Virginia Tech football: Hokies ‘won the offseason,’ but now the real work begins

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Virginia Tech head football coach James Franklin was in Charlotte this week for his very first ACC Kickoff. As expected, Franklin stole the show, speaking to the media about the upcoming season, overcoming past failures and so much more.

On Wednesday, Franklin and new athletic director Brian White were part of a Virginia Tech contingent that had dinner with legendary Hall of Fame coach Frank Beamer. Franklin spoke of how welcoming Beamer, Bud Foster and so many others have been.

So, what did the new head ball coach say about the first version of his Hokies?

“I think we’ve won the offseason,” Franklin said Thursday, via Adam Rittenberg of ESPN. “We’ve done the right things. There’s a lot of excitement. There’s a lot of momentum right now, and this is kind of the end of that, right? All these different things, whether meet-and-greets in Richmond, or whether it’s a 7-on-7 [event], whether it’s recruiting, or whether it’s a transfer portal, spring ball, or spring game, these are all opportunities to build and create momentum.”

He’s right. The Hokies, specifically Franklin, did win the offseason. How could he not? He took the job in mid-November, and in just over two weeks, took a recruiting class ranked in the 120s and finished in the top 30. Next, Franklin attacked the transfer portal, not only improving the 2026 roster, but adding numerous former blue-chip recruits with multiple years of eligibility remaining. Franklin used the offseason to build for the future while also competing this season.

Franklin’s comments were likely to draw the ire of a certain fan base up north who are obsessed with him. Who cares? Franklin’s comments weren’t self-serving; he acknowledged the obvious. Yes, Virginia Tech is excited after a fun offseason full of change, but the real work begins when fall camp opens in a few weeks.

“After this, then we’re getting to the stuff that matters most: practice and winning games and having that stadium rocking,” Franklin added.

One thing we know: Lane Stadium will be rocking.

Here’s Franklin’s full press conference from Charlotte.

We’ll have more from the ACC Kickoff in the coming days, as the countdown to fall camp begins.

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