Virginia Tech made a move on Sunday that has the College Football world talking after firing fourth-year head coach Brent Pry less than 24 hours after a demoralizing 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion. The defeat dropped the Hokies to 0-3 on the season and ultimately sealed Pry’s fate.
The school confirmed the firing on September 14, marking the second early-season dismissal in the FBS this year after UCLA moved on from DeShaun Foster. Once considered rare, September firings have become increasingly common in college football as programs act quickly to stop downward spirals.
Pry, 55, exits Blacksburg with a 16-24 overall record and a 10-13 mark in ACC play since taking over in 2021. Despite some initial promise last season, the trajectory never turned upward, and Saturday’s setback became his final effort. Offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the year.
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Attention now shifts to who will lead the Hokies in the future. On “Always College Football,” ESPN’s Greg McElroy offered his view on potential candidates.
“I’ll tell you where it should start and potentially end, is Bob Chesney,” McElroy said. “He’s the head coach at James Madison. This guy’s big-time — consistent track record, tons of success at every level, has done a great job with James Madison.”
“They’re a formidable Sun Belt team every single year. They’ve got an exciting offense. They’re very disciplined. He’s in the state of Virginia, so there’s reason to like what he could do,” he continued.
Another name that has been making the rounds to fill in Pry’s shoes is Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, but McElroy believes his ambitions lie elsewhere.
“A lot of people will say Jon Sumrall at Tulane. I think Summerall is going to be a head coach at some point in the SEC. I think that’s what he envisions. I think that’s what he wants. So, while it would be nice, and if Virginia Tech could somehow land Jon Sumrall, that’d be amazing.”
How Did Brent Pry’s Tenure Fall Apart?
When Virginia Tech hired Pry to replace Justin Fuente, fans hoped he could restore the Hokies to ACC relevance. But three-plus seasons later, consistency never came.
Results against non-conference opponents were particularly troubling. The Hokies endured a 0-3 record in the 2025 season, a new low that the program is witnessing for the first time since 1987, after falling short to Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Old Dominion in the first three weeks.
Even more damaging was Pry’s inability to win close games. He finished 1-12 in one-score contests, a record that few Power Four coaches survive.
Message to Hokie Nation from Brent Pry: pic.twitter.com/i0w28aYokF
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 14, 2025
Pry issued an emotional parting statement that reflected gratitude despite the struggles:
“Blacksburg will always hold a special place in our hearts. We leave with wonderful memories and lifelong friendships, and we will forever be cheering for the Hokies.”
Now, Virginia Tech’s program faces a full-scale rebuild. With Montgomery steering the interim role, the Hokies will look to rebuild the 2025 season.
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Chesney’s name may dominate early conversations, while Sumrall’s SEC aspirations temporarily ease concerns at Tulane, but the search will extend beyond just these two. After years of mediocrity, the Hokies need a coach capable of restoring discipline, consistency, and pride to a fanbase that has grown restless.
The upcoming weeks of football, particularly the Week 4 game against Wofford, will shape the Hokies’ season and give them a clearer sense of what kind of leader this program desperately needs for its next chapter.
