Virginia Tech hires former Penn State coach James Franklin...

US labels four European Antifa groups as global terrorists India's top court shifts online amid Delhi's toxic air crisis Israeli PM rules out Palestinian state, Hamas 'non-demilitarization' South Korea to invest $350 billion in new US trade and defense pact Virginia Tech hires former Penn State coach James Franklin (Photo credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images) A month after he was fired by Penn State, James Franklin has found another gig, becoming the next head coach at Virginia Tech, the school announced Monday. Franklin, 53, boasts a 128-60 record over 15 seasons at the helm of Penn State and Vanderbilt. He took the Nittany Lions to the 2024 College Football Playoff and won the 2016 Big Ten championship. However, Franklin was dismissed on Oct. 12 after Penn State -- No. 2 in the AP preseason poll -- lost 22-21 to visiting Northwestern and fell to 3-3 on the season and 0-3 in the Big Ten. Terry Smith was named interim coach and is 1-3 since Franklin was let go. Yet Franklin's 104 wins in 12 seasons at Penn State were second-most in school history, and he is one of just three active FBS coaches with a winning percentage at 68% or higher over the past 14 seasons. 'James Franklin embodies the spirit, vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence that will elevate Virginia Tech Football back on the national stage where it belongs,' director of athletics Whit Babcock said. 'This is a landmark moment for our program -- made possible by the unwavering commitment of our Board of Visitors, the Search Committee, University leadership, and donors, who share a bold 'Invest to Win' mindset. 'James is a dynamic leader, a relentless recruiter, and a coach who has proven he can build and sustain elite, championship-caliber programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Blacksburg and to entrust him with the future of VT Football.' Franklin succeeds Brent Pry, his former defensive coordinator at Penn State, who went 0-3 this season and 16-24 over four seasons with the Hokies. To help entice potential coaches to come to Blacksburg, Va., the Hokies' Board of Visitors passed a plan designed to add $229 million to the athletics budget over the next four years following Fry's dismissal. Meanwhile, Penn State, which initially owed Franklin $49 million for his contract, is expected to now only pay Franklin a lump sum of $9 million due to offset language in his contract, according to multiple reports (including CBS and NBC). Franklin presided over back-to-back nine-win seasons in rocketing the Vanderbilt program to unexpected highs to begin his career in 2011-13. Arriving in Happy Valley in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal in 2014, Franklin guided the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance as the program worked to resurrect its reputation. Franklin's main difficulty at the helm of the Nittany Lions was winning the big game, as he finished 4-21 against AP Top 10 opponents. He guided the program to six double-digit win seasons, including three straight from 2022-24. Virginia Tech last won 10 games in 2016. Frank Beamer led the Hokies to 10 or more wins in each season from 2004-11. Franklin, who served as an assistant at Maryland and James Madison, heavily recruited the I-95 corridor while at Penn State, including the DMV area -- a major recruitment area for Virginia Tech. --Field Level Media Virginia Tech hires former Penn State coach James Franklin Virginia Tech hires former Penn State coach James Franklin Field Level Media 18th November 2025, 11:55 GMT+11 (Photo credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images) A month after he was fired by Penn State, James Franklin has found another gig, becoming the next head coach at Virginia Tech, the school announced Monday. Franklin, 53, boasts a 128-60 record over 15 seasons at the helm of Penn State and Vanderbilt. He took the Nittany Lions to the 2024 College Football Playoff and won the 2016 Big Ten championship. However, Franklin was dismissed on Oct. 12 after Penn State -- No. 2 in the AP preseason poll -- lost 22-21 to visiting Northwestern and fell to 3-3 on the season and 0-3 in the Big Ten. Terry Smith was named interim coach and is 1-3 since Franklin was let go. Yet Franklin's 104 wins in 12 seasons at Penn State were second-most in school history, and he is one of just three active FBS coaches with a winning percentage at 68% or higher over the past 14 seasons. 'James Franklin embodies the spirit, vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence that will elevate Virginia Tech Football back on the national stage where it belongs,' director of athletics Whit Babcock said. 'This is a landmark moment for our program -- made possible by the unwavering commitment of our Board of Visitors, the Search Committee, University leadership, and donors, who share a bold 'Invest to Win' mindset. 'James is a dynamic leader, a relentless recruiter, and a coach who has proven he can build and sustain elite, championship-caliber programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Blacksburg and to entrust him with the future of VT Football.' Franklin succeeds Brent Pry, his former defensive coordinator at Penn State, who went 0-3 this season and 16-24 over four seasons with the Hokies. To help entice potential coaches to come to Blacksburg, Va., the Hokies' Board of Visitors passed a plan designed to add $229 million to the athletics budget over the next four years following Fry's dismissal. Meanwhile, Penn State, which initially owed Franklin $49 million for his contract, is expected to now only pay Franklin a lump sum of $9 million due to offset language in his contract, according to multiple reports (including CBS and NBC). Franklin presided over back-to-back nine-win seasons in rocketing the Vanderbilt program to unexpected highs to begin his career in 2011-13. Arriving in Happy Valley in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal in 2014, Franklin guided the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance as the program worked to resurrect its reputation. Franklin's main difficulty at the helm of the Nittany Lions was winning the big game, as he finished 4-21 against AP Top 10 opponents. He guided the program to six double-digit win seasons, including three straight from 2022-24. Virginia Tech last won 10 games in 2016. Frank Beamer led the Hokies to 10 or more wins in each season from 2004-11. Franklin, who served as an assistant at Maryland and James Madison, heavily recruited the I-95 corridor while at Penn State, including the DMV area -- a major recruitment area for Virginia Tech. --Field Level Media Discover moreBreaking News UpdatesFinancial market data subscriptionsBusiness news alertsMedia company profilesPolitical news updatesAirline flight booking servicesFinancial market newsNews aggregation toolsInternational relations booksStock market trading platforms Discover moreBusiness news alertsPolitical science coursesSports memorabilia team jerseysBusiness news newslettersDigital newspaper subscriptionNews aggregation toolsNews subscription serviceWorld map postersVPN services secure browsingGlobal politics analysis reports Michigan reports first confirmed outbreak of measles since 2019The Health Department in Michigan confirmed a measles outbreak in Montcalm County this week, marking the first such occurrence in the state since 2019Big News NetworkUndoADB, Mongolia Establish Framework Arrangement to Support Social Sector, Strengthen Disaster ResilienceBig News NetworkUndo12-year-old girl gang-raped in MP's JabalpurBig News NetworkUndoLG India soars 50% in debut, overtakes South Korean parentLG Electronics India made a blockbuster market debut, soaring 50.4% and hitting a US$13.07 billion valuation, surpassing its South Korean parent as investors rushed into India’s most sought-after IPO since 2008Big News NetworkUndoSEWA participates in technology solutions conference in BerlinBig News NetworkUndoBlack Arts Movement takes root in Oakland, CaliforniaBig News NetworkUndo Read This Next Tech Losses Drag U.S. Stock Markets Lower Monday Greenback Strengthens Across Global FX Markets on Monday European Stocks Slide as Asian Markets Deliver Mixed Gains Monday Trump drops tariffs on key foods amid pressure over high prices From side gigs to 'polyworking,' workers juggle jobs to stay afloat Big News Network Big News Network News Agency Midwest Radio Network Mainstream Media BIG NEWS NETWORK.COM Contact & Support Terms & Conditions PRODUCTS & SERVICES News Releases Copyright © 1998-2025 Big News Network All rights reserved. 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