Seth Greenberg
Alex Koma
In a town where the football coach has been a fixture for the past 25 years, coaching uncertainty is an unusual feeling for Virginia Tech fans.
Yet after the men’s basketball team’s poor start to this season, people have started to wonder about head coach Seth Greenberg’s future at the university.
For a team projected to be on the rise in the ACC this year, the squad’s 12-8 overall record and 1-4 mark in the conference has been seen by some as a disappointment.
No one was expecting the Hokies to win the league, but the hype surrounding incoming freshmen, like Dorian Finney-Smith, has made some wonder if a change in leadership would be appropriate.
It is hard to dispel some of the criticism surrounding the team. The team’s best non-conference wins are a pair of victories over Oklahoma State, and its lone ACC win was a low-scoring affair against University of Virginia.
Greenberg’s teams have only made one NCAA tournament in his seven years as coach. And this team doesn’t seem to be on track for recognition. It is undeniable that the team has deserved to be included certain years, but one for seven doesn’t look great on a resume, regardless of the circumstances.
However, these critiques can only go so far. Greenberg may not have tournament victories to show off, but he is still the best man for the job.
The latest recruiting class has been among the best Tech has ever brought in. Finney-Smith has had his ups and downs, but he can really fill up the stat sheet when he gets going, and many of his struggles can be attributed to freshman jitters and playing out of position.
Robert Brown has started to find his way recently, averaging eight points per game and earning starting opportunities. C.J. Barksdale has shown similar flashes and only needs to find more consistent playing time to hit his stride.
The team’s record does not necessarily indicate its quality of play either. Several of these losses have been extremely tight — the Florida State, Boston College and BYU defeats — and can be attributed to a lack of veteran presence on the team.
A dearth of veterans — often due to injury — has proved to be the team’s undoing the last several years.. J.T. Thompson is the most notable player who has struggled with injuries, and both Dorenzo Hudson and Cadarian Raines have been beat up over the course of Greenberg’s career.
Greenberg’s critics are also quick to overlook how well he can motivate the team for big games.
The big rivalry win over U.Va. on the road this year certainly represents Greenberg’s fine job of inspiring the team.
He even deserves credit for the team’s excellent first half against North Carolina. The Hokies weren’t able to pull out the win, but to contend so well against the Tar Heels’ superior talent speaks to his coaching ability.
More than anything, Greenberg is the face of the program. He’s always animated at press conferences, and his charisma has undoubtedly been part of putting Tech basketball on the national stage.
Even if people only know the Hokies for Greenberg’s sarcastic comments about another tournament disappointment, they still know them. Another coach can’t necessarily command that kind of attention.
It’s been said by some that Greenberg will remain coach as long as Jim Weaver remains athletic director, and it’s hard to disagree.
But those calling for his job should consider what he’s already done for this program and what he can do in the future.
A version of this article appeared in the Jan 27 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Firing Greenberg is out of the question. This isn't Duke, nor UNC. We can't expect to be contenders every season. Virginia tech hoops wasn't even on the map when Greenberg took over. Since joining, the ACC, we have the 4th most wins in the conference. Sure we only have one tournament appearance, but frankly, we should have had 3 or 4. Don't punish Seth for the committees mistakes. And no, I'm not being a homer, go back and look at the resumes of the teams that made it instead of us the last few years. How anyone can be calling for Greenberg's job is beyond me.
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I could not disagree with you more. Why can't we be a Duke or a UNC. We turned it around in football under the correct guidence, the same can be done in basketball. Do your research & see where Tech b-ball used to be in the world of basketball. Winning the Metro that included teams like Louisville, Cinncinati, Fla. St. and Memphis. I know that was in the past, but it can happen again. No one has a problem with Seth winning the big games, it's the loses to the lowly Wake Forests and the consistant bad coaching down the last seconds of a game.
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VT football still isn't at the same point as Duke and UNC b-ball who both have multiple championships. It's taken 15 years to become a perennial top-25 team in football. To expect that from basketball after only a few years is absurd, especially when we haven't seen a player in basketball up to the caliber that Vick was in football.
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I dont believe that firing Greenberg is the solution to our issues this year. Like the other comment says; we are not Duke or UNC. Greenberg is a good defensive minded coach who is working with a good team. Hes certainly not the same level as Coach K or Roy Williams, but Greenberg has brought our program to the brink of breaking into the upper echelon. His recruiting is now bringing in top level talent and I believe well get there under him
Having said that, our offensive struggles are not just a result of us being a young team. Watching them I see 1 key issue that is causing our O to be stagnant; there is almost no off ball movement. You watch teams like UNC and all 5 players are constantly moving; their offense is running 3 passes ahead, setting off ball screens for players who arent immediately getting the ball.
Our offense on the other hand, has way to much standing around. Players move with only one pass in mind. And if that breaks down then it simply results in Eric Green going iso before the clock expires.
Some of that is youth yes, but it also has a lot to do with the type of plays Greenberg is teaching in practice. He needs to think more than one pass ahead on his play design. If he does that, then all of the pieces are going to come together.
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His record of mediocrity is unacceptable. He was not the right choice to begin with. He lucked into the ACC. His ability to recruit is above average to very good. His ability to win with that talent is spot on average.
He has had his time. 8 years now with Tech and a 165-113 record, and 64-68 ACC record. NCAA once. Yawn. We shouldn't reward a coach in the ACC with this track record. We should be looking for young CLEAN aggressive coaches with proven ability to coach up the talent they bring in.
So long as we have Coach Greenberg we will continue to be average. The mantra of "next year will be our year" has warn out.
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Nice article Seth...I'm surprised the CT allowed you to publish under Alex's name
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These writers should do a little research before they write. Kind of hard to take them seriously when they get their facts wrong. Greenberg has been at VT for NINE seasons, not seven. This is the start of his 9th season. He started in 03-04, last year we were in the Big East.
And oh yeah, it's time to move on. Regardless of the players, the team looks exactly the same as it has for the last 4 years. Above average on defense, poor to absolutely dreadful on offense. Delaney/Allen/Bell's class never overcame those problems, what makes you think these new kids will? It's not a youth issue or a talent issue, its a coaching issue. He's taken the program as far as he can. Nothing wrong with what he did, but if you want to be better, it's time to look elsewhere. If you want your ceiling to the the annual NCAA bursted bubble team but have a guy who's friendly offcourt, keep him. Simple as that.
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