Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin -- it still feels weird to type that -- has most of his staff, and that staff has set salaries.
Brent Pry, formerly the Hokies' head coach, returned to Virginia Tech as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and will make $1.5 million in that role according to documents obtained by Tech Sideline. He'll also earn $1.86 million as part of his buyout; Pry made $4.787 million as head coach in 2025.
Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Ty Howle will be the next-highest paid assistant at $900,000 per year; Howle and other Penn State coaches' salaries from 2025 were not available. Defensive line coach/run game coordinator Sean Spencer will earn $750,000, a 50 percent raise from his $500,000 salary at Texas A&M.
Wide receivers coach Fontel Mines and offensive line coach Matt Moore are next at $600,000, which is a $50,000 raise from the previous staff for Mines with a $75,000 retention bonus due to him on Feb. 27.
Elsewhere, running backs coach/run game coordinator Norval McKenzie will earn $550,000, quarterbacks coach Danny O'Brien and special teams coordinator Doug Shearer are next at $350,000, and nickels coach Vic Hall will earn $300,000.
Assistant tight ends coach/analyst David Rocco is the only other staffer listed with a salary at $150,000. Former VMI head coach Danny Rocco is also joining the staff, as FootballScoop first reported last month, but he does not have a salary yet.
To date, Franklin is the only coach whose hiring Virginia Tech has formally announced. Virginia Tech is still looking to hire a co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach.
Franklin himself signed a 5-year deal that starts at $6 million in 2026 and tops out at $13.25 million by 2030.
Virginia Tech staff salaries, 2026
James Franklin, head coach: $6 million
Brent Pry, defensive coordinator/linebackers: $1.5 million
Ty Howle, offensive coordinator/tight ends: $900,000
Sean Spencer, defensive line: $750,000
Fontel Mines, wide receivers: $600,000
Matt Moore, offensive line: $600,000
Norval McKenzie, running backs: $550,000
Danny O'Brien, quarterbacks: $350,000
Doug Shearer, special teams: $350,000
Vic Hall, nickelbacks: $300,000