Who says you can’t return to where you started? It was a significant setback for Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young when he lost his top assistant, after the 2020-21 season. Young brought in Mike Jones as his replacement, but the impact wasn’t quite the same. After two seasons, Jones left to take a similar role at Maryland.
Virginia Tech made a major announcement, revealing that he had been rehired as the associate head coach. He had initially left Blacksburg in 2021 to return to his alma mater, Illinois, where he spent the next three seasons as an assistant. In 2024, West Virginia’s new coach, Darian DeVries, brought Frazier in as his top assistant. However, after just one year, DeVries left for Indiana, freeing up Frazier to explore other opportunities, leading to his return to Virginia Tech.
Frazier takes over for Christian Webster, who was let go by Young after the season. Webster had been with the Hokies since 2016.
While Frazier had several top-tier opportunities to consider, returning to Blacksburg to work for a coach he admires and respects, along with bringing his family back, was the ideal choice.
“We are excited to welcome Chester, his wife Sarah, and children Chandler, Cameron, and Courtney back to Blacksburg,” Young said. “Chester’s passion, energy, and tireless work ethic are exactly what we need. He 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’s been a winner everywhere he’s been, and I’m lucky to call him a close friend. I’m thrilled to work with him again.”
Frazier expressed his enthusiasm about his return, saying, “I’m beyond excited to be back at Virginia Tech. This is a special place with a passionate fan base, a strong culture, and a commitment to excellence. I’m looking forward to working with Coach Young and the entire staff again to help bring this program back to where it belongs.”
Known for his relentless recruiting and expertise in coaching defense, Frazier’s background as a former Illinois guard could play a pivotal role in helping Tech secure experienced and talented players through the transfer portal.
This is a major move for Young as he heads into a crucial year. The Hokies are expected to receive increased financial support, which should help them attract top talent. Frazier’s hiring is a strong first step in that direction.