Since 2026
Fired by Penn State in October 2025 despite a $49M+ buyout, Franklin was hired at Virginia Tech in Nov. 2025 in one of the most unusual coaching moves in recent memory: he brought back Brent Pry — the very coach Virginia Tech had just fired — as his new defensive coordinator. Pry had been Franklin's DC at Penn State and Vanderbilt for years before taking the Hokies job himself in 2022.
Record & context
Lifetime recordMultiple programs (Vanderbilt, Penn State)
Current program1st season at Virginia Tech
Years in system—
ATS contextNo single published career ATS figure Virginia Tech fired Pry after an 0-3 start in 2025 (its worst start since 1987) following a 45-26 home loss to rival Old Dominion. Interim Philip Montgomery went 3-2 the rest of the way, including ACC wins over NC State and Cal, before Franklin's hire reset the program again for 2026.
Previous season3–5 under interim Montgomery (after 0-3 start under Pry)
Compensation
Salary$6.0M
SourceCoach salary per FootballScoop (FOIA'd staff salary list: 5-yr deal starting at $6M in 2026, topping out at $13.25M by 2030). Virginia Tech is simultaneously paying Brent Pry's renegotiated $3.1M buyout (from his Sept. 2025 firing) plus his new $1.5M/yr DC salary, and still owes the remainder of Pry's original $6M+ obligation — the program is funding multiple overlapping coaching commitments at on
Designationreported
Confidence—
Figures are labeled by designation. Estimated values are not official contract terms.