From mgoblog.com:
Virginia Tech
Moving on after losing the longest-tenured head coach in college football – a guy who’s synonymous with the program – is usually difficult, but Virginia Tech quickly moved on one of the coaching carousel’s hottest names, hiring Justin Fuente away from Memphis. Fuente had inherited one of the most moribund programs in the country and within a few years, had built it into one of the best Group of 5 teams, led by prolific quarterback and first round draft pick Paxton Lynch. Fuente’s expertise is on the offensive side of the ball; over the past few years in Blacksburg, the offense was often too inept to take advantage of typically good defenses. That should change somewhat this year – while Fuente didn’t turn the Memphis offense around overnight, he has some promising pieces and more general talent at Virginia Tech. Wide receiver Isaiah Ford is the headliner, as he managed 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns receiving while in a Scot Loeffler offense. Fuente brought in JUCO QB Jerod Evans, who will compete with part-time starter Brendan Motley – both are mobile quarterbacks. Tech also boasts one of the most experienced lines in the country.
Interestingly, Fuente was able to retain Bud Foster, the defensive coordinator who helped Beamer build the best team in Virginia Tech history. Foster had always been named a head coaching candidate – for other schools and as Beamer’s eventual replacement – and never took a lateral move to be the coordinator at another school; Tech opted for an up-and-comer with head coaching experience and Foster decided that he was comfortable in Blacksburg with his current role, even with a new boss. While the Hokie defense wasn’t quite up to its usual standard last season – look no further than the 55-52 bowl win over Tulsa, which saw over a hundred total points in regulation – inexperience, particularly in the secondary, was a big reason why. Foster defenses are typically quite good, and it would be a surprise not to see some improvement this year. Depending on how quickly Fuente can resurrect the offense, VT could contend in the Coastal as early as 2016.
Virginia Tech
Moving on after losing the longest-tenured head coach in college football – a guy who’s synonymous with the program – is usually difficult, but Virginia Tech quickly moved on one of the coaching carousel’s hottest names, hiring Justin Fuente away from Memphis. Fuente had inherited one of the most moribund programs in the country and within a few years, had built it into one of the best Group of 5 teams, led by prolific quarterback and first round draft pick Paxton Lynch. Fuente’s expertise is on the offensive side of the ball; over the past few years in Blacksburg, the offense was often too inept to take advantage of typically good defenses. That should change somewhat this year – while Fuente didn’t turn the Memphis offense around overnight, he has some promising pieces and more general talent at Virginia Tech. Wide receiver Isaiah Ford is the headliner, as he managed 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns receiving while in a Scot Loeffler offense. Fuente brought in JUCO QB Jerod Evans, who will compete with part-time starter Brendan Motley – both are mobile quarterbacks. Tech also boasts one of the most experienced lines in the country.
Interestingly, Fuente was able to retain Bud Foster, the defensive coordinator who helped Beamer build the best team in Virginia Tech history. Foster had always been named a head coaching candidate – for other schools and as Beamer’s eventual replacement – and never took a lateral move to be the coordinator at another school; Tech opted for an up-and-comer with head coaching experience and Foster decided that he was comfortable in Blacksburg with his current role, even with a new boss. While the Hokie defense wasn’t quite up to its usual standard last season – look no further than the 55-52 bowl win over Tulsa, which saw over a hundred total points in regulation – inexperience, particularly in the secondary, was a big reason why. Foster defenses are typically quite good, and it would be a surprise not to see some improvement this year. Depending on how quickly Fuente can resurrect the offense, VT could contend in the Coastal as early as 2016.
