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Virginia Tech hires Penn State's Pry as head coach

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Former Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry was named Virginia Tech's new head coach, the school announced Tuesday.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Pry, Amy, and their family to Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg community," athletic director Whit Babcock said in a statement. "We believe he is the right person to lead Virginia Tech Football and to achieve the goals that we all aspire to attaining."

Pry said, "On behalf of Amy and our family, we are extremely grateful to President Sands and Whit for extending us this opportunity at Virginia Tech."

The Hokies parted ways with Justin Fuente on Nov. 16 after he led the program to a 43-31 mark in six seasons. J.C. Price was named interim coach following Fuente's departure. Pry indicated that Price will remain on his staff as associate head coach/defensive coach.

Pry, 51, had served as the Nittany Lions' defensive play-caller since 2016. He worked under head coach James Franklin for 11 years at Penn State and Vanderbilt.

Pry will make his return to Blacksburg after previously serving as a graduate assistant and defensive line coach under Frank Beamer from 1995-1997.

Penn State finished the regular season ranked seventh in the country in scoring defense, allowing 16.8 points per game. Pry's helped produce units that have ranked in the top 25 in total defense in eight of the past 12 seasons.

The Altoona, Pennsylvania, native also served as an assistant for Western Carolina, Louisiana, Memphis, and Georgia Southern.

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