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aztarheel · 02-06-2007, 05:53 PM

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Spring/Summer 2028

Victory may leave successful Wolfpack program

By BEN DOVER
Associated Press

RALEIGH - Steve Victory won’t return as N.C. State’s men’s basketball coach next season, several sources close to the program say.

But no one is quite sure where he’s going and why he may be leaving.

Victory has scheduled a special press conference for Thursday morning at 11 a.m. but has refused to discuss the specifics of what he is going to announce. Many within the basketball program believe it will be his farewell to a school he has directed to two national championships and one national runner-up finish over the past seven seasons.

“I can’t imagine why he wants to leave but from all appearances it looks like he’s outta here,” said one source within the basketball office who requested anonymity. "I wonder if the fact that he couldn't complete that perfect undefeated season two years ago is eating at him. There has been some backlash over that among a segment of Wolfpack faithful. And everybody knows, State fans can be a finnicky bunch."

Victory, who left on Friday for “some time away” at his secluded beach house near Charleston, has declined to throw anyone a bone on what he’s thinking. Several ideas have been floated over the past few days around water coolers and in Internet chat rooms. None can be confirmed. All sound plausible yet outrageous at the same time:

1) Victory is leaving to take a coaching job at another school. The list of schools he is “rumored” to be taking over is as endless as his film sessions before a big game. But again, why would someone so covetous of wins and championships – just look at his last name – be eager to leave a program that has just now developed into a national power?

2) Victory is leaving to take a job in the NBA. The Charlotte Bobcats and Miami Heat are both looking for new leaders after firing their coaches at the end of poor 2028 seasons. Victory, a Florida native, is pretty outspoken against the NBA, especially with how the league raids colleges for underclassman players, but has never said outright that he wouldn’t want to coach an NBA team.

3) Victory is retiring from coaching. Though only 55, he has been stalking college sidelines for 25 years now and could be ready to hang up the whistle (especially now that his twins, Stevie and Stephanie, are getting ready to play college ball themselves).

4) Victory isn’t leaving, just announcing a long-term deal to finish his career with the Wolfpack. State officials hinted before the end of last season that they wanted to shore up a new 10-year pact with Victory that would keep him living comfortably in Raleigh for the next decade. There have been no reports of contract hang-ups during negotiations. He's not the highest paid coach in the ACC despite his recent fame and good fortune.

“I wish I could tell you what he’s up to,” said Julius Hodge, a former NCSU hoops standout who is now the Pack’s sports information director. “It’s weird. No one seems to know, not the AD, not the chancellor, not the players. I wonder if Steve even knows.”

One highly placed source who asked not to be identified believes Victory will take the open position at Texas Tech University. “They are offering him tons of money and will essentially make him king of Lubbock, as if that’s something to write home about,” the source said. “Since the South is so crowded with stellar hoops programs, he may want some elbow room further West.”

Victory joked with reporters during the most recent NCT that he’d change his last name to O’Victory to be the next coach of Notre Dame. While the comment seemed to be in jest there are some who believe the coach would love a chance to coach at such a prestigious school, which is currently looking for a new leader. “Digger Phelps and Jim Valvano were two of his biggest heroes,” said a former assistant coach. “He could say he followed in both of their footsteps if he now linked up with the Irish.”

Some even believe Victory will trade ACC allegiances. North Carolina has pursued the coach strongly the past three seasons in its attempts to climb back to the forefront of the college basketball scene. “Tar Heel administrators can’t stand how far behind the school has fallen,” said UNC alum Scott Cherry, a player in the 1990s and now head of the Rams Club fund-raising group. “Basketball is the paramount sport here. If it means stealing away the coach who has built a nearby power in order for us to move back up, then so be it. We’ll offer him a mint to come to Chapel Hill.”

Several Pac-10 schools made strong overtures to Victory during State’s recent play in the West Region of the NCT. Oregion, Arizona State, Cal and Washington State are all looking for new coaches. Kansas State of the Big 12 is also in the hunt for a new mentor. “We’d love to have him, but we’ve had no contact,” said KSU AD Bill Wilhelm.

Those who believe he will retire site the fact that Victory’s kids are both going into college – on difference coasts. Stevie Junior will be a freshman shooting guard at College of Charleston this fall (fueling more rumors that the elder Victory will return there to coach his son). Stephanie Victory will play at San Diego State for Lianne Perry, who is trying to revive her coaching career after a series of scandals with East Coast schools. “He and his wife did buy a new RV from us a month ago,” said Cletus Coltraine of North Raleigh Auto Sales.

For now, though, Victory is making everyone wait. The ball is in his court, and he’s clearly not inclined to say anything about his future until Thursday morning.

“I just hope he doesn’t leave us,” said Rita Walter, a science professor at NCSU. “He’s awesome for the university and keeps the parties coming to Hillsborough Street.”

There may be mourning on Hillsborough Street on Thursday, however. But then again, maybe not.

02-06-2007, 05:53 PM	#235
aztarheel High School JV Join Date: Sep 2006	Steve Victory JOURNAL – Spring/Summer 2028 Victory may leave successful Wolfpack program By BEN DOVER Associated Press RALEIGH - Steve Victory won’t return as N.C. State’s men’s basketball coach next season, several sources close to the program say. But no one is quite sure where he’s going and why he may be leaving. Victory has scheduled a special press conference for Thursday morning at 11 a.m. but has refused to discuss the specifics of what he is going to announce. Many within the basketball program believe it will be his farewell to a school he has directed to two national championships and one national runner-up finish over the past seven seasons. “I can’t imagine why he wants to leave but from all appearances it looks like he’s outta here,” said one source within the basketball office who requested anonymity. "I wonder if the fact that he couldn't complete that perfect undefeated season two years ago is eating at him. There has been some backlash over that among a segment of Wolfpack faithful. And everybody knows, State fans can be a finnicky bunch." Victory, who left on Friday for “some time away” at his secluded beach house near Charleston, has declined to throw anyone a bone on what he’s thinking. Several ideas have been floated over the past few days around water coolers and in Internet chat rooms. None can be confirmed. All sound plausible yet outrageous at the same time: 1) Victory is leaving to take a coaching job at another school. The list of schools he is “rumored” to be taking over is as endless as his film sessions before a big game. But again, why would someone so covetous of wins and championships – just look at his last name – be eager to leave a program that has just now developed into a national power? 2) Victory is leaving to take a job in the NBA. The Charlotte Bobcats and Miami Heat are both looking for new leaders after firing their coaches at the end of poor 2028 seasons. Victory, a Florida native, is pretty outspoken against the NBA, especially with how the league raids colleges for underclassman players, but has never said outright that he wouldn’t want to coach an NBA team. 3) Victory is retiring from coaching. Though only 55, he has been stalking college sidelines for 25 years now and could be ready to hang up the whistle (especially now that his twins, Stevie and Stephanie, are getting ready to play college ball themselves). 4) Victory isn’t leaving, just announcing a long-term deal to finish his career with the Wolfpack. State officials hinted before the end of last season that they wanted to shore up a new 10-year pact with Victory that would keep him living comfortably in Raleigh for the next decade. There have been no reports of contract hang-ups during negotiations. He's not the highest paid coach in the ACC despite his recent fame and good fortune. “I wish I could tell you what he’s up to,” said Julius Hodge, a former NCSU hoops standout who is now the Pack’s sports information director. “It’s weird. No one seems to know, not the AD, not the chancellor, not the players. I wonder if Steve even knows.” One highly placed source who asked not to be identified believes Victory will take the open position at Texas Tech University. “They are offering him tons of money and will essentially make him king of Lubbock, as if that’s something to write home about,” the source said. “Since the South is so crowded with stellar hoops programs, he may want some elbow room further West.” Victory joked with reporters during the most recent NCT that he’d change his last name to O’Victory to be the next coach of Notre Dame. While the comment seemed to be in jest there are some who believe the coach would love a chance to coach at such a prestigious school, which is currently looking for a new leader. “Digger Phelps and Jim Valvano were two of his biggest heroes,” said a former assistant coach. “He could say he followed in both of their footsteps if he now linked up with the Irish.” Some even believe Victory will trade ACC allegiances. North Carolina has pursued the coach strongly the past three seasons in its attempts to climb back to the forefront of the college basketball scene. “Tar Heel administrators can’t stand how far behind the school has fallen,” said UNC alum Scott Cherry, a player in the 1990s and now head of the Rams Club fund-raising group. “Basketball is the paramount sport here. If it means stealing away the coach who has built a nearby power in order for us to move back up, then so be it. We’ll offer him a mint to come to Chapel Hill.” Several Pac-10 schools made strong overtures to Victory during State’s recent play in the West Region of the NCT. Oregion, Arizona State, Cal and Washington State are all looking for new coaches. Kansas State of the Big 12 is also in the hunt for a new mentor. “We’d love to have him, but we’ve had no contact,” said KSU AD Bill Wilhelm. Those who believe he will retire site the fact that Victory’s kids are both going into college – on difference coasts. Stevie Junior will be a freshman shooting guard at College of Charleston this fall (fueling more rumors that the elder Victory will return there to coach his son). Stephanie Victory will play at San Diego State for Lianne Perry, who is trying to revive her coaching career after a series of scandals with East Coast schools. “He and his wife did buy a new RV from us a month ago,” said Cletus Coltraine of North Raleigh Auto Sales. For now, though, Victory is making everyone wait. The ball is in his court, and he’s clearly not inclined to say anything about his future until Thursday morning. “I just hope he doesn’t leave us,” said Rita Walter, a science professor at NCSU. “He’s awesome for the university and keeps the parties coming to Hillsborough Street.” There may be mourning on Hillsborough Street on Thursday, however. But then again, maybe not.