James Franklin, after leading Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals in January and then experiencing a surprising 3-3 start to the 2025 season which led to his firing on October 12th, has been hired as the new head coach at Virginia Tech. This move represents a significant career shift from a perceived "lifetime job" at a Big Ten powerhouse to rebuilding a struggling ACC program.
Franklin expressed his ambition to win a national championship elsewhere, and the article suggests that Virginia Tech offers a viable path to achieve this goal, particularly given the current fluidity and competitive landscape of the ACC. Franklin's past struggles at Penn State were largely against strong Big Ten opponents like Ohio State and Michigan, teams that are not in the ACC.
The article argues that Franklin is adept at beating "pretty good" opponents and should be able to elevate Virginia Tech to the league's upper echelon. The program is described as football-first with renewed funding commitments, and the rich recruiting territory of the surrounding region, which Franklin has historically excelled in, will remain largely the same.
While Franklin's recruiting and team-building are noted strengths, the article also points to potential areas for growth as a head coach, citing instances of questionable in-game decision-making and a tendency to make his teams "uptight" against top competition. However, the competition in the ACC is different, and the article posits that a "wiser Franklin" can leverage his experience to succeed at Virginia Tech for a long time to come.
In a separate but related development, the article touches on the ongoing drama surrounding Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who is reportedly being pursued by other SEC programs, including LSU and Florida. This situation highlights the chaotic nature of the college football coaching carousel, with Kiffin's family reportedly touring potential new campuses.
Ole Miss administrators and supporters are understandably frustrated by the process, which is being managed by Kiffin's agent, Jimmy Sexton. The article draws a parallel to a past situation at Michigan where a coach was fired before a major event, suggesting that Ole Miss may need to make a decisive move regarding Kiffin's future before their significant matchup against Mississippi State.
