Is Brent Pry Holding Virginia Tech Football Back? A Closer Look After Another One-Score Loss
After Saturday’s 38–31 overtime loss to Syracuse, Virginia Tech dropped to 5–4 on the season—and for many fans, including myself, the conclusion is becoming clearer: Brent Pry might be the one holding the Hokies back.
Despite playing without their top offensive stars—quarterback Kyron Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten—the Hokies surged to a 21–3 lead in the first half. But the momentum quickly shifted as Syracuse mounted a comeback, scoring 21 unanswered points and eventually claiming victory in overtime. The loss underscores a troubling pattern under Pry: he’s now 1–11 in one-possession games, including **seven straight losses in such contests dating back to 2023.
Excuses Abound, But the Result Is What Matters
To be fair, Virginia Tech had several valid justifications for their performance. Injuries to their two best offensive players were a serious blow. There was also questionable clock management by the officials near halftime, potentially costing the Hokies a field goal. Plus, Syracuse is no pushover; now 6–2, they’ve historically dominated this matchup, especially at home, where they now hold an 8–2 all-time record over Virginia Tech.
Yet, the Hokies still had a chance to win in regulation. Tied 31–31 with three timeouts, 29 seconds on the clock, and possession at their own 25-yard line, it was a winnable moment. With kicker John Love nearly perfect this season (10 of 11, including a 57-yarder), the decision to kneel out the clock and head to overtime was a puzzling one. Stanford managed a last-minute win against Syracuse; why not at least try?
In overtime, the Orange scored in two plays. The Hokies fumbled on their fourth. Game over.
From Promise to Frustration
Coming off a late-season surge in 2023, where Virginia Tech won six of their last nine games, optimism was high. Pry seemed to be building something—maybe even echoing the foundation Frank Beamer laid decades ago. But the comparison only goes so far. Beamer won big games. Beamer won close games. Pry, so far, hasn’t done either.
So the big question is: Has Brent Pry already reached his peak as head coach? That leads to a fork in the road.
Option 1: Stick with Brent Pry
Pry seems like the kind of coach who can regularly produce bowl-eligible teams in the 6–8 win range. That kind of consistency isn’t worthless—many programs would kill for it.
But Virginia Tech isn’t just any program. This is a school that used to be an annual powerhouse. During the 2000s, the Hokies were perennial contenders, racking up 10+ wins in eight seasons, winning multiple conference titles, and earning weekly rankings almost every year from 1993 to 2021.
So why settle for mediocrity?
Well, the financial and institutional constraints are real. Of the nine ACC schools with publicly available athletic budgets, Virginia Tech ranks dead last, with just under $117 million. That matters when evaluating the feasibility of major changes.
Firing Pry isn’t cheap. He’s only in the third year of a six-year, $27.5 million contract. His buyout would reportedly cost around $11 million, factoring in 70% of his remaining base salary and incentives.
If the school isn’t ready to commit to such a steep financial hit, coordinator changes might be the compromise. Both Offensive Coordinator Tyler Bowen and Defensive Coordinator Chris Marve have been with the program since Pry took over. While Bowen has shown signs of growth this year, Marve’s unit hasn’t impressed, and his future may be the most uncertain.
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