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James Franklin walked into Cassell Coliseum to the thrum of Virginia Tech’s Enter Sandman and was introduced as the Hokies’ football coach, the first Power Four hire of this cycle. The 53-year-old, fired by Penn State on Oct. 12 after a third straight loss, signed a five-year deal and vowed alignment with an athletic department planning $229 million in new investment. Cited as a proven recruiter with Mid-Atlantic ties, Franklin owns a 68.1% win rate and eight bowl victories. He greeted Frank Beamer and said the program must look, feel, smell and operate like big-time.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.