With a standing reservation on the NCAA tournament bubble, debate always rages with Virginia Tech. It’s no different with the firing of Hokies coach Seth Greenberg, who deserved to go as much as he deserved better, right?
Greenberg had to go » The Hokies finished 16-17 this season, their first losing record since Greenberg’s second season in 2005-06. Virginia Tech made the NCAA tournament the following year but hasn’t done so since.
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He should’ve been allowed to stay » Three victories over No. 1-ranked teams and four seasons with 20-plus wins in five years should’ve earned Greenberg more respect on an annual basis from the selection committee, especially given the difficulty of the ACC, which named him coach of the year twice.
Had to go » When Virginia Tech won 25 games in 2009-10, the Hokies’ nonconference schedule was poor, and they lacked a signature ACC victory besides beating slumping North Carolina at home.
Should’ve stayed »
Virginia Tech wasn’t even relevant before Greenberg arrived in 2003. Now Cassell Coliseum is a tough and well-filled venue. Blacksburg is also a way station for developing assistant coaches, even if Greenberg hasn’t been able to keep them happy.
Had to go » Things are only going to get tougher when the ACC expands to include Pittsburgh and Syracuse, and Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver considered Greenberg a dead-coach walking, even if he did pick the wrong time to terminate him. But Greenberg will land on his feet in no time doing broadcast work. There he might even realize that the bubble treated the Hokies the way they deserved.
– Craig Stouffer
