Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football Head Coach James Franklin spoke with the media Monday afternoon following a blowout win against VMI on Saturday night. The Hokies will look to carry that momentum with them as they prepare to face in-state foe ODU this upcoming Saturday. That matchup will be the first time Franklin has gone up against a former assistant, in Head Coach Ricky Rahne.
Head Coach James Franklin
Opening statement:
"Looking back at the game, after watching the tape, I feel similarly to how I spoke after the game ... The area I wasn't pleased with was penalties ... I take a ton of pride in penalties. I think it shows a disciplined football team and I don't think we were that on Saturday. It creates a sloppy game and I don't like what sloppy represents. They were drive killers. It made things more difficult on offense and defense. The first thing you have to do when taking over a program, before you learn to win, you have to get rid of the things that get you beat."
On his relationship with ODU Head Coach Ricky Rahne:
“Obviously there's a ton of history between me and Ricky Rahne. Our families are close personally and professionally. I've got a ton of respect for him in what he's been able to do at Old Dominion. He is going to bring a team in here that's going to be confident. They've won at home and won on the road. We're going to be playing a confident organization and he's earned that. I've got a ton of respect for him. My job is to do everything I can to put Virginia Tech in the best position to be successful and I know he's doing the same thing. "