Who says you can never go home? Again, certainly not Brent Pry.
Three months after being fired as the head football coach at Virginia Tech and one month after his former boss at Penn State, James Franklin, was hired in Blacksburg, he brought Pry back as his defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Talk about a head-turning move that not many, if any, saw coming.
Yes, it is awkward at first, but if this ends up going as it did for Franklin and Pry at Penn State, then this has an opportunity to be one of the better, but again, awkward moves this offseason, or ever. However, Adam Rittenberg of ESPN listed Pry returning to Virginia Tech as the most interesting hire in the ACC, and who could blame him?
ESPN lists Brent Pry as most intresting hire in the ACC this offseason
It takes a lot of you know what's to do what Pry is doing. It rarely happens, but again, if this ends up working out, then this has an opportunity to be an unprecedented hire.
"Pry's rehiring at Virginia Tech is unprecedented in major college football. Coaches have returned to programs they once led, but not right away, like Pry will in 2026. His fondness for both Virginia Tech and Franklin, who became emotional at his own introduction when talking about his history with Pry and Pry's family, should remove any awkwardness or bitterness from the reunion. But Pry still will be coaching many of the players he recruited to Virginia Tech in a different capacity, while helping Franklin fast-track the program to ACC contention. As Penn State's defensive coordinator under Franklin, Pry helped the team to a Big Ten title and four straight CFP top-12 finishes,'' wrote Rittenberg.
The breadcrumbs were dropped by Franklin in terms of bringing Pry back at his introductory press conference. The signs were there. It ended up happening, and now if things go off the rails, he'll be second-guessed, but regardless, to do what Pry is doing takes a lot of guts. What makes it easier is that even though his tenure as a head coach didn't go the way he wanted, he is still liked by the fanbase. That's what makes it somewhat easier.