Urban Meyer reacts to Virginia Tech hiring James Franklin: 'It's a great one'

Urban Meyer didn’t hesitate when asked for his thoughts on Virginia Tech’s decision to hire James Franklin. On the latest episode of The Triple Option, the former Ohio State and Florida head coach offered a strong endorsement of the Hokies’ new leader.

“I think it’s a great one. I’m a James Franklin fan,” Meyer said. “I coached against him. You know, it’s all well-documented about the top of the food chain. He just couldn’t quite get there. But, you know, a lot of people didn’t. He’s still a quality coach that won a high percentage of his games at a tough spot. I think it’s a great hire.”

Earlier this week, Franklin officially was revealed to be taking over in Blacksburg after a turbulent end to his long tenure at Penn State. He was let go midway through the 2025 season following an 0–3 stretch that derailed what was supposed to be a national-title run.

The Nittany Lions fell from preseason contenders to unranked after losses to Oregon, UCLA and Northwestern. The criticism grew louder with each defeat, culminating in “Fire Franklin” chants that signaled his time in State College was over.

But Meyer’s point reflects the broader college football reality, as falling short of national championships at Penn State is something even elite coaches have struggled with. In the end, Franklin still produced a 104–45 record over 12 seasons, including a College Football Playoff run last year and multiple New Year’s Six bowl wins. Including his stint at Vanderbilt, he heads to Virginia Tech with a career record of 128–60.

The Hokies, meanwhile, are looking for a reset. Brent Pry, who once served under Franklin as his defensive coordinator at Penn State, was dismissed after an 0–3 start in 2025, finishing his tenure with a 16–24 record. The Hokies haven’t been nationally relevant in over a decade, and Franklin’s reputation as a program builder is precisely why they targeted him.

The former Penn State coach made clear shortly after his firing that he still believes he can win a national championship, even if it isn’t in Happy Valley. When he appeared on College GameDay in mid-October, he noted just how close his team came last season.

“To think that essentially six games ago, we were fighting for a chance to be in the national championship — a two-minute drive away,” Franklin said. “I thought we were going to win a national championship. We were close. That goal hasn’t changed. We’re just going to go win a national championship somewhere else now.”

For Meyer, that competitive fire and proven track record make Virginia Tech’s hire a home run. Now, Franklin’s mission is clear, as he looks to prove he can take a program to the top of the sport.