Brent Pry explains slower process to hiring assistant coaches

Following the 2024 season, Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry made several difficult staffing decisions, including making a change at defensive coordinator.

After a slower process in hiring a new defensive coordinator, Brent Pry decided to bring in Sam Siefkes as the team’s next defensive coordinator. It was a process that Pry took very seriously and that was part of why the process became an extended one.

“Our search process, I’m never going to be rushed,” Brent Pry said. “I want to get the right people for our players, for our staff, for me, for Virginia Tech. I just don’t believe that those are any types of decisions that you rush.”

Pry didn’t go into the process with one or two coaches in mind. Instead, it was a wide net that he cast, adding to the length of time it took to land his new coordinator.

“We are — the process itself, we wanted to take on all the interest, vet it, narrow it down. We had 10 serious candidates, six of which I met with in person. Most of those were four-hour interviews. Two others, multiple phone conversations, and Zooms. Then, the ninth and 10th, multiple conversations. Zooming wasn’t necessary. Tons of follow-up. You’re gonna follow up with the candidates to learn more. You’re going to make phone calls to learn more. You’re going to receive phone calls.”

Sam Siefkes, who has spent time in the NFL as a defensive assistant and at the FCS level as a defensive coordinator, earned a ton of support from coaches he’s worked for and with. That, ultimately, became a key for Brent Pry in deciding to bring him into the program.

“I got no more phone calls on anybody than I got on Sam. From Kevin O’Connell, Jonathan Gannon, Dave Aranda, it goes on and on how well thought of Sam is in the industry. These searches take on a life of their own. We took on a genuine and honest approach to it. The coaching carousel and the coordinator carousel it kind of all feeds off one another. So, you didn’t want to rush it and make a hasty decision.”

Brent Pry recalls process that led him to hiring Sam Siefkes

Brent Pry would further go on to explain that he had known a little bit about Sam Siefkes going into the coaching search. However, it was how he handled the hiring process that made him the right choice for Virginia Tech.

“I did know about Sam. I’ve got a guy that played for me for five years that I’m very close with, recruited him, coached him, Jesse Luketa is out there playing at Arizona. That was the first conversation. When I talked to Jesse often enough just kind of about the coaching and the scheme out there. Of course Ryan Smith‘s coaching out there. Ryan GAd for me at Penn State and coached here,” Pry said.

“We garnered candidates from multiple phone calls that we received. And also we looked out across analytically who fielded some really quality defenses over the last couple years at different places, and then you kind of trace it back. Of course, agents talk and field names, just did a great job of just kind of surface level, 100 level, the initial research on guys. We had a working list of 20 candidates that we kind of zeroed things in on, and then we took it down to 10. Sam made that 10.”