James Franklin takes over as Virginia Tech’s head coach following a 3-9 overall and 2-6 ACC campaign in 2025. Ty Howle arrives from Penn State as offensive coordinator, and Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer takes over as the starting quarterback after starting the final seven games of the 2025 season. Update (Oct. 14): Grunkemeyer has established himself as the starter, throwing for 434 yards against Pitt on October 2 and 288 yards against California on October 10. In the backfield, Marcellous Hawkins returns after leading Virginia Tech with 749 rushing yards last season, and Jeffrey Overton Jr. also returns after appearing in the final four games of 2025. Update (Oct. 14): Overton has emerged as the primary backfield contributor, including a 209-yard rushing performance against Boston College on September 26. At receiver, Ayden Greene returns after leading Virginia Tech with 31 receptions for 516 yards, and Duke transfer Que’Sean Brown joins the receiving corps after making 63 catches last season. Update (Oct. 14): Brown has become a leading receiving option, recording 147 yards against Pitt and 63 yards against California. At tight end, Penn State transfer Luke Reynolds joins a group that also returns Benji Gosnell. Up front, the offensive line returns considerable starting experience, led by Kyle Altuner, while Layth Ghannam, Aidan Lynch, and Johnny Garrett each made at least eight starts last season. Montavius Cunningham also returns after starting all four games he played in 2025.
Former Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry returns as defensive coordinator, and five of the Hokies’ top eleven tacklers return from last season. Kaleb Spencer returns after leading Virginia Tech in tackles despite making only three starts. In the secondary, Tyson Flowers and Isaiah Brown-Murray return as full-time starters, while Thomas Williams adds significant starting experience after making eight starts. Up front, Kemari Copeland returns as a full-time starter, and Spencer and Noah Chambers return at linebacker.
Doug Shearer takes over as special teams coordinator, and John Love returns at placekicker after making 15 of 20 field-goal attempts last season, including two from beyond 50 yards. Update (Oct. 14): Love has struggled with consistency, missing three consecutive field-goal attempts. James Franklin has opened competition at placekicker while continuing to support Love as the incumbent. Marshall transfer Nathan Totten takes over at punter after averaging a school-record 46 yards per punt last season. Que’Sean Brown also brings return experience after returning nine punts for 116 yards last season.
Overall, the Hokies entered 2026 with a new coaching staff, while returning their leading rusher, leading receiver, and leading tackler, and adding several experienced Power Conference transfers. Update (Oct. 14): Virginia Tech is 4-2 overall and 1-2 in ACC play following a 25-20 loss at California on October 10. The Hokies opened the season 4-0 before consecutive losses to Pitt and California. Grunkemeyer’s passing production and Overton’s emergence have provided offensive bright spots, while special-teams consistency remains a concern.