Penn State notebook: Brent Pry talks Franklin influence, recruiting and staff as he takes VT job

Virginia Tech formally introduced former Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry as its head coach on Thursday morning.

Pry spent 11 seasons on James Franklin’s staff, including eight in Happy Valley. Penn State’s defense finished in the top-10 nationally three times with Pry on staff.

Pry has been approached several times about potentially becoming a head coach. This offseason, he finally found the right job to take the leap.

“We’ve had those opportunities that just weren’t appealing enough,” Pry said. “When you’re in a good place with good people, it’s hard to leave. I’m not going to say it was easy to leave Penn State, to leave James. But this was the right fit.”

Let’s dive into some takeaways from Pry’s introductory press conference in Blacksburg.

What Pry learned at Penn State from James Franklin

Pry became somewhat emotional as he spoke about his coaching influences during his opening statement, Franklin included.

“James is like a brother to me,” he said. “I wasn’t sure I would ever step out and do my own thing. It took this place to do it.

“James has always known how I felt about Virginia Tech…We were buddies when I came to Virginia Tech as a GA, so I’m sure when this thing opened, it crossed his mind like it did mine. He was very supportive, and wanted to help in any way he could.”

Pry has known Franklin since Penn State’s head coach played quarterback at East Stroudsburg University, and Pry was on the coaching staff there as an outside linebackers and defensive backs coach.

Pry said the primary lesson he’ll take from the years he spent with Franklin is his detail-oriented approach, especially as it relates to recruiting.

“Details, details, details,” Pry said. “When it comes to recruiting, he is relentless in the details. Following through, being thorough, building those relationships with the high school coach, with the trainer, with the parents, with the uncle, with the barber that cuts hair. It doesn’t matter.

“I think over 12 years with James, relentless effort on the recruiting front and being actively involved as a head coach is very important to me. I don’t see that being any different.”

Pry on recruiting

The state of Virginia and the wider DMV area have been very good to Penn State in recent years, and Pry has played a large part in that.

Two of Penn State’s starting linebackers this season are from Virginia — Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks. The other, Curtis Jacobs, is from Maryland.

“I know how good this state has been to Virginia Tech,” Pry said. I’ve had a ton of former players reach out to me in regards to that. We’re going to work our tails off to bring those Virginia kids to Blacksburg. We’ve had a little success doing that up to Happy Valley, so I think it ought to be easier to do that here.

“We’re going to recruit our footprint. We’re going to recruit everywhere, but our footprint is going to be our emphasis.”

Pry’s immediate task is to keep a solid group of Hokie commits together with early signing day quickly approaching.

The Hokies Class of 2022 is currently ranked 35th in the nation according to the On3 composite.

“We’re going to work our butts off to keep our class together and evaluate what else is out there for us,” Pry said.

Pry’s staff plans

Pry was asked about his intentions when it comes to filling out his staff a few times throughout the press conference.

He did not reveal whether he intends to try bring some of the staffers at Penn State south with him, but he did touch on the kind of coach he’s looking for on the offensive side of the ball.

“I think when you talk about mentality, that’s your whole football team,” he said. “I learned that here at Virginia Tech, how important mentality is. As far as an offensive coordinator and play-caller, we want an efficient offense that’s going to be able to score some points but be efficient and be a problem for defensive coordinators.

“Trust me, I know what those offenses look like. I’m excited about the guys who have reached out and want to be here and want to run the offense.”

Pry indicated that he will give up calling plays on defense at some point as he makes the step up to be a head coach, but he did not say when that would be.

“It’s going to be hard to let go of calling those plays,” he said with a smile.