Nick Saban reveals true feelings on James Franklin's fit with Virginia Tech 34 days after Penn State fired HC

Arnold
Nick Saban reveals true feelings on James Franklin
Nick Saban reveals true feelings on James Franklin's fit with Virginia Tech 34 days after Penn State fired legendary HC (Image Credits - IMAGN/GETTY

Virginia Tech has been in talks with James Franklin to potentially take over as the team's coach, according to reports from earlier this week. Franklin was fired by Penn State on Oct. 12, after the team suffered three consecutive losses.

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On Saturday, seven-time national championship-winning coach Nick Saban shared his thoughts on how Franklin would fit in at Virginia Tech.

"This would be a great hire for Virginia Tech," Saban said on "College GameDay." "You would get a class guy and a class coach who would be very successful, I'm sure."

Saban's "GameDay" co-host Pat McAfee also shared his opinion on Franklin potentially joining Virginia Tech.

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"They've committed," McAfee said. "They said they're going in, like, $250 million, I think, over the next few years. We have coach Bruce Arians on the program; he's one of the advisors for that entire thing. They're trying to go all in there.
"And what I think about immediately, and I think if you ask the Pitt (Pittsburgh) people this, James Franklin, now in the ACC, if he goes to Virginia Tech, is going to be forced to play Pitt. Like, Penn State chooses not to play Pitt, I guess, right? They're scared. Penn State's scared of Pitt. That's what Pitt says."
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Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry from his coaching position on Sept. 14, a day after a 45-26 loss to Old Dominion had the Hokies fall to 0-3. Since then, Philip Montgomery has been serving as the team's interim head coach.

It remains to be seen whether Franklin will coach Virginia Tech next after his dismissal from Penn State.

A look at James Franklin's coaching record at Penn State

NCAA Football: Former Penn State HC James Franklin - Source: Imagn
NCAA Football: Former Penn State HC James Franklin - Source: Imagn

James Franklin was hired by Penn State in January 2014. He posted a 105-45 record in just over 12 seasons with the Nittany Lions.

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Franklin led Penn State to the Big Ten East division title and the Big Ten championship during the 2016 season. Last season, Franklin led the program to the College Football Playoff, where the Nittany Lions lost to Notre Dame in the semifinals.

Many believed that Franklin would guide Penn State to another College Football Playoff appearance this season. However, he was fired after leading Penn State to a 3-3 record in the opening weeks of this season.

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