VCU assistant leaving for Tech

Virginia Commonwealth University men's basketball assistant coach Bill Courtney is leaving after fewer than two months on the job to become an assistant at Virginia Tech.

VCU AD Norwood Teague confirmed the move, saying that Courtney felt he could not pass up the opportunity to return to the ACC.

Courtney did not return a message seeking comment. Tech coach Seth Greenberg said he could not comment.

Courtney, a career assistant, will replace Stacey Palmore, who left last month after five seasons at Tech for an assistant job at Georgia, citing family reasons.

Courtney spent the previous three seasons as an assistant at Virginia. Cavaliers coach Dave Leitao resigned under pressure after the season, and VCU coach Shaka Smart hired Courtney on April 15.

Smart said he was surprised by the move, but that he understood Courtney's desire to get back into the ACC.

"I have a mixed reaction," Smart said. "I'm happy for Bill if he feels like this is the best thing for his family. But my No.1 priority is the program, and I want to make sure we're doing the best thing here.

"I can tell you we will move really fast in hiring a replacement."

Smart said he has zeroed in on another coach, whom he declined to name.

Prior to working at Virginia, Courtney spent one season at Providence, eight seasons at George Mason and one season at Bowling Green, where he worked under Jim Larranaga before following him to George Mason. Smart served as an assistant at Clemson and knew Courtney because of their ACC wars, as well as from Courtney's time at George Mason.

Courtney began his coaching career in 1995-96, the season before he went to Bowling Green, when he worked at American.

Courtney, who is from Springfield, played at Bucknell and was inducted into the school's sports hall of fame in 2007.

Contact Darryl Slater at (804) 649-6026 or .

Contact Tim Pearrell at (804) 649-6965 or .