To many, Brent Pry’s firing at Virginia Tech felt overdue. But on September 14, University President Tim Sands made it official. After four seasons at the helm, Pry leaves with a 16-24 record. And guess what? Things came to a breaking point this September 2025 when the Hokies started the season 0-3, including a brutal 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion. That loss was rough. Virginia Tech was already down 28-0 by halftime and then gave up 34 straight points to Vanderbilt in the second half. Just a week earlier, too. It looked like a team in a free fall. The 0-3 start? Their worst since 1987.

It was the very first year Frank Beamer coached there. And, ironically, Pry had ties as a young assistant. The frustration boiled over because Virginia Tech had some decent talent, and before this season, Pry had back-to-back 6-6 records to show for his efforts. But that wasn’t enough for a program with higher expectations in the ACC. Fans and boosters alike expected growth, and Pry’s answers didn’t exactly inspire confidence. After the 44-20 loss to Vanderbilt, he swore he wasn’t feeling the pressure and kept telling his guys to “ignore the noise.” But with fans grumbling louder on social media and in the stands, that came off as pretty out of touch.

But let’s talk numbers now.

How much does Virginia Tech owe Brent Pry?

Brent Pry’s departure from Virginia Tech isn’t just about the team’s disappointing 0-3 start this fall. The Hokies also have to brace for a serious financial hit. When they hired Pry in 2021, he signed a six-year, $27.5 million deal that runs through 2027 with a steadily rising base salary. For 2025, Pry was cashing in $4.75 million, and the plan was for his salary to bump up to $5 million per year for both 2026 and 2027. Virginia Tech still owes Pry a solid chunk of change if they move on from him now.

The contract’s buyout terms spell out that Pry is owed 70% of the leftover base salary on his deal. But except for that last year, 2027, when Tech only has to cough up half his base salary. Crunching those numbers, that’s about $6 million waiting for Pry on the sidelines. It’s $3.5 million for 2026 and another $2.5 million for 2027. The school won’t drop that lump sum all at once, though; they’ll pay it out in monthly installments through the end of 2027.

That big buyout just shows how much pressure Pry was under to finally show progress this season.

What’s next for the Hokies?

The thing is, Brent Pry took over a program in need of rebuilding after Justin Fuente’s tenure fizzled. But, after four seasons and a 16-24 record, it’s clear the old magic isn’t coming back with Pry under the helm. But what next? See, the program has slipped from its ACC powerhouse days into middle-of-the-pack mediocrity. Hard to believe that Frank Beamer gave this program 25 straight winning seasons, but since 2015, it’s been a rough ride. Plus, the Hokies haven’t beaten Florida State, Miami, or Clemson under Pry and have taken losses to weak teams like Rutgers, Marshall, and Old Dominion that would make any fan cringe.

The bigger problem? Virginia Tech is battling a bit of funding limitations. Athletic director Whit Babcock recently revealed the program needs about $200 million annually to compete at the top. But let’s face it, they’re short by $58 million. That shortfall means less money for recruiting, facilities, coaching salaries, and all the stuff winning programs pour into every year. Now the pressure is on the Hokies to make a smart and efficient hire. They need someone who can maximize on limited resources and build relationships to bring in talent.