**ESPN REPORT: Mike Young Stuns College Basketball World, Rejects $7.5 Million Offers from Texas Tech, Florida to Remain Virginia Tech Hokies Head Coach**
*By ESPN Staff Writer | April 13, 2025*
BLACKSBURG, Va. — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, Virginia Tech men’s basketball head coach Mike Young has officially turned down lucrative offers from both the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Florida Gators — each reportedly worth upwards of $7.5 million annually — to remain in Blacksburg and continue leading the Hokies.
“I have no plans beyond being the Hokies head coach,” Young said during a press conference on Monday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum. “This is home. This is where I want to be. I’ve built something special here with these players, this staff, and this community. No amount of money can match what we have in Blacksburg.”
The stunning announcement comes amid mounting speculation that Young, who led the Hokies to their second Elite Eight appearance in program history this past March, was all but set to take on a new challenge at a more prominent basketball program. Insiders had reported in recent weeks that Texas Tech was aggressively pursuing Young to fill their head coaching vacancy following the departure of Grant McCasland, while Florida, still reeling from an early NCAA Tournament exit, viewed Young as the ideal architect to rejuvenate their program.
But in the end, Young stayed loyal to the maroon and orange.
### A Rising Star in the Coaching Ranks
Since taking the reins of the Hokies in 2019 after a successful 17-year tenure at Wofford, Young has steadily elevated Virginia Tech into a consistent ACC contender. Under his guidance, the Hokies have made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and captured the 2022 ACC Tournament title, the program’s first ever. Known for his tactical brilliance, calm demeanor, and player-first philosophy, Young has become one of the most respected minds in college basketball.
This past season, Virginia Tech posted a 27-9 record, finishing second in the ACC and knocking off top-seeded Kansas in the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual national champion UConn in a tightly contested Elite Eight matchup. Young’s ability to maximize talent, develop under-recruited players, and implement a motion offense that routinely frustrates opposing defenses has earned him admiration across the country — and, clearly, the attention of deep-pocketed programs.
“I’m flattered by the interest, of course,” Young admitted. “To be mentioned alongside those institutions means you’re doing something right. But every time I thought about stepping away from what we’ve built here, it didn’t feel right. Not even close.”
### Texas Tech’s All-Out Pursuit
According to multiple sources, Texas Tech was prepared to offer Young a staggering 6-year deal worth $45 million — a contract that would have instantly placed him among the five highest-paid coaches in college basketball. The Red Raiders, who reached the national championship game in 2019 under Chris Beard, have struggled to regain their footing and saw Young as the cornerstone of a complete program revival.
“Mike Young was our top target. We believed in his vision, and we did everything we could to bring him to Lubbock,” a Texas Tech athletic department official, speaking anonymously, told ESPN. “We respect his decision, but make no mistake — we threw the kitchen sink at him.”
The offer reportedly included complete control over basketball operations, a revamped recruiting budget, and a state-of-the-art practice facility set to open in 2026. Young met with Tech representatives twice over the past two weeks, including a visit to Lubbock last weekend that fueled rampant speculation that a deal was imminent.
Instead, Young returned to Virginia and never looked back.
### Florida’s Quiet Play
The Florida Gators, meanwhile, kept their pursuit of Young quieter but no less serious. Sources indicate that Gators officials met with Young via Zoom and extended a formal offer matching Texas Tech’s, both in salary and length. Florida, a two-time national champion program, has failed to reach the Sweet 16 since 2017 and was believed to be seeking a transformative hire to reverse its fortunes.
“There’s not a better teacher in the game right now than Mike Young,” one SEC assistant coach told ESPN. “He would’ve been a perfect fit at Florida. Their loss is Virginia Tech’s massive win.”
Young declined the offer without even visiting Gainesville, according to sources close to the situation.
### Loyalty Over Luxury
In today’s era of coaching volatility and high-dollar contracts, Young’s decision bucks a growing trend. Many of his peers, even after building successful programs, have opted to chase larger paychecks or higher-profile positions. But for Young, loyalty — to his players, his staff, and the Hokies community — came first.
“This job isn’t just about wins and losses,” Young said. “It’s about people. It’s about the 6:30 a.m. practices, the kids in the stands wearing our jerseys, the alumni who pour their hearts into our program. I couldn’t leave that behind.”
Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock praised Young’s commitment and confirmed that the university is already working on a new contract extension and salary adjustment that will “reflect Mike’s immense value to Virginia Tech athletics.” While numbers have not been finalized, it is believed the new deal will push Young’s salary north of $5 million annually — a significant jump from his current base of approximately $3 million.
### What’s Next for the Hokies?
With Young staying put, expectations are sky-high for the Hokies heading into the 2025–26 season. Star point guard Rodney Blake has already announced his return for his senior year, and the team’s top-ranked recruiting class — headlined by five-star wing Jason Toliver and 6’10” center Malik Frazier — remains intact. Momentum in Blacksburg has never been stronger.
“This decision tells recruits everything they need to know,” assistant coach Kevin Giltner tweeted Monday. “Coach Young is building something long-term. And we’re just getting started.”
Virginia Tech fans responded with a wave of social media celebrations, trending hashtags like **#ForeverHokie** and **#MikeYoungEra** across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. One student fan group even organized an impromptu rally outside Cassell Coliseum on Monday night, with chants of “MIKE! MIKE! MIKE!” echoing through the air.
As for Young, he’s already back to work.
“We’ve got workouts tomorrow morning,” he said with a smile. “And a lot of unfinished business.”
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