US EditionFired to Hired: Franklin Taps Ex-Coach Pry as Defensive Coordinator
James Franklin adds Brent Pry as defensive coordinator and Ty Howle as offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech, both with Penn State coaching backgrounds.
- On Dec. 9, 2025, James Franklin, Virginia Tech head coach, is expected to hire Ty Howle as offensive coordinator; last week he hired Brent Pry as defensive coordinator, reuniting former Penn State colleagues.
- Brent Pry's prior ties explain his return to James Franklin's staff after being fired 0-3 as Virginia Tech head coach, while Ty Howle's Penn State rise includes promotion to co-offensive coordinator.
- A proven coach, Howle developed NFL tight ends including Tyler Warren, but sources say his experience as a play caller is unknown.
- Penn State must replace its tight ends coach and top offensive assistant after Howle's reported departure, while interim coach Terry Smith said it's uncertain if Howle will coach in the Dec. 27 Pinstripe Bowl.
- Recruiting and staff shifts include 11 recruits from Penn State's 2026 class following James Franklin, while Ty Howle is the first on-field staff member joining Franklin in Blacksburg.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Henry Herald
Rockdale Citizen & Newton CitizenReports: James Franklin hires Penn St.’s Ty Howle as Va. Tech OC
James Franklin brought a former Penn State assistant coach with him to Virginia Tech to serve as offensive coordinator, hiring Ty Howle on Tuesday, according to several reports.
Daily Local News
Penn State Notebook: Ty Howle leaving for Virginia Tech staff, report says
Tight ends coach Ty Howle, a former Penn State offensive lineman, is leaving the Nittany Lions to join the coaching staff at Virginia Tech, ESPN reported Tuesday. The 34-year-old Howle will become the offensive coordinator for former Penn State coach James Franklin, now the head coach at Virginia Tech. Howle played for the Lions from 2009-13 before beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Carolina State in 2014. He went on …
The Daily Progress
The News VirginianFired to hired: Franklin taps ex-coach Pry as defensive coordinator
Brent Pry, the former Hokies coach who was fired on Sept. 14, is rejoining the program as defensive coordinator, and Penn State co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ty Howle is slated to run the offense.
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