Mike Young 'elated' by Virginia Tech hiring James Franklin

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.

Franklin made his first public appearance as a Hokie Wednesday night at halftime of Virginia Tech‘s basketball game against Bryant. Following the Hokies’ 78-61 victory, head basketball coach Mike Young revealed that he is ‘elated’ by Tech’s hiring of Franklin. Young has led the program to a 110-85 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances across six full seasons.

“First, I’m happy for Virginia Tech,” Young said. “What an incredible turn of events for our athletic department, and certainly our football program. I’m thrilled for Whit (Babcock). I’m thankful for Whit and others that contributed in making this happen. I can’t imagine there being a better football coach available that we could bring here than James Franklin. I had a chance to meet him and I had never met him before. We’re all just elated that he and his family are with us. A great day.”

James Franklin addressed Virginia Tech basketball crowd Wednesday night

Since 2012, Virginia Tech has posted just one 10-win season (2016). Prior to that, the program totaled eight consecutive 10-win campaigns from 2004-2011. On the flip side, Franklin has led his programs to six 10-win seasons 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.

“We are so excited to be here,” Franklin said to the crowd at Cassell Coliseum at halftime. “We are honored and humbled to be here. We don’t take this for granted, one minute, whatsoever. We are going to work our tails off to make you guys proud. That’s what it’s all about. I’m going to bring a staff here, and you’re not going to find a staff or a head coach that will pour their hearts and soul into this place like we will. … So let’s have this place rocking tonight to help our basketball team. Let’s make sure Lane Stadium is rocking on Saturday.”

“We need you. We can’t do this by ourselves. It’s going to take an entire community pulling the rope in the same direction. Let’s take pride in our state and the football that we have and the tradition and history. I think we can do something very, very special.”