Brent Pry On Staff Changes: Hokies Didn't Meet Meet Standards, Expectations

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

December 13, 2024 26

Hokies head coach Brent Pry announced staff changes on Thursday and justified them on Friday. (Ivan Morozov)

Saying he was unhappy with the Hokies’ direction at the midpoint and down the stretch of a disappointing 6-6 season, Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry justified the firing of defensive coordinator Chris Marve, offensive line coach Ron Crook and strength coach Dwight Galt IV on Friday, saying he came to the decisions after a comprehensive and ongoing evaluation of the program.

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Brent Pry Brent Pry Coaching Staff Hires

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26 Comments

jahokies88 December 14, 2024 at 10:25 PM

How do we weigh some of the initial assessments that Crook is a pretty good coach as he took some ‘rough’ pieces and made them into legitimate lineman at the other programs he was at??
phtbddh December 13, 2024 at 3:14 PM

Pry definitely seemed pretty stressed to say the least, but I like the direction he's taking. The S&C coach was a pleasant surprise. I hope we do some better due diligence this time around and hire people with real experience and not someone learning on the job
1. phoenixhokie December 13, 2024 at 6:51 PM
  
  Typical and misguided as too many of you guys just hammer away on ‘learning on the job’ or ‘never been an OC so he sucks!’ Uh … current HC’s at Oregon and ASU never had the head whistle and they’re doing more than fine. I’m assuming we would have taken a no head coach experience Ryan Day several years ago? You’re just looking through YOUR myopic lens. Marve got fired for many reasons not singularly b/c he wasn’t a DC previously. I’ve seen people clammering for Darryl Tapp. Really? Are you hearing yourselves? He’s never had a DC title either. If Marve had improved the D this year over last year, everyone would be saying, ‘see, I knew he was a comer in the coaching ranks, he just needed a shot!’ Get a clue!
  1. Al Czervik December 13, 2024 at 10:12 PM
    
    I think there are a fair amount who would be a little more understanding if the top 3 coaches responsible for the direction of the program weren't all new to their jobs. Two, or at least one, with prior experience I believe would have produced slightly better results (see Elko at Duke).
Long-Lost Hokie December 13, 2024 at 1:56 PM

The Foster comment stands out. I remember someone reporting earlier in the season (on one of the boards) that Foster had said the difference between good coaches and great coaches is their ability to make adjustments. Who knows the veracity of the comment (if it actually happened). But it stood out to me then -- wondering what kind of subtext there may have been to his (alleged) comment. I would be extremely surprised if Pry didn't consult with Foster on this move, and I would also be surprised if he didn't take his advice.
1. Long-Lost Hokie December 13, 2024 at 1:57 PM
  
  Context: the comment by Foster supposedly happened this year, in a chance encounter with him.
shaeelle December 13, 2024 at 1:36 PM

Hi There... A couple of things: I have seen some names thrown out there, two look like a good fit: Bill Durkin (Liberty) and Todd Washington (Former Hokie/Jacksonville Jags Asst. Offensive Line Coach). Second: Can anyone do a story on where College Sports are heading? Can we get a Salary cap to level the playing field and limit the number of portal entries? Belichick just signed a $10 Million dollar deal - Pry scheduled to make $5 million. That is a huge disparity! Deion and Belichick will be taking most of the good players! Deion turned a crappy program into a 9-3 team in one year! Thanks!
1. atlhokie1 December 13, 2024 at 1:57 PM
  
  Deion got a lot of free positive press when he started and turned over the roster fast. The new (old) UNC coach could turn out to be another Mack Brown - lots of hype but little winning overall.
  1. HOKIERIT December 13, 2024 at 4:24 PM
    
    Or NOT!!
  2. rpVTusmc December 14, 2024 at 6:34 AM
    
    If you are comparing Bill Belichick to Mack Brown, there is a mountain between them. I wouldn’t be surprised if UNC is in the playoff next year. That’s how great of a football coach Belichick is. He also was the Pats GM. He knows how to run a professional organization from top to bottom. He will thrive in the ACC.
    1. TexasHokie89 December 15, 2024 at 8:27 AM
      
      Couple thoughts on BB. One of all time greatest NFL coaches. However… He was 29-42 in last four seasons, including 4-13 in his last. He didn’t get other jobs in the NFL when he publicly wanted one. There isn’t a great history of NFL coaches going to college. Herm Edwards is one example. In business, culture trumps strategy every day. College sports, while now similar to the NFL, is culturally very different. For example, you know when someone is a free agent and can pick a team because of contracts. You are dealing with 18-23 year olds that think very differently than someone who just signed a multimillion dollar contract. Quick fixes are tough. I’m skeptical of the hire.
2. MKD December 13, 2024 at 1:58 PM
  
  One issue with implementing a salary cap is that players would technically become employees, which means they couldn’t be required to “attend classes.” The NCAA ignored the reality of college sports for over a decade. They NCAA is a business and they wanted to maintain control and maximizing profits. NIL changed everything and I have no idea how things will function moving forward...
3. wwhokie1 December 13, 2024 at 2:22 PM
  
  A salary cap would be irrelevant unless something changes with nil. There is no cap on nil. Nor can there be. The way nil is handled would have to be changed to ensure it is genuine nil and not just payments to players.
4. ChazB December 13, 2024 at 10:04 PM
  
  would love to see Todd Washington come home! great man & outstanding OL coach!!!
  1. jkharman December 14, 2024 at 7:53 AM
    
    I would as well but I’m concerned because as a Jags fan, their OL is not good. Is that personnel or coaching.
dbc05 December 13, 2024 at 1:32 PM

> The firings were the most significant staff shakeup at Virginia Tech since the defensive overhaul in 2019 when Bud Foster retired. 2022 was pretty big too :)
1. HokieTC December 13, 2024 at 8:59 PM
  
  Pretty Funny! Made me smile.
pine52x December 13, 2024 at 1:22 PM

Though Tuten would make a huge difference in the bowl game, I would rather he just skip it and prepare for the Senior bowl. I don't want to see him take a chance and possibly get injured. With a rebuilt O-line for the bowl game, it may not work out well for him.
1. George Baylor December 13, 2024 at 2:43 PM
  
  Spot-on. Mr. Tuten should be about his future, not the mayo bowl.
MKD December 13, 2024 at 1:13 PM

Andy, do you anticipate any more coaches getting fired or just their roles changed within the program? Pry was very vague and I couldn't quite comprehend his intentions accordingly... Thanks, sir
1. Andy Bitter December 13, 2024 at 1:21 PM
  
  More shuffling or guys reassigned. Don't think any more outright firings.
  1. MKD December 13, 2024 at 2:09 PM
    
    Thanks, I was thinking the same. Pry seems to be at a crossroads and looked very stressed. Now is not the time for fans and donors to pull back support—I’d argue that everyone needs to be “all in” right now. I think the weak link is Babcock, as many fans and donors believe. He doesn’t seem to be the right leader for this new era of college sports.
    1. DhokieW December 15, 2024 at 10:47 AM
      
      Agree. In his recent interview, his energy was low, not inspiring, and all the changes in college sports seemed kind of overwhelming to him. Winners can see and understand changes before others, and use that as an advantage. Or better put; https://duckduckgo.com/?q=caddy+shack+danny+be+uou+futur&iax=videos&ia=videos&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-fMjspnFemM
  2. VicDrit December 13, 2024 at 2:35 PM
    
    What if a new DC wants to bring a couple of his own guys? There's always the possibility another coach or two could be let go.
    1. George Baylor December 13, 2024 at 2:44 PM
      
      I highly suspect the new DC will want some of "his guys." They do that.
      1. HokieTC December 13, 2024 at 9:00 PM
        
        Maybe a Linebackers coach?

Brent Pry On Staff Changes: Hokies Didn't Meet Meet Standards, Expectations

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