamin Eziuka and Roseby Lubintus told the outlet they would make visits, as did the father of four-star quarterback Troy Huhn.
Franklin was fired by Penn State following the Nittany Lions’ loss to Northwestern, the program’s third straight loss and another shocking outcome after a loss. to UCLA the previous week. The Nittany Lions are now 4-6 on the season and 1-6 in Big Ten play.
It’s been a mediocre few seasons for Virginia Tech under head coach Brent Pry and his predecessor, Justin Fuente. However, Franklin’s adaptive approach to the modern college football landscape could change things quickly in Blacksburg.
LR, John Rocovich, Timothy Sands, James Franklin and Whit Babcock hold up a Virginia Tech jersey during the press conference celebrating Franklin as head coach at Cassell Coliseum. (Brian Bishop/Image Images)
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Franklin will be the program’s most successful head coach since Frank Beamer retired in 2015 after 29 seasons leading the Hokies. Franklin, who previously coached at Vanderbilt before joining Penn State, was 128-60 in his 15 seasons as head coach.
Despite this season’s struggles, Franklin was coming off a 2024 campaign that included an appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals and a 2016 Big Ten championship.
“I can’t wait… I’ve been watching that introduction to college football my whole life,” Franklin said at his inaugural news conference. “It’s something special.”
Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin and his wife Fumi enter a press conference introducing him as head coach at Cassell Coliseum. (Brian Bishop/Image Images)
“We were one step away from playing in the national championship, so I know what it’s going to be like,” Franklin added.
