Whit Babcock: "We have a plan"

Yesterday, I watched new Athletic Director Whit Babcock win his 40-ish minute press conference on the future of the men's basketball program. That's the last time I'll prefix "new" to his title, even though his appointment as AD began on March 1st. After firing James Johnson, Whit's sleeves are already rolled as he searches for Virginia Tech's next basketball coach.

Even though he was engaging with the media, it felt as if he was speaking directly to the fans. Without divulging specifics and compromising the search, Whit did an excellent job of outlining the process, expectations, and possible outcomes. If you're considering investing in the program, i.e. donating to the Hokie Club, his candidness, forthrightness, and transparency has to make you feel better about stroking a check. The honesty from up top during this period of transition is refreshing.

The CliffsNotes are as follows:

Program's goal is to make the NCAA Tournament. There's not big money to be made by making the field of 68, but as Whit said, "If you're going to be in this conference, and as long as they're keeping score, we might as well win. That's more fun than losing."

The search may take a week, or likely last past the Final Four. Coaches on Tech's list are participating in post-season tournaments.

The next coach will ideally have head coaching experience. When asked what other qualities he was looking for, Whit mentioned being able to recruit a high caliber student athlete, knowledge of the I-95 corridor, player development, track record of success, having what it takes to be a scrapper and fighter to build the program, character, and competence.

Tech has a wish list, but identifying the pool of candidates who will truly accept the job if offered is a hard part of the search.

Tech could hire a proven high profile head coach, or secure an up-and-coming head coach.

"We are prepared, within reason, to invest for a favorable return. Sometimes you have to spend to acquire talent in this profession and we're prepared to do so if it's the right person and right fit. We won't spend frivolously, but we must be aggressive if this opportunity presents itself."

We won't hear from Whit again publicly until he's introducing the next head coach.

Whit made his decision to fire James Johnson after speaking with J.J. Sunday night (3/16). Whit made him aware of his decision Monday at 11:00 AM.

Whit's going to give the new coach time to get the program turned around.

If Tech can get to the top-half of the ACC it has a chance to dance. That's a realistic vision for a program in a fifteen team league full of tradition and hall of fame coaches. Whit called it a "stair step progression".

Selling points of the job are the $21 million practice facility, beautiful campus, great academics, fertile recruiting grounds nearby (DC / 757 / Richmond / Charlotte), commitment, and time from Whit to get the job done.

Dwindling attendance in Cassell played a small role, but wasn't a driving factor in JJ's dismissal.

The was no behind the scenes pressure to make a coaching change.

Whit's preferred style of play is, "One that puts the ball in the basket more than the other team puts it in there."

Whit praised the work J.J. did off the court but said, "This simply came down to wins and losses."

"I really like those guys that have earned their way up, that have had to scrap to get where they are, and then when they get to Virginia Tech they look at it and go, 'I get all this'."

"Do I feel pressure? Absolutely I feel pressure. To deliver to this group, and to this fan base success, and to let a guy go that's a first class gentleman, I feel a lot of pressure. But do I have confidence that we can do it, and that we have an attractive enough job to get somebody good, and that I have good help behind the scenes? Yes, yes I do."

"I do not have a coach in my hip pocket right now."