David Pollack provides high praise for James Franklin hire at Virginia Tech

It was announced on Monday that James Franklin was set to become the new Virginia Tech head football coach, starting the next chapter of his coaching career. Franklin most recently coached at Penn State for over a decade, but was let go after six games in 2025.

Franklin replaces Brent Pry, who, ironically, worked under Franklin with the Nittany Lions from 2016-21 as the defensive coordinator. Pry was 16-24 as Virginia Tech’s head coach, but was fired after an 0-3 start this season.

Over his 12-year stint at Penn State, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to a 104-45 (64-36) record with an appearance in the 2024 College Football Playoff. When he became an available name on the head coaching market, it was a no-brainer for the program to go after him.

Pollack says Virginia Tech fans should be ‘jacked’ with Franklin hire

During the latest edition of ‘See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack,’ David Pollack revealed that he’d be ‘jacked’ if he was a Virginia Tech fan following the hire.

“If I’m a Virginia Tech fan, I’m absolutely jacked,” Pollack said. “I’m playing ‘Enter Sandman‘ right now. I’m running around the house. When you think about Virginia Tech and this job in this era, since Frank Beamer left, it has not been great. Brent Pry finished 16-24 and gets fired, but before that I think it was (Justin) Fuente who won 10 games, nine games, and then the last six years for Virginia Tech they’ve won seven games. That’s the best finish they’ve had. It’s in the SEC, so obviously the competition weekly isn’t as bad. It isn’t as bad as the Big Ten, where James Franklin came from.”

“Speaking of James, Virginia Tech should be happy and jacked up because they got someone that’s a proven winner. They got someone who has won nine games in back-to-back seasons at Vanderbilt. He’s done it at a lower-tier job then went to a higher-tier job and was a couple plays away from playing for a National Title a year ago. So, they get him to come. He’s got the history of building Vanderbilt. He was at Maryland when it was successful.”

“Proven good recruiter in the Virginia area. He’s been at (James Madison) before in his coaching career. Very familiar too with NIL and the college football world. That to me is a big part of this. James Franklin‘s been there and done that and bought the shirt and hat. If I’m Virginia Tech, I’m excited.”

Virginia Tech is seeking first 10-win campaign since 2016

Since 2012, Virginia Tech has posted just one 10-win season. Prior to that, the program totaled eight consecutive 10-win campaigns from 2004-2011. On the flip side, James Franklinhas led his programs to six 10-win season since 2012, with three nine-win seasons as well. The program, which is thirsty for success in a weakened Atlantic Coast Conference, took a big swing and won big with the hire.

“I’m honored and humbled to join the Hokie family,” Franklin said via a press release. “My vision is simple: to restore unmatched excellence, to build something that lasts, and to serve this University, the Commonwealth of Virginia and our amazing fan base with honor, integrity, and passion. I look forward to getting to work with our players, our staff, and the entire Virginia Tech community.”

Franklin’s track record is unmatched, and it sure seems like Virginia Tech has their guy as they head into the future.