Justin Fuente: Virginia Tech to name Memphis coach as Frank Beamer’s successor

The Virginia Tech Hokies are expected to name Memphis Tigers head coach Justin Fuente as the successor to Frank Beamer in Blacksburg.

Justin Fuente has been one of the hottest names on the coaching carousel in a year when there have been double-digit openings before the season even ended. The Memphis head coach is coming off a 10-win season and built the team into a ranked team for much of this year, including a win over the Ole Miss Rebels and now Fuente is ready to cash in on a bigger job.

According to Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated, Virginia Tech is expected to name Fuente as their head coach to replace the retiring Frank Beamer.

According to Brody Logan, a sports reported out of Washington D.C. tweets Virginia Tech will make the announcement next week. But he also adds veteran defensive coordinator Bud Foster will be retained by Fuente, which is a pretty significant coup for Fuente to keep one of the best coordinators in college football on the staff.

And the good news keeps on coming for Virginia Tech with ESPN’s Brett McMurphy reporting Shane Beamer will also stay on staff. Pretty great job by Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock to get his man in Fuente and to keep Foster and the younger Beamer around.

Fuente is 26-23 in four years at Memphis after winning Saturday’s season finale against SMU where quarterback Paxton Lynch threw seven touchdowns — in the first half — to beat SMU, 63-0.

Fuente’s developing of Fuente who is arguably the best quarterback prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft should attract some high-profile recruits to want to play for him at Virginia Tech.

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The recruiting landscape for the Hokies is one of the better footprints to work with outside of Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and California and hiring Fuente would be a good way to capitalize on the available talent in the Virginia/DMV area.