College Football HQ

James Franklin pressured to make decision on ACC head coach opening

Rowan Fisher Shotton|
Former Penn State football head coach James Franklin watches the Appoquinimink vs. Howard football game at Appoquinimink in Middletown.
Former Penn State football head coach James Franklin watches the Appoquinimink vs. Howard football game at Appoquinimink in Middletown. | Benjamin Chambers/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech’s head‑coaching vacancy, created after the school moved on from Brent Pry earlier in the college football season, has come down to one clear preference in recent days: former Penn State coach James Franklin.

Multiple outlets report that Franklin has been Virginia Tech’s primary target and that talks between the two sides have continued to make progress.

However, on Sunday, the situation took a turn when On3’s Pete Nakos reported that the Hokies are pressing for a decision before the end of the regular season, and that “they need a final decision from Franklin soon.”

Otherwise, if a deal doesn’t get done, Jon Sumrall (Tulane) and Bob Chesney (James Madison) are the two names to watch, says Nakos.

A healthy mix of candidates has reportedly been vetted by Virginia Tech in recent weeks, but the most frequently mentioned names are Franklin, Sumrall, and Chesney, with Franklin at the top of the list.

Franklin was fired by Penn State on Oct. 12 after a 3-3 start to the season, ending a long Penn State tenure that included a 2024 College Football Playoff appearance and an overall record of 128-60 (.681 winning percentage).

Despite nearly a dozen bowl appearances in just as many years and multiple finishes inside the top 10, it wasn’t enough for Franklin to keep his job.

Former Penn State head football coach James Franklin.
Former Penn State head football coach James Franklin greets fans outside Beaver Stadium before an NCAA football game against Michigan. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since his dismissal, Franklin has been linked to several openings, but he and Virginia Tech have been in reported talks in recent days, with both sides described as mutually interested.

While the Hokies want a resolution soon to preserve recruiting momentum and finalize staff and portal plans, Franklin has leverage because he remains a high‑profile candidate with multiple suitors. 

Aside from Virginia Tech, he has been linked to openings at LSU, Arkansas, and Auburn, among others. 

For Virginia Tech, a Franklin hire would instantly provide a respected, veteran manager who can open recruiting pipelines and help the program return to relevance in the ACC.

For Franklin, Virginia Tech offers a chance to remain in the Power Five and rebuild a program set to invest in its future.

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Rowan Fisher
ROWAN FISHER SHOTTON

Rowan Fisher-Shotton is a versatile journalist known for sharp analysis, player-driven storytelling, and quick-turn coverage across CFB, CBB, the NBA, WNBA, and NFL. A Wilfrid Laurier alum and lifelong athlete, he’s written for FanSided, Pro Football Network, Athlon Sports, and Newsweek, tackling every beat with both a reporter’s edge and a player’s eye.

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