What Made James Franklin Trust Brent Pry Again After His Firing?

In college football, coaching reunions usually come with a few raised eyebrows. But when James Franklin decided to keep Brent Pry close despite Pry’s recent firing at Virginia Tech, it was about far more than football strategy. It was about trust, loyalty, and a friendship built over three decades.

Franklin recently opened up about the decision during an appearance on Adam Breneman’s podcast, explaining why bringing Pry back into the fold felt natural — even if it looked unusual from the outside. And honestly? In a sport where coaching staffs change faster than fans switch TV channels during a blowout, this kind of loyalty stands out.

A 30-Year Bond That Started at East Stroudsburg

Long before Franklin became one of college football’s most recognizable head coaches, he was a quarterback at East Stroudsburg University in the early 1990s. During that time, his offensive coordinator was Jim Pry — Brent Pry’s father.

That connection turned into a lifelong relationship.

Franklin recalled first crossing paths with Brent Pry when Buffalo faced East Stroudsburg in 1991. While Franklin was leading the offense, Pry was making plays at safety for the University at Buffalo. Years later, Brent even joined his father’s coaching staff and worked with Franklin during his senior season.

According to Franklin, the relationship grew beyond football. Their families became close, and the trust between them deepened over the years.

“There’s trust with me, and there’s trust for him,” Franklin explained while discussing Pry’s return to the staff.

That kind of connection in college football is rare. Coaches often talk about “family culture,” but this one actually came with decades of history attached.

Brent Pry Helped Build Penn State’s Defensive Identity

When Franklin became Vanderbilt’s head coach in 2011, Pry joined him as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Their partnership quickly became one of the more respected coaching combinations in college football.

Soon after, the duo moved to Penn State, where Pry’s defenses turned the Nittany Lions into one of the toughest teams in the Big Ten.

Under Pry, Penn State consistently fielded top-10 defenses packed with aggressive linebackers and NFL-caliber talent. The 2016 season especially cemented his reputation after the Nittany Lions captured a Big Ten title despite major injuries on defense.

Players like Jason Cabinda, Amani Oruwariye, and Yetur Gross-Matos flourished in Pry’s system. Penn State defenders were flying around the field so fast that opposing quarterbacks probably considered filing frequent flyer miles.

For years, Pry’s aggressive defensive style became a signature part of Franklin’s success.

Why Returning After a Firing Wasn’t Easy

After his stint as Virginia Tech’s head coach ended, Pry faced a difficult decision: return to a coordinator role or move on completely.

Franklin admitted the situation was unusual, saying he couldn’t remember another instance where a fired head coach returned to the same staff in that type of role.

Pry also acknowledged that the move required serious reflection. He wanted to make sure he could return with the right mindset — positive, appreciative, and ready to contribute.

That honesty matters. College football can be brutally unforgiving, and pride often gets in the way of second chances. But Pry’s willingness to step back into a supporting role showed humility that Franklin clearly respected.

In today’s coaching world, that’s almost as rare as a calm college football message board after a loss.

Virginia Tech’s New Era Is Already Turning Heads

Franklin’s arrival at Virginia Tech has already created major buzz in Blacksburg.

The Hokies reportedly climbed to a top-30 recruiting class after previously sitting outside national rankings, while their transfer portal haul ranked among the nation’s best. Incoming additions like Que’Sean Brown and Luke Reynolds have fans believing Virginia Tech could quickly become a serious contender again.

With Franklin leading the program and Pry helping rebuild the defense, expectations are climbing fast.

And if history tells us anything, Franklin and Pry together usually mean one thing: defenses that hit hard, recruit well, and make Saturdays uncomfortable for opponents.

James Franklin’s decision to stick with Brent Pry wasn’t based on sympathy or nostalgia alone. It was rooted in years of trust, shared success, and belief in what Pry still brings to a football program.

Their partnership helped produce championship-caliber defenses at Penn State, and now they’ll try to recreate that magic at Virginia Tech. Whether the Hokies become an ACC powerhouse again remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Franklin is betting on familiarity, loyalty, and proven football instincts.

And in college football, sometimes the strongest playbook is the one built on trust.

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