Virginia Tech fired its head coach, Brent Pry, three games into his fourth season, and the search for a new head coach continues now. To do that, the Hokies have constituted an 8-member committee for the task with a $229 million athletic department budget approved by the program. So, all signs point towards a high-profile hiring, earning those big bucks, reportedly more than coaches like Lane Kiffin and Josh Heupel, and a Hokies insider has now echoed the same.

Virginia Tech’s 8-member search committee has Bruce Arians, a Super Bowl-winning alum, and Bud Foster, arguably one of the best DCs of college football. Apart from them, Eddie Royal, a former Hokie WR and a distinguished alum, will also have a significant influence, with other members coming from a business background as alumni and members of the Board of Visitors. As per reports now, the committee seems to be willing to pay in 8 figures.

“Sounds like they’re going to be very, very willing to pay a pretty penny for a head coach. They’re upwards of it sounds like it could go to eight figures. But they sound very, very willing to meet a pretty big number. Same for the coordinator pool. Sounds like it’s going to be a very, very competitive, very aggressive coordinator,” said Kolby Crawford, a Hokies insider for 247 Sports. That would make the next head coach one of the highest-paid coaches in the country.

Currently, UGA’s head coach Kirby Smart is the highest-paid coach in the country, reportedly earning around $13,003,000 per year. Whereas, OSU’s head coach, Ryan Day, is a close second with $12.5 million per year, after his contract extension this year. Bill Belichick, UNC’s head coach, is the last-ranked (9th) head coach, earning in the 8 figures, with a $10.1 million contract per year. So, if the news from Crawford becomes true, this would mean the new VT head coach would earn more than coaches like Lane Kiffin and would be at least the 10th-highest-paid head coach.

Lane Kiffin right now reportedly has a $9 million contract per year and has seen Ole Miss rise steadily during his tenure (49-18 record). Mario Cristobal at Miami earns around $ 8.5 million per year and had an exceptional 10-win season with Miami last year, and is continuing that success this year again. Josh Heupel is another successful head coach, leading Tennessee right now, earning $9 million per year, and led his team to the playoffs for the first time in 2024. So, Virginia Tech paying their new head coach more than these successful head coaches seems to be a strong statement on rolling back those Frank Beamer years. But who will be the next head coach?

Requirements are plenty for Virginia Tech’s new head coaching candidate

Several names have been speculated about the opening at Virginia Tech, including USF head coach Alex Golesh and Frank Beamer’s son Shane Beamer, currently leading South Carolina. Another name that is gaining traction is Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield, who is 24-5 since the 2023 season. However, Virginia Tech is not hurrying into the hiring right now and will evaluate candidates thoroughly to avoid further fiascos.

“Virginia Tech is at a historic juncture in the history of Hokie Athletics. The tumblers at the institution, conference, and national levels are all aligned. Today’s action unlocks the door to future success,” said Virginia Tech president Tim Sands after Pry’s firing. Another requirement for Virginia Tech, as per reports, is finding a head coach and a GM combo.

Just like how Bill Belichick arrived at North Carolina with his GM, Michael Lombardi, and had a previous relationship. The Hokies also want the same with their new head coach, having a prior relationship with the GM. Finding the combination, however, won’t be easy, and hence the 8-member committee. The Hokies also want a head coach with prior coaching experience, something Brent Pry didn’t have, leading to a  16-24 record. That said, paying upwards of $10 million won’t guarantee those 10 win seasons, as we have seen with Lincoln Riley at USC, who earns $11,537,560 per year.