VT hires Wofford's Mike Young

[jhmossy]

Not sure if it's been discussed here. I think he's a good coach but thought VT could do better than a 55 year old coach who has never coached a P5 program before. He's getting 12 million over 5 years. I mean, VT just came off their best season ever so I figured their profile would be higher. He is from Radford so maybe they're looking for a guy who will stay there long-term. Looking forward to the battles between Bennett and the not so Young

 

[goheels653]

Didn't think this was the best they could do either. I'm sure he's a fine coach.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

Great news for the rest of the ACC.

 

[xWVU2010x]

I mean, VT just came off their best season ever so I figured their profile would be higher.

Exactly, no big name wants to coach at a place where the high water mark is a 5th place and a Sweet 16 and couldn't retain their coach. Personally I couldn't believe when they landed Buzz to begin with, I felt Marquette was a better job despite being in the Big East and if he was looking he could've waited it out for something more prestigious/lucrative.

Unless they are going to just start writing blank checks, VT basketball is destined to land back in the cellar soon.

 

[MCA5015]

Exactly, no big name wants to coach at a place where the high water mark is a 5th place and a Sweet 16 and couldn't retain their coach. Personally I couldn't believe when they landed Buzz to begin with, I felt Marquette was a better job despite being in the Big East and if he was looking he could've waited it out for something more prestigious/lucrative.

Unless they are going to just start writing blank checks, VT basketball is destined to land back in the cellar soon.

Their arena certainly doesn’t help their case to land a higher profile coach...

 

[hawkit3113]

Buzz should have stayed

 

[dukedevilz]

Mike Young grew up as a Hokies fan. He ain't going anywhere unless they fire him. Wabissa Bede, Landers Nolley, and Chris Clarke have all entered the transfer portal... Alexander Walker is leaving for the NBA and 4-star recruit, Anthony Harris, de-committed last week. Blackshear could also leave pro early - or be a grad transfer. Retaining Blackshear should be priority #1. Young has his work cut out for him.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

Buzz should have stayed

Hard to turn down a SEC job. Especially being in charge of the only SEC team in Texas.

VT in the ACC is small time to A&M.

 

[hawkit3113]

Hard to turn down a SEC job. Especially being in charge of the only SEC team in Texas.

VT in the ACC is small time to A&M.

Agreed and this is where the Acc takes a back seat. I don't care how many titles they win in football and BB, they ride the short bus when it comes to money.

 

[RR30]

He's a good coach but this year was his first win in the NCAA Tournament in almost 20 years at Wofford. Seems like a stretch for me.

 

[dukedevilz]

He's a good coach but this year was his first win in the NCAA Tournament in almost 20 years at Wofford. Seems like a stretch for me.

5 NCAA Tournaments this decade. Hard to expect much more from a mid-major with a student enrollment of less than 1,600.

 

[jhmossy]

5 NCAA Tournaments this decade. Hard to expect much more from a mid-major with a student enrollment of less than 1,600.

And VT has only been to the NCAA tourney 11 times in their entire history.

 

[dukedevilz]

And VT has only been to the NCAA tourney 11 times in their entire history.

lol. sad.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

VT fans have to be miserable right now.

 

[TechFan88]

And VT has only been to the NCAA tourney 11 times in their entire history.

Texas A&M has only gone to the NCAA tourney 14 times in their entire history.

Now it does look as if they may have more resources than VT and Buzz wanted to come back to Texas.

But SEC is going to be tough. Had some good coaches already and just got more this season.

 

[dukedevilz]

There has been quite a few moves in the last two weeks. Here are some of the notable coaching changes this off-season:

Alabama: Nate Oats (Buffalo)
Arkansas: Eric Musselman (Nevada)
Belmont: Casey Alexander (Lipscomb)
BYU: Mark Pope (Utah Valley)
California: Mark Fox (Georgia, last coached in 2018)
George Washington: Rob Lanier (Tennessee Assisstant)
Nebraska: Fred Hoiberg (Chicago Bulls, last coached in Dec 2018)
St.Joseph's: Billy Lange (Philadelphia 76ers assistant)
Temple: Aaron Mckie (Temple Assistant)
Texas A&M: Buzz Williams (Virginia Tech)
Tulane: Ron Hunter (Georgia State)
UCLA: Mick Cronin (Cincinnati)
UNLV: TJ Otzelberger (South Dakota State)
Vanderbilt: Jerry Stackhouse (Memphis Grizzlies Assistant)
Virginia Tech: Mike Young (Wofford)
Washington State: Kyle Smith (San Francisco)

Vacancies:
Cincinnati
Lipscomb
Nevada
St.John's
Wofford

 

[lurkeraspect84]

There has been quite a few moves in the last two weeks. Here are some of the notable coaching changes this off-season:

Alabama: Nate Oats (Buffalo)
Arkansas: Eric Musselman (Nevada)
Belmont: Casey Alexander (Lipscomb)
BYU: Mark Pope (Utah Valley)
California: Mark Fox (Georgia, last coached in 2018)
George Washington: Rob Lanier (Tennessee Assisstant)
Nebraska: Fred Hoiberg (Chicago Bulls, last coached in Dec 2018)
St.Joseph's: Billy Lange (Philadelphia 76ers assistant)
Temple: Aaron Mckie (Temple Assistant)
Texas A&M: Buzz Williams (Virginia Tech)
Tulane: Ron Hunter (Georgia State)
UCLA: Mick Cronin (Cincinnati)
UNLV: TJ Otzelberger (South Dakota State)
Vanderbilt: Jerry Stackhouse (Memphis Grizzlies Assistant)
Virginia Tech: Mike Young (Wofford)
Washington State: Kyle Smith (San Francisco)

Vacancies:
Cincinnati
Lipscomb
Nevada
St.John's
Wofford

I'm excited for the SEC. It should be some fun seasons coming up.

 

[dukedevilz]

Also, a lot of chatter about Hurley leaving Arizona State for St.John's. If he leaves, he must really miss the northeast area. I can't imagine every wanting to leave Tempe for NYC.

 

[jhmossy]

VT fans have to be miserable right now.

They're always miserable. These last few days have just been salt in the everlasting wound of being a Hokie.

 

[dukedevilz]

I'm excited for the SEC. It should be some fun seasons coming up.

Seems like football is actually helping the basketball programs out quite a bit. SEC programs are loaded with money and they are going to steal the top coaches. I used to enjoy laughing at the SEC basketball programs, but I think the SEC is here to stay... ACC on the other hand, still has traditional powers. But I worry about ACC teams like VT (without Buzz), Miami, BC, Clemson GT, Wake, and Pitt. Our football programs aren't anywhere near SEC-level, and I think pedestrian level dollars, at least in comparison to the SEC and Big Ten, will inevitably effect what salary we can offer for a prospective basketball coach.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

Seems like football is actually helping the basketball programs out quite a bit. SEC programs are loaded with money and they are going to steal the top coaches. I used to enjoy laughing at the SEC basketball programs, but I think the SEC is here to stay... ACC on the other hand, still has traditional powers. But I worry about ACC teams like VT (without Buzz), Miami, BC, Clemson GT, Wake, and Pitt. Our football programs aren't anywhere near SEC-level, and I think pedestrian level dollars, at least in comparison to the SEC and Big Ten, will inevitably effect what salary we can offer for a prospective basketball coach.

Just a few year ago, the SEC basically demanded all the schools up their basketball programs. This is just a continuing after-effect. Our recruiting is way up (iirc SEC leads in 5star recruits the last couple of years), and we're also now seeing some of the coaches being fired for not being up to par.

 

[dukedevilz]

Just a few year ago, the SEC basically demanded all the schools up their basketball programs. This is just a continuing after-effect. Our recruiting is way up (iirc SEC leads in 5star recruits the last couple of years), and we're also now seeing some of the coaches being fired for not being up to par.

Yeah, kind of surprised Billy Kennedy (1 year removed from a Sweet 16 appearance) and Bryce Drew were dumped so quickly. SEC Basketball figures to be in the mix with the ACC/Big Ten for the annual bragging rights of best basketball conference... Might consider getting the SEC Network next year.

 

[HRTheCard]

Well VT couldn’t beat us with Buzz, I don’t think they made a great hire. Weak sauce to me.

 

[TechFan88]

Seems like football is actually helping the basketball programs out quite a bit. SEC programs are loaded with money and they are going to steal the top coaches. I used to enjoy laughing at the SEC basketball programs, but I think the SEC is here to stay... ACC on the other hand, still has traditional powers. But I worry about ACC teams like VT (without Buzz), Miami, BC, Clemson GT, Wake, and Pitt. Our football programs aren't anywhere near SEC-level, and I think pedestrian level dollars, at least in comparison to the SEC and Big Ten, will inevitably effect what salary we can offer for a prospective basketball coach.

Shout out to Georgia Tech for hiring Josh Pastner from Memphis. They did that then Tubby Smith left for Memphis. Then we went and got Beard.

 

[kl40504]

Buzz should have stayed

The Buzz all along was that he was leaving.

 

[UL_1986]

Buzz should have stayed

Agree with this. He was building up VT IMO. Some solid classes.

 

[dukedevilz]

Shout out to Georgia Tech for hiring Josh Pastner from Memphis. They did that then Tubby Smith left for Memphis. Then we went and got Beard.

You guys got yourself a top-notch coach, no question. Hope he stays put in Lubbock for a while.

 

[sgrooms]

You guys got yourself a top-notch coach, no question. Hope he stays put in Lubbock for a while.

I didn't even recognize you.

 

[dukedevilz]

I didn't even recognize you.

Lost my avatar bet on Michigan. A solid month of Pee Wee Herman for me. Was not expecting that lol.

 

[dukedevilz]

Steve Alford to Nevada? Not bad. Gotta to get his players back asap. Jazz Johnson and Jalen Harris are critical to Nevada returning to the tournament next year.

 

[xWVU2010x]

Shout out to Georgia Tech for hiring Josh Pastner from Memphis.

Wtf was GTech thinking? Worst hire ever. Guy took Memphis which was in excellent shape post-Cal and ran them off a cliff.

 

[dukedevilz]

Wtf was GTech thinking? Worst hire ever. Guy took Memphis which was in excellent shape post-Cal and ran them off a cliff.

Hard to maintain Cal's momentum. He did win 24+ games in his first 5 seasons at Memphis, however. And Tech is a tough gig. Plenty of good recruits in the Atlanta area. But every ACC and SEC school is looking at those guys. Hard to win with 3-star recruits.

I think Pastner has done well considering a limited roster. He's had a top 50 defense all three year's he's been at Tech. They'll be bringing back their top 3 players and Jordan Usher will be eligible in the spring semester. I wouldn't expect them to make the NCAAs at this point, but I don't think they're too far off. I could see them going .500 in the ACC next year.

 

[xWVU2010x]

Hard to maintain Cal's momentum. He did win 24+ games in his first 5 seasons at Memphis, however. And Tech is a tough gig. Plenty of good recruits in the Atlanta area. But every ACC and SEC school is looking at those guys. Hard to win with 3-star recruits.

I think Pastner has done well considering a limited roster. He's had a top 50 defense all three year's he's been at Tech. They'll be bringing back their top 3 players and Jordan Usher will be eligible in the spring semester. I wouldn't expect them to make the NCAAs at this point, but I don't think they're too far off. I could see them going .500 in the ACC next year.

Those wins were a result of being the only serious program left in CUSA, he was exposed in every NCAAT as mediocre and when Memphis went to the AAC to join their peers they dropped like a rock. Nothing about what he did at Memphis said "I am ready for the ACC" and he was actually probably 1 year away from being fired.

 

[dukedevilz]

Those wins were a result of being the only serious program left in CUSA, he was exposed in every NCAAT as mediocre and when Memphis went to the AAC to join their peers they dropped like a rock. Nothing about what he did at Memphis said "I am ready for the ACC" and he was actually probably 1 year away from being fired.

You might be right. I didn't follow him too closely at Memphis. He obviously wasn't sniffing anything remotely close to Calipari's success. I just think he's done an "okay" job at Georgia Tech. He inherited a crap roster. Georgia Tech was picked dead last in the ACC by just about everyone in 2017 (his first year). They went 8-10 and he won ACC COY. He's had good, physical teams on the defensive end. Just haven't had a whole lot of offensive firepower or depth.

I will concede that he hasn't exactly been tearing it up on the recruiting trails. Michael Devoe is the only top 100 kid he's been able to land... and I'm not sure it's going to change anytime soon. Tom Crean is starting to land 4-star recruits like candy. And then you still have to fight off the Tennessees and Auburns... and the Kentuckys and Dukes for the 5-star recruits.

 

[dukedevilz]

Shout out to Georgia Tech for hiring Josh Pastner from Memphis. They did that then Tubby Smith left for Memphis. Then we went and got Beard.

A little late on this, but I can't help think about the craziness of Tubby Smith's roller-coaster career in terms of where he's coached. It went gradually up-hill... and then down-hill. And now he's hit rock-bottom.

Tulsa: 4 years
Georgia: 2 years (step up)
Kentucky: 10 years (2 steps up)
Minnesota: 6 years (1 step down)
Texas Tech: 3 years (1 step down; inherited a team that had losing records the past 3 years)
Memphis: 2 years (1 step down; Pastner failed to make NIT the last 2 years)
High Point: 1 year-current (3 steps down. Next job will be DII or a junior college)

 

[xWVU2010x]

A little late on this, but I can't help think about the craziness of Tubby Smith's roller-coaster career in terms of where he's coached. It went gradually up-hill... and then down-hill. And now he's hit rock-bottom.

Tulsa: 4 years
Georgia: 2 years (step up)
Kentucky: 10 years (2 steps up)
Minnesota: 6 years (1 step down)
Texas Tech: 3 years (1 step down; inherited a team that had losing records the past 3 years)
Memphis: 2 years (1 step down; Pastner failed to make NIT the last 2 years)
High Point: 1 year-current (3 steps down. Next job will be DII or a junior college)

I think High Point is where his career ends. He is old at 67, so success or failure is irrelevant, no power conference program will want a coach pushing 70. I also wonder what Memphis saw in him at age 64?

He can close it out at his alma mater and his celebrity will by default get him enough quality players to compete for the Big South NCAA bid annually which will keep the High Point AD on his side.

 

[TechFan88]

Wtf was GTech thinking? Worst hire ever. Guy took Memphis which was in excellent shape post-Cal and ran them off a cliff.

No idea what GTech was thinking. I mean Memphis wasn't particularly broken up to see Pastner leave.