inside.hokiesports.com 9 THE OFFICIAL KIDS’ CLUB OF VIRGINIA TECH ATHLETICS TO CHOOSE FROM Visit hokiesports.com/hokiekidsclub to join! ORANGE LEVEL: FREE MAROON LEVEL: $35 TWO PLANS The Hokies dropped Miami and went on to win their next 10 games, turning around their season and what Pry sees as a turning point for the program. “They had a little success to that point but nothing like a Sugar Bowl or Orange Bowl that were lying ahead,” he said. “I think that game was a defining moment in my memory.” There was a lot of excitement and success ahead for Virginia Tech when Pry left Blacksburg 25 years ago, a sensation he hopes to renew for the Hokie faithful in the coming years. “I know what a sleeping giant [Tech] is and I know the type of football team you can build here that’s attainable at Virginia Tech,” Pry said. Towards the end of his time at Penn State, Pry spent his days working hard for the Nittany Lions but at night, the thoughts of what a potential staff at Virginia Tech would look like creeped in his head. Pry knew there were a handful of guys from State College that he wanted to bring with him and once those agreed, Pry only had to interview for a single staff vacancy. “Things went the way I hoped they would, and I think we put together an unbelievable staff,” Pry said. Among that staff is Tyler Bowen, who was at Penn State from 2017 to 2020, then he spent last season as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ tight ends coach, before Pry gave him the call to become the Hokies’ offensive coordinator. Much like Bowen, Pry has had a long relationship with new defensive coordinator Chris Marve. He most recently served as the linebackers coach at Florida State, but his long-lasting relationship with Pry dates back to his playing days at Vanderbilt. Pry and his new staff are no strangers to hostile environments after coaching in front of packed crowds, but Pry wants to ensure that he and his staff take a moment to soak it all in when Metallica starts blaring at Lane Stadium. “I’ve been in a lot of big environments, and you have 100 other things on your mind,” Pry said. “I’ll make sure I stop and take five seconds to enjoy the moment and soak it in. Then it’s put the headset on, let’s go to the coin toss and get ready to coach a football game. “I understand how special it is. I’m going to take time to make sure we do and I’m going to have my staff do that. I want them to enjoy it for a little bit for the five to 10 seconds. That’s it.” Blacksburg is less than 100 miles from Lexington High School, where Pry excelled at quarterback and defensive back. He went on Continued on page 10
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