Camp week has officially arrived for Virginia Tech football, with practices set to begin on July 31 — exactly one month before a challenging season opener against South Carolina in Atlanta. That game is followed by a home matchup with a rising Vanderbilt squad, making for a difficult start to what could be a make-or-break year for Brent Pry in his fourth season at the helm.
Over his first three years leading the Hokies, the former Penn State defensive coordinator has posted a 16-21 record. That includes a letdown of a 2024 campaign, which began with high hopes but ended in another underwhelming 6-6 finish.
There’s no question that 2025 is a crucial season for Pry and his coaching staff. Many in the college football world — including analyst Shehan Jeyarajah — have Pry firmly on the hot seat, placing him on the “2025 Hot Seat: Now or Never” list.
“Virginia Tech had elevated expectations in 2024 with a favorable schedule and key returners on both sides of the ball,” Jeyarajah wrote. “Instead, Pry delivered a 6-7 season and an eighth-place ACC finish. With two non-conference matchups against SEC opponents and multiple bowl-caliber teams on the slate, failing to reach the postseason could spell the end of Pry’s time in Blacksburg.”
Could Brent Pry missing the postseason shove him out of Blacksburg?
Depending on the source, missing a bowl game might not necessarily lead to Pry’s dismissal at Virginia Tech. Another 6-6 finish would likely keep him safe, and even a 5-7 record might not seal his fate — but a four-win season or worse could very well cost him his job.
There’s no question that Pry is feeling more pressure heading into 2025, and he’d likely acknowledge that himself. Earning at least a split in the first two games would be something most fans could accept, but starting 0-2 could quickly raise concerns. Still, at least one college football analyst views this season as postseason-or-bust for Pry.
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