Brent Pry explains hire of Philip Montgomery, what he does for Kyron Drones

Following former offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen‘s move to Ohio State this offseason as an offensive line coach, Virginia Tech had a spot to fill. It did so by hiring former Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery to fill that role in February.

Montgomery has been coaching since 1994, when he was a special assistant at Tarleton State. He worked his way up to becoming the head coach at Tulsa in 2015, a role he held for eight seasons before he was fired. The Eastland, TX native led the Golden Hurricane to a 43-53 (28-24) record with wins in the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl and the 2021 Miami Beach Bowl.

He latched on as Auburn‘s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2023, but spent 2024 as the Birmingham Stallions’ co-offensive coordinator in the USFL. Montgomery now makes his return to college football this season as a member of the Hokies staff.

“First of all, I wanted somebody that would give us the best opportunity, us and Kyron [Drones], to reach all of our potential and then some,” Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry said Thursday at ACC Media Days. “And when you look at Phil’s track record with quarterbacks, it’s hard to argue that he’s not the right guy to do that. And secondly, to bring a play caller in here that has a proven plan that he believes in and is super knowledgeable about — you’re not reinventing the wheel every week and trying to find answers and solutions.

“We can invest and buy into a plan and a system and have answers. Phil provides all of that. He’s an experienced play caller. He’s a veteran quarterback developer and he’s an outstanding person. Feel very fortunate to have him with us.”

Montgomery has coached three superstar quarterbacks in Case Keenum, Robert Griffin III and Bryce Petty, all of whom were selected in various NFL Drafts. Montgomery coached Keenum during his stint at Houston from 2003-07 and coached Griffin III and Petty during his stint at Baylor from 2008-2014.

Hokies fans and staff are hoping that Montgomery can help propel quarterback Kyron Drones to the next level. In two seasons as Virginia Tech‘s starting quarterback, Drones boasts 3,647 yards, 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. On the ground, Drones has rushed for 1,154 more yards and 11 scores.

Virginia Tech opens the season against South Carolina on August 31 in the Aflac Kickoff Game. The Hokies have not won 10 games in a season since 2016, marking their longest streak (eight seasons) without a 10-win campaign since 1987-84.