Brent Pry credits Virginia Tech transfers for embracing culture
Virginia Tech hired Brent Pry ahead of the 2022 season with the task of rebuilding the program. Now, at the end of his second season, it seems like Pry has taken a step in the right direction.
One of the key aspects of the rebuild has been transfer players, with Pry crediting Virginia Tech’s transfer players for embracing the program’s culture.
“All of our transfer portal guys have been unbelievable teammates, they’ve been great workers, they have bought into Virginia Tech and what we’re about and they put the team first,” Brent Pry said. “Obviously, the adversity we went through, it’s a testament to that, that these guys kept this team first.”
It was a rough first season for Brent Pry, going just 3-8. Then, after a 1-3 start to the 2023 season, the team was facing some significant adversity under Pry. However, the Hokies bounced back and got bowl-eligible after winning four of their last six games.
One player who Brent Pry praised in particular was quarterback Kyron Drones, a transfer to Virginia Tech from Baylor.
“Selfless group and Kyron, he’s a very quiet leader. I don’t know if he realizes that yet, but he certainly has put this team on his back in more than one way. He’s got some help around him, but with those legs and the ball he can throw, makes good decisions. I’m very proud of the year he’d had.”
Ultimately, Brent Pry is incredibly happy with the growth he’s seen within the Virginia Tech program and emphasized that this is all part of the process of rebuilding the program.
“Again, everybody trusting the process, and we’ve got a special place. We’re attracting the right kind of coaches, the right kind of recruits that want to be a part of this thing. We’re going to do it a certain way and they just trusted the process and kept working and trusted their coaches and got strong relationships. That’s how you handle the adversity we had,” Pry said.
“We certainly weren’t perfect and we’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to keep getting better at, but we’re making some big strides and very proud of everybody and thankful for everybody pouring into this thing. It’s not easy. It takes everybody. The administration, the community, the fanbase, the students, the players, the coaches, the families. It takes everybody.”
At 6-6, Virginia Tech will take on Tulane in the Military Bowl.
Brent Pry assesses the value of Virginia Tech being able to play in a bowl game
After missing a bowl game in his first season at Virginia Tech, Brent Pry knows that a lot of good things can come from making one this season.
“Yeah, I mean the excitement, the momentum, is awesome. Particularly in the way we got bowl-eligible. I think everybody in the program feels like we’re moving the needle in the right direction. There’s a lot of things that we obviously have to improve on, but we’re doing some good things,” Pry said.
“For these guys to have a chance to play together again, that was the right thing for them. They wanted that. This team will look different. We come outta here and come back on January 16th that locker room and that team room’s going to look different. So it’s our last chance to do this together. I promised them we will have fun. But we’ll also be on a mission to go win this football game.”