"The wildest college football coaching cycle -- perhaps ever -- has reached the hiring phase. Schools around the Power 4 that fired their coaches in the first two months of the season -- or, in Stanford's case, way back in late March -- are targeting candidates and finalizing deals. Interestingly enough, one of the first major coaches to lose his job, Penn State's James Franklin, was the first non-interim coach to be hired, as he is headed to Virginia Tech."
"New hires always come with hope and optimism, grand proclamations and the chance to get programs on the right track. But not all hiring processes are the same. The financial component with jobs is essential -- what schools are willing to spend not just on their head coach, but the assistants and support staff and, perhaps most important, the team roster -- and certainly resonated for Virginia Tech."
"When Franklin was fired and almost immediately announced his intentions to coach in 2026, Virginia Tech emerged as a natural landing spot for the 53-year-old. He has spent most of his career in the Mid-Atlantic region, twice serving as a Maryland assistant, leading programs in Vanderbilt and Penn State and even working within the state at James Madison in 1997."
The college football coaching cycle has moved into the hiring phase as Power 4 schools that fired coaches early target candidates and finalize deals. Penn State's James Franklin became the first non-interim coach hired, taking the Virginia Tech job. Franklin's career is rooted in the Mid-Atlantic, including Maryland assistant roles and head positions at Vanderbilt and Penn State, plus work at James Madison in 1997. He understands key recruiting areas and has 104 wins, though he was fired for not winning the biggest games. Virginia Tech leaned on financial commitment to secure the veteran coach.
Read at ESPN.com
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