James Franklin puts Virginia Tech’s offseason buzz on the clock
The new Hokies coach told ACC media days Virginia Tech “won the offseason,” while warning that September will decide what it means.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
James Franklin brought the bold line to Charlotte and did not hide from it: the new Virginia Tech coach said the Hokies “won the offseason” at ACC media days, according to CBS Sports.
Then he immediately put the brakes on the victory lap. Franklin said the phrase works in July, but the real test will be whether Virginia Tech can carry its offseason momentum into actual games.
“That sounds good in a press conference,” Franklin said, according to CBS Sports. “It's a good soundbite. The reality is we have to make sure all that translates to the season and go out and play a style and a brand that's going to make coach (Frank) Beamer proud.”
The comment lands with extra weight because Franklin is trying to reboot a program coming off a 3-9 season. CBS Sports reported that Brent Pry was fired after three games last season, and Franklin has since taken over in Blacksburg after being fired by Penn State last October.
A roster jolt in Blacksburg
Franklin described Virginia Tech as bigger, stronger, faster and deeper than it was a year ago, CBS Sports reported. The Hokies have also drawn attention through the transfer portal, including a group that features 12 former Penn State players, according to the report.
The optimism is not limited to coach-speak. CBS Sports cited renewed recruiting energy, more enthusiasm around the program and a FanDuel Sportsbook preseason win total that suggests Virginia Tech could improve by about 3.5 wins from last year’s 3-9 finish.
The school has also put money behind the rebuild. CBS Sports reported that $229 million has been invested into Virginia Tech athletics, part of the broader push to make the Hokies more competitive again.
Beamer’s shadow still matters
Franklin is also stepping into a place with a very specific memory of what good football looked like. Frank Beamer coached Virginia Tech for nearly three decades, building a program known for defense, special teams and a loud Lane Stadium, according to CBS Sports.
Since Beamer left after the 2015 season, the Hokies have had four winning seasons in the past decade while changing coaching staffs, CBS Sports reported.
Franklin said he wants to respect that past without trying to freeze the program in it. He told reporters Virginia Tech has “so much history” and “so much tradition,” while adding that the job is to balance that with becoming a modern football program able to compete at the highest level.
Franklin said he called Beamer before accepting the job to seek his blessing, CBS Sports reported. He also invited Beamer to dinner Monday night in Charlotte, while former defensive coordinator Bud Foster remains connected to the program.
Pry, despite being fired as head coach, is staying on as Franklin’s defensive coordinator, according to CBS Sports.
The proof comes on Saturdays
Franklin repeatedly pointed to evidence, CBS Sports reported, meaning the way Virginia Tech plays, the energy around the team and the style that shows up once the season begins.
Wins and losses will decide how quickly the rebuild feels real. Franklin’s own measuring stick, according to CBS Sports, is whether Beamer can watch from Charlotte and see a team that looks like Virginia Tech again.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.