The rumor has taken hold across college football circles: former Penn State head coach James Franklin is reportedly in advanced talks with Virginia Tech to become the Hokies’ next head coach. Multiple social media accounts and insider reports have suggested the deal could be finalized soon,

With the matchup a couple days away, we have our first inclination as to who could play, and will not. On Thursday, the ACC released the first availability report for Louisville's matchup vs. Virginia Tech. An updated report will come out at 8:00 p.m. EST on Friday, and a final report will then be released two hours before kickoff.

Virginia Tech is another. However, for the right head coach, it's one of the best jobs available. The Hokies used to be a perennial power in the ACC, even reaching the BCS National Championship game when Michael Vick was the quarterback.

The Virginia Tech football program was built on defense under Frank Beamer and Bud Foster. The defense has fallen off after the Beamer regime ended, and the Hokies’ identity doesn’t seem to have the same blue-collar mentality Beamer built in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech football has now released its initial player availability report to the ACC for its Week 9 bout vs. California. 14 Hokies were listed as out on the report, two were questionable and one was probable. Here's the full list, with the full report included below:

Why did Virginia Tech football's Brent Pry era not work out and what should the Hokies look for in a new coach? As VT's coaching search approaches November with a crowded 2025-26 FBS carousel, 247Sports surveyed established high school coaches from the region.