Galen Scott Will Join Justin Fuente's Staff at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech officially announced Galen Scott's addition to Justin Fuente's 2016 coaching staff. Scott will serve as the Hokies' linebackers coach. Prior to Scott's hiring, Bud Foster coached Tech's inside linebackers in addition to his duties as defensive coordinator, and Cornell Brown coached Tech's whip linebackers. Now it seems Scott will coach all of the linebackers.

(FootballScoop reported the news on Saturday, Tech's official release dropped Monday.)

We're pleased to round out our coaching staff with the addition of Galen Scott," Fuente said in a release. "Coach Scott will be a solid complement to Coach (Bud) Foster and the rest of our defensive staff. Galen has been instrumental in developing opportunistic defenses and award-winning players throughout his career. I know he's excited to help build on the tradition of great defense that has been established at Virginia Tech."

Scott spent six seasons at Memphis (Justin Fuente's only holdover from previous HC Larry Porter's staff). He coached the Tigers' linebackers since 2010 and was promoted to defensive coordinator following the 2014 season after then-DC Barry Odom accepted the same position at Missouri. In a Q&A \ exit interview with The Commercial Appeal, Odom was quite complimentary of Scott's coaching acumen.

Q: The University of Memphis was your first opportunity to be a defensive coordinator. How prepared were you for the responsibility and what did you learn?

A: The staff that Justin has put together there is as good as there is in America. Galen Scott will do an unbelievable job coordinating the defense. It was our defense, it wasn't my defense. Our defensive room was right. Everybody brought something to the table. My name got too much credit for the job we did. Having good people helps out a first-time defensive coordinator.

Q: You spoke highly throughout your time at Memphis about the coaching ability of Galen Scott, who takes over for you as defensive coordinator. What qualities does he bring to his new position?

A: What he brings to the table are leadership skills, No. 1. His football IQ is off the charts. I've said it before, but I think he is one of the best coaches in America. He will put his stamp on that defense and will continue, schematically, some of the things we've done the last couple of years and add his own flavor. He has all the tools and the guys already respect him. He will step in on Day 1 and do an outstanding, outstanding job."

Scott and Fuente were both assistants at Illinois State from 2001-06. He also played matchmaker for Justin and Jenny Funete.

The two were roommates for much of their time together at Illinois State, and Scott was actually the person who introduced Fuente to his wife, Jenny. Fuente and Scott are close friends, but perhaps more importantly, they trust each other and their respective coaching abilities. So when Fuente became the head coach at Memphis in 2012, the decision to retain Scott was easy. The decision to promote him to defensive coordinator this winter wasn't a head-scratcher, either.

"It was obvious. Everybody knew," Fuente said. "He's played a huge role in our past success, defensively, and I say that with no disrespect to Barry. Barry did a fantastic job. But Galen was right there every step of the way. He has the ear of the team. He's done it before. It was just an easy, obvious choice."

Scott is an Orlando, FL native who with the Tigers was responsible for recruiting Memphis, Atlanta and Florida.