The Virginia Tech Hokies have introduced James Franklin as their new head coach. Franklin succeeds his former assistant Brent Pry, after the Hokies fired Pry following a 0-3 begin to the 2025 school soccer season.
Franklin bought emotional throughout his introductory press convention, combating again tears as he paid respect to Pry. The veteran head coach mentioned,
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“I bought a ton of respect for Brent and his household. I do know he poured his coronary heart and soul into this place. I do know this place is best at present due to Brent and the dedication that he made. So, I simply need to present the respect to him.”
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Franklin continued,
“I understand how a lot coaches pour their hearts and souls into this job, and I simply need to make it possible for I gave Brent the respect that he and his household deserve.”
James Franklin labored with Brent Pry earlier than Pry accepted the top teaching job at Virginia Tech. Pry coached the Hokies for 4 seasons earlier than being let go earlier this season.
James Franklin makes a immediate return to teaching
It solely took James Franklin a number of weeks to safe his subsequent head teaching function. The previous Penn State Nittany Lions head coach accepted the provide from Virginia Tech to turn into their thirty sixth head coach.
Franklin brings expertise and pedigree to the Hokies. He has a 128–60 head teaching file, an 8–7 file in bowl video games, and a 2-1 file within the school soccer playoffs. Moreover, he is a one-time Sporting Information Coach of the Yr Award winner and a one-time Large Ten champion.
Maybe Franklin’s most important achievement was guiding the Penn State Nittany Lions to the 2024 school soccer playoffs semifinals, the place they finally misplaced to the Marcus Freeman-coached Notre Dame Preventing Irish.
In line with ESPN, Franklin accepted a $9 million settlement from the Nittany Lions forward of his Hokies hiring. It was a small proportion of his initially reported $49 million buyout after getting fired by the Nittany Lions. Franklin can now lock in and try to guide his new aspect to school soccer dominance over the following few seasons.
Edited by Nick Igbokwe
