Dear Hokies Fans (9-14-25)
By: Joey Raymond
Headline Photo Credit: Katie Raymond-LMS Network
Dear Hokies fans,
Your friendly Virginia Tech staff writer here, and let me first open up by saying: I’m sorry. I set the expectations high this year, if for no one else, at least for myself. I came out saying I believed this team was better than last year’s. And to be honest, there’s still a grain of truth to that. Short of the offensive line, I still think there’s more depth and talent on paper. But here’s the thing—stats and theories on paper only get you so far. Coaching is where the difference is made, and this coaching staff has been abysmal. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
This team is undisciplined and, worst of all, has quit. Say what you will about Justin Fuente and his staff, but his teams never quit. Even at the end of his tenure, they fought hard and found ways to win games for their coach. You didn’t see that Saturday under Pry. That team looked defeated before the final whistle ever blew. To make matters worse, Pry came out in another press conference talking about “getting back to basics” and “making improvements.” In year four, the basics should already be mastered. By now, we should be talking schematics and adjustments—not the same day-one fundamentals.
This coaching staff has repeatedly shown they don’t know what they’re doing. Think back to year one against Old Dominion: special teams blunders, a high snap over the quarterback’s head that turned into a touchdown. From the very beginning, the mistakes piled up. Fast-forward four years, and the issues remain—like the infamous “two players with the same number on a kick” penalty, or a gunner not lined up correctly on a punt just weeks ago. Early on, we forgave Pry because he was new. But by year three or four, you expect growth. Instead, the mistakes are the same. To his credit, Pry can recruit. He can sell a vision. Early on, his smooth talk and excuses carried weight. But excuses only carry you so far before reality catches up.
And reality hit hard this past weekend. Hokies, let’s be honest—when you’re down 28-0 at halftime to Old Dominion, at home, you’ve hit rock bottom. Add in the fact that, across the last four quarters, we had been outscored 62-0 at Lane Stadium—our house—and it’s unthinkable. Lane used to be a fortress. ODU gashed us for over 230 yards on the ground and scored every time they reached the red zone. That’s not just about injuries or mismatches. That’s a team unprepared, uninspired, and unrecognizable. And what hurts most is knowing that the pride that once defined Virginia Tech football—tough defense, Beamer Ball, never backing down—was nowhere to be found.
And it’s not like Saturday was an outlier. Look at the larger body of work: 16-24 overall under Pry, just 10-21 against Power Four opponents, and multiple losses to Group of Five teams. Even the close games, the ones that could’ve gone either way, almost always slip away. We gave him grace early on because we understood rebuilding takes time. But year four is not year one. “Back to basics” doesn’t cut it anymore. Hokie fans aren’t asking for miracles—we’re asking for competence. And we’re still waiting.
I know the buyout conversation looms large. Pry’s deal runs through 2027, and cutting ties after this season would cost nearly six million dollars. That’s serious money. But the real cost is in doing nothing. Every Saturday like this chips away at the program’s brand, its recruiting pitch, and most importantly, the fans’ trust. We can’t just keep hoping next week magically turns things around while watching the same mistakes repeat. If Virginia Tech is serious about competing for ACC titles and eventually College Football Playoff contention, change is non-negotiable. And that goes beyond Pry. Athletic Director Whit Babcock has now missed on two football hires. We can’t trust him with a third.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about numbers or contracts—it’s about identity. Hokie football once stood for toughness, pride, and fight. That hasn’t changed with the fans. Every week, Lane Stadium still fills. Every week, “Enter Sandman” shakes the ground. But let’s be real: even that loyalty has limits. Fans are numb now, worn down by years of mediocrity. We’ll see what the crowd looks like for Wofford. But here’s the truth—Hokie Nation hasn’t quit. You are the reason this program still has hope. And one day, when the turnaround finally comes, it’ll be because you stayed, because you demanded better, and because you refused to let this program die.
The climb back won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. And when Virginia Tech football rises again—and it will—we’ll look back at these dark days and know the story mattered more because of how far we had to fall. I just hate that we have to go through this.
From your friendly neighborhood staff writer, -JR
