Grading the 2025 Coaching Carousel: Virginia Tech Lands the Biggest Winner

11/17/2025

College football continues to prove that the offseason can be just as chaotic—and just as entertaining—as the regular season. With major coaching moves shaking up every conference, few stories have generated more buzz than Virginia Tech hiring James Franklin. Between Pete Thamel's breaking report on the hire and Adam Rittenberg's coaching-grades analysis, one thing is clear: this move sends shockwaves across the ACC.

Below is a combined review of both reports, followed by why I believe Virginia Tech absolutely nailed this hire.

James Franklin to Virginia Tech: What the Reports Reveal

The Hire

According to Pete Thamel, Virginia Tech has finalized an agreement to bring in James Franklin as its next head coach. Franklin, who has been a head coach since 2011, brings a proven résumé with 128 career wins, a Big Ten Championship (2016), and a CFP semifinal appearance just last year. After a midseason firing at Penn State in 2025, his buyout situation was heavily mitigated, allowing the Hokies to grab him at a moment of opportunity.

Virginia Tech previously struggled under Brent Pry and needed a leader who could energize the fanbase, stabilize recruiting, and bring national relevance back to Blacksburg. Franklin checks all those boxes immediately.

Rittenberg's Coaching Grades: Where Franklin Stands

Adam Rittenberg's annual ESPN breakdown of new coaching hires focuses on fit, program trajectory, and upcoming challenges. Franklin is highlighted early in the article as a premier hire:

  • Strong regional fit: He's spent most of his career in the mid-Atlantic, giving him instant recruiting advantages.

  • High-level experience: Running Penn State for nearly a decade prepared him for heavy expectations.

  • Program-ready leadership: Virginia Tech needed a headliner, and Franklin arrives with credibility, presence, and a winning track record.

While Rittenberg doesn't list all grades in the preview, the analysis clearly places Franklin among the top hires of the 2025 cycle.

My Take: This Is an Elite Hire for the Hokies

Let's get straight to it: James Franklin is exactly what Virginia Tech needed.

1. Proven Winner

Franklin has been a head coach since 2011 across Vanderbilt and Penn State—two incredibly different challenges—and has posted only two losing seasons. That level of consistency in modern college football is rare.

2. Rebuilding Doesn't Scare Him

He rebuilt Vanderbilt into a respectable SEC program—something many have tried and failed to do. If he can win there, he can absolutely elevate Virginia Tech.

3. ACC Opportunity

The ACC landscape is changing rapidly. Clemson isn't the unstoppable machine it once was, Florida State is inconsistent, and programs like Miami and UNC continue searching for rhythm.

This gives Franklin a legitimate chance to lead the pack and position Virginia Tech as a front-runner in the conference.

4. Recruiting Power

Franklin is a relentless recruiter, and Virginia is talent-rich. Expect the Hokies to immediately improve their footprint, especially with his ties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C., and New Jersey.

5. Leadership Presence

Franklin brings charisma, professionalism, and big-program experience. His press conferences alone will raise Virginia Tech's profile.

Final Thoughts

Between Thamel's reporting and Rittenberg's grading framework, the message is clear: Virginia Tech just made one of the smartest moves of the 2025 coaching cycle.

James Franklin brings experience, discipline, energy, and a proven blueprint for winning. With only two losing seasons in 14 years and the ability to compete at the highest levels, Franklin represents the perfect blend of stability and ambition for the Hokies.

If he capitalizes on this fresh start, don't be surprised when Virginia Tech becomes a serious contender in the ACC—and maybe even on the national stage.

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