Liberty Set to Re-Hire Ritchie McKay

There probably hasn't been a coaching search this year with more speculation around it then Liberty's search for a new head coach. Jeff Meyer, Lavelle Moton, Bobby Lutz and others were all associated with the job and Mercer's Bob Hoffman was even on campus yesterday. In the end it was a blast from the Flames' past that brought UVA assistant Ritchie McKay back to the Vines Center.

McKay was the head man in Lynchburg for two seasons from 2007 to 2009. He abruptly left the Flames to join Tony Bennett's staff at Virginia which resulted in a huge exodus in talent from a team that went 23-12 in the 2008-09 season, including Seth Curry and his transfer to Duke.

McKay came to Liberty after stints at New Mexico, Oregon State, and Portland State. He's been instrumental in Virginia's rise to national prominence over the past few seasons.

While this does look to be a great hire for the Flames given the track he seemingly had them on six years ago, it is met with a bit of doubt. First there is the perception that Liberty whiffed on candidates and McKay was not Jeff Barber's first choice and then there is the aspect of the Flames using a search firm to simply land on their prior head coach.

Regardless of how Liberty got here, the Flames should return to be very competitive in the Big South. Look for a complete roster overhaul in Lynchburg.