But Gray will remain at South Carolina with a raise and new title.
James Franklin continues to fill out his first Virginia Tech football staff. With the NCAA transfer portal set to open this week, Franklin would love to finalize his staff. Fortunately, most of Virginia Tech’s staff is known. There are some positions that haven’t been revealed or announced, such as cornerbacks, safeties and special teams coaches.
That doesn’t mean Franklin doesn’t already have someone lined up at those positions. The rumors have been rampant that Penn State special teams coach Justin Lustig could take the same position in Blacksburg, but that hasn’t been confirmed. There’s been a bit more mystery surrounding the other two spots.
Here’s what we do know: Former cornerbacks coach Derek Jones and safeties coach Pierson Prioleau are not returning. Both posted goodbye messages on social media.
One thing we have learned is that Franklin has tried to hire one of the best secondary coaches in America: former Hokie player and coach Torrian Gray. Unfortunately, South Carolina gave Gray a promotion and a raise to remain on Shane Beamer’s staff. Gray, 51, was a standout player for the Hokies in the 1990s and later returned to Blacksburg as the secondary coach for 10 seasons under Frank Beamer and Bud Foster.
Gray is known as one of the nation’s best and has repeatedly produced NFL players. In addition to his role as defensive backs coach, Gray will now carry the title of co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
You have to give it to Franklin. He aimed high. The raise, new title, and his relationship with Shane Beamer win out this time, though. Gray and Beamer were teammates at Virginia Tech in the 1990s and were both on Frank Beamer’s staff for five seasons together. Gray has been on the younger Beamer’s staff at South Carolina since 2021.
Franklin’s top target was likely Terry Smith, who received a massive raise to remain at Penn State. Several of Penn State’s current players are loyal to Smith, who replaced Franklin as interim coach this season.
Don’t expect the Hokies to wait much longer to fill out the remainder of their staff with the portal opening by week’s end.
Category: General Sports
