In a bold move that’s already buzzing across the college football world, Virginia Tech has named James Franklin as their new head coach. Franklin, famous for his run at Penn State, says he’s sticking to long-term player development and old-school values—even as the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era shakes things up.
This comes right after Brent Pry’s dismissal following a rough start to the season. Franklin steps in with the tricky job of blending the chaos of modern college football with a stubborn commitment to traditional coaching.
The Franklin Era Begins at Virginia Tech
James Franklin, now 53, brings a ton of experience and a reputation for winning. At Penn State, he racked up a 128-60 record over 15 seasons.
He led the Nittany Lions to the 2024 College Football Playoff and snagged the 2016 Big Ten championship. With 104 wins in 12 seasons at Penn State, he’s second in school history, which says a lot about his knack for building a solid program.
Commitment to Player Development
Franklin’s all about developing his players as people, not just athletes. He’s said more than once that football’s about more than just the scoreboard.
*I’m a big believer that this is still a developmental game for young men — developing them on the football field, developing them in the classroom, and developing them to be prepared for the next phase of their lives,* Franklin shared at his first press conference. That fits right in with Virginia Tech’s tradition of growing talent on and off the field.
Balancing Tradition with Modern Challenges
The NIL era has changed everything, but Franklin insists you can still run a program with an *old-school perspective*. He wants Virginia Tech to be *transformational, not transactional.*
Sure, NIL matters, but he doesn’t want it to take over. *We’re not going to lead with money,* he said. The idea is for players to pick Virginia Tech for its values and what it offers, not just the paycheck.
Strategic Recruitment and the Transfer Portal
Franklin’s got deep recruiting ties, especially along the I-95 corridor—a key area for Virginia Tech. He pulled plenty of talent from the DMV region while at Penn State, and that’ll be huge as the Hokies look to rebuild.
Approach to the Transfer Portal
The transfer portal’s become a whirlwind, with players jumping around more than ever. Franklin knows he’ll have to use it, especially in year one, to fill some gaps.
But he’s wary of relying on it too much. *If you’re a portal team and you live by the portal, then every year you’re going to have to live by the portal. It’s hard to ever get out of that cycle,* he said. He wants a program that can stand on its own, not one that’s always scrambling for quick fixes.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Virginia Tech Football
Virginia Tech football’s had its ups and downs lately. The last 10-win season was back in 2016, and Frank Beamer’s legacy—those years of double-digit wins—still hangs over the program.
With Franklin in charge, there’s a cautious optimism about bringing those good times back. His focus on player growth, smart recruiting, and a balanced approach to the NIL era gives Hokies fans something to look forward to. But hey, in college football, nothing’s ever guaranteed, right?
Immediate Challenges and Opportunities
Franklin steps into his new role with a tough task ahead—he’s got to turn around a team that’s been struggling for a while. The Hokies are sitting at 3-4 under interim coach Philip Montgomery, and there are still games left against Miami and Virginia Tech.
Whether Franklin can quickly get his philosophy across and light a fire under his players is going to matter a lot in the short term. Still, he’s got this long-term vision and a real commitment to building something solid, which could set them up for future success.
His mix of old-school coaching values and some more modern strategies seems like a good fit for the weird landscape of the NIL era. If you’re curious about Franklin’s appointment or want to hear more about his plans for the program, check out the full article [here](https://www.joxfm.com/2025/11/19/james-franklin-virginia-tech-not-going-to-lead-with-money-in-nil-era/).
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