CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia Tech Sunday announces release of Head Football Coach Brent Pry, along with top-to-bottom examination of the program. Following an 0-3 season start, capped Saturday night with a 45-26 loss at home to ODU, Virginia Tech Sunday afternoon announced cutting Pry loose. The announcement from VT President Tim Sands said, “We appreciate Coach Pry’s efforts and service since 2021. Unfortunately, the results on the field were not acceptable and a change in leadership is necessary. Philip Montgomery will serve as interim head coach.”
The announcement goes beyond releasing a football coach, but examining the entire program status.
“Board of Visitors members J. Pearson and Ryan McCarthy have been charged by the rector, John Rocovich, to work with university leadership and AD Whit Babcock to develop a financial, organizational and leadership plan that will rapidly position the Virginia Tech football program to be competitive with the best in the ACC. That plan will be presented to the Board of Visitors later this month. “
Pry was 3-8 in his first season in 2022 before going 6-6 the last two seasons back-to-back. Some had him on the hot seat after the team fell short of high expectations in 2024. The Hokies lost their season opener in a hard-fought contest at South Carolina 24-11. The next Saturday in their home opener, they controlled the first half getting out to a 20-10 halftime lead. But the second half, the Hokies had no answer to the Commodores going spread offense, and running the ball to the tune of 34 straight second-half point to win going away 44-20. They had no answer for Old Dominion, who also came to Blacksburg, spread multiple wide receivers right and left, and gutted the Hokies’ defense for a 28-0 halftime lead. Though the Virginia Tech offense woke up for some second-half success, they still had trouble stopping the Monarchs in a 45-26 loss.
Phillip Montgomery, who was brought in just this season to be offensive coordinator, is the interim head coach. His last, and to this time only head coaching job was 2015 to 2022 at Tulsa where he was 43-53. He had two winning seasons in eight, going 10-3 in 2016 and 7-6 in 2021. Since being relieved there, he was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Auburn in 2023, and co-offensive coordinator in 2024with the United Football League champion Birmingham Stallions.
