Franklin Claims Hokies 'Won the Offseason' as ACC Kickoff Delivers Headlines

The 2026 ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte produced a busy stretch of news across the conference, with Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin emerging as one of the week's central figures during his first appearance at the annual media event.

Franklin, in his debut at ACC Kickoff, spoke extensively about the upcoming season, addressing past failures and outlining expectations for the Hokies program. His declaration that Virginia Tech had won the offseason drew significant attention from the assembled media, though Franklin and others acknowledged the harder work lies ahead when games actually begin. Franklin was joined in Charlotte by new athletic director Brian White, along with players Kemari Copeland, Tyson Flowers, and Marcellous Hawkins.

Pribula Gets the Nod at Virginia

Virginia also generated news in Charlotte, where coach Tony Elliott officially named Beau Pribula the Cavaliers' starting quarterback. According to reporting from Jerry Ratcliffe, Elliott values Pribula for his leadership, toughness, and versatility — an ability to win games through the air, on the ground, or by outmaneuvering defenses mentally. Pribula has indicated that his prior experience has prepared him for the starting role.

Meanwhile, North Carolina's head coach was set to take the podium on Friday, and expectations heading into that session were tempered. The coach has a well-established reputation for keeping answers brief and closely guarded, and observers noted that while questions from reporters would be numerous, substantive responses were far from guaranteed.

Franklin's performance in Charlotte also drew attention for a separate reason: his staff includes a former Virginia Tech coach, a hire that has been described as one of the bigger gambles of his tenure and a decision for which there is no clear precedent. Even for a coach known for projecting confidence, the unconventional nature of the move has drawn scrutiny heading into the season.

ACC Kickoff served its traditional function of setting the conference's narrative table ahead of fall camp, and the 2026 edition delivered on that front. Franklin's outsized presence, Virginia's quarterback announcement, and the ongoing intrigue surrounding North Carolina's program gave the Charlotte gathering plenty of storylines to carry into the coming weeks.