College football hot seat: 10 head coaches feeling the heat in 2021
3. Justin Fuente (Virginia Tech)
You don’t want to be the guy who replaces the guy and Justin Fuente is that guy.
Ever since taking over for legend Frank Beamer, Fuente has been doing “OK” but just “OK” should not be good enough for a program like Virginia Tech.
Outside of Clemson, the ACC continues to remain wide open. However, Virginia Tech has failed to take advantage of the opportunity to establish themselves as the second-best team in the conference and at least be a threat to the Tigers.
Instead, Fuente is 38-26 at Blacksburg and finished last year with a 5-6 record. The Hokies opted not to go to a bowl game, and even though it was their decision, their absence still goes on Fuente’s record after Virginia Tech’s streak of 27 consecutive bowl appearances was snapped.
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Recruiting also has been underwhelming lately and rival Virginia is no longer a pushover after finally beating the Hokies in 2019.
The fear among fans is that the school located in the backwoods of Virginia which Beamer elevated to a national brand is starting to slip into the background of the college football landscape.
Virginia Tech’s athletic department was expected to face an $18.6 million budget shortfall at the end of last year, and Fuente’s buyout stands at $10 million.
Even so, Fuente’s seat is en fuego going into next season.