Virginia Tech football issued a warning on Sunday morning that Brent Pry will be dismissed. The disappointing loss to Old Dominion effectively sealed his fate, as the Hokies parted ways with their head coach.
Pry leaves Blacksburg with a 16-24 record, including a 0-3 start. He joins DeShaun Foster at UCLA as head coaches who are released of their positions on the same day.
Virginia Tech has the largest current head coaching opening on the east coast. But how appealing is this gig?
The school appears to be behind on NIL revenue, with Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports claiming that athletic director Whit Babcock has requested financial assistance.
In August, the Hokies’ athletic director requested a $200 million annual budget only to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Pry also failed in college football recruiting, with his school ranking last among ACC schools for the 2026 class, according to 247Sports. This position is ideal for a current head coach with a track record of success, as well as those with long-standing ties to the university. Here is a list of names to watch.
Will Michael Vick return to Virginia Tech?
It’s time to discuss the elephant in the room: if the most beloved athlete in school history decides to leave Norfolk State after just one season.
According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Vick has already been classified as a “wildcard” for the vacancy. Vick’s fame alone will undoubtedly appeal powerfully to this flailing program. Especially given Vick’s links to Hampton Roads, which is likely one of the Hokies’ top recruiting regions.
Vick is still having difficulty landing this job. He is only three games into his head coaching career at Historic Black College and University (HBCU).
He’ll most likely need to follow in the footsteps of Deion Sanders and build himself up for three or four seasons before making the jump to the strong conference.
Another past beloved Virginia Tech name surfaces
Since Frank Beamer’s tenure, the Hokies have not been ranked in the top 25 on an annual basis. The university may turn to his son.
Shane Beamer is a decent 31-23 at South Carolina, recruiting heavily against Southeastern Conference heavyweights.
But the attraction of the SEC makes it difficult for this Beamer to leave. He has a $5 million contract buyout, but only if he leaves after the 2025 season. The buyout then decreases by $1 million per season.
He is a Charleston native who grew up in Blacksburg. Hokies fans will welcome him based only on his surname, introducing Beamer Ball 2.0.
Charles Huff is another to watch
Huff has only coached three games at his new position at Southern Miss. Except he’s well-known in the town that surrounds the Hokies’ campus.
He attended nearby Hampton University and played football there. He recruited locally while leading Marshall University to a 32-20 record.
Oh, Huff is a former Alabama assistant who knows Nick Saban. Saban’s involvement makes Huff appealing for any role, including this one.
One more in-state option for Virginia Tech
Bob Chesney, James Madison’s head coach, is a rising star in the business. However, Liberty’s Jamey Chadwell is the in-state alternative we are considering.
He is in the third year of his seven-year contract, which he signed in December 2022. His buyout is unknown, although he earns $4 million a year.
Chadwell has not had a losing season since 2019, when he went 5-7 at Coastal Carolina. He has a 61-29 record at two G5 programs, guiding the Flames to the 2023 Fiesta Bowl. Chadwell is worth a call here.
Former NFL head coach is nearby for Virginia Tech
Kliff Kingsbury, a four-hour drive from the Blacksburg campus, is a large dark horse to drop.
He is in his second season as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator, and Jayden Daniels is quickly becoming a famous name in the NFL. But many supporters are aware of his head coaching qualifications.
He led the Arizona Cardinals to the 2021 season playoffs. Texas Tech made three bowl appearances under his leadership from 2013 to 2018, during which time he coached a young Patrick Mahomes. Kingsbury is sure to hear from clubs looking for a head coach, including collegiate programs.
