James Franklin adding Brent Pry to Virginia Tech staff

What’s old is new again. 

The ex-head coach of Virginia Tech, Brent Pry, is about to become the new defensive coordinator for the program under its new head coach, James Franklin, according to multiple reports. 

Pry had been fired by Virginia Tech after the Hokies got off to the 2025 season with a 0-3 start and was replaced by Franklin in November after the ACC football program wrapped up its coaching search. 

The move would seem to be rather peculiar, but Franklin and Pry have a history of working together in the past. 

Pry had served as co-defensive coordinator under Franklin during his time at Vanderbilt and held the DC role at Penn State. 

Franklin had spoken highly of Pry when he was introduced to the media as the Virginia Tech head coach in mid-November. 

“I’ve known Brent for over 30 years,” Franklin said. “… I’ve got a ton of respect for Brent and his family. I know he poured his heart and soul into this place. I know this place is better today because of Brent and the commitment that he made.”

Pry had been hired to lead the Hokies football program in 2021 and had been three games into his fourth season at the helm when Virginia Tech made the decision to move on. 

His buyout was around $6 million when they made the decision, though it is subject to offset if he got another coaching job. 

As head coach, the Hokies had gone 16-24 under Pry’s leadership and he helped lead them to bowl appearances in two seasons.

Franklin takes over as the man in charge after being fired by Penn State after a rough stretch of games this season. 

The former Nittany Lions head coach helped rehabilitate the program in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and helped lead Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2024.