Virginia Tech fans do not have fond memories of Justin Fuente. Hired in late 2015 to replace the legendary Frank Beamer, things started hot for Fuente. The Hokies went 10-4 in his first season, winning the ACC’s Coastal Division before falling in the championship game. Virginia Tech defeated Arkansas in the Belk Bowl.
He was named ACC Coach of the Year.
In 2017, Fuente led Tech to a 9-4 record, and the old adage about replacing a legend didn’t appear to be a concern for the Hokies.
That’s where it fell
apart, and Fuente could never recover. His record over the next four seasons: 6-7, 8-5, 5-6, 5-5 (fired late in 2021). The mediocrity of Fuente’s tenure doesn’t tell the entire story. Recruiting got worse every year, reaching an embarrassing low in 2020, which was the worst class for the Hokies in the modern era. The 2021 class wasn’t much better. He had essentially stopped recruiting Virginia high schools and was not well-liked by the state’s coaches.
So, thanks to athletic director Whit Babcock’s decision to extend Fuente, the failed coach left with a nice chunk of change. Essentially, Fuente didn’t need to work unless he wanted to work.
After sitting out the 2022 season, Fuente allegedly joined Tom Allen and Indiana as an offensive analyst in October 2023, something he contradicted. Fuente said he was offered a position, but declined. Indiana fired Allen after that season and hired Curt Cignetti to replace him, and enjoyed a breakthrough season.
So, according to Fuente, he hasn’t coached since leaving Blacksburg. He does, however, have a new job.
Fuente was recently hired to serve as the lead color analyst for all of TCU’s games.
“TCU has always been a special place for me and my family,” Fuente said, via the team’s website. “I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the game that I love while partnering with this outstanding broadcast family.”
He spoke to Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and opened up about why he’s not exactly looking to coach again anytime soon.
“It’s not 100 percent of it, but I’d say it’s that, and the other large part of it is where I am at with my family with our three girls,” Fuente told Engel regarding the changes in college football, such as the explosion of the transfer portal and NIL. “I missed so many things over the years with (his children).”
You can’t blame him there. College football went from zero to 100. There are no regulations. That’s a problem, and who do you trust to make things fair?
Does he want to return?
“The current state of things I am not super interested (to coach) in,” said the soon-to-be 49-year-old Fuente. “It’s just such a big commitment with the players, and the basis of the relationship now is purely transactional.”
This era is not for everyone, and kudos for Fuente admitting it’s not for him. Virginia Tech fans do not feel for Fuente, though. Our friend Treadmill Horse on X had the perfect response, summing up how many Hokie fans feel.
He wasn’t super interested in coaching when he was here either https://t.co/RMHD3l0KVh
— Treadmill Horse (@treadmillhorse) July 21, 2025
It sure sounds like the Hokies paid for Fuente’s retirement.
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