Just when Virginia Tech thought its coaching carousel had settled, a shocking shake-up has thrown the Hokies’ offense into uncertainty. A key figure in their coaching staff is abruptly departing for a powerhouse program, leaving behind questions, controversy, and a crucial vacancy at a pivotal moment.
Tyler Bowen, Virginia Tech’s offensive coordinator, is departing Blacksburg. According to Pete Nekos of On3, the Ohio State Buckeyes will hire Bowen as their new offensive line coach.
Bowen, a native of Helena, Georgia, played offensive tackle for Maryland under Ralph Friedgen. In 2010, he began coaching as a student assistant before moving on to serve as a graduate assistant for two years.
Bowen spent a year at Towson before joining Penn State as a graduate assistant under James Franklin in 2014. Bowen met Franklin while working as Friedgen’s offensive coordinator at Maryland. This is where Bowen met Virginia Tech’s head coach, Brent Pry.
Bowen spent several years at Fordham (OL coach/offensive coordinator), Maryland (OL coach), Penn State (TE coach, recruiting coordinator, temporary OC), and the Jacksonville Jaguars (TE coach) before joining Virginia Tech in 2022.
Bowen served as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach during his first year at Virginia Tech. In 2023, he took over as quarterback coach, while Stu Holt moved to tight end coach.
Throughout Bowen’s tenure at Virginia Tech, the offense has fluctuated. The 2024 team included several players that are projected to play in the NFL, including Bhayshul Tuten, Da’Quan Felton, and Jaylin Lane, but underperformed owing to offensive line troubles and quarterback Kyron Drones injury.Bowen was not without faults, either. Of course, at Virginia Tech, the offensive coordinator will usually receive more criticism than others. Some questioned his idea, which was justified at times, but, like anything else, there was plenty of blame to go around. Pry made a mistake in hiring Bowen as QB coach. When Brad Glenn left after 2022, Pry should have recruited a dedicated quarterback coach and kept Bowen with the tight ends.
Pry is now looking for his second coordinator since the end of the season. In December, he sacked defensive coordinator Chris Marve and hired Arizona Cardinals linebacker coach Sam Siefkes, following a nearly two-month search. While many will be relieved that Bowen has left, the timing of Pry’s search for a new offensive coordinator is not great.
Whoever Pry picks will have a new offensive line coach, Matt Moore, who has received overwhelming praise. Fontel Mines, who coaches wide receivers, is the sole viable replacement on staff. It is unclear whether Pry will promote Mines or go to the NFL for a potential successor.
Bowen’s best fit at the Power Four level is most likely coaching the offensive line. Losing Bowen might be a positive reset for the Hokies; it’s just unfortunate timing. We’ll look into potential candidates here, but don’t be surprised if Pry goes outside the box again for this hire.
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