Brent Pry: Wife| Salary| Buyout| Net worth| Coaching history| Height

Introduction

Brenton James “Brent” Pry is a prominent name in American college football coaching. Known for his defensive acumen, Pry rose through the coaching ranks over decades to become the head football coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies. However, his tenure was marked by ups and downs, culminating in his dismissal in 2025. In this comprehensive profile, we deep dive into his personal life — including his wife, his salary and buyout, his net worth, a full run-down of his coaching history, and even his height.

Early Life and Background

Brent Pry was born on April 1, 1970, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S. His parents, Jim and Kathy Pry, are both Altoona High School graduates, and his father has a long history as a college football coach, influencing Brent from a young age.

Pry attended Lexington High School in Virginia, where he excelled as both a quarterback and defensive back. He went on to play college football, starting at Maryville College in 1988 and then transferring to the University at Buffalo, where he played as a safety until a career-ending injury in 1991. After his injury, he stayed at Buffalo as a student coach in 1992, marking the beginning of his coaching journey.

Personal Life: Wife and Family

Brent Pry is married to Amy Pry. The couple has three children: a son named Colby, and two daughters, Madeline and Catherine.

Although Amy tends to stay out of the limelight, she has been a steady support throughout Pry’s career. According to a report, Brent often shares heartfelt gratitude for her role in his life, referring to her as “the love of his life” on his social media.

Height and Physical Profile

Public sources, including his official bios, do not list a definitive height for Brent Pry. Despite a thorough search, I did not find a trustworthy or publicly confirmed record of his height in credible media or official athletic directories. As such, his exact height remains undisclosed in the public domain.

Coaching History: Rise Through the Ranks

Brent Pry’s coaching career spans over three decades, marked by steady progression and a specialization in defense.

Here is a detailed timeline of his coaching journey:

1. Buffalo (1992)

   • Role: Student coach

2. East Stroudsburg (1993–1994)

   • Position: Outside Linebackers / Defensive Backs coach

3. Virginia Tech (1995–1997)

   • Graduate Assistant under head coach Frank Beamer and defensive coordinator Bud Foster.

4. Western Carolina (1998–2001)

   • 1998–1999: Defensive Line coach

   • 2000–2001: Defensive Backs / Special Teams coach

5. Louisiana–Lafayette (2002–2006)

   • Roles: Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers coach

6. Memphis (2007–2009)

   • Defensive Line coach

7. Georgia Southern (2010)

   • Defensive Coordinator & Safeties coach

8. Vanderbilt (2011–2013)

   • Assistant Head Coach, co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers coach

9. Penn State (2014–2021)

   • 2014–2015: Assistant Head Coach / co-Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers coach

   • 2016–2021: Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers coach

10. Virginia Tech (2022–2025)

    • Head Coach of the Hokies.

    • During his tenure, he coached in bowl games and managed defensive units.

    • On September 14, 2025, Pry was relieved of his duties following a 45–26 home loss to Old Dominion and an 0–3 start to the season.

His head coaching record at Virginia Tech stood at 16–24 (as per his firing).

Salary and Contract

Brent Pry signed a six-year contract with Virginia Tech in 2021. The deal was worth US$27.5 million overall.

Here are the detailed salary terms:

• 2025 Base Salary: US$ 4.75 million.

• He was slated to earn US$ 5.0 million per year for 2026 and 2027 under the contract.

• According to USA Today, his total pay for 2025 was US$ 4,787,500 (which includes base pay plus other compensation).

Buyout Clause

Given the contract, Pry’s buyout terms were carefully laid out:

• If fired without cause, his contract stipulates he is owed 70% of his remaining base salary, except for the final year.

• In the final year (2027) of his deal, the payout drops to 50% of base salary.

• According to On3, if he had been terminated after the 2025 season, Virginia Tech would owe him US$ 6 million, paid in equal quarterly installments through the end of 2027.

• His contract also included non-salary benefits: two vehicles (replaceable every two years), membership to the Blacksburg Country Club, and a suite for home games.

Some sources report a slightly different figure for his payout. According to one report at the time of firing, Virginia Tech would owe Pry around US$ 6.83 million, accounting for remaining compensation.

Net Worth

Estimating the net worth of a college coach can be challenging, as most publicly available resources use approximate or modeled data. Here’s what we know about Pry:

• According to PeopleAi, his net worth in 2025 is estimated around US$ 4.14 million.

• Some media commentaries suggest his net worth is between US$ 4 million to US$ 6 million, factoring in his coaching earnings and other assets.

Given his steady high compensation in recent years, especially at Virginia Tech, this estimation aligns with his career trajectory.

Firing from Virginia Tech (2025)

In September 2025, Virginia Tech relieved Brent Pry of his duties after an 0–3 start to the season. The loss to Old Dominion was particularly damaging — the Hokies fell 45–26 at home.

University President Tim Sands stated that despite appreciating Pry’s efforts, the on-field results were “not acceptable” and that a change was necessary.

As noted, the buyout clauses in his contract mean he will continue to receive payments (per his buyout schedule) even after dismissal.

Coaching Style and Legacy

• Defensive Expertise: Pry is best known for his defensive coaching. During his time as Defensive Coordinator at Penn State (2016–2021), his defenses were respected in college football for aggressiveness, discipline, and strong tackling.

• Mentorship and Development: Over the years, he has built a reputation for mentoring young linebackers and defensive backs, combining positional coaching with leadership development.

• Return to Virginia Tech: His appointment as head coach of Virginia Tech was seen as a homecoming — he had previously been a GA there (1995–1997).

• Challenges as a Head Coach: Despite his defensive pedigree, Pry struggled to translate that into consistent winning seasons. His firing in 2025 underscores the brutal demands and high stakes of college football head coaching.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Who is Brent Pry’s wife?
A1: Brent Pry is married to Amy Pry. They have three children: a son, Colby, and two daughters, Madeline and Catherine.

Q2: What was Brent Pry’s salary at Virginia Tech?
A2: He had a base salary of US$ 4.75 million in 2025. His contract stipulated increases to US$ 5 million in 2026 and 2027.

Q3: How much is Brent Pry’s buyout?
A3: If fired without cause, he is owed 70% of his remaining base salary (except in the final year of the deal where it’s 50%). As of his firing, the estimated payout was about US$ 6 million, though some reports mention US$ 6.83 million.

Q4: What is Brent Pry’s net worth?
A4: His net worth is estimated to be around US$ 4.14 million by PeopleAi. Some reports suggest a range of US$ 4–6 million, factoring his coaching income.

Q5: What is Brent Pry’s coaching history?
A5: Pry began as a student coach at Buffalo (1992), then coached at East Stroudsburg, Virginia Tech (as GA), Western Carolina, Louisiana–Lafayette, Memphis, Georgia Southern, Vanderbilt, Penn State (as DC), and finally returned to Virginia Tech as head coach.

Q6: How tall is Brent Pry?
A6: There is no publicly confirmed or reliable information about Brent Pry’s height in major media or his professional bios. His exact height appears to be undisclosed.

Q7: Why was Brent Pry fired from Virginia Tech?
A7: Pry was dismissed in September 2025 after an 0–3 start to the season, including a significant loss to Old Dominion. University leadership cited unacceptable on-field results and the need for a change.

Conclusion

Brent Pry’s coaching journey is illustrative of perseverance, defensive mastery, and the high-stakes world of college football. From humble beginnings as a student coach to taking the helm of his alma-like institution, he has had a significant impact. While his tenure at Virginia Tech ended abruptly, his career is filled with lessons on leadership, commitment, and the business of sport.

His personal life, especially his relationship with his wife Amy and their three children, shows the more grounded side of a man often in the spotlight. With solid earnings, a well-defined contract, and a buyout in place, his financial legacy is as structured as his coaching legacy.