James Franklin finalizing deal to become Virginia Tech's new head football coach: report

James Franklin has already recovered a caller squad to manager successful assemblage shot pursuing his firing by Penn State.

Franklin and Virginia Tech person reportedly finalized a woody to marque him the adjacent Hokies caput shot coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Over the weekend, a study surfaced stating Franklin and Virginia Tech were "engaged successful the aboriginal stages of talks" astir the role.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Penn State Nittany Lions caput manager James Franklin stands connected the tract pursuing the crippled against the Northwestern Wildcats astatine Beaver Stadium connected Oct. 11, 2025 successful University Park, Penn. (Matthew O'Haren/Imagn Images)

Franklin was fired by Penn State pursuing the Nittany Lions’ nonaccomplishment to Northwestern, the program’s 3rd consecutive decision and different shocking effect aft a nonaccomplishment to UCLA the erstwhile week. The Nittany Lions are present 4-6 connected the play and 1-6 successful Big Ten play.

Franklin volition regenerate Brent Pry, his erstwhile antiaircraft coordinator, aft Pry was fired successful September. The Hokies went 0-3 to commencement the year, and Pry had a 16-24 grounds done 4 seasons with the program.

JAMES FRANKLIN IN ‘EARLY TALKS’ ‘TO BECOME VIRGINIA TECH’S NEXT HEAD COACH: REPORT

It’s been a lackluster fewer seasons for Virginia Tech nether Pry and his predecessor, Justin Fuente. However, Franklin’s adaptive attack to the modern assemblage shot scenery could crook things astir rapidly successful Blacksburg.

Franklin would beryllium the astir accomplished caput manager for the programme since Frank Beamer retired successful 2015 aft 29 seasons starring the Hokies. Franklin, who antecedently coached astatine Vanderbilt earlier joining Penn State, went 128-60 implicit his 15 seasons arsenic a caput coach.

Despite this season’s struggles, Franklin was coming disconnected a 2024 run that included a College Football Playoff semifinal quality and a 2016 Big Ten Championship.

Penn State diversion manager Pat Kraft gives caput shot manager James Franklin a large hug pursuing a 33-24 triumph implicit Indiana astatine Beaver Stadium Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, successful State College, Penn. (IMAGN)

With Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors approving a program to adhd $229 cardinal to its athletics fund implicit the adjacent 4 years, hiring idiosyncratic similar Franklin – with his recruiting acumen – could marque the Hokies an charismatic destination for apical endowment nationwide.

Franklin was ne'er expected to beryllium disposable for hire, arsenic the Nittany Lions opened the twelvemonth ranked No. 3 successful the country. But aft 3 consecutive blowout wins to unfastened the season, a double-overtime nonaccomplishment to No. 6 Oregon sent Penn State into a spiral. That whitethorn present payment the Hokies arsenic they look to get the programme backmost connected way successful an ACC that lacks a existent powerhouse.

Franklin ne'er saw his Nittany Lions assistance a nationalist title trophy, arsenic the squad went 4-21 against AP Top 10 opponents during his tenure successful State College.

Penn State caput manager James Franklin reacts during the 2nd 4th of an NCAA assemblage shot crippled against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, successful State College, Penn. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

The Hokies past won double-digit games successful a play successful 2016. Franklin achieved that people six times, including 3 consecutive campaigns from 2022 to 2024.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Virginia Tech volition anticipation Franklin tin bring 1 adjacent season—and galore much aft that.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.