When Penn State fired James Franklin, he became the top target for the Virginia Tech search committee after the school fired former head coach Brent Pry a month earlier. Franklin became the biggest and hottest name that was going to be fired and become available in the coaching cycle last season.
That ended up being the case, and by mid-November, there was a new boss in Blacksburg. Times were changing at Virginia Tech, and it is all for the better. Before Franklin was hired, athletic director Whit Babcock had set the wheels in motion to get more funding for the program so they could compete in the ACC with other programs.
Franklin being on board immediately cranks up the hype in Blacksburg for next season and beyond. With roster turnover and a new coaching staff, which includes Pry coming back as the defensive coordinator, expectations are high. The schedule is going to be a tough one, but CBS Sports' Brad Crawford had an immediate dose of reality for Franklin at Virginia Tech.
CBS Sports doesn't beat around the bush about Year 1 of James Franklin at Virginia Tech
Crawford did a patience meter scale for each of the Power 4 new hires for the 2026 season. When it comes to Franklin and the Hokies, well, the patience meter is going to run high in the fall. He gave Franklin a meter of 4, which is expectations are high and potentially unrealistic.
"Backed by a mandate from an athletic department that clearly decided incremental progress wasn't enough anymore, Franklin has solid institutional backing at Virginia Tech -- part of the reason he pursued the Hokies over other offers. After years of uneven results and ACC frustration, this is a win-now hire in every sense. Franklin's track record at Penn State sets the expectation bar immediately: double-digit win potential, physical recruiting wins and a program that can realistically chase a College Football Playoff berth. The Hokies didn't invest in this regime for a slow burn. Year 1 isn't about culture-building alone -- it's about proving the concept, competing in the ACC race, and quickly restoring national relevance in Blacksburg,'' Crawford wrote.
This certainly is a win-now hire. Everybody knows it, and Franklin wouldn't deny it. Coming off nearly a decade of mediocrity, there is nowhere to go but up for Virginia Tech. As far as conferences go, that is easier to do for a new coach in Year 1 in the ACC than in the Big Ten or the SEC. However, if you're Matt Campbell at Penn State, given the soft schedule you have, it's a possibility to meet high expectations in your first year there.
As far as the Hokies go, competing for the ACC Championship might seem like it's a little unrealistic in Year 1 of Franklin's tenure, but just the hiring of Franklin raises expectations. The schedule sets up well with two home non-conference games before a trip to Maryland. Then ACC play begins at Boston College. Early-season success is not out of the question, but there is no doubt that there are going to be a lot of eyes in Blacksburg on the Hokies. If they can't meet those expectations of competing in the ACC and restoring national relevance in 2026, then questions will unfairly arise about Franklin in Blacksburg. Just wait.
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