Report: Virginia Tech in talks with James Franklin

Field Level Media|published: Sat 15th November, 11:13 2025

NCAA Football: Northwestern at Penn State

Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin prior to the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Virginia Tech is in the "early stages" of talks with former Penn State coach James Franklin, ESPN reported Saturday.

There is "mutual interest between the parties" and a decision could be made in the coming days, per the report.

Virginia Tech fired head coach Brent Pry on Sept. 14 after an 0-3 start to his fourth season in Blacksburg. The final straw was a 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion the day before his dismissal.

The Hokies (3-6, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) are 3-3 under interim coach Philip Montgomery heading into Saturday night's contest at Florida State (4-5, 1-5).

Penn State fired Franklin on Oct. 12 following a 3-3 start to his 12th season with the Nittany Lions. He ended his tenure with a three-game losing streak against Oregon, UCLA and Northwestern.

Including three seasons at Vanderbilt (2011-13), Franklin owns a career record of 128-60 (.681) that includes an 8-7 record in bowl games. He led Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2024.

Franklin, 53, is owed a reported $45 million buyout from Penn State. He also has been linked to the coaching vacancy at Arkansas.

--Field Level Media