Even though the writing was on the wall, James Franklin didn't believe it could happen. In the end, it did when Penn State fired its long-term coach after three straight losses, the last two Big Ten lower-tier teams, Northwestern and UCLA.
"I was in shock," Franklin said on College GameDay on Saturday. "I'm still working through it myself. It feels surreal."
When the dust settles, Franklin sounded like he wants to coach again and coach again real soon, as soon as 2026. There is going to be no shortage of jobs available for him to choose from, but one college football writer made it clear and obvious that Virginia Tech should do one thing: Go all-in for James Franklin.
College football writer urges Virginia Tech to go all-in to hire James Franklin
Grace Raynor of The Athletic said the simple answer for the next hire in Blacksburg is simple: go after and do whatever is possible to hire James Franklin.
That makes total sense, but the competition for him is going to be through the roof. On Sunday, Florida fired Billy Napier, which makes it a better job in many people's eyes than Virginia Tech. Then there is also the potential for other jobs that could open up, such as Florida State, Auburn, or the coach that Penn State hires to replace Franklin. It would be stunning if he isn't on the sideline next fall.
"I don't know anything else," Franklin said." "I've been doing this for 30 years. I don't have hobbies. I don't golf. I don't fish. This has been such a big part of my identity, such a big part of my family. We love it.
"I thought we were going to win a national championship there. We were close. That goal hasn't changed. We're just going to go win a national championship somewhere else now."
So why can't that be Blacksburg? There are going to be major obstacles to get it done, and the Virginia Tech search committee needs to be on board and do whatever is possible. The fit is perfect for several reasons, including his success in recruiting in Virginia. It's time to make the hard push, and whatever happens, happens.