When Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry dismissed defensive coordinator Chris Marve, strength coach Dwight Galt IV, and offensive line coach Ron Crook on December 12, few expected it would take three months to finalize the 2025 coaching staff.
The Hokies moved quickly to replace Crook, hiring Matt Moore in less than two weeks. They capitalized on West Virginia’s coaching changes, bringing in Moore—a significant upgrade for Pry.
For the defensive coordinator role, Virginia Tech waited until after the College Football Playoff before selecting Arizona Cardinals linebackers coach Sam Siefkes. While Siefkes remains an unknown at this level, his track record as a defensive coordinator at lower levels and endorsements from multiple current and former NFL head coaches make him an intriguing hire.
An unexpected departure came when offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen left to become Ohio State’s offensive line coach. In response, the Hokies made a bold move by hiring former Tulsa head coach and Baylor/Auburn offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery. This was another impressive addition to Pry’s staff.
Virginia Tech also promoted Jarrett Ferguson to head strength coach. A former Hokies standout, Ferguson has an extensive background in strength training and has already implemented key changes since January.
Naturally, new coordinators often want to bring in their own staff, and with recent NCAA rule changes allowing for more coaching hires and role adjustments, the Hokies made additional moves. Siefkes brought in familiar faces from his past coaching stops, while Montgomery added his son, Cannon Montgomery, to the staff—a well-regarded figure in coaching circles.
Beyond the four major hires, Virginia Tech made several other staffing changes:
Internal Promotions:
- Shawn Quinn: Outside linebackers coach (previously coached Stars/Nickels)
- Xavier Adibi: Inside linebackers coach (promoted from an analyst role)
- Brent Davis: Tight ends coach (previously assistant offensive line coach; Stu Holt remains special teams coach and offensive assistant)
New Staff Additions:
- Jens Danielsen: Assistant offensive line coach (previously worked with Moore at WVU)
- Cannon Montgomery: Assistant running backs coach (former college receiver with experience at Tulsa, Houston, Houston Christian, and Auburn)
- Jireh Wilson: Edges (edge rushers) coach (joins from Kennesaw State, previously played for Siefkes at Wofford)
- Bryan Whitehead: Nickels coach (previously worked with Siefkes at Wisconsin-Platteville)
With these hires, Pry has reshaped his staff with a mix of experienced leaders and rising coaching talent, positioning the Hokies for a fresh approach in 2025.
Leave a Reply