Memphis’ Justin Fuente was hired to succeed Frank Beamer as Virginia Tech’s football coach, becoming the Hokies’ first new coach since the 1980s.
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The Tigers went 10-3 last season and are heading to a bowl game with a 9-3 mark this season.
Virginia Tech has landed its next coach in Justin Fuente, the school announced Sunday.
The Memphis athletics director attempted to put Tigers fans at ease, with a sudden football head coaching vacancy.
He inherits one of the better situations in the ACC, though Virginia Tech has not played for a conference title since 2012.
Fuente says, “We all know you don’t replace a legend in coaching”.
“There are many, many candidates interested in this job”.
The statement also said that Fuente has asked Bud Foster to remain the Hokies’ defensive coordinator, and Foster has agreed to continue in that capacity for Virginia Tech. It will be the Hokies’ 23rd consecutive season ending in a bowl game.
Fuente was the head coach at Memphis for four years, with an overall record of 26-23 (17-15 in conference play). Memphis had not been to a bowl game since 2008.
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Fuente said he wasn’t actively job hunting when Virginia Tech contacted him, but interest was mutual from the first time he and Babcock met. Memphis has scored an average of 40.8 points per game behind junior quarterback Paxton Lynch, a Unitas Award finalist, which recognizes the top fourth-year quarterback in the country. “This is an opportunity – a great opportunity for Coach Fuente and his family, and a great opportunity for Memphis football, our student-athletes and the future of our program”. He mentioned Schiano and Rhule as well along with Ken Niumatalolo (current coach at Navy), Jeff Brohm (current coach at Western Kentucky), and Scott Frost (offensive coordinator at Oregon). Fuente is an ideal fit, with the match being even better should he keep Foster on his staff, as Foster has always been one of the nation’s most respected defensive coordinators. Coach Fuente has displayed tremendous talent in evaluating players and developing young men as they strive to reach their full potential. Advertise on AFP Get information on AFP readership and advertising online with us.
