Hokie ClubATLANTA, Ga. – Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry has been named to the Preseason Watch List for the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank. The list includes 21 of the nation's top college football coaches representing all Power Four conferences, as well as an independent.
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc. and presented by PNC Bank, The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy.
Pry is entering his third season leading the Hokies’ program. He guided Tech to a 7-6 campaign in 2023, capped by a win over Tulane in the Military Bowl, the first win over a ranked team since 2021 and its first bowl win since 2016. The seven wins marked a four-game improvement over 2022.
The Hokies return more than 80 percent of their returning production from a team that ranked 22nd in the country in rushing offense last season at 189.8 yards per game. Defensively, Tech tied for 10th in the country in sacks last season (39), averaging three per game, ranking 2nd in the ACC. The Hokies also ranked 13th in the country in tackles for loss (94), averaging 7.2 per game.
The Hokies had 19 All-ACC Academic Team honorees under Pry’s guidance in 2023 and 43 in his two-year Tech tenure.
The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., taking into consideration each program's graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, projected success for the 2023 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).