The Virginia Tech Hokies did not wait long to move on from the Frank Beamer Era.
On Sunday, Virginia Tech announced the hire of Memphis' Justin Fuente as its next head coach.
Fuente, 39, is considered one of the top up-and-coming coach candidates after leading Memphis into the AP top-25 this season. Despite a late-season losing streak, the Tigers are bowl eligible and could reach 10 wins for the second straight season after Fuente inherited a program that posted a 3-21 record under previous head coach Larry Porter.
A former TCU assistant under Gary Patterson, Fuente's hire could be considered a nod to an offensive transition at Virginia Tech, which has struggled to score points in recent years, as he's developed the likes of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and highly touted Memphis QB prospect Paxton Lynch.
Virginia Tech joined a laundry list of major coaching openings when Beamer announced his retirement midseason, joining the likes of Miami, Maryland, Missouri, South Carolina and Southern California — and with more jobs potentially opening up in the coming weeks, the Hokies quickly filled their position.
Longtime Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster and Beamer's son, Shane, who serves as associate head coach, will remain on staff.
The Hokies reached bowl eligiblity for the 23rd straight season under Beamer with a 23-20 win over rival Virginia on Saturday.
