James Franklin is stepping into his inaugural season as the head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies, feeling optimistic about the team’s trajectory. He has infused the team with fresh talent, bringing 12 former Penn State players to Blacksburg. This move has bolstered the Hokies’ transfer portal class, earning them a No. 7 ranking.
The Hokies benefit from significant returning talent. A key factor in this is the return of former head coach Brent Pry as the team’s defensive coordinator. His experience and leadership promise to strengthen the team’s defensive strategies.
During ACC Media Days, Franklin conveyed his confidence in the team after his first offseason leading them. “We have won the offseason. We have had a great offseason,” Franklin said. His comments were shared by Brett McMurphy, a college football insider from On3 Sports.
“We are bigger, we are stronger, we are faster than we have been,” Franklin continued. “There’s no doubt about that. We’ve won the offseason. That’s a great soundbite. The reality is we’ve got to make sure those things translate to the season.”
Despite a challenging 3-3 start to the 2025 season, which led to his dismissal from Penn State, Franklin had previously led the Nittany Lions to at least 10 victories in each of the three seasons prior. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech aims to move past a disappointing three-win season in 2025.
The Hokies are set to kick off their 2026 schedule with a game against VMI on September 5. This matchup marks the beginning of what Franklin hopes will be a successful season for Virginia Tech.
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