Virginia Tech is hiring former Penn State football defensive coordinator Brent Pry for the same position as James Franklin builds out his coaching staff, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Pry was fired by Virginia Tech as head coach on September 14 following an 0-3 start to the season.

Pry and Franklin’s ties go way back to Franklin’s playing days at East Stroudsburg University. Pry’s father, Jim Pry, served as Franklin’s offensive coordinator while Pry himself served as the outside linebackers and defensive backs coach in his first coaching job.

Franklin brought Pry to Vanderbilt as a co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in Franklin’s first head coaching gig. He was promoted to assistant head coach before following Franklin to Penn State ahead of the 2014 season, retaining all three of his positions. Pry was promoted to associate head coach in 2016, but was named the full-time defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2018.

Pry left Penn State in November 2021 for his first head coaching job with the Hokies. Even after his firing, Virginia Tech fans poured a lot of appreciation and love for Pry on social media. Franklin will now keep him on his staff as the longtime duo looks to turn the program around.