James Franklin

James Franklin has established himself as one of the most successful program builders in modern college football. His ability to turn around struggling teams at both Vanderbilt and Penn State demonstrates his exceptional coaching acumen. At Vanderbilt, he achieved back-to-back bowl victories in his first two seasons, a rare feat for the program. At Penn State, he navigated the team through post-scrutiny challenges, restoring its competitive edge and winning the 2016 Big Ten Championship. His move to Virginia Tech in 2026 marked another chapter of success, where he immediately injected energy into the program.