Virginia Tech has begun its search for a new head coach after firing Brent Pry following a 0-3 start to the 2025 season. According to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports, the Hokies are prioritizing candidates with proven head coaching experience, which has reshaped the early list of names linked to the job.
Nakos reported that the Hokies are also looking at sitting service academy coaches. Army’s Jeff Monken has rebuilt the Black Knights into a consistent winner, highlighted by a 12-2 campaign and AAC title in 2024.
Navy’s Brian Newberry is also generating buzz, having gone 18-10 so far in his tenure and starting 2025 with a 3-0 record. Both bring the kind of stability and track record Virginia Tech’s administration is seeking.
The school may also explore former high-profile head coaches. Pat Fitzgerald, who won 110 games at Northwestern, and Dave Clawson, who turned Wake Forest into a perennial bowl contender, could be on the list if the Hokies prefer experienced program-builders.
From the Power Four level, two names stand out: South Carolina’s Shane Beamer and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea. Beamer has ties to Virginia Tech because of his father, Frank. Lea has engineered steady progress at Vanderbilt, but leaving his alma mater appears unlikely.
Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield, Southern Miss’ Charles Huff, Liberty’s Jamey Chadwell, Toledo’s Jason Candle, and USF’s Alex Golesh are among the Group of Six coaches with a winning record.
Virginia Tech legend Michael Vick is in his first season at Norfolk State.
Sources have told @On3sports that some VT boosters pushed Vick to get coaching experience. It would not surprise anybody in the industry if Vick is a serious name at VT in future coaching searches.… https://t.co/cP2WDJEcBD pic.twitter.com/2kPHcenkg1
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) September 16, 2025
Finally, there is the wild card: Michael Vick. The former Virginia Tech star is in his first season coaching at Norfolk State. While still raw as a head coach, boosters have long envisioned him as a future option.
Michael Vick is Focusing on Norfolk State
Even though Vick is largely considered a wild card for now, the chances of him landing at Virginia Tech are high. He represented the program from 1998 to 2000 and has had a legendary past with them.
Several reports suggest that the Hokies might compromise on one of their key requirements, experience, if that’s what it takes to sign Vick. He became Norfolk’s head coach in December 2024. While the rumors are strong, Vick isn’t bothered by the outside noise.
“My primary focus, until the end of time, is what we do here at Norfolk State. That’s all we can focus on right now. I hope our guys aren’t looking at any newspaper clippings or what’s happening on social media, because I don’t do it,” he said at the MEAC Media Day on Monday.
This is going to be an interesting storyline to follow over the next few days.
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