After Virginia Tech got drubbed on Saturday at home by Old Dominion, 45-26, the Hokies fell to a woeful 0-3 to start the 2025 season. A day later, Virginia Tech announced the firing of head coach Brent Pry, who compiled a 16–24 overall record in Blacksburg.
Philip Montgomery, the team’s offensive coordinator, will serve as the interim head coach. Who might be the next head coach of this Atlantic Coast Conference school? Here are 10 potential candidates, ranked from least to most likely, to become the Hokies’ next boss.
Virginia Tech Hokies football head-coaching candidates
Jimbo Fisher, former Texas A&M/Florida State head coach
If the Virginia Tech brass wants to make a splash with its next head coach, Fisher would qualify. The former head coach at Texas A&M and Florida State won a national championship with the Seminoles, and he’s an analyst these days with ACC Network. Would Fisher be interested in the Hokies’ vacancy? Maybe. But not super likely.
Pat Fitzgerald, former Northwestern head coach
This is another long shot. In August, Northwestern and Fitzgerald, its former head coach, settled a lawsuit brought by him after the school fired Fitzgerald in July 2023 amid allegations of hazing in the program. With legal issues resolved, Fitzgerald may get back into coaching. Still, Fitzgerald going to Virginia Tech isn’t all that likely.
Michael Vick, Norfolk State head coach
It’s easy to assume that Virginia Tech leaders would pursue Vick, given that he’s a former star quarterback for the Hokies and in the NFL. However, he doesn’t have much college coaching experience. Norfolk State is 1-2 in 2025. A CBS Sports report says Vick would “definitely” be interested in the Virginia Tech job, but don’t be so sure Hokies officials would have him near the top of their wish list.
Shane Beamer, South Carolina head coach
No name is being tossed around more than Beamer’s to be the next Hokies head coach. He’s the son of former legendary Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer. However, Shane Beamer has a good thing going with South Carolina in the Southeastern Conference. Why would he leave for the ACC, unless he wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps?
Jeff Monken, Army head coach
Monken is a proven winner. He’s in his 12th season at Army, went 12-2 in 2024 and has a career record of 83-58 with the Black Knights. He’s also won four bowl games during his tenure in West Point, N.Y. Monken is 58, and his age may be somewhat of a deterrent.
Charles Huff, Southern Mississippi head coach
Huff is an intriguing name. He led Marshall to a 10-3 record in 2024 and then left for Southern Miss. Huff was an assistant under James Franklin at Penn State and under Nick Saban at Alabama. Also, Huff could recruit well for Virginia Tech, having served as an assistant at local schools such as Maryland and Hampton.
Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky head coach
Helton is in his seventh season leading the Hilltoppers, with an overall record of 50-33. He’s been to a bowl game in every one of his first six campaigns, winning four of them.
Alex Golesh, South Florida head coach
Golesh is getting a lot of buzz as a potential replacement for Pry. South Florida has two top-25 wins in 2025. Golesh is known for his high-powered offenses, and that would be welcomed in Blacksburg. The Bulls triumphed in bowl games in each of Golesh’s first two seasons at USF.
Ryan Silverfield, Memphis head coach
The 45-year-old Silverfield’s name will likely be brought up in a lot of head-coaching searches. He’s 45-21 at Memphis, has won at least 10 games in each of the past two seasons and is 3-0 to begin the 2025 campaign.
Bob Chesney, James Madison head coach
Chesney makes a lot of sense to be the next boss in Blacksburg. He’s only 48, yet he has a ton of coaching experience, although not at the power-conference level. Chesney was 44-21 at Holy Cross before moving to James Madison last year. In 2024, the Dukes went 9-4, and James Madison will contend for a Sun Belt Conference title this season. Plus, James Madison is only about two hours from Virginia Tech, so Chesney would likely have a good feel for the Hokies’ recruiting efforts.
