Virginia Tech fired head coach Brent Pry on Sunday after an 0-3 start to the season that included an embarrassing 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion on Saturday.
Offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery takes over as interim head coach.
Pry, 55, went 16-24 in his four seasons as head coach of the Hokies and took the program to a bowl game in each of the past two seasons. They won the Military Bowl after the 2023 season and lost in last season’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
“We appreciate Coach Pry’s efforts and service since 2021. Unfortunately, the results on the field were not acceptable and a change in leadership is necessary,” Virginia Tech president Tim Sands said in a statement. “… We will continue to fully support our team and student-athletes for the remaining games as we strive together to significantly improve the trajectory of our football program this season.”
Before taking over the head coaching job at Virginia Tech, Pry was at Penn State from 2014-21, including the last four seasons as defensive coordinator.
The Hokies played a competitive season opener against then-No. 13 South Carolina before falling 24-11. That was followed by a 44-20 home loss to Vanderbilt before Saturday’s loss when Virginia Tech trailed 28-0 at halftime.
“Coaching at Virginia Tech has been an incredible honor and a chapter in our lives we will always cherish,” Pry said in a statement. “To the outstanding young men I have been privileged to coach, you have left a lasting mark on me and my family. Your hard work, resilience and commitment to excellence – on the field, in the classroom and as members of the community – have been inspiring every single day.”
Montgomery, 53, was co-offensive coordinator of the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions last season. He was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Auburn in 2023.
While serving as Baylor’s offensive coordinator in 2013, Montgomery was a finalist for the Broyles Award that honors the top assistant coach in the nation. One year later, he was hired as Tulsa’s head coach and posted a 43-53 record with four bowl appearances over eight years (2015-22). An alum at Tarleton State, Montgomery played quarterback and free safety for four seasons.
Montgomery’s first game as head coach will be Saturday at home against Wofford before ACC play begins Sept. 27 at NC State.
