Brent Pry turns to NFL experience for new defensive coordinator

BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech Football Head Coach Brent Pry announced today the hiring of Sam Siefkes as the Hokies’ new defensive coordinator. Siefkes, a highly regarded defensive mind with coaching experience at numerous levels of football, brings an impressive resume including successful stints in the NFL, FBS, FCS, and Division III. 

Siefkes arrives in Blacksburg after serving two seasons as linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals, where he helped mentor linebacker Kyzir White, who ranked 15^th in the NFL in tackles with 137 in 2024. He also worked alongside safety Budda Baker, who ranked second in the NFL with 164 tackles and earned Pro Bowl honors. Under Siefkes’ guidance, the Cardinals finished 2024 ranked among the NFL’s top defenses in several categories, including:

• 6^th in Opponent Second Half Points Per Game
• 8^th in Opponent Red Zone Scoring Percentage
• 10^th in Opponent Offensive Touchdowns
• 11^th in Opponent Yards Per Completion
• 12^th in DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average)
• 14^th in Opponent Offensive Points Per Game

“After a lengthy and thorough search, one name kept emerging – Sam Siefkes. People across the country couldn’t stop praising Sam’s knowledge of the game and his abilities as a coach. As I got to know him, I couldn’t agree more. I am thrilled to have Sam join our program,” said Coach Pry. “He’s worked under some of the best minds in the game, including Mike Zimmer, Kevin O’Connell, Ed Donatell, Jonathan Gannon, Nick Rallis, and Dave Aranda. His ability to design innovative defensive schemes will energize both our players and fans.”

“Virginia Tech and Coach Pry are getting a remarkable leader in the coaching world,” said Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Jonathan Gannon. “Sam is a fantastic communicator, teacher and has unbelievable knowledge on how to stop offenses,” Gannon continued. “He is a great coach and even better person. He will bring competitive stamina and a ton of juice to Blacksburg. Hokie Nation be ready to see an aggressive, smart, tough unit that will dominate games.”

Prior to his time in Arizona, Siefkes spent two seasons (2021-22) with the Minnesota Vikings where he was the assistant linebackers coach in 2022 following one season (2021) as a defensive quality control coach. In 2022, with the Vikings, linebackers Eric Kendricks (137) and Jordan Hicks (128) had a combined 265 tackles and 4.0 sacks, 10 TFLs, six quarterback hits, an interception, 16 passes defensed, a forced…