Tech’s Greenberg disappointed Leitao is gone

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg said he was “shocked and disappointed” when he learned that University of Virginia coach Dave Leitao agreed to resign.

“It’s extremely disappointing,“ Greenberg said, noting that Leitao was ACC Coach of the Year in 2006-07. “It’s just a reflection of how unstable our business is. A good guy, he worked hard. He tried to do it the right way. Unfortunately, at times, there are unrealistic expectations within our profession.“

During Leitao’s four seasons in Charlottesville, he went 5-4 against Greenberg, including 1-1 this season and 0-2 last season. Leitao and Greenberg met once in the ACC tournament, in 2006, and Virginia won 60-56.

Greenberg is in his sixth season in Blacksburg and, like Leitao at Virginia, has coached the Hokies to one NCAA tournament. Both teams played in Columbus, Ohio, in 2007 and both lost in the second round. The Hokies this season will play in their third National Invitation Tournament under Greenberg. The Cavaliers played in one NIT under Leitao.

Greenberg has won 46.6 percent of his ACC games (38-42 in the regular season, 3-5 in the league tournament) since the Hokies joined the league in his second season, 2004-05. Leitao’s final league winning percentage was 40.6 (27-37 regular season, 1-4 tournament).

“Being successful in this conference is a process that doesn’t happen overnight,“ said Greenberg, the ACC Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2008. “Obviously, Florida State showed great patience with coach [Leonard] Hamilton and he’s got one of the top teams in the country. It takes time. You also need to be a little lucky. I feel for him, his family. It’s just not right.“

Hamilton, in his seventh season at Florida State, was the ACC Coach of the Year this season and led the Seminoles to the league tournament final and a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament – their first appearance since 1998.

Coming into this season, Hamilton’s ACC winning percentage at Florida State was 38 percent (37-59 regular season, 3-6 tournament). The Seminoles went 10-6 in the ACC this season and 2-1 in the conference tournament.

Greenberg, who turns 53 next month, is under contract through the 2012-13 season, based on an extension that was announced midway through last season. He got his first coaching job in 1978 and spent the 1983-84 season as an assistant at Virginia under Terry Holland, helping the Cavaliers advance to the Final Four, a level they have not reached since.

Greenberg believes the coaching business has changed since his early years.

“Talk radio changed it,“ he said. “The Internet changed it. People’s unrealistic expectations changed it. It’s a very sad commentary.“