A massive domino has fallen in what will be one of the busiest coaching carousels college football has ever seen. On Monday, according to a report from Pete Thamel, Virginia Tech finally pulled off the hiring of former Penn State head coach James Franklin. He began this season with the Nittany Lions, but was fired after a 3-3 (0-3 Big Ten) start to the year.
Franklin was previously tied to other jobs across the SEC, which could’ve impacted Tennessee football. However, he won’t be taking the job at Florida or elsewhere, instead staying an arm’s width away from the Vols. The biggest effect it could still have is on the recruiting trail, though. UT has enjoyed recruiting the Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina areas, but could have some much stiffer competition now.
This is the first big hire of the cycle. Other jobs still open include LSU, Florida, Penn State, Auburn, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Stanford, Oregon State, Colorado State and UAB. These hires could create a chain reaction, as well. For example, Lane Kiffin is being heavily involved in the LSU and Florida searches. If he left for one of those jobs, it would create an opening at Ole Miss.
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Before being fired, Franklin was in his 12th year as Penn State’s head coach and finished his tenure with a 104-45 (65-37 Big Ten) record. Penn State won a Big 10 Championship in 2016, a Fiesta Bowl in 2017 and the Rose Bowl in 2022, but were unable to have the top-end success that Michigan and particularly Ohio State have had in recent years.
Tennessee has a past with Franklin, as well. For one, Franklin was the head coach at Vanderbilt for three years before taking the Penn State job. He was also a candidate to become Tennessee’s head coach back in 2021 when the Vols ended up hiring Josh Heupel.
Franklin will now inherit a roster that has a former Vol on it, if he decides to stay. Cameron Seldon transferred to Virginia Tech this past offseason for his third year of college football. He transitioned from running back to wide receiver with the Hokies and has been involved all season.
