After weeks of speculation, Virginia Tech finally made a call on Brent Pry’s successor. Former Penn State head coach James Franklin has been the hottest name swirling around Backsburg, and now it’s time to etch it on the front door. A recent leaked conversation has made Hokies fans very happy, even though no official announcement has been made.

Someone snapped a picture of an AV tech’s computer during today’s men’s basketball game against Charlotte, and guess what? It pretty much confirms James Franklin will be VT’s next football head coach. The first text read, “Do you by chance have a mockup in case Franklin’s announced in a day or two?” And while the other person replies with a positive answer, the screenshot shows James Franklin wearing sunglasses with “Home” written underneath. The screenshot leaked on Reddit pretty much says it all. Just weeks ago, Franklin was steering Penn State’s massive ship, but a brutal late-season skid punched his ticket out of Happy Valley.

And with Brent Pry already out after a 0-3 start and an embarrassing home loss to Old Dominion, the Hokies are going big-game hunting. Now there’s genuine two-way intrigue for this news to take a boost. Now, Franklin comes with some serious baggage that’s for sure. Penn State, despite a College Football Playoff semifinal not even a year ago, crashed hard. That disaster was capped with a shocking loss to UCLA, which hadn’t even led in a game all year. And then their home loss to the Ducks just added fuel to the fire.

By the time Northwestern stunned the Nittany Lions in front of a home crowd, Franklin’s record against AP top-10 teams had become instant trivia. A staggering 4-21 mark against those elite programs, and a dismal .160 win rate. It’s the third-worst among coaches with at least 25 such games since 1936. But even with all these, it’s impossible to ignore Franklin’s upside. Double-digit wins six times in the last 11 seasons, including the last three years, and 105 total victories. The Hokies see a proven recruiter and program builder, even if he arrives with a few battle scars.

That’s why the early stages of talks aren’t a bad thing for both parties to break the ice. Plus, Franklin’s joining the Hokies can have a real domino effect on his former workplace, Penn State. For starters, the money side is massive. Franklin’s contract included a hefty $49M buyout. But if Franklin lands another job, like the Virginia Tech gig, Penn State only has to pay the difference between his old salary and his new one. With Virginia Tech expected to pay him well, Penn State could wind up saving millions. Recruiting is another huge piece of this puzzle.

Franklin’s known as one of college football’s top recruiters. He has pulled talent from key states that also matter for Virginia Tech. If Franklin packs up his recruiting pitch and heads south, don’t be shocked if a few coveted recruits, or even some current players, follow him to Blacksburg. 

The GOAT’s endorsement

If the GOAT of college football delivers a verdict that James Franklin is the perfect fit for the Hokies, nothing beats it. Nick Saban, the legendary seven-time national champion coach, recently shared his honest thoughts on James Franklin sitting in the Virginia Tech helm. “This would be a great hire for Virginia Tech,” Saban said on “College GameDay.” “You would get a class guy and a class coach who would be very successful, I’m sure.”

Coming from a coach of Saban’s stature, that’s a glowing endorsement. Plus, Franklin’s resume speaks volumes. Besides Saban, Pat McAfee chimed in, too. He pointed out Virginia Tech’s massive investment of around $250 million planned in the coming years, with NFL coach Bruce Arians advising the program. Virginia Tech just cranked up its athletics budget in a huge way. The Hokies signed off on a massive $229 million boost over the next four years.

The budget’s set to hit about $190 million this year and climb to $212 million by 2030. And President Tim Sands summed it up perfectly. He says this move is basically opening the “door to future success.” And this kind of money can easily cover the difference in James Franklin’s buyout from Penn State. So it’s a win-win!