The 2025 football season is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent memory for Virginia Tech—and especially for head coach Brent Pry. Entering his fourth year at the helm, Pry finds himself under mounting pressure after a lackluster 2024 campaign that saw the Hokies finish 6-6 in the regular season before falling 24-10 to Minnesota in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. The result left fans frustrated and raised questions about the direction of the program under Pry’s leadership.
In response to the disappointing finish, Virginia Tech made notable changes to the coaching staff during the offseason. Several assistants were let go, and new hires have brought fresh philosophies and renewed energy to both sides of the ball. The Hokies also experienced significant roster turnover, with key departures through the transfer portal and graduation, alongside a promising recruiting class that will be counted on to contribute immediately.
But while changes have been made, the road ahead is anything but easy. Virginia Tech’s 2025 schedule is one of the most demanding in recent years. Non-conference matchups include a tough opener against SEC opponent Kentucky and a road trip to Marshall, which stunned the Hokies in 2023. Within the ACC, Tech faces a brutal slate featuring Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina—all teams expected to contend for the conference title.
For Brent Pry, the stakes couldn’t be higher. After three seasons of rebuilding and laying a cultural foundation, results on the field are now the expectation, not the hope. If Tech is to make meaningful progress in 2025, two things must happen: the offense must show consistent improvement, especially in the passing game, and the defense—Pry’s specialty—must return to being a dominant force.
Last season, Tech struggled to sustain drives and capitalize on scoring opportunities, finishing in the bottom third nationally in red zone efficiency and third-down conversions. The defense, while solid at times, faltered late in games and lacked the playmakers needed to shift momentum.
With fan patience thinning and the ACC becoming increasingly competitive, 2025 is more than just another season in Blacksburg—it’s a referendum on whether Brent Pry is the right man to lead Virginia Tech back to national relevance. The pieces may be in place, but results are what matter now.
