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Brent Pry, who was hired just before spring practice last season, is entering his second season as the Tigers' defensive line coach.
An enthusiastic and aggressive leader, Pry has been instrumental in developing a defensive line that is bigger, stronger and more physical than in seasons past. The group was led in 2007 by Clinton McDonald, who as a junior, was selected by his teammates as a permanent captain for his leadership qualities. McDonald was fifth on the team in tackles with 55 and led the squad in TFL and sacks. Greg Terrell, Freddie Barnett, Josh Weaver, Corey Mills, Steven Turner and Jada Brown all combined for 31 TFL and 177 total tackles.
Pry's entire group of linemen return in 2008 and should benefit from a full year of working together.
Pry, 38, joined the U of M staff after working five years at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. He coached the Ragin' Cajuns' linebackers for five years and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2004.
UL-Lafayette had its first winning record since 1995 when the Ragin' Cajuns ended the 2005 season with a 6-5 record and a Sun Belt Conference title. In 2005, ULL closed out the season with a five-game winning streak. During that time, the defense allowed just 18 points per game.
In 2004, the Cajuns allowed just 174.5 passing yards per game, which ranked 11th nationally. Six defensive players coached by Pry are on NFL rosters.
A native of Lexington, Va., Pry was an assistant coach at Western Carolina for four years (1998-2001) before joining the ULL staff. He coached the defensive line for two seasons before moving to defensive backs and special teams the latter two years. In 1998, WCU finished ninth in Division I-AA in total defense.
In 2001, he helped the Catamount defense to a No. 1 ranking in touchdown passes allowed with just five. In addition, Pry's secondary was ranked third nationally in pass defense.
From 1995-98, Pry was a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech with the defensive line. While there, the Hokies ranked No. 1 nationally against the run, fifth in scoring defense and 10th in total defense. The squad garnered two Big East championships and made appearances in the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl and Gator Bowl during that time.
A free safety at Maryville College in 1988, Pry later transferred to Buffalo, where he played under former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett. Pry sat out the 1989 season and lettered in 1990. He suffered a career-ending injury in 1991 and returned to the field as a student assistant coach for the 1992 season. Pry earned his bachelor's degree in history in 1993.
Pry began his coaching career at East Stroudsburg University as an outside linebackers coach in 1993 and worked with defensive backs in 1994.
Coaching runs in the family, as his father, Jim, is an assistant coach at Illinois.
Pry and his wife, Amy, have a six-year-old son, Colby.
Born
April 1, 1970
Altoona, Pennsylvania
Alma Mater
Buffalo, 1993
Bachelor's degree in history
Collegiate Playing Experience
1990: Buffalo (Free Safety)
1988: Maryville College (Free Safety)
Family
Wife - Amy
Stepson - Colby
Coaching Experience
2007: University of Memphis
2002-06: University of Louisiana-Lafayette
1998-01: Western Carolina
1995-98/GA: Virginia Tech
1993-94: East Stroudsberg
Recruiting Area
Central Tennessee, North Alabama, North Georgia
