Sports

Virginia Tech Provides Bulletin Board Material To Maryland QB Seeking To Avenge Coach

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iStockphoto / Brian Bishop-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

James Franklin returns to Maryland as head coach at Virginia Tech.


James Franklin will face Maryland on Saturday for the 12th time in 13 years, though things will look much different this time around. The head coach is now at Virginia Tech. His last 11 meetings came while at Penn State.

Franklin has a history with the Terps and head coach Mike Locksley. The two coached together at the university under Ralph Friedgen. Franklin’s exit from the program rubbed many the wrong way. Both sides felt scorned.

Since, he’s made it a point to destroy the Terrapins at every opportunity. His most recent meeting highlighted the bad blood.

James Franklin owns Maryland.

While at Penn State, the coach went 9-2 against the Terps. His last eight wins came by an average of 37 points, which happens to be the differential from his most recent matchup against his former employer.

In 2024, the Nittany Lions hosted Maryland in the regular season finale. They won the game, 44-7. Penn State threw a late touchdown pass to pad the stats. Locksley wasn’t happy.

The postgame handshakes were tense. Franklin addressed the situation after the fact.

“My job is to put the 3’s and 4’s in the game,” he said. “They get to play football. Those guys deserve to play football. (Maryland’s) 1’s are in the game… You’re playing Cover Zero… I’m good with it.”

Franklin’s history with Maryland is known. He was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2001-2005. He left for the NFL before returning in 2008 as offensive coordinator.

Franklin was given the “Head-Coach-In-Waiting” tag as a plan for Ralph Friedgen’s retirement. When the athletic director that made that deal was replaced, things got ugly.

Some say the new AD walked back that HCIW title. Some say Franklin tried to push Friedgen out the door early to secure his promotion. I do not know the exact history.

Ultimately, Franklin left to become the head coach at Vanderbilt. Fifteen years later, he finds himself in Blacksburg.

Players know the relationship.

It’s been top of mind all week. Many in the media have asked both James Franklin and Mike Locksley about their pasts, looking to grab a good sound bite. To this point, both have refused to give it to them.

The same cannot be said for the players, though. They’ve heard about Franklin’s history with Maryland. They are aware of his running up the score in 2024. Many played in the game and will look to avenge their coach.

It could provide some added motivation come Saturday.

Virginia Tech added a little fuel to the fire in the pregame leadup, though unrelated to Franklin. Defensive back Jaquez White was asked about Maryland quarterback Malik Washington.

His response could be viewed as shade.

White seems confident in the defense’s abilities to stop Washington. Maryland will be out to prove otherwise.

The storylines are endless in what almost feels like a rivalry matchup. It will be fun to see how it all plays out on the field.