Will the Hokies consider program ties or fresh face to hit reset button
The Sunday after Virginia Tech’s third straight loss, athletics director Whit Babcock made the decision to part ways with coach Brent Pry.
While Hokies faithful, once known for their patience, had streamed out of Lane Stadium, leaving behind only the echo of boos and a question of what happened?
Pry’s ouster as Virginia Tech football coach was more than just a response to an 0-3 start capped by a humiliating home defeat to Old Dominion. For many in Blacksburg, it marked the end of a four-year experiment that never quite recaptured the spirit of the Frank Beamer era.
Pry, who arrived with the hope of reviving a proud tradition, instead leaves with a record of 16-24 and the uneasy legacy of back-to-back losing seasons.
Financial pressures can certainly add some complications the coaching search as Pry is owed a buyout in excess of $6 million, which is a significant sum for a university still recovering from the pandemic’s hit to athletic department revenues.
That means the next coach must win not just on the field, but in the fundraising suite as someone who can win the press conference to generate NIL—a reality that athletic departments across the country face.
Inside the athletic department, tension has been simmering for months. Babcock hired both Pry and his predecessor Justin Fuente, but now faces scrutiny over the future direction of the program as he searches for a new coach.
While the Hokies search for Pry’s replacement should take a national approach, there is already a shortlist of candidates who should be considered.
Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Beamer, son of Hokies’ coaching legend Frank, is the clear favorite among boosters. His ties to Blacksburg run deep, but sources close to him insist he feels a strong loyalty to South Carolina, where he has logged impressive wins over Clemson and can build his his own legacy elsewhere.
Sometimes the thought of going home is intriguing and Shane hasn’t been on staff with the Hokies since 2015.
Alex Golesh, South Florida
Another coach who will be on the short list for every major job this cycle will be Golesh. His fast-paced offense and recruiting acumen have turned heads and would excite the Virginia Tech brass.
He comes from a growing Josh Heupel (Tennessee) coaching tree with an offensive system that can give the Hokies an identity and generate some excitement.
Golesh quickly transformed a struggling Bulls program into a bowl contender, posting a 16–13 record and earning wins over ranked teams like Florida and Boise State to begin the 2025 season.
Bob Chesney, James Madison
While Chesney isn’t the architect of the Dukes’ recent surge into big boy FBS ball, he has demonstrated the ability to win at each level.
He has recorded a 121–51 career record across multiple levels, including Division III, Division II, FCS, and now FBS with no sign of slowing down.
One plus is he is already coaching in Virginia which gives him familiarity with the state’s recruiting landscape and culture compared to other candidates.
Michael Vick, Norfolk State
The one coaching wildcard on this list is the Hokies’ star quarterback who helped the Hokies become nationally relevant on a larger scale.
While he’ll be remembered as the quarterback who led Virginia Tech to the 1999 BCS National Championship Game and remains one of the most electrifying college quarterbacks ever.
Vick’s return would instantly energize the fan base, alumni, and donors, especially in a moment when Tech needs a cultural reset.
He has a very small sample size of work in his coaching career but Vick’s name still carries weight in recruiting circles, especially in Virginia’s Tidewater region, which has produced elite talent for decades.
Another plush is his NFL pedigree and personal story can resonate with young athletes looking for mentorship and visibility.