College football Power 5 head coach fired
Another Power 5 college football head coach has been fired.
Virginia Tech announced Tuesday morning that head coach Justin Fuente has been fired after 6 seasons.
Hokies Athletic Director Whit Babcock announced the firing in a release from the school.
“We sincerely appreciate the contributions that Coach Fuente made to our football program and the positive impact he made on our student-athletes during his time at Virginia Tech,” Babcock said. “While it is never easy to make a change, I believe in order for our football program to attain the type of sustained success that is expected at Virginia Tech, the time was right for new leadership of our football program.
“Virginia Tech is one of the most attractive football jobs in America, competing in one of the nation’s premier conferences, the ACC,” Babcock continued. “I’m extremely confident that we’ll be able to identify and hire a new head coach who can build on our rich history and winning tradition.”
During Fuente’s tenure, the Hokies were 43-31 overall, including 28-20 in ACC play. Fuente came to Virginia Tech from Memphis, where he compiled a 26-23 record. During his last 2 years at Memphis, Fuente finished 19-6.
Fuente had 1 10-win season in Blacksburg in 2016, the first year he took over. The following season in 2017, Fuente finished 9-4, and Virginia Tech never won more than 8 games during the final 4 years of his tenure. In 2021, Fuente’s Hokies are just 5-5 overall.
Defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator JC Price will serve as interim coach for the final 2 games against Miami and Virginia.
Fuente also released a statement via the Virginia Tech’s release, thanking the university, leadership and fans.
“On behalf of Jenny and our family, I would like to thank President Sands, Whit and the entire Virginia Tech community for extending me the opportunity to lead this football program for six seasons,” Fuente said.
“To the many incredible young men that I had the privilege to coach, so many of you have made a lasting impact on our family. I can’t thank you enough for your dedication and your commitment to doing your very best, whether that was on the field, in the classroom or in your personal lives.”