Brent Pry Refuses to Budge After 6-6 Finish: No Staff Changes as Hokies Fans React with Grief and Outrage

In a move that has sparked emotional turmoil among the Virginia Tech faithful, head football coach Brent Pry announced he will not be making any coaching changes despite the team’s underwhelming 6-6 regular season finish. What was expected to be a year of tangible progress for the Hokies instead left fans heartbroken, disappointed, and angry — and now even more so, after hearing that the program’s leadership will remain untouched heading into next season.

For a fan base that once reveled in dominance during the Frank Beamer era, the mediocrity of recent years has been nothing short of painful. Many had hoped that the third year under Pry would be a turning point, a season in which the Hokies would break free from the rut of inconsistency and return to relevance in the ACC. But a 6-6 record — including frustrating losses against rivals and lackluster performances in key moments — has rekindled the sense of stagnation that’s haunted Blacksburg since 2019.

And so when Pry stood at the podium this week and declared, “We believe in what we’re building. We believe in our staff,” fans across the region were stunned. The statement sent shockwaves through Hokie Nation, where thousands had called for at least some shake-up on the offensive and defensive sides of the coaching staff. Instead, Pry doubled down, emphasizing continuity over change and faith over frustration.

Fans have pointed fingers not just at Pry but at offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen and defensive coordinator Chris Marve. The Hokies’ offense sputtered at crucial times, and while the defense showed flashes of resilience, it often faltered under pressure. Critics argue that the schemes are predictable, the in-game adjustments minimal, and the results simply not good enough to keep Virginia Tech competitive in a resurgent ACC.

Despite the heat, Pry remained composed during his end-of-season press conference. “We’ve got a young core that’s growing, a locker room full of guys who believe in what we’re doing,” he said. “I see progress that doesn’t always show up on the scoreboard. I know it’s frustrating, but this staff is the right staff to get us where we need to be.”

Pry acknowledged the criticism but urged patience — a word that’s starting to wear thin for many. Since arriving in 2021, he’s posted a 15-22 record, and while his recruiting has shown promise, the results on the field haven’t matched the excitement on paper. He argued that program-building takes time and that the foundations are only now beginning to solidify.

Behind the scenes, there is reportedly confidence among the administration that Pry is still the right man for the job. Athletic director Whit Babcock has continued to express support for his coach, pointing to improvements in discipline, culture, and recruitment. But fans argue that the most important metric — wins — continues to fall short of expectations.

Virginia Tech last won 10 or more games in 2016. Since then, the program has spiraled through coaching turnover, quarterback instability, and recruiting misses. Pry was supposed to be the stabilizing force — a coach who understood the culture, having served as a graduate assistant at Tech in the 1990s under Bud Foster.

But now, three years into his tenure, questions are swirling. Can Pry truly elevate the program back to national contention? Or is he simply another in a line of well-meaning coaches who can’t recapture the glory days?

As the Hokies prepare for a mid-tier bowl game that many fans see as more of an obligation than a reward, the pressure will be on to perform. Anything less than a dominant showing could deepen the frustration.

Meanwhile, recruiting season looms, and fans will watch closely to see whether Pry and his unchanged staff can bring in the kind of talent that makes a difference in 2025 and beyond. The Hokies have shown flashes — big wins over Pitt and Syracuse reminded fans of what’s possible — but those moments have been too few and far between.