Virginia Tech Taps Proven Coach James Franklin to Lead Football Program to Greatness

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Virginia Tech has made a bold statement in the college football world by hiring James Franklin as its new head coach. The 53-year-old coach was introduced at a press conference on Wednesday, where he expressed his excitement to experience the university's iconic "Enter Sandman" tradition. Franklin, a proven program builder and winner, has been tasked with elevating the Hokies' football program. He brings with him a wealth of experience, including a 68.1% winning record and eight bowl wins in 15 combined seasons at Vanderbilt and Penn State. Virginia Tech's athletic director, Whit Babcock, emphasized the importance of alignment in achieving success in college football. The university has committed to investing $229 million in its athletic department over the next four years, with the primary goal of elevating the football program. Franklin's hiring is seen as a significant move in the right direction for Virginia Tech, which has struggled in recent years. The Hokies have enjoyed just one winning season in the past six years and haven't played in a major bowl game since 2011. Despite his mixed results at Penn State, Franklin is confident in his ability to lead the Hokies to success. He received a five-year contract and brings with him deep recruiting ties to the Mid-Atlantic region, dating back to his time as an assistant coach at Maryland. Franklin's introduction was met with enthusiasm from the university community, including a visit from Frank Beamer, the Hokies' all-time winningest coach. Beamer's blessing holds significant weight for Franklin, who is eager to put his stamp on the program and lead the Hokies to greatness.