My fear is that Virginia Tech football is basically irrelevant outside of Virginia. Beamer built the program into what most would argue to be a national name. We had talented players and played in big, national games. Towards the end of Beamer’s career, we were quickly trending in the opposite direction. It was clearly time for Beamer to go, and we needed someone to pick up the slack and continue building on the foundation that Beamer had constructed. The hope was, the new coach could take the program over the hump and, at the very least, lead us to victories in those big bowl games we always seemed to not show up to.

Well, three years in, it looks like more of the same. We have not had an influx of talent. The offense looks like anything but dynamic and innovative. We are losing to (and getting waxed) by inferior opponents. The team looks tired, uninspired, and downright undisciplined at times. Frankly, the product on the field is not providing rays of sunshine and hope.

We live in a very, very dynamic sports world. That means, what have you done for me lately? VT has not done much for anyone (outside of VA) lately, and I am afraid we are losing (if we haven’t already) our seat at the major player table of college football. And that is sad. I also think it should not happen. This team and the overall football program has just lost its identity over time. We are no longer that blue collar punch you in the nose school. We are no longer that, “they are talented but a bunch of thugs” school. We are just another college team that plays on Saturday and may or may not win.

Coach Fuente may turn things around from this season, but to what end? Will winning 8 games next season be awesome because we won 5 or 6 this season? The answer should be “no.” However, I am afraid it will be “yes, absolutely.” I have said it many times, Coach Fuente is a good coach, but he isn’t the guy that is going to take this program to the next level. He never was. He was a very safe hire because he is a football guy and embraced the Hokie culture, but, we are seeing how non-dynamic he is at the Power 5 level.

In sum, if you are expecting 10 win seasons and major bowl victories, I don’t think you will get them from Coach Fuente. If you are happy with 8 win seasons and lower tier bowl victories, he is likely your guy.



[Post edited by Hubman at 11/05/2018 12:59PM]