http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/
This was only decision to make.. He was not Whit's guy which meant no need to exacerbate a situation more than necessary and hold onto something that he knew was a mistake. No different than a CEO cleaning house so he can put his own people in.
JJ is a skilled professional and will land on his feet so best of luck to him. Weaver, you screwed the pooch on this one and set us back 3 yrs +.
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I'm surprised but not surprised, if that makes any sense. I felt this decision could go either way. I feel really bad for Coach Johnson and the situation he was in. Great guy, and I'm sure he'll find a new position elsewhere.
Thanks, JJ, for your efforts at VT, and best wishes.
If there's one positive takeaway here (for me at least), it's that our new AD is decisive. He didn't wait around on this one. He assessed, and he made a change. For better or worse, at least that tells me he has a vision for what he wants and feels he can make things happen. Bravo to Whit for that.
Can Danny Coale coach basketball?
He can definitely teach them how to get open.
And catch!
Come on come on come on. GET OPEN.
Though I've never really been into basketball, I hope the next coach is put into position to succeed. Johnson really wasn't, given the circumstances around his hiring.
I'm anxious to see what Whit does. The next decision he makes is going to be an important one for his career with VT
I disagree with the decision, but it's not my call. Now the question becomes who they get to replace him.
When he decided last week to keep Wolf, I knew the handwriting was on the wall. No way he was making 2 BB searches in one year.
I think Whit has put the feelers out through back channels (going back to before he started) and there is someone (or several) interested parties.
I wish JJ the best. Think he is a classy guy and top notch coach...just not ready for the ACC head coaching and to play the hand he was dealt. Looking back, I wish Cheapy (...I mean Weaver) could have gotten a golden years coach (maybe out of retirement) to HC to straighten the mess and groom JJ for the job...the. He could step out this year and promote JJ. Alas, here we go.
Let the Shaka, Greg, etc to BBurg rumors begin!
There's no way in hell Shaka is coming to VT:
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/20/shaka-smarts-new-c...
That contract is filthy
I agree... Just ready to hear everyone talk about the most unrealistic coaches and then be disappointed when we hire the right guy.
I hope JJ finds a job that is better suited for him to come in and have success. He got a lousy hand here at VT, and now he's got to find work again. It's a shame to have happened to him, but it's business.
Best wishes to Coach JJ.
Always liked Coach JJ. Very personable and always nice to the fans at chalk talks. Wish him the best!
http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/recaps/20140317aaa.html
Might be the fastest hokie sports has ever reported something like this.
Hopefully that's Whit's approach - Swift. Dragging things out and waiting til others report is no way to go about a firing.
I love the nTelos add "We'll buy out your contract"
I wonder what our recruits will do.
And those on the fence about transferring.
Feel bad for Coach Johnson
He's a good guy. He's a REALLY good guy, and he's a good coach. He very well could end up being one of the coaching greats a couple decades down the road. But was put in an absolute no-win situation when he was offered to be our head coach. He either says 'yes' and takes over a program with a lame duck AD, a roster gutted of talent, and all the other stuff we have gone over before. But then again, if you're a coaching prospect, you DON'T say no when the ACC comes calling.
Best of luck to him in the future, and to us fans, all I have to say is that in this case its best to let it go. If he goes elsewhere and has them rolling in the NCAA tournament with 5-10 years, we shouldn't have whimsy of what could have been. Remember just how bad things are now and just take the future as it comes.
Honestly didn't think this would happen. Thanks for the effort JJ. Looking forward to seeing how Whit moves forward, who we interview and how much we pay. This will set the tone for the future of the athletic department. Looking forward (although somewhat anxiously) to what will happen next.
I'm going to go out on a limb and speculate that Whit already has a candidate. And I'm not talking about having one in his crosshairs, I'm talking serious mutual interest. The question is whether said candidate is currently coaching in the tournament (which we are all hoping).
I agree, it seems to me that he also thinks whoever that candidate is, he has the budget for him and his staff above paying the other two HC's still on the roster.
Sam Rogers has called a press conference for 3pm to announce that he is naming himself head coach...