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Franklin's Wife Pushed Him Back to Coaching
3 Oct
Summary
- James Franklin considered retirement after Penn State firing.
- His wife, Fumi, and agent encouraged him to continue coaching.
- He signed a five-year, $41.75 million contract with Virginia Tech.
James Franklin considered a brief retirement following his dismissal from Penn State during the 2025 college football season. He disclosed that his wife, Fumi Franklin, and his agent urged him to seek another coaching position rather than retire.
Franklin's wife and agent believed that his presence at home all day would be detrimental. They persuaded him to appear on "College GameDay," which he viewed as a potential audition for future coaching roles. This encouragement led to his eventual hiring by Virginia Tech as the Hokies' head coach.
Virginia Tech has signed Franklin to a significant five-year contract, reportedly valued at $41.75 million. This agreement runs through the 2030 season and includes performance-based bonuses tied to television viewership, aligning with the ACC's new revenue distribution model.
