How to watch, follow, James Franklin’s Virginia Tech introductory news conference today

Virginia Tech will introduce former Penn State head coach James Franklin as its new leader this morning. The Hokies are holding a 10 a.m. news conference at the Cassell Coliseum, which is home to the ACC school’s basketball teams. It will stream live on the school’s YouTube page. You can access that by clicking here. BWI will also be providing updates inside The Lions Den forum. Click here to access those on the message board. 

“James Franklin embodies the spirit, vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence that will elevate Virginia Tech Football back on the national stage where it belongs,” VT athletic director Whit Babcock said Tuesday. “This is a landmark moment for our program — made possible by the unwavering commitment of our Board of Visitors, the Search Committee, University leadership, and donors, who share a bold Invest to Win mindset.

“James is a dynamic leader, a relentless recruiter, and a coach who has proven he can build and sustain elite, championship-caliber programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Blacksburg and to entrust him with the future of VT Football.”

Added Franklin in a news release:

“I’m honored and humbled to join the Hokie family,” said Franklin. “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.”

The rest of today’s newsstand is below.

Penn State headlines of the day

Buzzworthy: Steps made on and off the field, Penn State search evolves: Bauer, BWI

Penn State wrestling notes: Josh Barr injury update, latest on Ono, Lions’ plan for Duke and Sealey at 157: Pickel, BWI

Former Penn State commit Kevin Brown set to attend West Virginia: Snyder, BWI

PSU players ‘super happy’ for Franklin getting Virginia Tech job: Pickel, BWI

Penn State bowl projections: Where are the Lions projected to go with two more wins?: Pickel, BWI

Quote of the day

“He didn’t speak to us very often. He knew how to pick his spots,” Rhule said. “But when he spoke, the man’s charisma and his ability to enchant and capture a room was amazing. When I look at my beliefs in coaching, I think the core thing that Coach Paterno did, besides he truly made you go to class. You had to get an education. He cared about who you were as a person.

“But the core value I learned from him is that he held his best players the most accountable. As I got into college football, I saw the opposite. I saw, ‘Hey, if you make plays, you can do whatever you want.’ Not there. You’re sitting there on a bowl trip and you see him sending a starter home because he’s late. You’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m never going to be late.’ So, I think that’s kind of carried over for me and I hopefully I uphold that ethos.”

–Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule on his college head coach, Joe Paterno.