Pry On Hokies DC Hire Sam Siefkes: 'He’s Composed, He’s Poised, He’s Got A Ton Of Confidence'

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

January 28, 2025 29

Sam Siefkes is the Hokies' new defensive coordinator. What went into his hire? (Arizona Cardinals)

From a wide net of 20 candidates, Hokies coach Brent Pry narrowed his defensive coordinator search to 10 serious ones in a winding, nearly seven-week process. Six he spoke to in person during four-hour interviews, two more in lengthy phone conversations.

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Brent Pry Coaching Staff Hires

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29 Comments

Lancelot Link January 29, 2025 at 1:15 PM

What did he say about Marve? How did that work out? Unfortunately, his track record hiring Coordinators is not very good. But, "Hope springs eternal".
George Baylor January 29, 2025 at 7:43 AM

I hope Pry's assessment of Sam is not like his injury assessment of Tuten & Drones "just nicked-up." As Hokies very loyal fans and one of the thousands who come to Lane, we need Sam and thus Pry to be successful. Like other posters say, "we will see what happens." Our game with Vandy and its mobile and good QB and offense will be an indicator of Sam's coaching prep & adjustments. See you there.
syee74vt96 January 29, 2025 at 1:59 AM

Looks good on paper / in theory. Let’s hope the winning in the off-season can translate to winning during the season.
1. TDVick January 29, 2025 at 9:58 AM
  
  I like his background and success under different scenarios with lower level teams. I wish we'd done this all along rather than go with so many Penn State guys who are almost impossible to evaluate since they are always loaded with talent. Looks like a step in the right direction to me - FOR A CHANGE! No complaints here. Seems more intelligent than what we usually do.
namibiahoke January 29, 2025 at 1:51 AM

Let's not forget that there is another spin on this story rather than "Did Pry get it right?" That is, did Sam Siefkes get it right? I doubt there was any pressure on him to leave the Cardinals to join a lack luster Hokie team. He has made a decision that will influence his future career. It signals to me that he has faith not only in himself, but also in Pry and what the Hokies can accomplish in the next two years....given the difficult 2025 schedule with several unknowns remaining on the defensive side from position coaches to players.
1. Fightin Gobbler January 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM
  
  He is also coming to a school with one of the strongest fanbases in college football, a fanbase that knows and loves good defense and happens to have the most legendary defensive coordinator in college football history as an active advisor. I don't know that you could ask for a better opportunity for a bright, ambitious coach. L F G
VicDrit January 28, 2025 at 11:29 PM

Wow, Jim Knowles was seriously considering leaving OSU to come to Blacksburg?? Find that hard to believe.
1. ShockWaveVT January 29, 2025 at 12:55 AM
  
  He was leaving OSU no matter what. I think he would have come to BBurg for $2mil if OSU got knocked out of the playoffs early and Pry was able to get him to sign. But they went and won it all, which left time for Clemson to hire away PSU's DC, which led to a PSU offer of $3mil to hire Knowles
2. swishdeladish January 31, 2025 at 10:50 AM
  
  Seems hard to believe that we were willing to go all in on Knowles, but when he became unavailable, we then pivot to someone who nobody has heard of.
NativeBurger January 28, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Verbatim from the article says all I need to know to evaluate the new DC’s chances of success: …handing the reins of the Hokies’ defense to someone who’s never recruited or coordinated at the FBS level before and hasn’t called plays in a game since 2019.
1. Fightin Gobbler January 29, 2025 at 9:19 AM
  
  NativeBurger "Hasn't done this at the P4 level, has no chance" 2 Current NFL Coaches "This guy is a future NFL defensive co-ordinator, hire him yesterday" No offensive NativeBurger, but I think I'll trust the opinions of the guys who do this for a living.
75hoke January 28, 2025 at 9:47 PM

Sounds like an innovative coach, but does he have the horse to get the job done? We’ll see.
AKHokie90 January 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM

Finally a little positivity. Problem is with a wonder-kid if he crushes it he’s likely off to a bigger program or the NFL.
1. atlhokie1 January 29, 2025 at 8:25 AM
  
  That would be a good problem to have to worry about at this point.
  1. hokiedpt January 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
    
    I agree, would be a Great problem to have.
2. HokieCrazy1994 January 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
  
  I would happily have him crush it and leave for greener pastures!
  1. MiamiSailingHokie January 29, 2025 at 4:48 PM
    
    Let us just make sure it is the greenest at VT!
OhioHokie74 January 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM

A real reach. Obviously Pry is putting his career on the line with this out of the box hire. Oddly bold for a conservative coach.
bbowser January 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM

This is much better than a retread who got ousted from a P4 job. New blood, new ideas and schemes, experience from the next level as to how they attack various fronts and offense setups. I heard one naysayer mention it’s easier coaching in the Pros because everybody on the defense is at the next level and can execute. Well everybody on the offense is there too! Planning, teaching, scheming is universal at any level. Doing it well gives you the advantage. Good luck Sam Siefkes! Hope you are wildly successful. Go Hokies!
Roland Lazenby January 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM

I don't see this or many other options as a called shot. You won't really know until it happening.
El Paso Hokie January 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM

Fresh ideas coming from (admittedly) a lower level (FCS), but also a higher level (NFL), have the potential to be positive game-changers. I'm optimistic about this hire.
RustyHokie94 January 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM

Get another DL or 2 and a MLB before the Fall and he will have a fair chance.
hokieZ71 January 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM

I thought he was LB position coach 2 years for Arizona? 1 year assistant for Vikings and 1 year quality control?
1. Andy Bitter January 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
  
  That is correct. My mistake.
TomTurkey January 28, 2025 at 5:53 PM

I'm excited. Proof is in the pudding. Looking for improvement and success on the field.
vt49701 January 28, 2025 at 5:45 PM

As a Hokie, very much rooting for Coach Siefkes to be successful in Blacksburg. But my goodness this is just not the type of quote to get you excited - “handing the reins to someone who’s never recruited or coordinated at the FBS level and hasn’t called plays since 2019” That’s the line of thinking that got us two inexperienced coordinators and several mediocre seasons when we had enough talent to compete for the ACC championship. Hope it works out for us!
1. NativeBurger January 28, 2025 at 10:08 PM
  
  It may work out or Pry doesn’t learn and makes the same mistake over an over.
IB4TECH January 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM

I really like this hire. I don't see any way that he will not be a good DC and he has an extreme amount of potential.
cdogvt January 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM

He will ne good, just hope he can be good quickly.

Pry On Hokies DC Hire Sam Siefkes: 'He’s Composed, He’s Poised, He’s Got A Ton Of Confidence'

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