Virginia Tech signs Franklin to $41.75M, 5-year deal, dramatically increases staff pay

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Virginia Tech’s financial commitment to football is evident in new coach James Franklin’s five-year contract, which guarantees him $41.75 million and dramatically increases pay for assistant coaches and support staff.

The school released the terms Friday afternoon.

David Teel: James Franklin wanted to coach again — at Virginia Tech

Among the highlights:

With base and supplemental compensation, Franklin is assured $750,000 for the remainder of calendar 2025, followed by annual totals of $6 million, $5 million, $4 million, $12.75 million and $13.25 million. The modest totals in his first three full years reflect his buyout from Penn State, which fired him last month after 11-plus seasons.

The salary pool for Franklin’s 10 assistant coaches is $9.5 million, with an additional $6 million for support staff. According to Tech’s most recent NCAA financial report, assistant coaches earned a combined $6.4 million, while staff made $3 million.

For context: Clemson’s NCAA report showed $9.7 million for football assistant coaches, $10.5 million for staff. Florida State was $8.7 million and $6.5 million.

Virginia Tech is pledging $3 million toward football recruiting, more than double its $1.2 million of 2024. Clemson and FSU reported $3.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, in recruiting expenses.

David Teel, david.teel@virginiamedia.com

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