Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head football Coach Brent Pry has announced two support staff promotions along with a new equipment room hire. Alex Jones moves from his role as assistant director of player personnel to director of player personnel, while Joe Joe Headen goes from assistant director of player engagement to assistant director of player personnel. VanDyke Jones has been hired as assistant director of equipment.
Alex Jones (Charleston, West Virginia, George Washington HS) begins his second season in Blacksburg after serving as assistant director of player personnel for the Hokies in 2022. He previously served in that same capacity at Marshall for three seasons. Alex joined the Thundering Herd after spending the 2018 season as the director of football operations at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia.
He began his career as a football operations intern with the NFL's Cleveland Browns in 2016 after earning a bachelor's degree in sport management from Baldwin Wallace University and a master's degree in sport management from West Virginia. Jones will continue to work alongside senior director of player personnel, Mike Villagrana, to play a major role in the Hokies' recruiting and roster management efforts. He will head up the day-to-day scouting operations of the department which include film evaluations, portal monitoring, assisting in the recruitment of prospective athletes, helping build and keep track of recruiting boards for all classes and other duties as assigned.
Joseph "Joe Joe" Headen (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Bishop McDevitt HS) spent the 2022 season as the assistant director of player engagement at Tech. In this role, Headen assisted Carrie Lynne Wolford in the holistic development of football student-athletes, centered around personal, professional, academic and athletic growth. Additionally, he played an integral part in all of the football program's community outreach efforts.
Headen played collegiately at Old Dominion from 2016-21. On the field, he played in 49 games, starting 32 times in the secondary. While with the Monarchs, Headen earned two degrees, a bachelor's in business administration and finance and a Master's of public administration. He will assist in every aspect of the Hokies' recruiting efforts, including overseeing campus visits while hosting prospects, families, and guests. He will have a hand in any and all scouting tasks/assignments while also handling both the walk-on program and assisting with all pro scouts who set foot on campus.
VanDyke Jones (Norfolk, Virginia, Indian River HS) joins the Hokies after serving one season as equipment manager for the D.C. Defenders of the XFL. Prior to that, he was director of equipment at Howard University from 2021 to 2023. Jones also spent eight seasons at Wofford College, including four as the Terriers' head football equipment manager.
The Virginia native played running back at The Citadel from 2009 to 2012 rushing for 249 yards and six touchdowns on 41 carries as a senior. A 2013 graduate, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing. Jones will assist Tech's director of football equipment services, Stewart Carter, participating in all activities related to the purchasing, issuing, fitting and repairing of athletic equipment and uniforms.Gallery: (8-15-2023) FB: Fall Camp Day 11