What a difference a year makes for Mike Young. The veteran Virginia Tech head coach struggled through a 2024-25 season that saw the Hokies finish 13-19 after being eliminated in the first-round of the ACC Tournament by California. After that game, a clearly frustrated Young made it clear that he didn't want to go through another season like that again. Who could blame him?
Last March, it was announced that Young was going to have a bigger NIL package to work with and make improvements for the 2025-26 season. That he did, and he even brought back assistant coach Chester Frazier. That move paid off in terms of recruiting as it played a huge role in the Hokies getting prized freshman Neoklis Avdalas.
Virginia Tech has enough talent to be an NCAA Tournament team, but the results in ACC play have not gone the way they could have. Now, the Hokies are very much on the bubble. Unless they pull an upset at North Carolina on Saturday night or at Virginia next weekend, along with beating Boston College at home, the Hokies will be on the outside looking in. What does the future hold for Young?
ESPN hints at Mike Young's future at Virginia Tech
Jeff Borzello of ESPN released his coaching carousel with just a couple of weeks away from the end of the regular season, and he listed Young in the "Probably at least a year away" tier.
"The Hokies entered the week with bubble hopes still alive, sitting at 18-10 overall (7-8 ACC) with games at North Carolina and Virginia remaining that could boost their tournament résumé. Regardless of those results, it appears Mike Young is safe for another season -- after which his last contract extension ends. Tech has missed the past three NCAA tournaments after making back-to-back appearances in 2021 and 2022,'' wrote Borzello.
It is highly unlikely that Virginia Tech cuts ties with Young, and he's only gone if it is his decision. He doesn't feel like someone ready to hang it up, but he's likely going to be undergoing another major roster overhaul. It will be imperative that he finds a way to retain Frazier after this year, as his name will more than likely pop up with other openings. He would be a good Young replacement in Blacksburg once he steps down.