Mike Young and the Virginia Tech men’s basketball program have named Nelson Hernandez as their new general manager, bringing aboard a veteran with strong recruiting roots and extensive experience across Division I basketball.
Hernandez joins the Hokies from West Virginia, where he was director of player personnel and recruiting last season. He now reunites with assistant coach Chester Frazier and recent transfer Amani Hansberry, both of whom arrived in Blacksburg over the past month.
In his new role, Hernandez will collaborate with Virginia Tech’s NIL collectives and manage the program’s revenue-sharing model — a key responsibility in the modern era of college athletics. With a sharp understanding of market value, he’ll help navigate the rapidly evolving landscape.
“Adding Nelson as our general manager is a huge step for our program,” Young said in the school’s press release. “His experience, vision, and organizational skills will be crucial as we continue to adapt and succeed on and off the court.”
Hernandez brings over a decade of experience across nine Division I programs since 2010, including stops at Utah State, Clemson, Wright State, VCU, LSU, Fresno State, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia. His roles have ranged from video coordinator to assistant coach, with a focus on player development, operations, and recruiting.
He’s participated in five NCAA Tournaments, including four with LSU, and has worked under respected coaches such as Stew Morrill, Brad Brownell, and Will Wade. He also crossed paths early in his career with Mike Young’s former associate head coach, Mike Boynton, at Oklahoma State.
“I’m thrilled to join Coach Young and Virginia Tech in this new capacity,” Hernandez said. “This is a program with a strong foundation and incredible fan support. I’m ready to contribute in any way I can to help our players thrive and the program grow in this new era of college basketball.”
A Brooklyn native, Hernandez holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Utah State.
Virginia Tech has landed two transfer additions so far this offseason — big man Amani Hansberry and Delaware guard Izaiah Pasha — and currently has eight scholarship players lined up for the 2025–26 season.
