Since he was hired as the Virginia Tech football coach nearly 10 months ago, James Franklin has been putting his stamp on the Hokies program. Whether it is with the roster, the coaching staff or really, any other area, his fingerprints are slowly ending up everywhere.
After he won his opener against VMI at Lane Stadium on Saturday night, 73-3, Franklin met with the media on Monday to reflect on the game and the future in Blacksburg. When it came to the future schedule in Blacksburg, well, let's just say Franklin is not happy and wants a change.
James Franklin hints at changes coming in Blacksburg
Franklin was asked about future scheduling goals for the Hokies, and let's just be clear right off the bat: there is no way that Virginia Tech should play VMI again. What a waste of time. However, when it comes to future schedules, Franklin made it clear that it is going to be something that he explores with new athletic director Brian White.
What is at the root of his ire? Franklin wants seven home games a season for multiple reasons in Blacksburg. This season, there is a split of six home games and six road games. He wants a schedule with seven, especially when the ACC goes to nine conference games a season, and you have to play five on the road, compared to just four at home. That is the case in 2026 for the Hokies, who had a game at SMU added.
"In those years where you're going to have less conference home games, you've got to have more non-conference home games to make sure that you're able to get seven at home," Franklin said.
He's not wrong. Looking ahead at the future non-conference opponents for Virginia Tech next season, they currently have The Citadel and Liberty coming to Blacksburg to open the season. Their road non-conference game is on Nov. 6 at Notre Dame. In 2028, the Hokies will host Gardner-Webb and Liberty again, before hosting Notre Dame in early November. Both schedules have a 7-5 home-to-road split the next two seasons. In 2029, 2030, and 2032, the Hokies play two Power 4 conference teams in the non-conference schedule. We'll see if that stays scheduled.
For those who are calling out Franklin for wanting to go that route, well, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, as their school is doing it too. All Power Conference teams are.
Changes are coming to the future non-conference schedules, and I get playing FCS schools in the non-conference schedule, but please, no more VMI.
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