Hokies add Dale Layer to Basketball Staff

The Virginia Tech basketball coaching staff has a new addition for the 2018-19 season. The program has added Dale Layer as a special assistant to the head coach, Buzz Williams announced this morning. Layer joins the Hokies after serving as an assistant at Mercer last season. Prior to Mercer, Layer served as the head coach at Liberty for six seasons, leading the Flames to the NCAA Tournament in 2013. He has coached numerous teams throughout NCAA Division I and Division II and had one stop in the NBA G League with the Greensboro Swarm. Virginia Tech will be the third program at which Layer and Williams have coached together. Williams served as an assistant on Layer’s staff at Colorado State from 2000-2004 before their roles were reversed at Marquette for the 2008 season. “First of all, I am honored to be a Hokie,” Layer said in a press release. “Secondly, I am thankful to be back re-connected with Coach Williams and his family. This is my third time working with him and I have grown in my admiration of him over the years. Hopefully, I can add value to the team in my new role.” Layer got his start in coaching as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Division II Eckerd College. He later served as the head coach at Queens University for 10 years before accepting an assistant position under Ritchie McKay at Colorado State. When McKay left in 2000, Layer was promoted to head coach, bringing Williams in as an assistant. The Rams made the NCAA tournament in 2003, finishing 19-14 and sixth in the Mountain West Conference. When Williams was hired as head coach at Marquette in 2008, he named Layer an assistant coach. The Golden Eagles finished the season 25-10, making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Williams said in a press release that he is happy to have the opportunity to work with Layer again. “I am pleased to be able to add Coach Layer to our staff.” Williams said. “This is the third time we have worked together and each time he has provided great insight, not just to basketball, but to life. He is one of the best people I know and his experience, wisdom and basketball knowledge will be a valuable addition to this program.”