James Franklin is an effective coach, however can he be an awesome coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies?
Frankly, the bar is on the ground. No offense to Brent Pry, now the defensive coordinator for the Hokies, however the final 4 years weren’t nice. He went 16-24 in three-plus seasons. He was fired in 2025 after beginning 0-3 with losses to South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Outdated Dominion.
Two of these losses have been comprehensible. Dropping to a Solar Belt crew was the top of the road for Pry, although.
Trying even additional again, the Hokies have had simply three double-digit win seasons since 2010 and solely 4 successful seasons whole since Frank Beamer retired in 2015.
The 2010 season is a notable one as a result of that is the final time Virginia Tech gained the ACC. Franklin would not must do a lot to be thought of a hero in Blacksburg, however the Hokies did not rent him simply to get again to “good.”
He is aware of tips on how to run a nationally related program. For all his faults and incapacity to “get excessive” with the Penn State Nittany Lions, he did go 104-45 in 12 seasons in Comfortable Valley.
That is why he would not suppose he has to overtake the way in which he does issues now that he is at Virginia Tech.
“You may be taught issues over time, you get round actually good folks, so that you’re always studying and rising and evolving,” Franklin informed The Athletic. “Nevertheless it’s laborious to say that it is advisable completely reinvent your self when six video games earlier you’re taking part in to be within the nationwide championship, proper?”
James Franklin might be appreciated by the Virginia Tech Hokies
Franklin is a confirmed winner, and whereas he would not essentially must reinvent himself, maybe Virginia Tech will give him an opportunity to seek out himself as a head coach once more.
He is already having large success on the recruiting path, and that is usually a prerequisite to success on the sector. It is also value noting that turnarounds do not must take eternally within the NIL and switch portal period.
If Franklin can hit the bottom working in 2026, he may realistically have Virginia Tech competing for the Faculty Soccer Playoff in 2027. Heck, Curt Cignetti gained a nationwide championship at Indiana in yr two.
Even when he simply will get Tech again to relevance, although, Franklin will completely earn the respect and adulation of the Hokies’ fan base.
After years of not residing as much as expectations at Penn State, maybe that would be the one factor he must lastly attain his true potential as a head coach.
Outgoing Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock definitely sees it that approach.
“You need to be at a spot the place you’re celebrated, not tolerated. And he’s celebrated right here,” Babcock informed The Athletic.
