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James Franklin says he asked Frank Beamer for his blessing before taking Virginia Tech job
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- James Franklin says he asked Frank Beamer for his blessing before taking Virginia Tech job
Virginia Tech wasted no time in hiring its new coach, tabbing James Franklin as the Hokies ' new coach before the end of the 2025 season.
It's a seismic move for Virginia Tech, which has been a program looking for consistency since Frank Beamer. While Justin Fuente and Brent Pry saw moderate success in Blacksburg, Franklin brings a pedigree of winning. The 53-year-old coach went 104-45 with Penn State, but his failure win against ranked teams saw the Nittany Lions fire him midway through 2025.
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Franklin was introduced Nov. 19 by Virginia Tech as the Hokies get ready to start a new chapter in the ACC.
USA TODAY Network followed Franklin's intro at Virginia Tech. Follow along below and watch here.
James Franklin press conference takeaways
James Franklin believes he can win at Virginia Tech
Franklin has been a winner as a coach everywhere he has gone. He posted a 125-57 career record with stops and Vanderbilt and Penn State. With the Nittany Lions, he went 104-45, including reaching the College Football Playoff semifinal last season.
At Virginia Tech, Franklin believes he can continue winning and lead the program to the top of the ACC. The Hokies are 3-7 this season with two games remaining. They went 6-7 in 2024 and have not won 10 games since 2016.
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"We were a drive away last year from playing in the national championship. So, I know what it looks like," Franklin said. "I know what you need to do. We learn from that experience. Again, the alignment, the commitment based on what we've done in our past as well. You pour all these things together at a place that's got great history, that's got great traditions, that's got great pride."
James Franklin prefers high school recruiting to portal reliance
Franklin admitted his first team with Virginia Tech in 2026 could be more transfer-heavy than he has been in the past. However, in the future, Franklin will focus on building his team through high school recruiting and development, rather than an over-reliance on the portal.
"I think you have to be careful. If you are a portal team, you live and die by the portal," Franklin said. "Then every year you're going to have to live by the portal. You bring in 15 high school players and 30 transfer portal players. Most of those guys are seniors. They have one year and now all of a sudden, you have to replace 30 guys. It's hard to ever get out of that cycle.
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"So it's going to be a high school developmental program that we are going to complement with the transfer portal."
Here's a look at Penn State's recruiting ranking under Franklin the last five seasons, according to 247Sports' composite recruiting rankings.
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2025:No. 15 overall, No. 5 Big Ten
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2024:No. 15 overall, No. 3 Big Ten
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2023:No. 14 overall, No. 2 Big Ten
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2022:No. 6 overall, No. 2 Big Ten
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2021:No. 21 overall, No. 6 Big Ten
James Franklin spoke to Brent Pry, Frank Beamer about Virginia Tech
Before accepting the Virginia Tech coaching position, Franklin reached out to Brent Pry ― the outgoing Hokies' head coach ― and Frank Beamer ― the legendary Virginia Tech head coach.
Pry coached under Franklin as an assistant at Vanderbilt and Penn State before being named the Virginia Tech head coach in 2022. He was fired by the Hokies this season following a 16-24 record. However, he spoke highly of the job with Franklin.
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"Brent's been great throughout this process. I probably would not be sitting here without Brent's input and thoughts about this place," Franklin said.
Before signing his new contract with the Hokies, Franklin said he also talked to Beamer, who coached Virginia Tech from 1987 to 2015. Beamer is the all-time wins leader with 280, and led the team to 22 consecutive bowl game appearances and four ACC titles during his tenure.
"Coach Beamer is the man, and he built this place," Franklin said. "... The night before signing the contract, I called coach Beamer and asked him for his blessing of taking over his program."
James Franklin Virginia Tech intro highlights
James Franklin warns against using reliance on transfer portal
James Franklin said in Year 1, the transfer portal will be used to build out the roster. But he said he won't be overly reliant on the portal.
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"I think you have to be careful. If you are a portal team, you live and die by the portal," Franklin said. "Then every year you're going to have to live by the portal. You bring in 15 high school players and 30 transfer portal players. Most of those guys are seniors. They have one year and now all of a sudden, you have to replace 30 guys. It's hard to ever get out of that cycle.
"So it's going to be a high school developmental program that we are going to complement with the transfer portal."
James Frankin still believes in development
"I am a big believer that this is still a developmental game of young men," Franklin said. "That's developing them on the football field, that's developing them in the classroom, that's developing them to be prepared for the next phase of life."
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James Franklin talks about conversations with Brent Pry
"Brent was very transparent," Franklin said. "The first thing was obvious: he cares about this place deeply, going all the way back to when he was a GA with Bud in the Sugar Bowl. He always spoke very highly of the place and the community as well. That's valuable."
James Franklin gets emotional
James Franklin got emotional and said he does not take his career for granted.
"Thank you so much for this opportunity, Go Hokies," Franklin said.
James Franklin talks coaching staff
"I am going to bring the best fit for Virginia Tech," Franklin said of his assistant coaches. "We're going to have an opportunity to attract some of the best coaches in the country. That will be in addition to spending time with the current staff and seeing who makes sense to keep with us."
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James Franklin excited for 'Enter Sandman' introduction
"I've been watching that intro to college football my entire life and it is something special," Franklin said. "I'll watch it this Saturday and pay coach Montgomery the respect he deserves. But I cannot wait to have the opportunity to run out in that stadium."
James Franklin said he has spoken to players committed to Virginia Tech
James Franklin said he has spoken to players and recruits already:
"Two nights ago, I had 40 players on the phone, young men who are committed to Virginia Tech. I also called the top players in the state of Virginia."
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He added there will be a "ton of recruits" at Saturday's games.
James Franklin says he got blessing from Frank Beamer
James Franklin shouted out Frank Beamer and said he reached out to his Beamer and his family to get their blessing for taking the job.
James Franklin acknowledges Brent Pry
James Franklin acknowledges outgoing Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry, who was fired by the Hokies on Sept. 14.
"I'd like to acknowledge Brent Pry," Franklin said. "Brent Pry's been a good friend. Brent's dad was my offensive coordinator in college. I've known Brent for 30 years. Brent's first year coaching was my senior year at the Harvard of the Pennslavannia State Athletic Conference, East Stroudsburg University. I know you guys are familiar with it.
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"And then Brent and his family was with me at Vanderbilt for three years. ... So I got a ton of respect for Brent and his family. I know he poured his heart and soul into this place. I know this place is a better place today because of Brent and the commitment he made."
James Franklin excited about opportunity with Virginia Tech
"So excited about partnering with you guys," Franklin said at his press conference. "It's something that makes this place unique and special. Couldn't be more excited about this opportunity, with my wife Fumi, my brother-in-law, Jason, and being with you guys this morning."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What James Franklin said at Virginia Tech press conference
