James Franklin has found a new home, and it already feels like the beginning of a redemption story. A month after his long coaching career at Penn State ended with a gut-punch firing, the veteran coach is entering Blacksburg with a lot of untapped potential and something to prove. On Monday afternoon, Virginia Tech moved quickly and discreetly to sign him, sealing a deal that instantly changes the mood of a team seeking stability and a spark.

If there was any doubt about the school’s belief in their new hire, Virginia Tech’s president erased it the moment he stepped up with his message. In a recent X post, Tim Sands wrote, “Laura and I enthusiastically welcome Coach and his family to Virginia Tech and Hokie Nation. His experience, passion, and record of success embody our commitment to compete at the highest level. His selection is the result of unprecedented collaboration by our athletic administration with University leaders, esteemed alumni, including former NFL coaches and players, and our most dedicated supporters.” This surely feels like a win for Virginia Tech.

After all, the Hokies became the first Power 4 football program to fill a coaching vacancy this season. James Franklin feels the right man for the job. Previously with Vanderbilt, he took the struggling SEC program to back-to-back bowl games. That’s why the President concluded his message with a lot of positivity. “I can’t wait to be in Lane Stadium when he leads the team out of the tunnel for the first time, the crowd starts jumping, and we launch this winning journey together.” Franklin stepping in for Brent Pry almost seems like one of those unexpected full-circle college football twists.

After a 0-3 start, Pry, who had previously served as Franklin’s defensive coordinator at Penn State, was fired, leaving the Hokies disoriented. Even Franklin’s dismissal wasn’t pretty. With the 3-3 stumble, the UCLA defeat that shook the polls, the chaotic firing, and the painful 15-minute race to inform his own kids before the internet did. It’s his third head-coaching chapter, and maybe the one he needed the most.

Whit Babcock, the athletic director, didn’t hold back in stating that the atmosphere around the appointment is already different. With the conviction that Virginia Tech has been straying for four seasons, he described Franklin as someone who will “elevate Virginia Tech Football back on the national stage where it belongs.”

He added, “James is a dynamic leader, a relentless recruiter, and a coach who has proven he can build and sustain elite, championship-caliber programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Blacksburg and to entrust him with the future of VT Football.”

With that level of confidence and endorsement, the focus shifted to the money trail behind Franklin’s move. And that’s where things get really interesting.

Inside James Franklin’s big-money move to Virginia Tech

Everyone thought Penn State would be bound by the massive $49 million buyout that was hanging around its neck when James Franklin left. But the numbers revealed a completely different picture when he resurfaced at Virginia Tech. Behind the scenes, according to Pete Nakos of On3, PSU secretly revised the agreement, cutting the buyout. “Penn State negotiated a settlement for James Franklin’s buyout in recent weeks, giving him roughly $9 million.” That type of drop requires a financial commitment from the new institution, which inevitably led to rumors that Franklin’s Virginia Tech deal is in the range of $40 million.

It’s not official yet, but you don’t give a coach a bargain-bin deal when he takes on a position with that much pressure and history. Also, AD Pat Kraft basically predicted this change months ago when he stated that clubs “have to process the financials in such a different light,” given the new revenue-sharing model that has begun to dominate college sports. But Virginia Tech’s fierce support for Franklin before he even takes the field is the most important aspect of the entire narrative.

The Hokies are investing in a revival. The fact that they are investing $229 million in sports over the next four years is a clear indication that they are sick of being left out of the national talk. And their new recipe is to hire a seasoned recruiter, provide eye-catching facilities, and all of a sudden, those five-star names don’t sound unrealistic anymore. Franklin’s entry is the catalyst for a program that wants to dream big once more, ensuring that the budget aligns with the vision.

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