Clay Best

If you're reading this, it's too late. Fans witnessed an amazing spectacle on Saturday night in Blacksburg, one that cemented a sad and depressing fact for everyone associated with Virginia Tech athletics. The Brent Pry era in Blacksburg is effectively over. Even as a fan, you have to admit it — Virginia Tech's fall from grace in the second half on Saturday was incredible. The Hokies allowed 34 unanswered points and were outgained by more than 300 yards after halftime. Tech's 10-point lead at the break quickly turned into a blowout win for the Commodores. Saturday's loss represented everything wrong with Virginia Tech's football program — once the ball is kicked in the air, it's a mess. Sure, the athletic department can put on a good show for the fans before the game. Enter Sandman is great, the fireworks are great, and administrators have done a good job selling tickets. If Virginia Tech could get extra points for pregame festivities, they'd win more games. Tech's flaws were on full display in the second half — the Hokies' fifth-year quarterback hasn't progressed in any significant way, the offensive line lacks any depth whatsoever, and the Hokies' defense continues to get gashed by average talent, no matter how many transfers they bring in. Every single unit played a role in Virginia Tech's collapse. When every unit is struggling, there's one man that must be held to account. Virginia Tech is now 0-2 in Brent Pry's fourth season. Pry's Hokies are just 16-23 since he assumed the head coaching job. As head coach, Pry is 0-7 against Power 4 non-conference opponents. These data points, combined with Saturday's epic defeat at home, have turned the fanbase against Brent Pry. A quick look at social media, or a photo of the empty bleachers from the fourth quarter on Saturday, confirm as much. Aside from running the table in ACC play — a laughable thought — there's not a single thing Brent Pry can do to win people back. We know where this is going. In 2019, fans knew that after Duke obliterated Virginia Tech at home that Justin Fuente's days were numbered. Fuente lasted much longer than people expected, but unceremoniously resigned just two seasons later. In 2014, Frank Beamer famously celebrated Virginia Tech going into overtime at Wake Forest without scoring a point. The Hokies lost that game, forcing many of Beamer's supporters to realize the game had passed him by. Beamer coached one more season before hanging it up. Much like his predecessors, Brent Pry will likely hang on a little while longer. Whit Babcock has no incentive to fire his last shot at retaining the Director of Athletics title, as he knows even Virginia Tech's seemingly absent Board of Visitors won't allow him to fire a second football coach and hire a third. As much as Saturday's loss marked the beginning of the end of the Brent Pry era, Babcock won't last much longer, either. Instead of decisive action by President Tim Sands and the Board, they'll likely let this play out for several more weeks, maybe even the rest of the season. Virginia Tech's athletic department is strapped for cash, and ponying up money for buyouts and new contracts presents its own challenges. Regardless of the financial obligations, university leadership would be best served pulling the plug as soon as possible. Fuente and Beamer hung around far longer than they should have, and it damaged Virginia Tech's ability to move forward and find solutions. It angered some fans, and even worse, turned some towards apathy. However long this story lasts, the fans already know how it ends. Brent Pry isn't turning this around, and we all know it. Sadly, I'm sure he knows it too.