John Sung arrived at Virginia Tech in the summer of 2016. Roughly one year later, he’s signing an extension.
Virginia Tech lacrosse announced on Thursday that Sung has signed a deal keeping him in Blacksburg through the 2022 season. The financial details have not yet been made available.
“Coach Sung and his staff instilled a renewed sense of confidence in our student-athletes and for our program,” said Director of Athletics Whit Babcock in a statement. “I know it was particularly satisfying for all of us to see a group of seniors who were so invested in our program to enjoy a winning season for the first time in their Tech careers. I’m extremely encouraged by the direction of our women’s lacrosse program under Coach Sung’s leadership.”
Sung immediately turned around a lacrosse program that had struggled from the beginning. Sung’s Hokies went 11-8 this year, tying the best win total in program history. Virginia Tech won two matches against ACC opponents, which is the first time the team has won multiple conference games since 2004.
“I appreciate the continued trust and support that Whit and Virginia Tech Athletics have placed in me, our staff and our lacrosse program,” Sung said. “Our objective was to build a culture where our student-athletes could excel both academically and on the field. I’m grateful for the way our squad embraced our approach and our philosophy. We still have plenty of work to do, but I’m confident our team will build on our momentum and what we accomplished this year.”
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Sung is as solid a coach as you can find, his results speak for themselves. His philosophy is not unlike that of many VT coaches, starting with the original Frank Beamer; quality, smart kids with a passion and skill for the game then coach them up with the goal of getting the upper tier athletes that still fit the VT mold (small pool I think). Whit is finding the coaches that are not only highly competent in their fields but subscribe to the VT student/athlete philosophy which is a difficult task to put it mildly. Whit’s also brilliant in his business approach, retaining a great deal of those coaches but he also displays the acumen to move in a new direction when the moment benefits the department’s long term vision. I don’t see the red in the AD ledger as expense so much as investment. Virginia Tech/Blacksburg is an easy sell…after you’ve been there. It ain’t “Home” til you hang yer hat. Thanks Whit for retaining another great coach.
Great. Coach Sung certainly turned the program around quickly. He is just another great, great hire by our super AD, Whit Babcock.