James Franklin makes Virginia Tech press conference extremely awkward with bizarre 'Hey Michael' moment
Virginia Tech’s new head coach, James Franklin, drew unexpected attention on a Zoom press briefing ahead of the Hokies’ Saturday trip to Maryland, not for his coaching plans but for a repeated, awkward exchange with a reporter.
During the call, Michael Howes of the Baltimore Sun introduced himself and attempted to ask Franklin a question. Franklin, however, paused and instead repeated a simple greeting—“Hey, Michael”—five times before he finally acknowledged the reporter. Howes, who could not see Franklin on the screen, reported that he initially thought the audio was glitching, a confusion that was cleared once Franklin finally engaged.
“How do you do?” Franklin eventually asked, an attempt at friendliness that, by the reporter’s account, turned into a moment that was both cringeworthy and oddly memorable. The clip of the exchange was shared on X (formerly Twitter), sparking amusement among college‑football fans.
The incident comes as Franklin’s program, which has opened the 2024 season with a flawless 2‑0 record, heads into its first Big Ten matchup. Virginia Tech’s first two victories came against VMI and Old Dominion, in which the Hokies scored a combined 117 points. Their offense has already been prolific, pouring in 73 points in the opener against VMI. Meanwhile, Maryland has kept its defense tight, allowing just 14 points over the course of its season to date.
Franklin’s tenure has also attracted headlines for other reasons. In an earlier game, he was seen questioning officials after a flag was thrown when running back Marcellous Hawkins Jr. celebrated a touchdown by running with cadets in the tunnel. The incident highlighted the coach’s willingness to challenge the league’s discipline procedures in front of a national audience.
Despite the quirky press‑conference moment, Franklin is focused on the upcoming game. The Hokies will face an unbeaten Maryland squad that has proved difficult to score against. According to Virginia Tech’s coaching staff, the team is eager to test its talent against a tougher opponent and to continue its strong start to the season.
For Franklin, the “Hey, Michael” episode underscores how a simple attempt to be personable can backfire in the age of instant social media coverage. The clip has already generated memes and commentary, but the coach’s primary concern remains the game in College Park. As Virginia Tech prepares to travel to Maryland, fans will be watching to see whether Franklin’s new program can keep its early success and whether the coaching staff will learn a lesson about media etiquette.