Marty Gordon
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Virginia Tech football head coach James Franklin spoke to the media at the ACC Kickoff at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown on Thursday.
He hit upon the changing of the guard in Blacksburg, while keeping many things from the past. He said he remains optimistic leading into his first season.
Franklin called the hiring of the fired former head coach Brent Pry as his defensive coordinator as unconventional.
“I think that really helped having someone like that that really understood the challenges of the place, the strengths of the place, the institutional knowledge, the community knowledge was extremely valuable, but we’ve been able to hit the ground running. We are bigger, we are stronger, we are faster than we have been.
“There’s no doubt about that, and I think our depth is in a position to be able to compete. So, from an expectation, from a standards, from a culture standpoint, I think we’re in a really good place. Again, we feel like we have won the off season,” Franklin said.
The key in moving into Tech’s new chapter, according to the former Penn State head coach, is to remember the past.
“We got to make sure all those things translate to the season and go out and play a style and a brand that is going to make Coach Beamer proud, who was with us for dinner last night. It was great to see him. Bud Foster proud, all of our alumni, Eddie Royal, who’s here with us. We want to make all those all those people proud of how we play, how we conduct our business, and we’re excited about the opportunity,” he said.
The reporter room was quick to quiz Franklin on his past 4-21 record against AP Top-10 opponents.
“I think the first thing is embracing the history in the past, right, and understanding and learning from it. But what I also know is there’s been a ton of really good things done over my time. Time as a head coach in the SEC, time as my head coach in the Big 10, time as my experience now, obviously now in the ACC. Kind of got a unique perspective. There’s not too many coaches that have that type of experience and that type of background. Also, three rebuilds,” he said.
The Tech coach said he has learned a lot from the previous stops that will help him be successful in the ACC:
“Interesting. I think everybody’s journey is different. I talk about this with the players, as well. You’ve got to embrace your journey. I played Division II football. I coached Division II football. I think those humble beginnings. Marcellous [Hawkins] has got a similar background as well, right? Those humble beginnings make you appreciate everything, and I think a sense of appreciation for what you have and your blessings and the places that we’re at are more important than they’ve ever been in college football.”
