BLACKSBURG – Justin Fuente’s 2016 ended with him taking a Gatorade shower, kissing his daughters on the cheek, and hoisting a beautiful crystal trophy that only goes to the winner of the Belk Bowl.
As first years go, this was one pretty special for Fuente. The Hokies won 10 games, claimed the ACC’s Coastal Division title, notched their third straight bowl win and rallied from 24 points down to beat Arkansas in the Belk Bowl.
Fuente – the ACC Coach of the Year – his staff and the players accomplished all of this while transitioning from the previous philosophies of former head coach Frank Beamer, who retired at the conclusion of the 2015 season.