From @MFarrell

Fact or fiction: Brent Pry is the right man to turn around the Hokies

A Penn State fan e-mailed this in. Pretty interesting stuff if you want to get to know the new head coach a bit better

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Some of it's reeeeeeeeeal basic ("cover-3 is a middle-high coverage"), but it gets more in-depth.

Took place this morning, here are my notes as it took place.

Courtesy of the ACC Network:

Highlights: Virginia Tech 62, Maryland 58

BRENT PRY BLITZ FILM STUDY

See Link. Penn State fan here. Figured I'd share this...one of our sites does extensive X's and O's breakdowns and this past summer they did one on Pry's blitz tendencies/philosophy -- both good and bad. It's an interesting watch. Pry is a pressure oriented guy who prior to this year played a ton of zone...much more man though in 2021 because of the talent in the secondary.

Feels like it's been ages, even though it's really just been five days since the last game. The ACC/Big Ten Challenge is always a good opportunity to get résumé wins in the non-conference:

Virginia Tech Hokies basketball preview: Maryland

We'll be chatting here during the game, come hang out!

The Pry-orities, if you will:

Pry-orities: What should the next steps be?

Not a surprise after his struggles this season (and your mileage may vary as to whether you think that his loss will even be felt):

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Probably better for both player and program that there's a fresh start.

I would expect he ends up at FSU (dad's alma mater) or somewhere like Indiana (brother Bradley Jr. is transferring from Miami and expected to end up a Hoosier), but there may be a need for LB depth, depending on Pry's vision for VT if if differs from what he did at Penn State:

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I've fielded a number of questions from college football media colleagues over the past 24 hours about Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry. Sources in Blacksburg have indicated interest is mutual and serious. And now it's hit the mainstream with our Yahoo Sports colleague Pete Thamel taking it to the masses:

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When that happens, it's just about a done deal. I think we're a little farther from that point right now, but my response to a Penn State beat writer who asked me late last night was simple: "I'm hearing it from the VT end, and it makes a lot of sense."

Of course, Pry checks several of the boxes that Babcock wants: a winning pedigree, recruiting links in the region, and even a Hokie connection (he was a GA at Virginia Tech in Bud Foster's first two years as the DC here). He also doesn't check a couple key ones, though, namely a breadth of experience running one side of the ball (until 2016, he had only ever been a co-coordinator) or having been a head coach at any level. Nonetheless, VT is in a position to hire a guy who fits some but not all criteria, and Pry nails a few of the most important ones. He's also a guy who'd be willing to have some continuity on the staff but bring in some new blood from outside the program, a nice blend that can be important at a program that has some geographic and cultural quirks like VT (fortunately, Penn State has a lot of the same quirks, which is one of the reasons there's a natural connection between the two programs).

I'll continue monitoring the situation and keeping touch with sources in both Blacksburg and State College, but it's looking increasingly likely that Whit Babcock has found his man, and the primary bridge to cross before a hire is made will come down to the negotiations on contract and the specifics of what resources the program will be given.

Stay tuned.

It’s been a while since we’ve done a mailbag. Let’s go for one on the board today. As soon as questions start rolling in, I’ll start answering (and maybe bring in a few people from around the Rivals network depending on the questions).

Coaching search, basketball, recruiting, off-topic. Fire away, and I’ll start answering as soon as the questions start rolling in.

I think, even if he's not selected early, he has the potential for a long NFL career:

Brock Hoffman selected to Shrine Bowl

SOCIAL LINK

http://vthoki.es/OD7WR



For Immediate Release … Tuesday, November 30, 2021 … Contact: Pete Moris – morisvt@vt.edu



Brent Pry named Virginia Tech Football head coach

Penn State defensive coordinator served as defensive graduate assistant for Tech in 1990s under Frank Beamer, Bud Foster.

J.C. Price to serve as associate head coach/defensive line coach on Pry’s staff.



BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech President Tim Sands and Director of Athletics Whit Babcock announced on Tuesday that Brent Pry has accepted the Virginia Tech Football head coaching position. The Altoona, Pennsylvania, native joins the Hokies after serving the past eight seasons as defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Penn State. Pry returns to Blacksburg after working as a defensive graduate assistant for the Hokies from 1995-97 under head coach Frank Beamer and defensive coordinator Bud Foster.



Pry will be formally introduced to Hokie Nation at 9 a.m. ET Thursday in Blacksburg. Details on the press conference will be shared with the media when finalized. The media session is not open to the public, but will be streamed live at http://hokiesports.com/Watch.



“Laura and I are looking forward to cheering on Coach Pry and the Hokies under his direction,” President Sands said. “We are pleased to welcome him back to Blacksburg. Coach Pry understands what it means to be a Hokie, and now he will have the opportunity to lead our team into Lane Stadium while Hokie Nation jumps to ‘Enter Sandman.’ Coach Pry owns an exemplary record during his previous coaching stops, and we expect that he and his family will call Blacksburg home for many seasons. We wish them the very best as we embark on this journey together.”

“We are excited to welcome Coach Pry, Amy, and their family to Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg community,” Babcock said. “I’m confident that Hokies everywhere will come together to embrace and support them as we enter this new chapter in the history of Virginia Tech Football.



“Coach Pry owns a winning track record on the football field, as well as a history of developing young men into leaders off the field and in the classroom,” Babcock continued. “He’s earned his way up the coaching ranks, and we believe he is the right person to lead Virginia Tech Football and to achieve the goals that we all aspire to attaining. He and his staff will aggressively recruit our region to keep in-state recruits home and attract the talent necessary to win championships in Blacksburg.”



“On behalf of Amy and our family, we are extremely grateful to President Sands and Whit for extending us this opportunity at Virginia Tech,” Pry said. “Working for Coach Beamer and Coach Foster as a graduate assistant in the 1990s, I was privileged to have been a part of this program as the Hokies established themselves as a national power, consistently proving they could beat anyone in the nation.



“Even after I departed Blacksburg, I always continued to appreciate Virginia Tech, its great players, its championship teams, and its wonderful traditions from afar. The resources, facilities, university backing of Athletics, and phenomenal fan support that Virginia Tech enjoys made this a very desirable situation. But just as importantly, the opportunity to raise our children in a community like Blacksburg also has great appeal. We can’t wait to meet the team, the support staff, and Hokie Nation. We will be prepared to hit the ground running in order to attract the type of student-athletes to Virginia Tech who can help us achieve sustained success. Go Hokies!”



Pry indicated that J.C. Price will remain on his staff as associate head coach/defensive coach. Price led the Hokies to a 29-24 victory over Virginia as interim head coach in Tech’s 2021 regular season finale. He will continue to serve in that role through Tech’s bowl game. Pry worked with Price during his senior season as a player in 1995 when Tech finished the season with 10 consecutive wins, culminating with a 28-10 win in the Sugar Bowl over No. 9 Texas.



A 30-year coaching veteran, Pry has coached teams that have qualified for 15 bowl appearances and have finished in the FBS top 25 in total defense eight times. He has played an instrumental role in coaching top 10 defenses at Virginia Tech, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Georgia Southern, and Western Carolina. Since his promotion to defensive coordinator in 2016, the Nittany Lions have posted three seasons with 11 wins and four seasons with nine or more victories. He helped the Nittany Lions to the 2016 Big Ten Championship after defeating No. 6 Wisconsin in that conference’s championship game. His longtime association with current Penn State head coach James Franklin dates back to 1993-94 when Franklin was the quarterback for East Stroudsburg University, where Pry coached outside linebackers and defensive backs.



“I’m truly excited for Brent and his family,” Franklin said. “He's a passionate leader who’ll inspire his team to play their best football; but his greatest strengths are his dedication, relatability and humility. It’s those characteristics combined with his deep understanding of X&Os that will serve Virginia Tech and the entire Blacksburg community best.”



Pry was a 2021 Broyles Award nominee for the top assistant coach in the country as the Nittany Lions ranked fourth nationally in Red Zone defense (66.7%), seventh in scoring defense (16.8 ppg), eighth in defensive pass efficiency (111.98), and held their opponents to 4.7 yards per play. Under Pry’s direction in 2020, Penn State ranked third in the Big Ten in total defense (328.8 ypg), good for 17th nationally, second in pass defense (198.6 ypg), second in TFL (6.7 per game) and fourth in rush defense (130.2 ypg).



Pry’s defense helped lead Penn State to an 11-2 record in 2019, ranking eighth nationally in scoring defense (16.0 ppg). The Nittany Lions also led the nation in fewest yards per carry (2.6) and forced fumbles (22), while ranking fifth in rushing defense (95.0 ypg) in 2019. The Penn State defense led the nation in sacks per game (3.62) and ranked fourth in tackles for loss (8.2) in 2018. His 2018 squad also ranked fifth in the county in yards per pass attempt (5.67), eighth in defensive pass efficiency (106.1) and 11th in Red Zone scoring percentage (.750).



Penn State also registered an 11-2 record in 2017 with Pry earning his first Broyles Award nomination. The Nittany Lions finished seventh in FBS in both scoring defense (16.5 ppg) and sacks per game (3.23) during the 2017 campaign. After taking sole reins as Penn State’s defensive coordinator post in 2016, the team posted an 11-3 mark and finished seventh in the nation, averaging 8.1 TFL per game. As co-defensive coordinator for Penn State in 2014, Pry helped direct a unit that finished second in FBS in total defense (278.7 ypg).



“Virginia Tech is getting a great coach and a wonderful fit for our football program in Brent Pry,” Hall of Fame coach Frank Beamer said. “Not only is Brent exceptionally intelligent, he also possesses a great deal of football knowledge. Growing up as the son of a coach, he’s been around the game all of his life. I’m confident that he’ll do a tremendous job as head coach of the Hokies.”



Pry’s father, Jim, played collegiately at Marshall and began his own 40-year college coaching career at his alma mater in 1973-74. The elder Pry went on to enjoy a distinguished career that included stints at Illinois, Duke, Dartmouth, Akron, East Stroudsburg University, Buffalo, VMI, and Bethune-Cookman, as well as time as a high school head coach.



“It’s been such a pleasure to watch Brent grow, mature and excel at a very high level in the coaching profession,” said former Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who has served as a longtime mentor to Pry. “I’m so excited that he’s earned this opportunity to lead our football program. The best coaches are the ones who are always striving to get better, who are open to new ideas and who can put their players in the best position to be successful. Brent embodies all of those qualities and so many others that it takes to be a leader. I’m so excited that he’s coming back to Virginia Tech.”



Pry served as co-defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt from 2011-13 prior to his arrival in State College, Pennsylvania. While at Georgia Southern in 2010, his defensive unit helped the Eagles to a win over No. 1 Appalachian State and an appearance in the NCAA FCS semifinals. A member of the Memphis staff from 2007-09, Pry’s defensive line corps helped the Tigers to back-to-back bowl appearances. He also coached at Louisiana-Lafayette (2002-06), helping the Ragin’ Cajuns to their first Sun Belt Conference championship following a four-year tour of duty at Western Carolina (1998-01). During his stint as a graduate assistant at Tech from 1995-97, he was part of a staff that guided the Hokies to three bowl berths.



Pry lettered as a defensive back at the University of Buffalo before suffering a career-ending injury. He began his coaching career as an undergraduate student in 1992. He graduated with a degree in history from Buffalo in 1993. Pry and his wife, Amy, are the parents of a son, Colby and two daughters: Madeline and Catherine.

I am starting this thread to monitor who should be the next head football coach at VT. I think it is a little too early for Shane Beamer to leave SC, but perhaps there are other suggestions.

Had to get onnnnnne more edition out before there's no more opportunity to make 'em:

Virginia Tech coaching hotboard

Led by Jermaine Waller, but no first-team selections:

Hokies land 11 on all-conference teams

Lots of smoke around him being named the next HC of my beloved Hokies.
Tboughts?
I personally tbink its an awful hire. The guy has stated that he hates recruiting.

As noted during the Fall, when Whit Babcock wants things to stay quiet, he manages to make them stay very quiet. While there were (strategic) leaks that Justin Fuente's job was secure through the first half of the year, the sudden silence from sources in the athletic department after the Syracuse game indicated that he wanted things buttoned up - and it wasn't hard to read between the lines at that point. Nonetheless, it's still possible to get a tidbit here and there from Blacksburg - and to chase down those tidbits with our networks around the country. Here's the first edition of the coaching hotboard, for your reference. On a few coaches...

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson obviously signed an extension with the Deacons this week. That was expected, and the reason that - despite some buzz that he was the top choice - I didn't get too excited about him. I actually think he would have been a very good fit in Blacksburg (though readers didn't necessarily share that opinion). But he also wouldn't have been a game-changer, either. Getting back to "maybe win the Coastal every three or four years" with some guarantee of consistency being a half-level below that in most seasons is not necessarily what the Hokies wanted, and Clawson's ceiling might not be much higher than that (though the floor might have been). A surer-thing or a risk with more potential payoff on the high end is what Babcock is seeking.

I'm also told that Marshall head coach Charles Huff and South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer are less likely at this stage. Both guys are in their first years at new stops - the first head-coaching stop for each - and the success on-field is not strong enough to outweigh the downsides (PR and otherwise) of yanking a guy with that little time to settle into his current stop. In Huff's case, VT doesn't want to sour relationships with Marshall and become something of a "we're the big guy in the region, deal with it" reputation, if it carries a risk of Huff not working out anyway. In Beamer's case, there's definitely a thought that the 44-year old may very well be an option at his alma mater down the road if he continues to prove himself as a headman. If you don't hire him now, it's not like the opportunity is gone forever in his case. Both these guys will remain on the updated hotboard when it drops in a couple days, but they aren't the hot names.

Ii do think Billy Napier at UL-Lafayette remains the top choice. He's also going to be a hot option for a bunch of high-level teams searching for coaches, so... we'll see if he's a realistic one when the time comes.

With TCU hiring Sonny Dykes, a name for the Hokies isn't off the board (VT was not gonna go after the outgoing SMU man after that type of hire didn't pay off in Fuente), but it does provide a bit of clarity as to who will be available around the country. TCU may well have been a competitor for some coaches... while Dyke may have been an option for a few of the other programs - particularly in Big 12 and Pac-12 territories - who are still on the hunt.

One name you can cross ofd the list: Hugh Freeze at Liberty. I begrudgingly listed him in the first edition of the hotboard (with a few caveats about the caliber of person and rule-follower he is). I'm told that VT was not interested in reaching out to his camp, but his people tried to get in touch with the Hokies and were totally rebuffed. A guy like him - and the inevitable NCAA sanctions - is just not what Babcock wants at this point, and it's unlikely Power-5 jobs are likely for Freeze going forward, unless he successfully rehabs his image for a few more seasons (or someone, particularly in the SEC, gets extremely desperate).

I haven't heard too many realistic rumblings about this one yet, but I actually think recently-fired Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz would be a pretty good fit with Virginia Tech. A guy who's fired from a mid-major is not typically a hot candidate, but frankly LTU was stupid to fire a guy with his history of success just because of two rough year (both pandemic-affected) when he'd been the only guy to bring consistent success to Ruston. Holtz has a history of success at East Carolina - and a spottier record at USF before heading to LTU - and could be a "stability" option. At 57, a "stability option" who competes for Coastal titles for a few years while some longer-term options like Shane Beamer prove themselves? Might not be the worst idea, even if it doesn't get the base jazzed.

A similar option - right down to the ECU connection - is one who continues to be in touch with Babcock, though it doesn't sound like conversations have gotten that serious: ECU coach Mike Houston (who was on the initial coaching hotboard). Though he comes from a mid-major and has only had middling results, he'd come in and get the Hokies back into "lock for the top half of the Coastal" status, with the potential to compete for a title every so often. There have also been feelers (though through more-extended intermediaries) with Coastal Carolina headman Jamey Chadwell. One concern there? He seems intent on keeping his coaching staff together - as he's done at previous stops - whereas VT is looking for a coach who's willing to be flexible and go outside his own coaching tree in search of the best-available staff in Blacksburg.

That's the buzz on a few coaches, and the absence of any particular guy doesn't mean he isn't a candidate, just that the updates haven't flowed over the past several days. Stay tuned for more scoop as the coaching search continues. It should get even more interesting as these guys - and potentially some others - as the regular season draws to a close and the hiring portion of the hiring-and-firing carousel kicks into another gear.

Hearing a lot of noise related to Beamer being a candidate for the Oklahoma job. You can sure bet their is a desire and financial incentives to head west. No way he turns down OU if they come calling.

Man if this turns out to be true, we should really pursue Marcus Freeman.

To bad we don’t have a coach in place because there is a large number of good entries into the portal recently. Not that VT would be a good decision for a lot of them but at least we might pick up a few key positions. I know QB needs to be one of them!!

Enjoy it, y'all. Plenty more content on this game to come (of course followed by wall-to-wall coverage of the coaching search):

Hokies hold off UVa in thrilling entry into Commonwealth Cup rivalry