Marty Gordon
Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry began his first spring press conference Tuesday by congratulating Kenny Brooks and the ladies’ basketball for a successful season.
The praise turned to phases as Pry pointed to the next one for his team.
He said following a successful Phase One, which occurred during the winter and focuses on fundamentals, strength and conditioning, mental toughness and competition, the script now flips to Phase Two.
Phase Two, commonly referred to as spring ball, provides the coaching staff the opportunity to install their base schemes and employ more strategic player development.
The third-year head coach is optimistic about what is happening in Blacksburg. This season received a boost with the return of 86 percent of its productivity from last year. A large number of players decided to return to Blacksburg, something Pry is happy about. He is also happy that 11 members of the coaching staff receiving contract extensions through at least 2026.
“I’m just as excited about the retention of our staff as I was about the retention of our players,” Pry reflected during Tuesday’s press conference. “Stability, and consistency, especially when you believe in a process is critical.”
His attention now turns to work on the field. The program will have 15 practices during the spring to evaluate talent and focus on specific areas of improvement.
“Spring ball is Phase Two. Fundamentals, techniques, base installation of schemes, improve on things that we didn’t do well enough,” said Pry. “We’ve identified those through film study, whether it’s a technique issue, whether it’s a schematic issue, where we need to be better. February, there was a lot of professional growth and development. For instance, the defensive staff from Iowa was in town for a couple of days. You trade ideas, you swap ideas, you grow, you learn. So, implementing some of the things in all three phases that we learned through our professional development.”
His defensive coordinator Chris Marve agreed.
“What we’re looking for this spring from an objective standpoint, is certainly we want to establish an identity,” defensive coordinator Chris Marve stated. “One that plays consistent, that plays together, plays extremely fast and creates mayhem in ways that I know that we can.”
Alongside fellow coordinators Tyler Bowen and Stu Holt, there will be chances to leverage the talent and production returning from last season and discover what newcomers can offer. The Hokies welcomed 15 signees and four transfers during National Signing Day back in December.
Of the new additions, 16 student-athletes arrived as mid-years and participated in Hunger Drills. The newcomers were able to establish their competitive spirit in front of teammates and coaches.
But the key could be continued play of quarterback Kryon Drones.
Offensive Coordinator Tyler Bowen pointed to the fact his QB1 will be getting most of the reps in the spring, thus helping the second-year player with his continued development.
“Yeah, Kyron’s going to get the ones reps and continue with the continuity, the development, the operation of what we’re doing offensively. But I’m excited of the way William “Pop” Watson III and Dylan Wittke have competed during Phase One. And those guys will get an even split. Some days guys going with the twos, some days that rotating back with the threes to make sure that they’re getting reps with the right guys so we can make a true evaluation,” Bowen said.
The Baylor transfer Drones played in all 13 games, starting 11 at quarterback. He set a Virginia Tech bowl record and Military Bowl record with 176 yards rushing in a 41-20 win over Tulane and also passed for 91 yards and two touchdowns and was named Military Bowl MVP.
He finished the season 166 for 285 with 2,085 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed 166 times for 888 yards.
Tech will have 14 practices before the 2024 spring game on Saturday, April 13. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET in Lane Stadium.
