News Summary
Kevin Giltner has been appointed as the new head coach for Wofford College’s men’s basketball team, transitioning from his role as assistant coach at Virginia Tech. Coach Mike Young is now tasked with filling Giltner’s position at Virginia Tech, as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Young has been proactive in planning for this change and is focusing on maintaining team momentum after a challenging season. The Hokies are optimistic as they gear up for their season opener against Charleston Southern.
Blacksburg, Virginia – Virginia Tech men’s basketball coach Mike Young is preparing for a significant change in his coaching staff following the announcement that assistant coach Kevin Giltner has accepted the head coaching position at Wofford. Giltner’s appointment was made official on a Monday, and Young had already anticipated this transition, having formulated plans to fill the vacancy prior to Giltner’s departure.
Young, who boasts 30 years of experience in coaching, including substantial time at Wofford, is uniquely positioned to navigate this shift. He has cultivated strong relationships with key figures at Wofford, including President Nayef H. Samhat and athletic director Scott Kull, which may assist in easing the transition. Additionally, Young’s personal ties to the institution are reinforced by his wife, Margaret, who is a member of Wofford’s Board of Trustees.
As Young seeks to find a suitable replacement for Giltner, he is considering both promoting an existing staff member and hiring externally. He has indicated that a new assistant coach is expected to be appointed by Thursday at the latest. In the interim, current Virginia Tech players are continuing their practice routines under the guidance of the remaining coaching staff, which includes Chester Frazier and J.D. Byers.
Younger players on the Hokies’ roster had mixed reactions to Giltner’s departure; some, like sophomore guard Tyler Johnson, were surprised but expressed congratulations to Giltner for his new leadership role. Giltner, who played under Young at Wofford and graduated in 2012, has spent six seasons on Young’s staff, including roles at Virginia Tech as a special assistant and assistant coach. Young commended Giltner’s understanding of the team and noted his growth as a coach.
The Hokies are coming off a challenging season, finishing with a 13-19 record overall and 8-12 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. Young emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum for the upcoming season and remains optimistic, stating he has a solid team to build upon. Virginia Tech’s season opener is set for November 3 against Charleston Southern.
In preparation for the new season, practices have commenced following Giltner’s hiring at Wofford, providing the new coach an opportunity to integrate his systems with the team. Young has expressed confidence in the operational prowess of his current staff, reaffirming their commitment to player development and team success.
The vacancy left by Giltner comes at a pivotal moment for Virginia Tech men’s basketball, as the team aims to turn around its performance from the previous season. As the coaching staff prepares to adapt and fill key roles, both players and fans are hopeful for a successful 2023-2024 season under Young’s leadership.
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Additional Resources
- WSLS News
- Fighting Gobbler
- Hokie Sports
- Sports Illustrated
- Fighting Gobbler
- Wikipedia: Virginia Tech
- Google Search: Virginia Tech basketball news
- Google Scholar: Virginia Tech basketball coaching
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia Tech
- Google News: Virginia Tech basketball
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