ACC Football: 5 storylines to watch in spring 2019
By Dana Becker
4. Justin Fuente, Hokies need 2019 rebound
Once spring practice begins for Virginia Tech, it will be a welcome sight after an offseason loaded with players leaving the program and coaches doing the same. Justin Fuente remains in charge, but the pain of 6-7 season that ended with a loss to Cincinnati remains fresh on the minds of everybody.
Fuente will rely on returning starter Ryan Willis to lead the offense. Willis, a senior, is expected to hold off prized recruit Quincy Patterson, who redshirted last year. Willis threw for over 2,700 yards with 24 touchdowns, adding another 354 yards and four scores on the ground.
When he was hired following back-to-back strong seasons at Memphis, it appeared Fuente was a perfect match for the Hokies. He won 10 games, including the Belk Bowl and ACC Coastal title, in 2016, and followed that up with a 9-4 season. But the wheels have fallen off and something needs to happen in a good way to get Virginia Tech back on track.
Virginia Tech also recently reported several infractions within the program, continuing what has been an offseason to forget.