Virginia Tech coach named one of 20 "most interesting assistant coaches to watch in 2024"

Last season, it was a struggle for the Virginia Tech offense through the first four weeks of the season. Starting quarterback Grant Wells went down with an injury in Week 2 against Purdue and that forced head coach Brent Pry to turn to Baylor transfer Kyron Drones.

Drones got his feet under him in Week 3 and 4 against Rutgers and Marshall, but it wasn't a pretty start. The Hokies got off to a 1-3 start, but against the Thurndering Hurd in a Week 4 loss, there were signs that Drones was coming around and then over the final eight weeks in ACC play, he took off.

A lot of that had to do with the play calling of offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen who needed a couple of games to get a clear vision of what Drones could do and once he did, well, the rest they say is history. The Hokies offense took off in five of their eight ACC games and in two of the three losses to Florida State and North Carolina State, the offense didn't play as bad as the scores would indicate. They were impressive in their Military Bowl win over Tulane.

Tyler Bowen named one of 20 "most interesting assistant coach to watch in 2024"

As we kick off a new Virginia Tech season in Nashville against Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon, there is a lot expected from the Hokies in offense in 2024, and why not? A ton a retainment of production returning led by Drones, running back Bhayshul Tuten, and four wide receivers has Bowen and the offense set up potentially a lot of success this season, which is why Bruce Feldman of The Athletic named him one of 20 assistant coaches to watch this fall.

"A 35-year-old protege of Joe Moorhead, Bowen’s offense found its identity later in the season. They improved from second-to-last in the ACC in yards per play to sixth, and they were No. 2 in the conference over the last third of the season. Quarterback Kyron Drones has looked like a good fit in this scheme and is primed, along with this offense, to take another big step forward."

- Bruce Feldman

If they remain healthy, it would be surprising if the Hokies offense didn't take another big step forward this season. They could be one of the top offenses in the ACC and Bowen has plenty of talent at his disposal to work with.