Hokie ClubCoaching, for me, is not just about building stronger athletes—it’s about shaping stronger people.
I coach because I want to make a lasting impact on my athletes' lives, both on and off the field. I want them to succeed, not just in their sport, but in life.
That’s why I show up every day—not just as a coach, but as a mentor, a motivator, and a role model.
I want my athletes to see me.
Not just as the person pushing them through drills, but as someone who genuinely cares about their future.
I bring my wife and kids around so my players can see me as a husband and father, to show them what balance and commitment look like.
My ultimate goal is to be a positive force in their lives.
Whether they make it to the NFL or take a different path, I want them to remember that someone believed in them, pushed them, and helped them become the best version of themselves.
That’s why I coach.
A Gift for Encouragement
My journey to coaching started long before I ever realized it.
Even in high school, I had a knack for rallying people, for making them believe in themselves.
I grew up in a small town where our high school team was more of an afterthought than a contender.
We were the team everyone looked forward to playing—the easy win, the guaranteed homecoming victory.
But I saw potential where others saw limitations.
I encouraged my classmates to come out and play, to push themselves, to believe.
And something amazing happened—we started winning.
Our track team won state championships, and suddenly, people started to believe in themselves the way I believed in them.
That belief carried me forward.
When I had the chance to be a walk-on at Virginia Tech, I knew I could do it.
And I did.
I became a four-year starter and lived out my dream of playing at the next level.
So when the opportunity came to step into a coaching role, I knew exactly what I wanted to do—I wanted to instill that same belief in others.
I wanted to teach them that they could be more than what the world expected.
Building People Up
Coach Gentry changed my life.
He was our strength coach at Virginia Tech, and he was the one who taught me that success on the field starts in the weight room.
He used to tell us, "If you want to get to that field, you come through here first."
And I took that to heart.
I wanted to play, so I put in the work, and I watched my body and my game transform.
One day, I walked up to Coach Gentry and told him I wanted to do what he did.
I wanted to help others build themselves up, both physically and mentally.
I wanted to be a strength and conditioning coach.
He didn’t just encourage me—he made a way for me.
He helped me get my degree in physical education, guided me through the complexities of energy systems and nutrition, and set me up with the tools I would need to succeed.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
More importantly, I wouldn’t be able to help my athletes without the lessons he taught me.
That’s why I do what I do.
Because someone once saw potential in me, and I want to pass that gift on to the next generation.
A Special Day
The day Coach Pry introduced me as the new head strength coach at Virginia Tech, I thought for sure he had picked someone else.
He stepped out of the room before making the announcement, and for a split second, I prepared myself to clap for whoever walked through that door.
But when he came back and said my name, it took a moment for the reality to sink in.
Then, almost immediately, my mind shifted to the next step.
I didn’t dwell on the moment—I started talking about what needed to be done the very next day.
That’s how much this place means to me.
Virginia Tech is more than just where I played.
It’s home.
It’s where I’ve raised my family, where I’ve poured my energy, my passion, and my love for the game.
To be trusted with this role—this responsibility—meant the world to me.
And when I walked up to Coach Pry to thank him, he wasn’t just happy for me—he was genuinely excited.
That moment, that handshake, that validation—I’ll never forget it.
The Ultimate Goal
Coaching isn’t just about making athletes stronger or faster.
It’s about shaping them into the people they’re meant to be.
I don’t care if my athletes go to the NFL or take a completely different path.
I care that they leave this program with a foundation for success, with the confidence that they can tackle whatever life throws at them.
And I care that they see me—truly see me.
Not just as a coach but as a husband, a father, a mentor, and a friend.
I want them to understand that who they are off the field is just as important as who they are on it.
My hope is that every player I work with sees the bigger picture, sees beyond the game, and understands what it means to build a life worth living.
That’s the ultimate goal.
That’s why I coach.