The Virginia Tech Hokies have hired Sam Siefkes, previously with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, as their new Defensive Coordinator. Siefkes, touted as a promising assistant coaching hire, has elicited mixed reactions from Hokie Nation. Many fans describe the announcement as “underwhelming,” citing his brief NFL stint with a struggling Cardinals team and a resume that includes a series of short tenures across lower-level college programs, including Wofford.
Hokies fans had hoped for a more seasoned Defensive Coordinator with experience at higher levels of FCS or Group of Five programs. Concerns have also been raised about Siefkes’ recruiting capabilities, particularly in high school talent acquisition. Whether he can excel in leveraging the transfer portal, like J.C. Price, remains to be seen.
With spring practice approaching and a challenging 2025 schedule ahead, all eyes will be on Siefkes to see if he can revitalize the defense. The Hokies are set to kick off spring training in about a month, with the Spring Game scheduled for April 12th, providing an early opportunity to evaluate the impact of the new hire.
Head Coach Brent Pry seems to have finalized his coaching staff for the upcoming season, barring minor adjustments to graduate assistants and quality control personnel. Siefkes will be introduced at a press conference on January 28th at 3 PM, which may offer further insight into his plans and coaching philosophy.
As fans look forward to the new season, many are tempering their expectations, taking a “wait and see” approach to this latest chapter for Hokies football. GO HOKIES!
