When James Franklin’s next chapter was finally revealed, Dabo Swinney didn’t hesitate. The Clemson head coach didn’t see a retread. He saw a “winner” walking back into his league — and a boost for the entire ACC.
Virginia Tech is turning to Franklin as its next head coach after firing Brent Pry in September, bringing the former Penn State and Vanderbilt leader to Blacksburg. Swinney, asked Tuesday about the move at his weekly press conference, was all in.
“He’s a winner. He’s won everywhere he’s been,” Swinney said. “He’s a good football coach. I’ve known James for a long time. Have a good relationship with him. It certainly will be great for our league, and I think it’s a great fit.”
Franklin’s Reset After Penn State Exit
Franklin returns to the sideline barely a month after his long Penn State tenure ended.
He was fired Oct. 12 after parts of 12 seasons in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions opened 3–0 and climbed to No. 2 in the polls, only to spiral with three straight losses, punctuated by a stunning 22–21 home defeat to Northwestern at Beaver Stadium.
Virginia Tech, meanwhile, had already hit its own reset button. The Hokies dismissed Pry on Sept. 14 after an 0–3 start that included a 45–26 loss to Old Dominion at Lane Stadium.
Now, the two storylines intersect in Blacksburg, with Franklin set to be formally introduced Wednesday morning as the new face of Hokies football.
Why Swinney Thinks It’s a Fit for Hokies and ACC
From Swinney’s vantage point, this is about more than one program’s coaching change. It’s about the league adding another proven recruiter and program-builder into familiar territory.
“Similar recruiting footprint as far as what he’s been a part of for a long time,” Swinney said. “I’m happy for he and Fumi, his wife. I’ve spent a week with them every February for 15 years, so known him a long time.”
Swinney has been around Franklin for years at offseason events and coaches’ functions. That history informs his belief that Virginia Tech is landing more than just a recognizable name.
“I know he hasn’t won the championship. He was a play away last year from being in the national championship, but he’s a proven football coach,” Swinney said. “I think they made a great hire. I think he’ll do a great job. Again, great for the league. Great for Virginia Tech. Good for the kids who he’ll have an opportunity to coach.”
Earlier this fall, Swinney had acknowledged that firings are “part of this business,” but predicted Franklin would bounce back quickly. The Hokies just gave him that chance — inside Swinney’s own conference.
A Proven Resume, and a Date With Clemson Coming
Franklin heads to Blacksburg with a 128–60 career record over 15 seasons between Vanderbilt and Penn State, a body of work that includes turning around a Commodores program and keeping the Nittany Lions nationally relevant.
Now his next rebuilding job comes in the ACC, where the rest of the league — Clemson included — will have to adjust to his presence.
The Tigers are scheduled to face Virginia Tech in 2026 at Memorial Stadium. By then, Swinney expects the Hokies to look very different under a coach he’s long respected.
For now, the Clemson coach is clear: in his eyes, Virginia Tech didn’t just grab a name. It landed a “winner” — and the ACC just got tougher.