Kamis, 26 April 2012

Virginia Tech's Coaching Vacancy

Seth Greenberg was surprisingly fired by Virginia Tech a few days ago as they do not have much time to find a replacement for Greenberg. The Hokies are a good up-and-coming team that will interest some coaches but it will probably be impossible to get a big name like Shaka Smart. So, who are the candidates for the Virginia Tech job.

The Favorite

Murray State Head Coach Steve Prohm
Prohm had tremendous success in his first year as head coach of Murray State as the Racers won the Ohio Valley Conference, won over 30 games, and won a NCAA Tournament game. Prohm was able to take advantage of each of his players' best abilities which allowed Isaiah Canaan to become one of the best players in the country. Prohm has also shown an ability to recruit well in the southeast which could be key if he wants to make the Hokies into a top ACC school every year. The last head coach Virginia Tech hired from Murray State was a man that has made himself into a Hokie legend, Frank Beamer. Prohm could be the coach that helps get Virginia Tech back to the tournament.

The Contenders

American University Head Coach Jeff Jones
Jones has built American University into a powerhouse program in the Patriot League as he has had 4 20+ win seasons over the last five years. Jones also has some ACC head coaching as he was the head coach at Virginia from 1990-1997 where he was very successful including an Elite Eight appearance in the 1995 NCAA Tournament which was the peak of his career at UVA. Jones has shown a an very good ability to build a program but he might not be the best fit for the Virginia Tech job.

Richmond Head Coach Chris Mooney
Mooney has turned Richmond from an Atlantic 10 Conference bottom feeder to a contender for a NCAA Tournament bid. Mooney has taken Richmond to the Sweet 16 in the 2011 NCAA Tournament and has a former player currently in the NBA (the Orlando Magic's Justin Harper). Mooney also knows how to recruit in ACC country due to the experience he has gained as head coach of the Spiders. Mooney would be a great hire for the Hokies but this may not be the opportunity that he decides to take.

Duke Assistant Head Coach Chris Collins
Collins has gotten to learn how to coach from one of the best coaches in the history of college basketball, Coach K. Collins also had one of the smartest minds currently coaching in the NBA as his dad, 76ers head coach Doug Collins. Collins has shown an ability to recruit as he was key in helping the Blue Devils bring Jon Scheyer to Duke. Collins is a great young coach that has a lot of potential to be a great coach especially in the ACC ude to his Duke experience. Virginia Tech would get a very good head coach if they decided to pluck Collins away from Durham.

The Sleeper

Robert Morris Head Coach Andrew Toole
Toole might be the best young head coach that no one has heard of due to the fact that he coaches at Robert Morris of the Northeast Conference. Toole has already shown some ability to recruit and develop players which has allowed Robert Morris to be competitive in the Northeast Conference. Toole also would be intrigued by the chance to make a big jump from the NEC to the ACC. Toole could be the next big time head coach that just needs the chance in a major conference to show how good he is.

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