Hokie FootballFriday, November 6
Florida State fans are linking James Franklin to their job, but a move looks unlikely
The Daily Blacksburg team
If your feed is full of Franklin-to-Tallahassee chatter, here's where it stands. Florida State fired head coach Mike Norvell, and Barstool's Brandon Walker predicted on Nov. 3 that the Seminoles will hire James Franklin away from Virginia Tech. His pitch: Florida State has "created two job openings in the ACC."
WDBJ7 says a move makes little sense for either side. Florida State Athletics carries about $437 million in debt, and the school has no permanent athletic director. It has reportedly not started formal outreach.
$437 millionin Florida State Athletics debt, second-highest in the nation
Only Penn State carries more.
Source: WDBJ7
- Hired: Virginia Tech announced Franklin in November 2025
- Penn State: 2016 Big Ten title, 2024 playoff semifinals
Ryan Castle of Sons of Saturday said he doesn't think Franklin would leave unless it's "a slam dunk better opportunity." He named Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame and USC as the kind of jobs that would qualify.
Franklin is 6-2 in his first season at Virginia Tech
- 104-45
- Franklin's record at Penn State
- 6-2
- overall this season at Virginia Tech
- 3-2
- in ACC play this season
Source: FSU Seminoles On SI
Sources: WDBJ7, FSU Seminoles On SI