The 2025 Virginia Tech football season has been a disaster. The Hokies are 3-7 and fired Brent Pry to start the season after the Hokies struggled early on. The good news for Virginia Tech is that James Franklin was hired as Pry's replacement. It was a home run hire for the Hokies, and it is also interesting because Pry was Franklin's defensive coordinator at Penn State.
At his introductory press conference, James Franklin thanked Penn State for all the time he spent there, and he also thanked his former Hokie head coach, Brent Pry. Franklin and Pry have coached together at Vanderbilt since 2011, and Franklin not only thanked him but also got emotional when talking about him and his impact at Virginia Tech.
Franklin said, “I'd like to acknowledge Brent Pry. I always say I'm not going to get emotional, then I get emotional. He's a good friend. Gosh. Brent Pry's dad was my OC in college. I've known Brent for over 30 years… I've got a ton of respect for Brent and his family. I know he poured his heart and soul into this place. I know this place is better today because of Brent. And the commitment that he made.”
Franklin also thanked his previous employer, Penn State, for the “rare” opportunity to remain in the same job for 12 years and for the relationships he forged with his players during that time.
In the same press conference, Franklin said that the Hokies were aggressive in their pursuit of him as the next head coach, and he gave a lot of credit to the search group for having “a really good plan put together.”
Virginia Tech has had two coaches since legendary head coach Frank Beamer retired following the 2015 season. Justin Fuente replaced him, lasting six seasons before mutually parting ways in November 2021. Then, Pry came in and went 16-24 through four seasons in Blacksburg.
Whichever school hired Franklin would get a massive boost for the 2026 season and beyond. Franklin was arguably the biggest coach available on the coaching carousel, and since he picked Virginia Tech, it's a massive win for the Hokies.
