But im just trying to make sense of what appears to be a remarkable change in fortune for the man. Chris Coleman reported Monday that sources repeatedly said he was instrumental in making this all happen.

A coach of Franklin's resume being fired in October almost never happens, and, over the summer, no broker would've even set odds on the possibility that Franklin would be the Virginia Tech coach in 2026. In the world in which Penn State recovers against Northwestern, and they just have the 1 embarrassing loss against UCLA after being hung over against Oregon, maybe Franklin isn't fired, and now the only way anyone gets him out of Penn State is poaching him with an exorbitant salary, one that Tech probably can't afford. And then there's the factor of how Franklin's spent most of his coaching career in the mid-Atlantic, and how Penn State and Virginia Tech share a lot of overlap. I just don't know that Babcock, or any athletic director for that matter, can expect to replicate this kind of hire in the future.

Chance of either being true is the same.

Its almost certainly a remarkable change in fortune/reputation for Babcock. The conventional wisdom was that he was to be sidelined during this process. Coleman reported Monday that his sources told him that Babcock was absolutely crucial, so unless Colemans sources are playing him, its more then just the lip service we heard yesterday. Of course, like I mentioned yesterday, Henry VIII loped Thomas Cromwells head off shortly after praising him and granting a new title......

wonder that ascribes a level of thinking and vision to Babcock that strains reality given his performance as the VTAD. His failures from football to fundraising to operations administration and so on begs the question, if he was smart enough to envision that play why did he whiff on basics that could/would have prevented things from reaching their present point. Similar questions can be applied to Sands as well, IMO. He was the man in the middle, essentially taking his orders from others and providing input as requested. I suspect the platitudes and kind words for him yesterday revolve more around a classy let down than an indispensable contribution.

Part as far as the agent and talks as he was the only one that had experience in that role and looks like he did it well even though he’s dropped the ball on many other issues regarding the football program and MBB. At this point what difference does it make? We’ve got a great coach hired who I’m sure we’ll do what is necessary to clean up the mess that was created in my opinion from Sands, WB, JB, and anyone else in the administrative athletic department who didn’t do their jobs and that needs to go.

has done a terrible job at the grassroots level(hokie club). If that doesn't change Franklin will have him run out of town, because I can guarantee you Franklin will have more financial askes.

So maybe this was him, and others around him swarming to help. Allowed him to focus on what he does best, which is behind the scenes.

Could argue he went to the BOV and said, I failed because I couldn't hire anyone, put the money into the program and we'll do it right. They stepped up and now we have Franklin. Overall I'm happy with the Hokie product being put on the field/court across multiple sports. Looks like mens basketball now has money to give us a pretty good team. Womens basketball took a hit when a once in a lifetime player graduated and head coach bailed with all the players but new coach is showing promise and getting players. Wresting in top 10 in the country with my home town (Johnstown PA) sending the best to be a Hokie! Softball is a well oiled machine at this point with players/coaches just need to get Chip some funding! :) Just wish/hope we can turn the baseball program around. Not to mention good showing by soccer/swimming/track&field. Heck, even volleyball has won a match this year! Long way from the Lisa Pikalek days while I was there.

lack of communication. He has a lot of areas of complete failure.

2 important olympic sports

Think he's not wired for next level thinking and taking VT to another level. As if he's hit a ceiling. A lot of sports are performing well except the biggest revenue driver – football. Getting him to go further seems to be everything you listed, so trust me when i say... i'm with you.