As the college football coaching carousel slows to a simmer, one thing is already clear: James Franklin isn’t wasting any time reshaping Virginia Tech in his image. After making waves during the Early Signing Period by flipping the Hokies’ recruiting class into a national talking point, Franklin is now turning his attention to building out his coaching staff-and he’s eyeing a familiar face to help anchor the defensive side of the ball.
Sources confirm that Franklin is targeting Texas A&M defensive line coach Sean Spencer to take on the same role in Blacksburg. The move would reunite Spencer not only with Franklin, but also with newly hired defensive coordinator Brent Pry. The trio previously worked together at Penn State from 2014 to 2019, where they helped shape some of the most physical and aggressive defenses in the Big Ten.
Spencer, known in coaching circles as “Coach Chaos,” brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for developing disruptive, high-motor defensive fronts. His coaching résumé is as deep as it is diverse, spanning over two decades with stops at nearly every level of college football-and even a stint in the NFL.
After cutting his teeth in the lower ranks of the college game, Spencer made his FBS debut at Bowling Green as the defensive line coach from 2009 to 2010. From there, he joined Franklin at Vanderbilt from 2011 to 2013, laying the groundwork for a long-standing professional relationship built on trust and shared defensive philosophy.
The Connecticut native followed Franklin to Penn State, where he spent six seasons molding the Nittany Lions’ defensive line into one of the most feared units in the country. His time in Happy Valley was marked by relentless pressure up front and a knack for developing NFL-caliber talent.
Following his successful run at Penn State, Spencer took his talents to the pros, serving as the New York Giants’ defensive line coach for two seasons (2020-2021). He then returned to the college ranks as Florida’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2022 and 2023, continuing to build on his reputation as one of the most respected D-line coaches in the game.
If Franklin is able to bring Spencer on board, it would be a significant addition to Virginia Tech’s coaching staff. Not only does Spencer bring schematic familiarity and proven results, but he’s also a dynamic recruiter and motivator-two traits that align perfectly with Franklin’s vision for the Hokies.
While nothing is official yet, the potential reunion in Blacksburg would give Virginia Tech a seasoned trio on the defensive side, all of whom have worked together at the highest levels of college football. For a program looking to reestablish itself among the ACC’s elite, that kind of continuity and experience could be a game-changer.