“It’s Time for Me to Let Go”: Brent Pry Announces Departure from Virginia Tech Hokies Amid Emotional Farewell
By Sarah Whitmore | June 7, 2025 | Blacksburg, Virginia
In a heartfelt and unexpected statement that has stunned college football fans and Virginia Tech supporters alike, Brent Pry, head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies, announced his departure from the program, citing deeply personal reasons and a growing need for self-reflection and restoration.
Speaking with visible emotion at a press conference held inside Lane Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Pry opened up about the toll coaching has taken on him, not just professionally but personally. His words, full of gratitude and sorrow, signaled the end of an era that, while brief in tenure, left a lasting mark on a program undergoing significant transformation.
“It’s time for me to let go,” Pry began. “This has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life, but I’ve reached a moment where I must step back, take a breath, and tend to the parts of myself and my life that coaching has often forced me to put on hold.”
A Sudden Goodbye After Three Seasons
Pry’s announcement comes after three seasons at the helm of the Hokies, during which he worked tirelessly to restore a program once known for its hard-nosed defense and consistent competitiveness in the ACC. Hired in 2021 after a successful run as defensive coordinator at Penn State, Pry brought with him an infectious passion and deep-rooted ties to Virginia Tech, where he served as a graduate assistant early in his coaching career.
His tenure was marked by both progress and challenge. After a difficult rebuilding season in 2022, which ended with a 3–8 record, Pry’s Hokies showed significant growth in 2023 and 2024, finishing with back-to-back winning records and a memorable upset over rival Virginia last November.
Though the team didn’t clinch an ACC title during his time, Pry managed to re-establish a strong defensive identity and reignite recruiting pipelines in the DMV area, long considered key to Virginia Tech’s success.
“He laid a foundation,” said Athletic Director Whit Babcock. “Brent didn’t just coach football—he coached character, and his impact will echo through this program for years to come.”
Citing Burnout and Family Considerations
Pry explained that his decision wasn’t sparked by a single event but rather a mounting sense of personal fatigue and reflection, particularly regarding the time he has lost with his family.
“There’s a cost to this profession—early mornings, late nights, missed birthdays, and quiet sacrifices you don’t talk about,” he said. “It’s all worth it, until one day you realize you’ve lost a part of yourself. I want to be a better husband, a better father, and a better person. For that, I need to step away.”
Those closest to Pry have noted his relentless work ethic and deep emotional investment in his players and staff. His passion for player development extended beyond the field, with Pry frequently emphasizing academics, personal growth, and community involvement.
“I always told our guys: ‘Know when to dig in, and know when to let go.’ It’s my turn now,” he said, fighting back tears.
Hokie Nation Reacts: Shock, Gratitude, and Support
News of Pry’s departure swept across the Virginia Tech community like wildfire. Social media was immediately flooded with tributes from players, alumni, students, and fans expressing gratitude for Pry’s leadership and humanity.
Senior linebacker Dax Hollifield, one of Pry’s first captains, tweeted:
“Coach Pry changed my life. He believed in us when nobody else did. Wishing him peace and happiness. Once a Hokie, always a Hokie.”
Virginia Tech President Tim Sands also issued a statement of appreciation:
“Brent Pry brought integrity and compassion to his role. His leadership helped bring stability and pride back to our football program. We wish him and his family the very best moving forward.”
The Challenges He Faced
While many will remember Pry’s charisma and emotional speeches, his tenure wasn’t without adversity. Navigating the transition from the Fuente era, Brent inherited a locker room with cultural and schematic disarray. He dealt with significant roster turnover, NIL-related recruiting challenges, and the ongoing pressures of modern college football.
Yet despite those hurdles, Pry kept the Hokies competitive and reestablished a physical brand of football that echoed the Frank Beamer era. His emphasis on local recruiting—dubbed the “Virginia First” strategy—was beginning to yield results, with several top prospects committing from within state lines.
“Brent started a culture shift,” said Hokies sideline reporter Amanda Reynolds. “You could feel it—players buying in, fans reconnecting. He brought hope. It hurts to see him go.”
The Future of Virginia Tech Football
With the season just months away, questions now swirl about who will take over the program. Whit Babcock said the school will launch an immediate national search for a replacement but emphasized the need to honor Pry’s legacy first.
“We’re grateful to Brent for giving this program everything he had,” Babcock said. “Now we must build upon what he started and continue striving toward excellence—on and off the field.”
Internal speculation has already begun, with several names surfacing as potential candidates. Some insiders believe defensive coordinator Chris Marve, one of Pry’s closest allies, could be a top choice to maintain continuity. Others suggest Tech could look outside for a proven head coach or a young up-and-comer ready for their first shot.
Regardless of direction, the incoming head coach will inherit a much stronger infrastructure than Pry did in 2021.
Brent Pry’s Final Message to the Team
Before the press conference, Pry met with the entire team behind closed doors. According to multiple sources, the room was heavy with emotion.
“He poured out his heart,” said junior wide receiver Tucker Holloway. “Told us to stay focused, keep fighting, and believe in each other. Said he was proud to have been our coach—and that he always would be.”
Players embraced Pry as he left the meeting, with many remaining in the locker room long after he departed. For many, he wasn’t just a coach but a mentor, a father figure, and a reminder that leadership can coexist with vulnerability.
What’s Next for Pry?
When asked what his immediate future holds, Pry said he has no definitive plans.
“Right now, I’m going to take time with my family. Rest. Heal. I need to learn how to live without the headset for a while.”
However, few believe this is the last the football world will hear from Brent Pry. His reputation as a brilliant defensive mind and relationship-builder means opportunities will almost certainly come his way in the future—whether as a coordinator, consultant, or even broadcaster.
“I’m not closing the door forever,” he said. “But I’m closing it for now. And I’m at peace with that.”
Final Thoughts: A Leader Beyond the Wins
In a sport obsessed with numbers—wins, losses, recruits—Brent Pry’s legacy at Virginia Tech will be defined by more than what showed up in the stat sheets.
He arrived with a mission to reconnect a program with its roots, to revive a team culture that valued unity and accountability. He succeeded in ways that may not make headlines but will echo long after the stadium lights go out.
“I came here with love in my heart,” Pry said in his closing remarks. “And I leave with that same love—for this university, this team, and every single person who’s been part of this journey. Thank you for letting me be a Hokie.”
As he stepped down from the podium, a standing ovation erupted from players, staff, and reporters alike. Brent Pry walked away—not in defeat—but in strength, embracing the unknown, and leaving behind a legacy rooted in courage, character, and care.
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