CONGRATULATIONS – In a resounding victory that celebrates a remarkable turnaround season, Virginia Tech’s head football coach Brent Pry has been named Coach of the Year
BLACKSBURG, Va. — In one of the most astonishing transformations in recent college football history, Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry has been named the National Coach of the Year following a season that few saw coming — except perhaps Pry himself.
Just two years removed from a 3–8 campaign that had fans questioning the future of the Hokies program, Coach Pry has masterminded a stunning revival. Under his leadership in the 2025 season, Virginia Tech surged to an 11–2 record, clinching the ACC Championship in a dramatic 34–27 victory over Clemson, and earning a berth in the College Football Playoff for the first time since the format’s inception. The recognition as Coach of the Year from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Associated Press cements Pry’s status as one of the elite minds in the game.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is the context. Pry inherited a fractured locker room, lagging recruiting momentum, and a fanbase desperate for identity. But he brought with him more than just defensive expertise from his Penn State days — he brought vision, accountability, and grit. From winter conditioning to fall Saturdays, Pry preached a culture of discipline, resilience, and teamwork. And the results showed.
Sophomore quarterback DeShawn Mitchell, a former three-star recruit, blossomed into a Heisman Trophy finalist under Pry’s tutelage and offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen’s scheme. The offensive line, once considered a glaring weakness, became a fortress. Defensively, Pry’s hallmark, the Hokies returned to their roots: relentless, aggressive, and fundamentally sound. Virginia Tech’s defense led the ACC in sacks and turnovers forced, echoing the glory days of Bud Foster’s legendary units.
Pry’s ability to connect with players and adapt his systems to their strengths set him apart. “He believed in us before we believed in ourselves,” said team captain and linebacker Jalen Rivers. “He changed everything — the way we practiced, the way we prepared, even the way we carried ourselves. We wanted to win for him.”
Off the field, Pry revitalized fan engagement and embraced the community. Lane Stadium, once eerily quiet during losing seasons, roared back to life. Sellouts became the norm again. “Enter Sandman” thundered with a purpose that went beyond tradition — it symbolized rebirth.
The Coach of the Year honor isn’t just a personal accolade — it’s validation of a program reawakened. For Brent Pry, the award is merely a milestone in what he calls “a journey still unfinished.”
With the Hokies poised for sustained success, the narrative has shifted. No longer an underdog, Virginia Tech is once again a powerhouse — and the architect of that transformation, Brent Pry, stands at the center, holding the blueprint to a new era of Hokie dominance.
