Virginia Tech is facing another major coaching transition as offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen departs for Ohio State, where he will take over as the Buckeyes’ offensive line coach, according to Pete Nakos of On3.
Bowen, a former Maryland offensive lineman, has built a diverse coaching résumé, with stops at Penn State, Fordham, Maryland, and the Jacksonville Jaguars before joining the Hokies in 2022. Over his tenure in Blacksburg, he transitioned from tight ends coach to quarterbacks coach while overseeing an inconsistent offense. Despite having potential NFL talent like Bhayshul Tuten, Da’Quan Felton, and Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech struggled offensively in 2024, largely due to offensive line issues and injuries to quarterback Kyron Drones.
While some fans criticized Bowen’s play-calling, head coach Brent Pry also made some questionable decisions, including assigning Bowen quarterback coaching duties after Brad Glenn’s departure. Instead of hiring a dedicated QB coach, Pry kept Bowen in multiple roles, which may have hindered the offense’s development.
Now, Pry must make another key hire at a tough time. In December, he replaced defensive coordinator Chris Marve with Arizona Cardinals linebackers coach Sam Siefkes, a search that lasted nearly two months. With spring practices approaching, the search for a new offensive coordinator is even more pressing.
The most obvious in-house candidate is wide receivers coach Fontel Mines, but it remains unclear whether Pry will promote from within or look elsewhere, possibly to the NFL. Meanwhile, new offensive line coach Matt Moore has been well-received, providing at least some stability up front.
For Bowen, moving to Ohio State could be a step toward solidifying his coaching career, as working with the offensive line is arguably his best fit at the Power Four level. For Virginia Tech, while his departure may serve as a needed reset, the timing leaves Pry in a difficult position as he attempts to fill another key coaching vacancy.
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