James Franklin’s New Chapter at Virginia Tech
After over ten years as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, James Franklin was dismissed during a particularly disappointing season. What was anticipated to be a championship year for Penn State in 2025 ended with a mediocre record and a search for a new leader.
For Franklin, this marked a fresh start. After some time off, the 54-year-old coach found a new home in Blacksburg, where he will take the reins of the Virginia Tech Hokies.
It’s a shift to a different environment for Franklin, yet his words at the ACC Media Days will likely ring familiar to anyone who listened to him in recent years at State College. There may be those who appreciate hearing a coach declare, “I won in the offseason,” rather than lament losses, but given Franklin’s mixed record in his last few years, many fans might roll their eyes at such statements.
This pattern—boasting about having all the right components—has been a recurring theme during Franklin’s tenure. Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions’ faithful, good campaigns often ended in disappointment, leading to frustration.
During his time at Penn State, Franklin recorded a disappointing 4-21 record against top-10 teams and managed to secure just one Big Ten title in over eleven seasons. This has led to the tongue-in-cheek nickname “Big Game James,” mostly as a jab rather than a compliment.
The reactions from fans, particularly in comment sections on social media, paint a grim picture. Until Franklin manages to change their minds, he will need to endure the scrutiny.
While expectations at Virginia Tech are not as high—yet—they do have a storied past under former coach Frank Beamer. However, the program hit a rough patch, posting a 3-9 record in 2025 under Brent Pry.
Many believe Franklin is a superb coach and can elevate Virginia Tech back to prominence quickly, but his approach this time will be interesting. How he handles rising expectations could be crucial. For now, he needs to convert this so-called “offseason championship” into actual victories on the field. If not, those confident proclamations may become a source of regret by the end of the season.
