Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Following the hiring of his 10 assistant coaches, Virginia Tech football head coach Brent Pry held a press conference with the media on Thursday. Read what he had to say below.
HEAD COACH BRENT PRY
Opening statement:
"I appreciate everyone's patience putting the staff together. I know people been anxious. So, I appreciate that and appreciate you all (media) jumping on today. Just wanted a chance to give a few updates before we dive into this, with junior fay this weekend and get the staff out on the road starting tonight. But I'm super excited about this group. I promised myself and others that I trust in this profession that I wouldn't be hasty. That was the advice given to me that I wanted to do and I was able to stick to the gut, stick to my guns and make sure that we hired the right people that are going to mentor this football team and represent us in this community, in this state and represent Virginia Tech."
On his newly-hired, complete coaching staff:
"I'm super excited about the guys we were able to get to join us. I told the staff this morning I appreciate the trust in the alliance and commitment to myself into Virginia Tech. It was important in this process to get coaches that will fit Virginia Tech. Just really important to me that the men and women we hire identify with Tech and what's so special about, and it being the same reason that I was hired. So that was important to me. I think they complement one another. They make us better. The right blend of experience and philosophy. Then the trust in their character and commitment to this program. We've got some old hats, we've got some young hats. I think the young guys we've hired are highly intelligent with a strong football IQ and a really high ceiling. Then there's some great experience to couple with that. We have guys that can kind of play off of one another in the recruiting process. That was always factored in."
On the recruiting footprint:
"It was important to hire guys that were familiar with our footprint. You know, the Carolinas, Pennsylvania, East Tennessee and, obviously, the state of Virginia. Like, the DMV, hiring people that have relationships there. I do believe a strong recruiter is a strong recruiter, but that relationships help. When you already have those relationships and you're walking into a school, that goes a long way. So that was factored in as well."
On what he looked for in his hires and his support staff:
"Lastly, and not any less important, I wanted to hire men that would be excited about the opportunity at Virginia Tech. I didn't hire anybody that wasn't thrilled. But those that recognized the opportunity to be here and what it can do for them personally and how they can help Virginia Tech. That was a crucial, critical component to it as well. We still have a few support staff positions left to hire, but we've been able to have hired some very smart and talented people in leadership positions. Michael Villagrana, Michael Hazel and Dwight Galt IV are some of those department heads, that to me are critical in aligning the rest of the staff. We are looking forward to a great group of prospects visiting this weekend, and then our focus will be on getting the road and making the most out of this class. Our first week of recruiting will be exclusively in the state of Virginia. Following that, then we'll branch out into the remainder of the footprint in week two and recruit more on a positional basis."