Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney reacts to James Franklin hiring at ACC school

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Former Penn State Nittany Lions coach James Franklin is heading back to the sidelines. Franklin will be the next head football coach at Virginia Tech.

Franklin was fired on Oct. 12 after spending parts of 12 seasons at Penn State. The Nittany Lions started 3-0 and climbed to No. 2 in the top 25 polls before suffering three straight losses, which resulted in Franklin being fired one day after a stunning 22-21 home loss to the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium.

Franklin was scheduled to formally be announced as Virginia Tech’s new coach Wednesday morning. The Hokies fired Brent Pry on Sept. 14 following an 0-3 start to the season that including a 45-26 loss to Old Dominion at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.

Clemson Tigers coach Dabo Swinney was asked about Franklin joining the ACC at his weekly Tuesday press conference. Swinney is happy for the Hokies’ new coach and said:

“He’s a winner. He’s won everywhere he’s been. He’s a good football coach. I’ve known James for a long time. Have a good relationship with him. It certainly will be great for our league, and I think it’s a great fit. Similar recruiting footprint as far as what he’s been a part of for a long time. I’m happy for he and Fumi, his wife. I’ve spent a week with them every February for 15 years, so known him a long time.”

Swinney, for one, believes Virginia Tech made a great hire.

“I know he hasn’t won the championship. He was a play away last year from being in the national championship, but he’s a proven football coach. I think they made a great hire. I think he’ll do a great job. Again, great for the league. Great for Virginia Tech. Good for the kids who he’ll have an opportunity to coach.”

Swinney had previously said that he understood firings were “part of this business” and that Franklin would bounce back.

Franklin will head to Blacksburg with a career record of 128-60 over 15 years between Penn State and Vanderbilt. Clemson is scheduled to face Virginia Tech in 2026 at Memorial Stadium.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney on James Franklin joining the ACC

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