Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Who's 'Bewildering'
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Blacksburg, Virginia, is entering a new era as the Virginia Tech Hokies have hired former Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin.
Franklin was hired a few weeks ago after spending 12 seasons as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. During his tenure at Penn State, he achieved an impressive record of 104-45. Franklin also led the Nittany Lions to their first College Football Playoff appearance last year.
They advanced to the semifinals but were defeated by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a closely contested game, losing by a field goal in the final seconds. This year, Penn State began the season ranked No. 2 in the country; however, after a disappointing 3-3 start, the university decided to dismiss its longtime head coach.
Although Franklin was hired shortly before signing day, he immediately began working diligently, helping the Hokies secure the No. 24-ranked recruiting class for this cycle, according to 247Sports. The Hokies signed a total of 23 recruits, which included eight four-star prospects. Notably, Franklin also succeeded in flipping several players who had previously committed to Penn State.
SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum recently appeared on AL.com’s “Beat Everyone” podcast, where he discussed various topics, including a segment where he described several college football coaches, including Franklin, using just one word.
“Bewildering,” Finebaum said.
Franklin takes over a Virginia Tech program that has only one double-digit win season since 2012. During this time, they have also experienced six losing seasons, including a disappointing 3-9 record this past season.
Whether Finebaum’s description proves accurate or not will ultimately be decided on the field. Franklin inherits a program eager for stability and relevance, and early recruiting momentum suggests he plans to move quickly. As expectations rise in Blacksburg, the pressure will only grow for Franklin to turn intrigue into results.
Related: Major College Football Program Labeled ‘Most Disappointing Team’ in 2025
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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