James Johnson Out at Virginia Tech

Feb 8, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach James Johnson removes his jacket against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Pittsburgh won 62-57 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Two seasons ago, the Virginia Tech Hokies fired their head basketball coach, Seth Greenberg, after a sub-par 16-17 season.  The team had seen some good seasons since the Hokies’ 2007 NCAA tournament appearance, but they felt like a change needed to be made, even if it meant firing the man who had revitalized the Virginia Tech program.

The Hokies proceeded to hire James Johnson, an assistant who had coached under Greenberg since 2007.  He knew the ins and outs of the program and looked to be a good hire for Virginia Tech.  Unfortunately, he has been unable to find any success with the Hokies, compiling records of 13-19 (4-14 ACC) and 9-22 (2-16) in 2013 and 2014, respectively.  Today, Jeff Goodman tweeted that the Hokies would be parting ways with Johnson.

I personally can understand both sides of the argument in this discussion.  While James Johnson has seen no success whatsoever, one must understand that he took over a reeling program in the ACC, arguably the toughest conference in basketball.  He certainly deserved more time than two seasons to attempt to rebuild a program he has been a part of since 2007.