Virginia Tech Football: Installing A Competitive Environment

On March 16, Tech Sideline’s Chris Coleman wrote a piece on Brent Pry “looking to build a ‘hate to lose’ culture at Virginia Tech.” That theme will continue to be a talking point over the course of the spring, and the competitive environment was a hot topic among players that spoke with the media on Wednesday morning.

As Chris pointed out, Pry didn’t inherit a “bad” culture; he was left a culture of going .500 every year.

Pry mentioned it previously, but changing that mindset starts with cultivating a competitive environment. And so far, that branding has stuck with the players, as evidenced by their comments to the press after day three of spring practice. Every student-athlete referenced “competitiveness” at least once during their interviews, many multiple times.

Though the coaches are an integral part of changing that identity, Dwight Galt, the Director of Strength & Conditioning, played a huge role.

He was the first member of Tech’s staff to really get hands-on with the players at the start of the spring semester, and he set the tone. Linebacker Alan Tisdale said he really pushed every player in the weight room.

“They’ve made a huge impact,” Tisdale said of the strength and conditioning staff on Wednesday morning. “More reps, more sets. Just the way you do things. Makes my body feel better.

“He [Galt] is a big influence because … we see them every day. When they first got here, the new staff, we had more of a connection with the strength and conditioning coaches.”

Pry and his assistants have all pushed that competitive attitude, from running backs coach Stu Holt or defensive coordinator Chris Marve.

Back on March 1 when the media had an opportunity to sit down and interview all ten assistants, one of the core principles Holt spoke of was expecting maximum effort in everything. That’s quickly been instilled in his players, like senior running back Jalen Holston.

“Coach Stu reminds me of my high school coach,” Holston said. “He has an expectation: excellence. Effort is something … you have to give maximum effort. You have to finish. He’s all in, he’s very passionate about everything he does.

“He has a way to show you [that] there’s a right way to do things, and as long as you give maximum effort and do everything you can, go full speed every play.”

The now-concluded winter “hunger drills,” as Tech referred to them, are a good example of the team showing off that mentality. Those events ranged from two guys going head-to-head trying to rip a tire away from their opponent to group tug-of-war. Holston even mentioned a competition where the linebackers and running backs went head-to-head.

“With coach Pry, he emphasizes competition a lot,” Holston said. “We start off practice with competition drills. Yesterday was linebackers vs. running backs, the first day was one-on-ones, receivers vs. corners. He really instills that competition, competitive mindset in us.”

On top of building a culture, the Hokies have installed numerous schemes and coverages since the new staff arrived.

One assistant that was spoken highly of was offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, by Jesse Hanson. The former Lord Botetourt standout referred to Rudolph as “a genius” and “the most technical dude ever.”

“I’ve learned so much in the last couple months,” Hanson said of Rudolph. “It’s insane the amount I’ve been able to learn. I just want to take what he’s teaching me and bring it all to the field.

“He’s a teacher. He’s a ‘do it the right way’ type of guy. We’ve stressed competing. Compete, compete, compete. But one thing Rudolph tells us, ‘We’re going to compete the right way; we’re going to do it the right way. We’re a team, and we’re going to win using the right technique.’”

Though Tech is just a few days into spring practice – the players haven’t practiced with pads on yet – Pry and his staff have already made strides in establishing the culture and mentality they want in the program.

Virginia Tech Player Notes

Alan Tisdale said J.R. Walker is working at the Sam linebacker spot. Jayden and Jorden McDonald, the twins from Salem, Va., are at that position as well, as are Tyler Matheny and Ben Skinner.

Linebacker Keshon Artis also mentioned the McDonald twins and said they, along with Jaden Keller, have impressed him through winter workouts and the first few practices.

Defensive tackle Norell Pollard spoke highly of freshman Gunner Givens: “He pass rushes like he’s been here [before].” Pollard also praised freshman Braelin Moore in a similar light, saying he and Givens have really put in the work since arriving on campus at the beginning of the semester.

Jalen Holston said the two new transfer quarterbacks, Grant Wells and Jason Brown, “can sling it.”

Spring Game Details

Back in January, Virginia Tech set Saturday, April 16 as the date for the Spring Game. On Wednesday, the football program announced that tickets for the event are $5, the first time the program has ever charged for the game.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29. All seating will be general admission.

An option will be available to donate to the Hokie Club at time of purchase, and though not officially put in the release, Tech Sideline has been informed that all ticket benefits are going to support the football program. Students will be able to claim a complimentary ticket through the lottery process they use for regular season games.

The Spring Game is at 4 p.m. on April 16 and will be televised on the ACC Network.