As Franklin weighed his options about where to coach next, he said the way Brent Pry spoke about Virginia Tech was influential.

Jermaine Ferrell shares how new Virginia Tech head football coach is giving honor and praise to his friend in former Virginia Tech head football coach Brent Pry.

Pry, who previously served as the Hokies’ head coach, has known Franklin for more than three decades. Franklin said stepping into a role once held by someone so close to him added another layer of meaning to the moment. “Brent Pry is a good friend,” Franklin said. “Brent Pry’s dad was my offensive coordinator in college.”

James Franklin was owed $49 million when Penn State firing him, but after taking the Hokies job, he agreed to a significant buyout reduction.