Virginia head coach Mike London, left, and Virginia Tech head coach…
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The 39-year-old Fuente was introduced as the Hokies’ next coach on Monday.
This year, the Tigers are 9-3 and bowl-bound again, though Fuente will not be there to coach them in that game.
The situation didn’t just play out how Tech wanted it, getting their top choice and retaining Foster, but it was also the ideal situation for Fuente who had just as much interest in taking the job.
Fuente spent the past four seasons at Memphis, where he inherited a program that had gone 5-31 over three years.
“We all know you don’t replace a legend in coaching”. The Hokies’ 23-20 victory at Virginia on Saturday was the 279th of his career. “He possesses wisdom beyond his years, as well as a refreshing sense of humility and a calm confidence”.
The school made the announcement Sunday, bringing a quick end to its search to replace the retiring Frank Beamer after 29 seasons. The streak included a 37-24 victory against No. 13 MS this October 17. Memphis has average 42 points a game the last two seasons.
But Babcock also said he trusts Fuente’s raw ability – the young coach turned Memphis around after inheriting just 51 scholarship players his first year in 2012 and developed under-recruited quarterback Paxton Lynch into a top National Football League prospect.
Fuente said he doesn’t expect to have his coaching staff finalized until after the bowl season. When Virginia Tech reached out, however, his interest was piqued. This is absolutely the job I was interested in. “I enjoyed that chapter and the success we’ve had, however, I am equally excited for the next chapter and working for Justin”. “One of the attractive draws about this opportunity was I believed that hopefully it potentially came with the best defensive coordinator in all of America”. Its current staff under Beamer will remain in their offices throughout bowl preparations and will be limited to on-field coaching, with the exception of Foster and anyone else who may be retained under Fuente.
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Right now, Fuente’s biggest drawback is his lack of regional recruiting ties – an area in which Beamer and his staff excelled.
