Virginia Tech football: James Franklin explains his ‘shock the world’ comments

TL;DR

Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin expressed his goal for the 2026 season to 'shock the world' during the spring game, igniting excitement among fans. He emphasized the need for teamwork and community support to achieve success.

Key points

James Franklin aims to 'shock the world' with the 2026 Hokies
Franklin emphasized teamwork and community support for success
Virginia Tech showed improved talent and depth during the spring game

Mentioned in this story

James Franklin

Virginia Tech Hokies

BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach James Franklin of the Virginia Tech Hokies walks on the field prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Lane Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images) | Getty Images When Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin was speaking to Hokie Nation on Saturday at the annual spring game in Blacksburg, he was fired up, speaking to the crowd and said the 2026 Hokies were going to “shock the world.” Those comments immediately fired up Virginia Tech fans and, of course, brought out the Penn State fans who still obsessed with every moves Franklin makes or every word he speaks. After the spring game, Franklin spoke to the media, and he was asked about those comments. He explained what he meant. “There is an excitement right now, and we want to keep that excitement going,” Franklin said. We have been fortunate to be a part of two turnarounds in two different conferences, and we plan on doing that again. This place knows what it looks like. They’ve done it before. That’s what this whole re-establish is all about. For us to go where we want to go, it’s going to take the players, the coaches, the community, the fans, that’s going to take the lettermen. We had a bunch of lettermen show up today.“ It’s difficult to take too much out of the spring game. However, the Hokies looked different. The talent was better. They were deeper. And, most importantly, Virginia Tech looked like it had multiple functional quarterbacks, led by projected starter Ethan Grunkemeyer. There’s a long way to go, but it’s a good time to be a Hokie.

Q&A

What did James Franklin mean by 'shock the world' for Virginia Tech football?

James Franklin meant to convey excitement and ambition for the upcoming 2026 season, aiming for a significant turnaround in the team's performance.

How did Virginia Tech perform during the spring game?

During the spring game, Virginia Tech showcased improved talent and depth, particularly with multiple functional quarterbacks, indicating a positive outlook for the season.

What factors did Franklin say are necessary for Virginia Tech's success?

Franklin highlighted the importance of collaboration among players, coaches, the community, fans, and lettermen to achieve the team's goals.