When James Franklin elevated Ty Howle to a full-time, on-field coaching role at Penn State five years ago, he gave him a clear mission: turn the tight end room into the best in the country. No hedging, no qualifiers-just a high bar and the expectation to meet it.
Fast forward to today, and it’s hard to argue with the results. Three tight ends drafted, including 2024 Mackey Award winner and first-round pick Tyler Warren.
That’s not just development-that’s a pipeline. It’s the kind of track record that turns heads across college football and earns trust from head coaches looking to build something special.
So it’s no surprise that Franklin is now backing Howle again, this time in a bigger role. Howle is stepping into the offensive coordinator position at Virginia Tech, marking the first time Franklin has handed those reins to someone in his coaching tree. At just 34 years old, Howle doesn’t bring a long résumé of play-calling experience, but what he does bring is a shared vision with Franklin and a proven ability to develop talent.
“Been waiting for the right opportunity for Ty to take this next step,” Franklin said last week. “Me and Ty see the game in a very, very similar way. And I think he’s going to do a phenomenal job.”
That kind of endorsement doesn’t come lightly, especially from a coach like Franklin, who’s known for being meticulous in how he builds his staff. But it speaks volumes about the trust he has in Howle-not just as a position coach, but as someone who can shape an entire offense.
At Penn State, Howle’s work with tight ends wasn’t just about producing NFL talent. It was about consistently creating mismatches, developing versatile athletes who could block like linemen and run routes like wideouts. That kind of tight end play became a cornerstone of Penn State’s offensive identity, and it didn’t happen by accident.
Now, Howle gets the chance to bring that same creative, developmental mindset to Virginia Tech, but on a much larger canvas. The Hokies are looking to turn the page and reestablish themselves as a force in the ACC. Howle’s promotion is a clear signal that they’re betting on innovation, continuity, and a coach who’s proven he can build something from the ground up.
There will be questions, of course. Play-calling is a different animal, and Howle will need to prove he can manage the flow of a game, make adjustments on the fly, and keep defenses guessing.
But if his track record at Penn State is any indication, he’s not walking into this blind. He’s been preparing for this moment, and now he gets to put his stamp on an offense in need of a fresh identity.
For Franklin, it’s a calculated move. For Howle, it’s the next step in a coaching career that’s been quietly building momentum. And for Virginia Tech, it might just be the spark they’ve been waiting for.