James Franklin just made a move that has Virginia Tech fans doing a double-take. The new Hokies coach is chasing a defensive coordinator who already knows Lane Stadium better than most. The problem is that this guy was running the whole show until Virginia Tech pulled the plug a few months ago. Penn State fired James Franklin this year following a disappointing 3-3 start.
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz confirmed this Saturday. Franklin’s going after Brent Pry for his defensive coordinator spot. Pry just wrapped up a rough four-year stint as Virginia Tech’s head coach, finishing 16-24 before getting axed after an 0-3 start this season. The two coaches have history, seven seasons together at Penn State, three more at Vanderbilt. Now Franklin wants to reunite in Blacksburg, only this time Pry would be taking orders from the man who took his job.
James Franklin is targeting Brent Pry for his defensive coordinator job at Virginia Tech, sources tell me and @RJ_cfb.Pry was VT’s head coach the last four years. Now, potentially returning to Va Tech under Franklin, whom he previously worked under at Penn State and Vanderbilt. pic.twitter.com/zQ7nEPI86E
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 7, 2025
Franklin became emotional at his Virginia Tech introductory press conference when Pry’s name was mentioned. His voice cracked, and he stepped back from the mic to pull himself together. He talked about knowing Pry for three decades, how Pry’s dad was his offensive coordinator in college. Said Virginia Tech was in better shape because of what Pry built there…