Full Transcript: Hokies AD Whit Babcock Talks with Bill Roth on TechSideline

Virginia Tech’s Director of Athletics, Whit Babcock, recently had a chat with Bill Roth, who is known as the voice of Hokies football. Together, they dove into some key topics surrounding college athletics, specifically focusing on how these impact Virginia Tech. One critical matter they discussed was the House vs. NCAA settlement.

This insightful interview, which runs for 29 minutes, was made public by Tech athletics this past Friday afternoon. You can listen to the full conversation by clicking here.

During their conversation, they touched upon various chapters, including reflections on the football season, thoughts on the House vs. NCAA settlement, revenue sharing, and roster sizes, Virginia Tech’s plan for revenue sharing and scholarship increases, the idea of a General Manager/Front Office model, the future of Virginia Tech Athletics, and a heartwarming appreciation for Hokie Nation.

Bill Roth initiated the conversation by welcoming Whit Babcock and diving right into the football discussion. They reflected on the just-concluded regular season and Signing Day, where Babcock shared his views on Virginia Tech’s football program.

Babcock started by expressing his admiration for the immense effort poured into the season by players, coaches, operations staff, donors, and the whole spectrum of individuals involved in the program. While acknowledging positive aspects like winning against UVa and a successful Signing Day, he didn’t shy away from admitting the frustration and disappointment of falling short of expectations for the season. He emphasized the need for improvement and assured the fan base of the administration’s determination to address the issues.

Transitioning to talk about future expectations for Virginia Tech football, Babcock underscored the program’s core goal: to compete and win ACC championships with an eye on the 12-team playoff. He stressed that being a .500 program was not acceptable for Virginia Tech, outlining a roadmap to bounce back stronger and restore the program’s reputation for consistent excellence.

As the conversation progressed, Babcock shared insights into his upcoming extensive meeting with Coach Brent Pry to evaluate the program’s structure, performance, and potential areas for enhancement. He highlighted the importance of evolving the program, reaching milestones in game outcomes, and creating a pathway towards more decisive victories.

Throughout the dialogue, Babcock’s support for Coach Pry was evident. He praised Pry’s commitment to the student-athletes, solid leadership, and deep connection to Virginia Tech. Babcock’s optimism for the program’s future shone through as he discussed the collective efforts needed to propel Virginia Tech football to a nationally relevant status.

In essence, the conversation between Whit Babcock and Bill Roth provided a candid glimpse into the intricacies of Virginia Tech football and the strategic roadmap ahead, resonating with Hokie Nation’s expectations and aspirations for a thriving athletic program.