Penn State football head coach James Franklin was available for media on Monday for his midweek press conference ahead of Week 5's game against Oregon. While he focuses his press conferences on the Nittany Lions and their next opponent, the conversation of Brent Pry's recent firing from Virginia Tech couldn't not be discussed.
"I think you guys also know what [Pry] and that family meant to me . . . and the respect I have [for them]," Franklin said to reporters. "[His] dad was my offensive coordinator in college, so we go back forever . . . We played against each other in college, one of [Pry's] first year coaching was at East Stroudsburg, and then was with me the whole time at Vanderbilt -- met his family, watched his kids grow up -- and then was with us pretty much the whole time here at Penn State."
James Franklin and Brent Pry came up through the coaching ranks together. On Monday, Franklin reacted to the firing of his former defensive coordinator - and friend - at Virginia Tech.
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"So, challenging situation. You hate to see it for anybody. I hate to see it for Brent, and… pic.twitter.com/xKQxIyFLSz
Pry was fired after the Hokies went 0-3 to start the season. Virginia Tech president Tim Sands made the official statement on Sunday following the Week 3 loss to Old Dominion the day before.
"So, challenging situation. You hate to see it for anybody. I hate to see it for [Pry]. I hate to see it for Virginia Tech," Franklin said. "But [Pry] is resilient, and he's a darn good football coach, and he'll bounce back, as I know he will."
Franklin also shared on Monday that while he and his former DC haven't had time to speak over the phone, the two texted back-and-forth since the firing. Their families reached out and spoke to each other, though, to offer support in an unfortunate circumstance.
"Friends look out for each other, no different than your friends [in] any other industry," Franklin said.
The former Hokies head coach started his role after the 2021 season. That was his final year at Penn State as defensive coordinator, the role he took on after his 2014-15 stint as the Nittany Lions' linebacker coach. He saw and helped the blue and white turn into a championship-worthy program after it won the 2016 Big Ten Championship Game. Franklin and Pry also made four bowl appearances together while he was on the staff.
Virginia Tech is currently in the midst of searching for the next best fit for its program. The Hokies lost their Week 4 battle against South Carolina, 24-11. This is their fourth double-digit loss of the season and face North Carolina State next on Saturday.