Virginia Tech’s 2025 coaching staff took longer to finalize than expected, but Brent Pry made some significant upgrades in the process. After firing defensive coordinator Chris Marve, strength coach Dwight Galt IV, and offensive line coach Ron Crook in December, the Hokies spent three months reshaping their staff.
The first move came quickly, with the hiring of Matt Moore as offensive line coach. Moore, formerly with West Virginia, was a major upgrade and a swift hire by Pry. The search for a defensive coordinator took longer, but the Hokies landed Arizona Cardinals linebackers coach Sam Siefkes after the College Football Playoff. While Siefkes is unproven at the Power Five level, his experience as a successful defensive coordinator at lower levels and strong NFL endorsements make him an intriguing hire.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen’s departure to Ohio State to coach the offensive line. Virginia Tech responded by hiring former Tulsa head coach Phillip Montgomery, who also served as offensive coordinator at Baylor and Auburn. This was another major win for Pry, as Montgomery brings an aggressive offensive mindset.
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Additionally, the Hokies promoted former Virginia Tech fullback Jarrett Ferguson to head strength coach. Ferguson has already implemented several changes since January and is highly regarded in strength and conditioning circles.
New coordinators often bring in their own staff, and recent NCAA rule changes have expanded coaching staffs even further. Siefkes and Montgomery both added familiar faces to their respective units, including Montgomery’s son, Cannon Montgomery, who is widely respected in coaching circles.
Staff Changes and New Roles
Coaches with New Roles
- Shawn Quinn – Outside Linebackers Coach (previously Stars/Nickels)
- Xavier Adibi – Inside Linebackers Coach (previously an analyst)
- Brent Davis – Tight Ends Coach (previously assistant OL coach, while Stu Holt remains special teams coach and offensive assistant)
New Coaching Hires
- Jens Danielsen – Assistant Offensive Line Coach (from WVU, worked with Moore)
- Cannon Montgomery – Assistant Running Backs Coach (previously at Tulsa, Houston, Houston Christian, and Auburn)
- Jireh Wilson – Edges Coach (from Kennesaw State, played for Siefkes at Wofford)
- Bryan Whitehead – Nickels Coach (worked with Siefkes at Wisconsin-Platteville)
With these moves, Virginia Tech has positioned itself for a stronger 2025 season. Pry’s staff now features experienced play-callers, position coaches with strong recruiting ties, and former players returning in key roles. While results remain to be seen, the Hokies’ coaching overhaul appears to be a step in the right direction.
