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Virginia Tech Emerges as Sleeper CFP Contender in 2026
Former Penn State coach James Franklin takes over Hokies, brings back defensive coordinator Brent Pry
Published on Feb. 19, 2026
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After a disappointing 2025 season that saw Virginia Tech part ways with head coach Brent Pry, the Hokies have brought in former Penn State coach James Franklin to lead the program. Franklin has brought back Pry as his defensive coordinator, and the duo is looking to return Virginia Tech to its winning ways in the ACC. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy believes the Hokies could be a sleeper contender for the College Football Playoff in 2026.
Why it matters
Virginia Tech has not posted a 10-win season since 2016, a far cry from the program's glory days in the 2000s when it had eight consecutive 10-win campaigns. The Franklin-Pry pairing represents a potential identity reboot for the Hokies, who are looking to become a consistent contender in the ACC once again.
The details
Franklin was hired in November 2025 after Pry was let go just three games into the season. The new head coach has brought back Pry as his defensive coordinator, a role Pry held at Penn State from 2016-2021 under Franklin. The Hokies are also set to welcome a quarterback transfer from Penn State, Ethan Grunkemeyer, who Franklin is familiar with. With Pry leading the defense and Franklin's offense, the Hokies are hoping to establish a clear identity and return to the upper echelon of the ACC.
- In November 2025, James Franklin was hired as the new head coach of Virginia Tech.
- Brent Pry was let go as Virginia Tech's head coach just three games into the 2025 season.
The players
James Franklin
The new head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies, previously the head coach at Penn State.
Brent Pry
The former head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies, who has returned as the team's defensive coordinator under James Franklin.
Ethan Grunkemeyer
A quarterback transfer from Penn State who is expected to stabilize the position for the Hokies.
What they’re saying
“The James Franklin era. Brent Pry's defense. A quarterback transfer. A complete identity reboot. Virginia Tech is kind of the coaching storyline sleeper this year.”
— Greg McElroy, ESPN Analyst (Always College Football Podcast)
“If Franklin stabilizes the offense and Pry can make Tech's defense really disruptive, they can move fast in an ACC that feels like it's constantly shuffling. Virginia Tech doesn't need to necessarily be the best team. They just need to be the team that can be consistent by the time it rolls around to November. Then they can start stacking wins.”
— Greg McElroy, ESPN Analyst (Always College Football Podcast)
What’s next
The Hokies will look to make a strong impression in the 2026 season as they aim to return to the upper echelon of the ACC under the new Franklin-Pry leadership.
The takeaway
Virginia Tech's hiring of James Franklin and the return of Brent Pry as defensive coordinator represents a potential identity reboot for the program, which is looking to recapture its past glory and become a consistent contender in the ACC once again.
