Word is circulating that Virginia Tech has hired Pete Hughes from Boston College....

A local paper is running an article that quotes several BC players as confirming Coach Hughes has called them individually to tell them he was heading for Virginia Tech.

I understand the need to start fresh, but feel bad for Jay Phillips, a very good and decent man that toiled as an assistant for 19 years, likely waiting for the chance that never came.

Hokie

This seems to happen everyday---guys who have given blood to their school for years get pushed aside when the time for change arrives--- sad but true the long time coach who is resigning appears to have no say in the matter

I wonder what his background is? I am sure he is a good coach, but I imagine he has very few contacts in the south, where his recruiting base will be.

JT

Coach Hughes is a great guy and excellent coach--BC has always recruited nationally and even more so now that they are in the ACC

Take a look at their roster

Here is a link to his bio. He played at Davidson and he has coached for awhile against Virginia Tech, so he is familiar with the area and the school. He ought to do a fine job.

As for J Phillips, I agree, hokie one, that J earned a shot. I am hoping that Hughes retains him on his staff.

Bio for Coach Hughes

Thanks for the vote, TR. I figured you'd have the scoop on him. The staff will be important, as will be upgrading the facilities. The current one isn't bad, just not ACC standards.

JT

Funny thing is that we have not heard the rumors up this way

Depends on your point of view JT in regard to ACC standards. What the Hokies could use is a clubhouse at English Field so that the players don't have to drive the half-mile from their current locker room (which is very nice) at Cassell Coliseum to the ball field. But, as far as English Field itself is concerned (and especially now that it has lights), it is nearly idyllic in its setting and in its current design. It seats nearly 2,000 in the permanant grand stand, which is about as much as you are ever going to draw in Blacksburg, and if more capacity is needed it already exists on the hill along the left field foul line. And, in fact, the area at the top of the hill is ideal for grilling and tailgating while the game is going on.

All the Hokies need is an enthusiastic coach to bring in some better players which will bring about some success which will bring out the ideal Virginia Tech co-eds to the hill which in turn will dramatically increase the crowds to the way they were when Franklin Stubbs and company were regularly winning 50 games a year in the early 80s.

And, as I said, the on-sight clubhouse would be very nice.

If what I am hearing about Hughes is correct, things ought to be looking up pretty quickly in Blacksburg in regard to baseball even in the always very tough ACC.

I sure hope all of this regarding Hughes is accurate.

Can't speak to the overlooked assistant, but the resume on Hughes is impressive! Two-time Big East coach of the year, and only 38 years old?

I'm sorry if someone got the short end of the stick, but this would have to be viewed as a big coup for Tech.