Recently fired Penn State head coach may be closing in on his next job — and it might not be one of the marquee programs dominating the coaching carousel. While much of the buzz centers around vacancies at Penn State, LSU, Florida, and Auburn, his next destination could come from outside the SEC and Big Ten.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who reported Saturday on College GameDay, ACC program Virginia Tech has shown “urgency” in pursuing Franklin, hoping to secure him before jobs like Auburn or possibly Florida State open up. Though Franklin’s name has surfaced for several top positions, the Hokies appear to have the inside track at this point.
Still, Virginia Tech isn’t alone in the chase. Behind the scenes, another SEC program has quietly positioned itself as a serious contender — the Arkansas Razorbacks. Even before Auburn parted ways with Hugh Freeze, Arkansas reportedly initiated contact with Franklin. Newsweek reports that Franklin requested a $30 million roster commitment if he were to take the job. “James Franklin wants to know he has at least $30 million to spend on a roster,” Trey Biddy of HawgSports and 247Sports shared, adding that “the interest between Franklin and Arkansas is very much legit. Arkansas is basically going to make Franklin tell them no.”
At the moment, Virginia Tech remains the frontrunner. The Hokies’ athletic director, Whit Babcock, has already pushed for a major funding increase, aiming to raise the athletic department’s spending to over $210 million by 2029, per Gia Nguyen of Sportscasting.com. That financial push could be key in sealing the deal with Franklin.
However, other programs could soon join the race. If Clemson or Florida State experience coaching changes, both ACC powers could become attractive options for Franklin. Meanwhile, the SEC remains a wildcard — with LSU, Florida, and Auburn still searching for new leadership and keeping their targets close to the vest.
According to Kolby Crawford of VTScoop, Virginia Tech has already made “a very generous and likely final offer,” meeting nearly all of Franklin’s demands. While an official decision hasn’t been announced, time is running short. With multiple blue blood programs now looking for head coaches, Franklin’s decision — whether it’s Virginia Tech, Arkansas, or another surprise destination — will likely come sooner rather than later.