Soundbites: Football Media Availability

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football head coach James Franklin took the podium today to officially introduce his 2026 coaching and support staff, joined by his three coordinators — Brent Pry, Ty Howle and Doug Shearer — as they spoke with the media about the vision and direction for the program. Read below for highlights from each speaker: 

Head Coach James Franklin

On prioritizing depth and competition within roster construction:
“One of the things I talked to the team about very early on, maybe our first team meeting, was about embracing competition. It did not feel like there was enough competition throughout the program on the current roster. And it was going to be different for everybody and they were going to have to embrace that. We need a legitimate three deep at every position. I don't think we had a legitimate three deep at any position. A guy you can win with, a backup you can win with, and then a young guy that you're excited about in the future. I think we have that at pretty much every position now. A three deep that's going to have a chance to compete for as many games that we want to be able to play next year. I was a part of a 16-game season – you better have a ton of depth to be able to do that. So I think we have created that right now."

Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Brent Pry

On the decision to return to Tech:
"You know, it seems like a tough decision, but really it's not when you think about what's important to me and my family, and that's working with and aligning with somebody that you trust and know as a leader, as a man, and how he's going to treat people and how he's going to run the organization. I had other opportunities to be a coordinator at other places, but there was a lot of unknowns. So the the knowingness, the comfort of working with James again after so many years was a real positive for me. He knows me, and I know him. Secondly, I love Virginia Tech. I think everybody knows that. So, a chance to continue – there was no bitterness for me – a chance to continue to to help Virginia Tech turn the corner and be proud again. I want that, and this was an opportunity to continue to do that. And then my family and I love this community. My kids love Blacksburg High. We love being here in Blacksburg and representing Tech. So, there were too many positives. A lot of these players that were returning, I wanted to coach these guys. I love these guys. I still want what's best for them. And now the role is just a little different in how I can help them do that."

Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach Ty Howle

On transition from co-OC to OC all while being in a new program:
"Yeah, I think, obviously there's transition when you change job titles, but I think one of the great things that working for Coach Franklin in the past six years is he's empowered us as coaches. Like last year, I got to call it in the spring game or on the back half of the '23 season, got to call some games there, obviously. And then, having the opportunity to call it at a former school before Penn State as well. The logos change but the work doesn't. I think Coach [Franklin] does a great job of preparing you for these roles and working with you on these things."

Special Teams Coordinator Doug Shearer

On the special teams emphasis from Coach Franklin and reinforcement across units:
"It's obviously actions over words, right? Head coaches can say it, but they have to back it up. And just in the short time that I've been here, Coach [Franklin] has done more than that. It's all hands on deck on special teams. It's the only time your team comes together, right? Offense, defense, and the specialist. It should be the strongest part of our football team. And the way he sees it is he's in every single meeting, which is huge to enforce that. The offense and defensive coordinators are going to enforce it in their unit meetings. The position coaches are going to enforce it in their position meetings. The position coaches are going to help us on special teams, coach those guys, and they're going to coach with as much intensity as they coach their positions on offense and defense as they do on special teams. Obviously, I'm the coordinator and it starts and ends with me, but we also have a staff of special teams-dedicated coaches."