James Franklin, Virginia Tech reportedly finalizing head coach deal

James Franklin has already discovered a brand new staff to teach in school soccer after being fired by Penn State.

Franklin and Virginia Tech have reportedly reached a deal to make him the Hokies’ subsequent head soccer coach ESPN Pete Thamel.

Final weekend, a report surfaced saying Franklin and Virginia Tech had been “within the early levels of discussions” in regards to the function.

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Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands on the sector after the sport in opposition to the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 11, 2025 in College Park, Penn. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Photographs)

Franklin was fired by Penn State following the Nittany Lions’ loss to Northwestern, this system’s third straight loss and one other surprising consequence after a loss to UCLA the week earlier than. The Nittany Lions at the moment are 4-6 on the season and 1-6 in Huge Ten play.

Franklin will change Brent Pry, his former defensive coordinator, after Pry was fired in September. The Hokies went 0-3 to begin the yr, and Pry had a 16-24 document over 4 seasons with this system.

JAMES FRANKLIN ON ‘EARLY TALKS’ ‘TO BECOME VIRGINIA TECH’S NEXT HEAD COACH: REPORT

It has been a lackluster few seasons for Virginia Tech underneath Pry and his predecessor, Justin Fuente. Nevertheless, Franklin’s adaptive strategy to the fashionable school soccer panorama might shortly flip issues round in Blacksburg.

Franklin can be this system’s most achieved head coach since Frank Beamer retired in 2015 after 29 seasons main the Hokies. Franklin, who beforehand coached at Vanderbilt earlier than becoming a member of Penn State, went 128-60 throughout his 15 seasons as head coach.

Regardless of this season’s struggles, Franklin was coming off a 2024 marketing campaign that included a Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal look and a 2016 Huge Ten Championship.

Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft offers head soccer coach James Franklin a giant hug after a 33-24 win over Indiana at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State Faculty, Penn. (PROPOSE)

With Virginia Tech’s Board of Guests approving a plan so as to add $229 million to the athletics price range over the subsequent 4 years, hiring somebody like Franklin — along with his recruiting acumen — might make the Hokies a lovely vacation spot for high expertise nationwide.

Franklin was by no means anticipated to be accessible for rental because the Nittany Lions opened the yr ranked No. 3 within the nation. However after three straight wins to open the season, a double time beyond regulation loss to No. 6 Oregon despatched Penn State right into a spiral. That might profit the Hokies now as they attempt to get this system again on observe in an ACC that’s lacking a real powerhouse.

Franklin by no means noticed his Nittany Lions hoist a nationwide championship trophy, because the staff went 4-21 in opposition to AP Prime 10 opponents throughout his tenure at State Faculty.

Penn State head coach James Franklin reacts through the second quarter of an NCAA school soccer recreation in opposition to Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in State Faculty, Penn. (Barry Reeger/AP Picture)

The Hokies final gained video games by double digits in a season in 2016. Franklin reached that mark six occasions, together with three consecutive campaigns from 2022 to 2024.

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Virginia Tech hopes Franklin can carry one subsequent season – and plenty of extra after that.

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