James Franklin hired as Virginia Tech's coach, just over a month after Penn State fired him

By JIMMY ROBERTSON
Associated Press

Associated Press

Published: 

Tags: Virginia Tech-Franklin, James Franklin

Virginia Tech Florida St Football Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones (1) looks to pass against Florida State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Colin Hackley/AP)

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — James Franklin was hired as Virginia Tech's coach on Monday, a little more than a month after he was fired during his 12th season at Penn State.

The Hokies announced the move Monday evening, becoming the first Power 4 football program to fill a coaching vacancy this season.

Franklin was set to be formally introduced at a news conference Wednesday morning.

He was fired by the Nittany Lions on Oct. 12, a day after they lost at home to Northwestern to fall to 3-3.

The 53-year-old Franklin went 104-45 at Penn State, winning a Big Ten championship (2016), a Fiesta Bowl (2017) and a Rose Bowl (2022). Last season, he led the Nittany Lions to a first-round victory in the College Football Playoff.

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