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The James Franklin effect is already happening.
Franklin was fired from Penn State last month after a terrible start that proved to be icing on the cake for a lack of success against top-10 teams throughout his tenure. But last week, Virginia Tech officially hired him to lead its football program, and he already appears to be making his mark.
Five Penn State students have taken or are about to take official visits to the new Franklin school, according to Rivals.
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Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin speaks during the press conference at Cassell Coliseum. (Brian Bishop/Imagn Images)
Offensive linemen Benjamin Eziuka and Roseby Lubintus both told the outlet they would visit, as did the father of four-star quarterback Troy Huhn.
Franklin was fired by Penn State after the Nittany Lions’ loss to Northwestern, the program’s third straight loss and another shocking result after a loss. at UCLA the previous week. The Nittany Lions are now 4-6 on the season and 1-6 in Big Ten play.
The past few seasons have been lackluster 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 quickly change the situation 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/Imagn Images)
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Franklin will be the program’s most accomplished head coach since Frank Beamer retired in 2015 after 29 seasons leading the Hokies. Franklin, who previously coached at Vanderbilt before joining Penn State, went 128-60 in his 15 seasons as head coach.
Despite this season’s struggles, Franklin was coming off a 2024 campaign that included a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance and a 2016 Big Ten championship.
“I can’t wait…I’ve been watching this introduction to college football my whole life,” Franklin said during his opening press conference. “It’s something special.”
Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin and his wife Fumi walk into a press conference where he is introduced as the head coach at Cassell Coliseum. (Brian Bishop/Imagn Images)
“We were a mile away from playing for the national championship, so I know what that feels like,” Franklin added.
