Virginia Tech hires James Franklin as football coach to elevate program

Virginia Tech has hired James Franklin as its new head football coach as part of a broader initiative to enhance its athletics program. This move follows a challenging season, which included the dismissal of former coach Brent Pry after a winless start. Franklin's appointment is viewed as key to revitalizing Hokies football, which has struggled since the end of the Frank Beamer era. The university plans to invest significantly in its sports operations, with a commitment of $229 million over four years and the establishment of the Hokie Ventures nonprofit to generate revenue for athletics. Franklin's understanding of the program's history and his plans for future growth are highlighted as essential elements of this transition.

• 2:41 PMYahoo Sports — Virginia Tech hired James Franklin to spark football. It’s part of boosting Hokies athletics overall