Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach Mike Young announced Tuesday that Nelson Hernandez will be joining the Hokies as the program’s general manager. Hernandez arrives in Blacksburg from West Virginia, where he served as the director of player personnel/recruiting last season.
Hernandez has deep recruiting ties and will be an invaluable asset as Tech prepares to move into this next chapter of college athletics. In his role, he will oversee key operational areas such as working closely with Triumph NIL, managing revenue-sharing strategies for the men’s basketball program and aligning resources to support student-athletes both on and off the court. He is also reunited with Chester Frazier and Amani Hansberry, who both came to Tech after one season at WVU.
“Bringing Nelson on board as our general manager is a tremendous addition to our program," said Young. "The college athletics landscape is changing rapidly, and having someone with Nelson's experience, vision and organizational strength is critical as we navigate this new era. He’s going to be instrumental in helping us build our roster and sustain success—on the court, in the locker room and throughout the entire program.”
While in Morgantown, Hernandez helped guide the Mountaineers to a 19-13 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Big 12 play, narrowly missing the NCAA tournament. He also helped assemble the No. 23-ranked recruiting class in the country for 2025.
"I’m incredibly excited to join Coach Young and the VT men’s basketball program in this new capacity," Hernandez said. "Virginia Tech is a special place with a passionate fan base and a strong foundation. I’m looking forward to helping elevate the program in every way I can—supporting our student-athletes, maximizing opportunities in the NIL and revenue-sharing space, and working alongside a great staff as we navigate the future of college basketball together."
Hernandez brings over a decade of Division I experience across multiple roles. Prior to his time at West Virginia, he was the director of player development at Oklahoma State (2023-24), an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Fresno State (2022-23), director of basketball operations at LSU (2017-22) and VCU (2016-17), director of player development at Wright State (2015-16), and video coordinator at Clemson (2014-15) and Utah State (2010-14).
A Brooklyn native, Hernandez received his bachelor’s degree at Utah State in 2013 and completed his master’s degree in education in 2018.
Throughout his career, Hernandez has focused on mentoring youth and building relationships that strengthen communities and elevate the organizations he’s been part of.
In 2011, he created and produced the award-winning basketball documentary Off The Rez, which followed Louisville women’s basketball guards Shoni and Jude Schimmel. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, aired on TLC, appeared in several prominent festivals, and was broadcast during the 2013 NCAA Women’s Final Four on ESPN.
Hernandez has deep recruiting ties and will be an invaluable asset as Tech prepares to move into this next chapter of college athletics. In his role, he will oversee key operational areas such as working closely with Triumph NIL, managing revenue-sharing strategies for the men’s basketball program and aligning resources to support student-athletes both on and off the court. He is also reunited with Chester Frazier and Amani Hansberry, who both came to Tech after one season at WVU.
“Bringing Nelson on board as our general manager is a tremendous addition to our program," said Young. "The college athletics landscape is changing rapidly, and having someone with Nelson's experience, vision and organizational strength is critical as we navigate this new era. He’s going to be instrumental in helping us build our roster and sustain success—on the court, in the locker room and throughout the entire program.”
While in Morgantown, Hernandez helped guide the Mountaineers to a 19-13 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Big 12 play, narrowly missing the NCAA tournament. He also helped assemble the No. 23-ranked recruiting class in the country for 2025.
"I’m incredibly excited to join Coach Young and the VT men’s basketball program in this new capacity," Hernandez said. "Virginia Tech is a special place with a passionate fan base and a strong foundation. I’m looking forward to helping elevate the program in every way I can—supporting our student-athletes, maximizing opportunities in the NIL and revenue-sharing space, and working alongside a great staff as we navigate the future of college basketball together."
Hernandez brings over a decade of Division I experience across multiple roles. Prior to his time at West Virginia, he was the director of player development at Oklahoma State (2023-24), an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Fresno State (2022-23), director of basketball operations at LSU (2017-22) and VCU (2016-17), director of player development at Wright State (2015-16), and video coordinator at Clemson (2014-15) and Utah State (2010-14).
A Brooklyn native, Hernandez received his bachelor’s degree at Utah State in 2013 and completed his master’s degree in education in 2018.
Throughout his career, Hernandez has focused on mentoring youth and building relationships that strengthen communities and elevate the organizations he’s been part of.
In 2011, he created and produced the award-winning basketball documentary Off The Rez, which followed Louisville women’s basketball guards Shoni and Jude Schimmel. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, aired on TLC, appeared in several prominent festivals, and was broadcast during the 2013 NCAA Women’s Final Four on ESPN.