Virginia Tech coaching search: Bruce Arians lays out what Hokies are looking for to replace Brent Pry

Virginia Tech has called in the big guns in its quest to rebuild its floundering football program. The program has added former Hokies quarterback and Super Bowl-winning former NFL head coach Bruce Arians to its hiring committee, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock fired now-former head football coach Brent Pry a week ago following an 0-3 start to the season.

Arians confirmed his new role with his alma mater Tuesday during a weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, and opened up about what he’s looking for in his ideal candidate to replace Pry. But before the Hokies even dive into a coaching search, Arians revealed the program will first look to hire a buisnessman general manager adept for handling today’s evolving college athletics landscape.

“The whole thing’s changed. It’s all business now, and you’ve got to find a businessman. I think first thing for Virginia Tech, we’re going to hire a general manager and get him in charge of football, and then we’ll get into the coaching search,” Arians said Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show. “We’re just on the ground stages now, but the university if making a huge financial commitment so we can compete in the ACC like we should be. I want to see Virginia Tech back, with ‘Sandman’ blasting, and we’re winning games.”

ESPN insider Pete Thamel reported the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors is considering a $50 million boost to the school’s athletic budget, from $144 million to $190 million in the 2026-27 academic year. That would increase to $204 million in fiscal year 2027, $207 million in 2028, and $212 million in 2029, per Thamel.

“It’s probably about $50 million into the athletic department, for all sports, but that’s what you have to have in the NIL business now,” Arians confirmed. “When you recruit a guy this year, you’ve got to recruit them back next year. All they want to know is how much money will I make, so it’s changed, but you’ve got to get people now that are in-tune with the business.”

Arians played quarterback for Tech from 1971-74 and started his coaching career in Blacksburg as a graduate assistant (1975-76) and running backs coach (1977) for the Hokies. As a player, Arians rushed for 11 touchdowns during the 1974 season, a Tech quarterback record that stood for over 40 years.

He made a significant donation to Virginia Tech football in 2021, which led to the Hokies quarterback meeting room being renamed the Bruce Arians Room. Babcock said last week that there is a plan to have a new structure in the entire athletic department moving forward and alluded to an NFL setup. Arians also has a strong understanding of what an NFL front office looks like.

“I’ve looking forward to it and very honored to be apart of it,” Arians said of being apart of the hiring committee. “I want to (find) a guy that can not only coach and make adjustments, but also get the folks out and raise money too. Because that’s a big part of it now. We’ve got to have a charismatic guy that can actually coach ball.”

— On3’s Pete Nakos contributed to this report.