As Franklin weighed his options about where to coach next, he said the way Brent Pry spoke about Virginia Tech was influential.

On the day that he was officially introduced as the head football coach at Virginia Tech, James Franklin used his press conference to thank his former employers and the predecessor at his new job.

Pry, who previously served as the Hokies’ head coach, has known Franklin for more than three decades. Franklin said stepping into a role once held by someone so close to him added another layer of meaning to the moment. “Brent Pry is a good friend,” Franklin said. “Brent Pry’s dad was my offensive coordinator in college.”

Jermaine Ferrell shares how new Virginia Tech head football coach is giving honor and praise to his friend in former Virginia Tech head football coach Brent Pry.