Brent Pry confident in what Sam Siefkes brings as defensive coordinator

Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry went to evaluate his staff following the 2024 season and decided that it was time to make a major change and shake up the defensive staff. That included moving on from defensive coordinator Chris Marve and multiple other assistants.

To replace Marve, Pry had a nationwide search, eventually landing on Sam Siefkes. He’s someone who hasn’t coached at a power conference before. Despite that, Pry is confident in his choice because of the background that Siefkes does have.

“I think a couple of things,” Brent Pry said. “I think his five years coordinating is very valuable. He kind of had a path similar to my own, and his ability to do what he did at Wofford — and let me say this, to do it at Platteville, and then go to a new place with new challenges and do it again, that’s impressive. That’s consistency at a high level, productive defenses.”

Most recently, Sam Siefkes was the linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals, and prior to that, he was with the Minnesota Vikings, giving him NFL experience. He was also a coordinator in college during his time with Wofford from 2018 to 2020. There, his teams led the FCS in total defense and rushing defense two years in a row, making them a national contender. That came after beginning his coaching career in 2015 as a GA and moving on to stops at Wisconsin-La Crosse and Wisconsin-Platteville.

“To do it at Wofford out of two different structures. Not many guys that I know have done that. That’s challenging. As I mentioned, his football IQ is very impressive. Then, NFL experience to me, they’re doing it at the highest level, the game planning, the playcalling, the situational defenses, and the guys that he was around — some of the best at the highest level. Then, when they’re telling me that he’s ready to do this, more than ready, and that he’s got NFL coordinator, head coach one day,” Pry said.

“I mean the praises were, so I felt very confident in it. Again, as you spend time and you learn more, that needle just kept moving for Sam in that direction. He’s composed, he’s poised, he’s got a ton of confidence. A lot of things and traits that I look for that say he’s more than capable.”

2024 was a frustrating season for Virginia Tech. The Hokies went just 6-7, including a loss in the Mayo Bowl. With that bowl game included, the Hokies lost four of their final five games. The defense was 57th nationally in total defense, giving up 363 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Hokies were 39th in scoring defense, giving up 22.8 points per game.

With this hire, Brent Pry is turning to Sam Siefkes to take that defense to the next level in 2025.