I misread Virginia Tech coach Mike Young’s frustration after his team’s 76-72 loss at #13 Virginia on Saturday as being that of a guy who is about to lose his job.
The fan base, for its part, may be frustrated at the news from Friday that Young is “fine,” quoting Tech AD Whit Babcock, who confirmed to The Roanoke Times that Young will be back next season, no matter what happens the rest of the way in the 2025-2026 season.
“I believe in him,” Babcock told Mark Berman at the RT.
Young may not believe in himself right now, is the problem.
“What the f–k am I doing wrong?” was how the coach summed up his squad’s latest ACC loss, which drops the Hokies well off the NCAA Tournament bubble, at 19-12, with a NET at 55, and an average computer ranking at 53.3.
ICYMI
- UVA Basketball: ‘Hoos hold off furious second-half rally, finish off Hokies, 76-72
- UVA Basketball: Onyenso, saved from having to transfer down, unlikely hero in win over VT
Reality-check time: Tech, tied for 11th in the ACC, is going to open its ACC Tournament schedule on Tuesday.
Power 5 teams who have to play on Day 1 of their conference tournaments don’t get at-large bids.
The only way Tech is getting an NCAA Tournament bid this year is by winning five games in Charlotte.
Young, 124-97 in seven years at Virginia Tech, with two NCAA Tournament appearances, both one-and-dones, in 2021 and 2022, has one year left on his deal; he’s due to bring in $3 million in salary and supplemental compensation.
He’d be owed that money if he were fired, which tells us, Babcock doesn’t think he has the money to buy Young out and hire a new coach.
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Chris Graham
