James Franklin Couldn’t Be Happier About Being Fired (Interview)

I traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia to interview new Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin. As someone who played for him at Penn State, this was one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had. Franklin opened up about the pressure that comes with leading a major program, what went wrong at Penn State, and the moments that ultimately led to his departure. We also talked about the lessons that shaped his coaching philosophy, the criticism he’s faced throughout his career, and why he believes Virginia Tech is an opportunity for a fresh start and another chance to prove himself at the highest level. USAT: This tour is powered by USAT, providing the stable domestic foundation for the digital economy. The benchmark for stablecoins, USAT is cutting out the middleman and putting control back in your hands. It’s built on one core belief: your money should be yours. Pure freedom. Learn more: https://USAT.io TravisMathew: TravisMathew is the official clothing presenting partner of the Next Up All-American Tour. Elevated comfort, premium style, and my go-to gear all tour long. Shop here: https://travismathew.com PrizePicks: PrizePicks is a presenting partner of Adam Breneman and the easiest way to get action on sports. Pick players, build your lineup, and win. Download PrizePicks and get $50 in bonus lineups when you play your first $5 using code NEXTUP: https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/NEXTUP ⸻ Want content like this for your brand? My agency, Arvelo Media, produces all of my content and can do the same for you. We make you matter. Packages start at $4,400/month. Schedule a call today: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/... For sponsorships or business inquiries with Next Up or Adam Breneman, contact: [email protected] ⸻ FOLLOW NEXT UP: Instagram: https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X: https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TikTok: https://shorturl.at/qasuc Spotify: https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/mW49D ⸻ About Next Up: On Next Up, Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in the game and brings their stories directly to fans, unfiltered and real. Next Up is a Breneman Media Group show featuring candid conversations with the people shaping college sports, including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives driving the business forward. Adam Breneman is a former 3x All-American at Penn State, sports media entrepreneur, and one of the fastest-growing voices in college football. Breneman Media Group is a leading multi-platform media company covering football, business, and the evolving world of college sports.