Brent Pry is wrapping up (no pun intended) his third season at the helm of the Virginia Tech football program and after taking one step forward in 2023, it feels like they took one step back in 2024. After finishing 7-6 last season, Pry's team is 6-6 this season and still waits nine days before they play their bowl game against Minnesota in Charlotte in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. With the current state of the roster for that game, it's going to be difficult to see the Hokies upend the Golden Gophers.
Regardless, sooner or later, Pry is going to have to turn the page to 2025 and that version of Virginia Tech is going to look a lot different than this season's version. Players have run out of eligibility or entered the transfer portal and declared for the NFL Draft. Oh, then there is the business earlier this month where Pry fired three assistant coaches including defensive coordinator Chris Marve and offensive line coach Ron Crook.
On Monday, Virginia Tech hired West Virginia line coach Matt Moore and he brings a ton of experience at the Division 1 level. Now Pry needs to fill his open defensive coordinator spot, which will be coached by Shawn Quinn in the bowl game with advice from legend Bud Foster. With that said, what would be on Pry's wish list for this season?
Brent Pry's 2024 holiday wish list
Pry would be wishing for several things for this holiday season, but two big things he'd like more than anything are some offensive linemen for Moore to work with. The offensive line in the last couple of seasons has been rough to watch. Surprisingly, Kyron Drones was not injured more than he was. It seemed like whenever he dropped back, he was running for his life at some point. Some of that could be considered Drones' fault with poor reads, but there were too many times opposing defenses got through the line with ease.
Hiring Moore is an impressive hire for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is because of his ability to recruit. That is something he's going to have to do now and who knows, maybe some of his former linemen who have entered the portal at West Virginia could find their way to Blacksburg, which would be a welcomed sight.
In all honesty, Pry's wish list is something that should be long as he enters Year 4 at Virginia Tech and his seat gets warmer with each passing day. He can kick off 2025 with a bowl win, something that would take some heat off of him.