BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football coaching staff spoke to the media following its practice on Saturday. Head coach Brent Pry broke down the team's plan to prepare for the Military Bowl, while coordinators Chris Marve and Tyler Bowen elaborated on the impact of players returning next season.
Read below to see what they had to say.
Head coach Brent Pry
On getting prepared for the Military Bowl:
"Yeah, the excitement, the momentum is awesome, particularly the way we got bowl eligible. I think everybody in the program feels like we're moving the needle in the right direction. There are a lot of things that we obviously have to improve on but doing some good things. I think for these guys to have a chance to play together again, that was the right thing for them. They wanted that. This team will look different. We come out of here and come back on January 16th or whatever it is, that locker room and that team room is going to look different. So, it's our last chance to do this together. I promised them we would have fun, but we would also be on a mission to go win this football game."
Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen
On Ali Jennings, Da'Quan Felton, Jaylin Lane and Stephen Gosnell announcing their return:
"We thought it was going to trend in the right direction, but that certainly cemented that, made us feel really good. That's a lot of production. The thing I'm most excited about in that room is that I don't think any of those guys have reached their full potential. So, now you get a core group of receivers back, the young guys that we have behind them that are coming and another year around the quarterback. You know, with time and depth, space and all the things that go into the pass game. The other thing that's a really selfless group, they've been a big part of our run game. Which has opened up play-action opportunities, what they're able to handle in the game plan from a motion standpoint. That's a huge pick-me-up for our offense. Getting those guys back, making sure we got them going into the bowl game number one. But then going into the offseason, all those reps that we're going to get around the quarterback with a core group. Big time for us."
Defensive coordinator Chris Marve
On the significance of student-athletes returning to the program:
"I think if you zoom out and you think about the macro of it, I think it speaks to our culture. You know, that the guys want to be here, want to be on the team and be around one another. The value that they place on the brotherhood that's here that's been developed in our time here. And the fun, the expectation and vision that we have for ourselves moving forward. So, it's certainly been good news. We love coaching our guys and we have great kids."
