Times Have Changed
A world where Virginia Tech's offensive coordinator is incentivized to take a demotion at another program isn't a world that's good for the Hokies.
Imagine opening Indeed and seeing you can apply for a new job that requires less responsibility, pays more money, and is part of a larger, more stable company.
How quickly would you put in for that job?
That’s about where Tyler Bowen found himself this week, when Ohio State came calling. And while Bowen’s new job as the Buckeyes’ offensive line coach leaves Virginia Tech in a precarious position for the 2025 season, it says more about the Hokies’ standing within the college football landscape.
Show Me The Money
Perhaps the biggest incentive for Bowen to leave was the likely raise that awaits him. This, from Andy Bitter on X, “FWIW: Justin Frye, Ohio State’s O-line coach last year, made $1 million, which is more than Bowen’s $875K salary as the #Hokies’ OC.”
Everyone knows the Buckeyes are better resourced than the Hokies, but Ryan Day’s ability to pay his position coaches more than Brent Pry can pay his coordinator is a scary thought.
It’s even scarier when you consider the heightened financial investment in the assistant salary pool over the last several years in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech has pushed more chips towards the middle of the table, and it still isn’t close to enough.
Last season, Brent Pry paid his 10 on-field assistants $5.3 million, while Ohio State paid their assistants more than $11 million.
Abandoning a Sinking Ship
I’m sure that Brent Pry and Tyler Bowen have a fantastic relationship. Pry pulled Bowen out of the quagmire that was the 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars, giving him a soft landing. He’s supported Bowen from the start, giving him more responsibility over the years despite inconsistent results.
Bowen still left him high and dry. Why, you ask? Besides the money, Bowen likely sees the writing on the wall.
Pry is entering a pivotal Year 4 with a young roster supplemented by a cache of transfers. He’s coming off a disappointing Year 3, when the stars seemingly aligned only for Virginia Tech to barely make a bowl game.
Specifically on offense, Pry has one quarterback returning from injury and another that’s wildly inexperienced, along with total turnover at running back, wide receiver, and offensive line. The odds are that unit is going struggle.
Why coach a host of new starters for a coach on the hot seat when you can join one of the most stable programs in the country?
Just Another Program
In case there were any lingering debate about Virginia Tech’s position within the college football landscape, Tyler Bowen’s departure should end the conversation.
Virginia Tech is just another program.
The Hokies’ have devolved into a stepping stone for coaches and players alike, one year at a time. The process began more than a decade ago, and it has wreaked havoc on a once nationally-relevant brand. Unfortunately, the days of Tech being recognizable at that level are long gone.
Should the Hokies fall short in 2025, people shouldn’t look at Bowen’s departure as the primary factor. Instead, Bowen leaving Blacksburg should be a dose of ice cold reality that Virginia Tech is a have-not, and will be for the foreseeable future.
I seriously don’t agree with this entire post !!
Bowen leaving might be a good thing longer term. Offense was massively UNDERPERFORMING with him. Stay positive!