Virginia Tech head football coach James Franklin engaged in a peculiar and widely discussed interaction with a reporter during a virtual press conference on Monday, repeatedly addressing the journalist as "Michael" before allowing him to ask a question. The moment has since gained viral traction online, drawing comments ranging from amusement to bewilderment.
The exchange occurred when Michael Howes of the Baltimore Sun attempted to ask a question via Zoom. Howes initiated the interaction by saying, "Hey, coach." However, Franklin responded, "Hey, Michael," before Howes could proceed. This pattern continued for several repetitions, with Franklin interjecting "Hey, Michael" multiple times as Howes tried to formulate his question.
After a noticeable pause and a few awkward seconds, Howes inquired if Franklin could hear him. Franklin confirmed he could and explained that he was simply asking how the reporter was doing. Once Howes responded, "I'm good, how are you?" Franklin indicated he was also "good" and permitted the reporter to ask his original question about the coach's evolving relationship with Maryland coach Mike Locksley.
Howes later explained on X (formerly Twitter) that technical difficulties with the Zoom call, specifically audio glitches, led to the unusual back-and-forth. "Couldn't see him on Zoom and thought the audio was glitching," Howes posted. "My apologies, James."
Franklin's Hokies are set to play Maryland on Saturday. Virginia Tech has started the season with a 2-0 record, scoring 117 points in their first two games. They are currently three-point road favorites for the upcoming contest.
This unusual interaction has drawn comparisons to Franklin's past coaching antics, such as his previous habit of tweeting opponents' names repeatedly while at Penn State. Some observers suggest that such moments could be used against him should the team not meet expectations in critical games.