Virginia Tech Fans Demand Brent Pry Firing After Disastrous 28-0 Halftime Deficit to Old Dominion

Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry faces mounting pressure as fans call for his immediate dismissal following the Hokies’ devastating 28-0 halftime deficit to Old Dominion on September 13, 2025.

Crisis Deepens for Embattled Coach

The abysmal first-half performance marked another crushing blow for Pry’s tenure at Virginia Tech. Trailing by four touchdowns at home to Old Dominion, the Hokies were booed off the field by their own fans at Lane Stadium. The team’s struggles have reached a breaking point, with Virginia Tech being outscored 62-0 in their last four quarters at home between the Vanderbilt and Old Dominion games.

Pry’s record at Virginia Tech now stands at 16-23 overall with a 10-13 mark in ACC play. This season’s 0-2 start, combined with Saturday’s disastrous showing, has intensified calls for his removal. Social media erupted with fan frustration, with one supporter noting that Pry makes former coach Justin Fuente “look like Nick Saban”.

Hot Seat Reaches Critical Temperature

Vegas oddsmakers had already placed Pry as the hottest coaching seat in college football entering the season, with 5-1 odds to be fired. The coach’s $6 million buyout clause makes a potential dismissal financially manageable for the university.

Athletic Director Whit Babcock previously set expectations for the program, stating Virginia Tech needs to win roughly nine games per season to secure a larger share of ACC revenue distribution. The current trajectory appears to fall far short of those goals.

Pattern of Second-Half Collapses

Virginia Tech’s struggles have been particularly pronounced after halftime. The team has been outscored 48-3 in second halves this season, including surrendering 34 unanswered points to Vanderbilt the previous week. Against Old Dominion, all four scoring drives covered 77 yards or longer, highlighting defensive breakdowns.

Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph exploited Virginia Tech’s defense with 228 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the first half. The Monarchs accumulated 334 total yards of offense through two quarters alone.

Administrative Pressure Mounts

The poor performance comes amid broader concerns about Virginia Tech’s athletic department resources. Babcock recently warned that the program’s $142 million budget falls $58 million short of what’s needed to compete at the highest ACC level. This financial reality adds urgency to coaching decisions, as prolonged mediocrity could further damage the program’s competitive position.

Pry’s situation has deteriorated rapidly since his arrival in November 2021. Despite reaching consecutive bowl games in 2023 and 2024, the overall trajectory has disappointed supporters expecting a return to the program’s successful past under Frank Beamer.

The coach’s recent decision to cancel a top recruit’s visit this weekend, sending him to Tennessee instead, further illustrates the program’s current instability.