Report: Former Penn State coach James Franklin in ‘talks’ with Virginia Tech about opening

Former Penn State football coach James Franklin may be closing in on his next job.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on “College GameDay” on Saturday morning there is interest between Franklin and Virginia Tech regarding its open head coaching position.

“Former Penn State coach James Franklin and Virginia Tech are engaged in the early stages of talks about him becoming the next Virginia Tech head coach,” Thamel said.

“Resolution on his candidacy at Virginia Tech is expected in the upcoming days.”

Thamel also said the Hokies are still conducting a “full” search.

“They’re engaged with other candidates,” Thamel said of Virginia Tech.

“I can confirm mutual interest right now (between Franklin and Virginia Tech) and the potential resolution early next week. And we’ll see if James Franklin is coaching in the ACC next season.”

Franklin was fired by Penn State on Oct. 12, a day after the heavily favored Nittany Lions lost 22-21 to three-touchdown underdog Northwestern at Beaver Stadium. The defeat dropped PSU, a preseason contender for the national title, to 3-3.

Virginia Tech’s job came open when the program fired Brent Pry, Franklin’s former defensive coordinator at Penn State.

Pry, who left his Penn State job for the Hokies’ head coaching position prior to the 2022 season, was fired by Virginia Tech in mid-September following an 0-3 start. Pry compiled a 16-24 record in Blacksburg in three-plus seasons.

Franklin, hired by Penn State ahead of the Nittany Lions’ 2014 season, had a record of 104-45 in State College. He led the program to a Big Ten championship in 2016.

Penn State (3-6, 0-6) plays Michigan State (3-6, 0-6) on Saturday in East Lansing.

Former Lions assistant Terry Smith was named PSU interim head coach after the program dismissed Franklin.