According to CBS Sports/247 Sports' Matt Zenitz, Virginia Tech is targeting Texas A&M defensive line coach Sean Spencer to join James Franklin's staff in the same role.
Texas A&M defensive line coach Sean Spencer is a target for the defensive line coach job at Virginia Tech, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 21, 2025
Spencer, who has been at A&M the last two years, worked with new VT head coach James Franklin and DC Brent Pry at Penn State from 2014-19. pic.twitter.com/mlTDgqYlmp
Spencer is the first reported position coach hire on defense for the Hokies since news broke about Franklin and VT rehiring Brent Pry to be the defensive coordinator. The primary offensive staff is largely in place with Ty Howle as the offensive coordinator and TEs coach, Danny O'Brien as the QBs coach, Norval McKenzie as the RBs coach, Fontel Mines as the WRs coach, and Matt Moore as the OL coach.
Spencer has a long with Franklin and Pry having spent nine seasons with Franklin and Pry as the DL coach at Vanderbilt (2011-13) and Penn State (2014-19). He's spent the past 15 seasons coaching in either the Power 4 or the NFL with stops post-PSU with the New York Giants (2020-21), Florida (2022-23), and Texas A&M (2024-25); all of which involved him being the primary defensive line coach.
Spencer has coached up some impressive defensive linemen during his coaching career including All-American Cashius Howell this past season plus high drafts picks and dominant college edge rushers like Nic Scourton, Yetur Gross-Matos. and Carl Nassib previously. He's also known as an elite recruiter and has taken advantage of the resources he's had at his various stops to develop elite talent.
There's no doubt that Spencer would be a strong hire and a major statement about the much improved resources that the Hokies have provided James Franklin with.
