Who says you can’t come home again? It was a tough loss for Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young when his top assistant, Chester Frazier, left after the 2020-21 season. While Young brought in Mike Jones as a replacement, the impact wasn’t the same, and after two seasons, Jones left for a similar role on Maryland’s staff.
On Tuesday, Virginia Tech announced the return of Frazier as associate head coach. When Frazier left Blacksburg in 2021, he went back to his alma mater, Illinois, as an assistant, where he spent the next three seasons. In 2024, new West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries hired Frazier as his top assistant, but after just one year, DeVries moved on to become the head coach at Indiana, leaving Frazier open to new opportunities.
Frazier takes over for Christian Webster, who was let go by Mike Young after the season. Webster had been with the Hokies since 2016.
Though Frazier had several strong offers, returning to Blacksburg to work for a coach he admires and respects, alongside his family, was the ideal opportunity.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chester, his wife Sarah, and children Chandler, Cameron, and Courtney, back to Blacksburg,” Young said. “His passion, energy, and tireless work ethic are exactly what we need. Chester has a deep understanding of our program’s culture, and his ability to connect with players, recruit at a high level, and develop talent will be invaluable as we move forward. He has been a winner everywhere he has been. I am fortunate to call Chester a dear friend and am fired up to work alongside him once again.”
Here’s what Frazier had to say about his return to Virginia Tech:
“I’m beyond excited to be back at Virginia Tech,” Frazier said. “This is a special place with a passionate fan base, a strong culture, and a commitment to excellence. I’m looking forward to once again working with Coach Young and the entire staff to help return this program to where it belongs.”
Frazier is recognized as a tireless recruiter with a focus on coaching defense. The former Illinois guard could play a key role in helping Virginia Tech bring in experienced and talented players through the transfer portal.
This is a significant hire for Young, who is entering a crucial year. The Hokies are expected to receive more financial support, which will help them bring in better talent via the portal. Bringing Frazier back is a strong first step for Young as he looks to elevate the program.
