[Virginia Tech Athletics \ Dave Knachel]
Virginia Tech distributed copies of the Letter of Intent accepted by Justin Fuente prior to Monday's introductory press conference. Scans are below for posterity's sake and those who are interested in terms.
Section:
Comments
Hmm, that doesn't have the simplicity and straightforwardness of this document:
Yet only one of those letter writers is currently employed.
I find it interesting that he has full reign over the 9 assistants, considering VT already has a contract with Foster. It appears Fuente has full discretion on Foster's pay and the rest of his defensive staff.
I don't think this is out of the ordinary. The CEO should have full discretion.
damn, i wish my name had "go hokies!" in it.
I'm so happy by this, but at the same time feel a little sad that my last letter of intent had many fewer zeros in it.
Many fewer.
From this:
to this:
in 22 months. Its shocking how young our administration has gotten across the board in such a short amount of time. And the best part is that it appears the transition is only advancing how things are going. I keep going back to it, but it really is shocking what has happened to Virginia Tech over the last 2 years.
I thought we were expanding our recruiting staff, this letter doesn't seem to offer any additional funding in that regard
This is for his assistant coaches. Support staff is different.
Read further down, there is 420k set aside for a recruiting coordinator, strength and conditioning, video, and director of operations
I see now. Not sure where our current salaries for those positions fall so hard to say whether it is an increased effort in recruiting. Also, I'm not sure what else you are wanting with regards to staff for recruiting.
More than one non-coach assigned to recruiting that is for sure, check out this article from 2+ years ago https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1497618 Alabama has 20+ non coaching support staff.
nevermind...
Dang, no dental insurance? Counterpoint: all fees paid at the Blacksburg Country Club.
What kinda car do you guys think Fuente gets? He seems like a Nissan Maxima kinda guy. But I guess it's all dependent on who VT contracts with. Berglund?
He sounds like a Ford kind of guy...
One of these babies to coincide with the excitement Isaiah creates on the field
Not sure how well he'd fit in at the Country Club but otherwise that's spot on.
Well, it is the Blacksburg country club, so probably better than you'd think.
Heck - Fuente should get one of these... I mean, what is more badass than riding to work in a steamroller?
Too slow, Fuente's an up-tempo guy.
Reminds me of the old Roanoke times cartoon with a the Hokie player running over a couple of UVA players on a steamroller.
Damn I hope Fuente gets a big ass truck instead of a luxury car.
I. Want. Must. Have.
Beamer drives a Caddy (I know, I was disappointed that it wasn't a Beamer too). I could see Fuente in a Yukon. He needs the 3rd row for the 3 kids.
But keg
As a recent new owner of a 2016 Nissan Maxima, I guess maybe I'm in good company with Coach Fuente.
"Including, but not limited to..." As a state employee, I'd almost guarantee he has dental insurance.
I figured. Just made light of it for a joke. State benefits are too nice anyways, wish I got two cars /:
Nice, it disappoints me that we are following the trend of so much in the way of bonuses for achievement on field but minimal for achievement in the classroom. I fully understand that college ball is essentially the minor league for the NFL but 99% of the players don't make it there and will need their education in the future...
*Hops off soapbox
Great job Whit!
There is the annual $25k APR bonus, but it is most likely there just to cover the fact that there is no dental insurance. However, looking in the termination for good cause section it appears he can lose lots of bucks if he resorts to academic cheating and any other NCAA no-nos, so there is that. Can't say I disagree with your soapbox and also second the "Great job Whit!".
Coaches should get bonuses for on field achievement, professors should be getting the bonuses classroom achievement.
Now if he transfers he'll have to sit out a year.
Joe or other TKP staff if there is a QA with Whit in the future can the question about support staff be asked? Specially what is being done in house to get more eyes on recruits, evaluating tape and making relationships? It seems like a low budget for support staff of 420,000.
Thought we would be able to get this guy cheaper. More than doubling his salary and paying him more than Frank.
Frank was being paid about $1.5 million below market rate. At his own request.
You don't keep up with head coach salaries, do you? I thought we would have to approach 4 million annually to land a great one.
Sources pegged Fuente's new offer from Memphis a few weeks back as being comparable or greater than Tom Herman's recently approved at Houston which was ~$3M. So don't think there was possibility of getting him much cheaper.
The offer was just over Tubervilles 2.2 mil. and just under Hermans 3 mil. Something like 2.6 if I remember the article in the Commercial Appeal correctly. Also if I'm not mistaken that offer was extended before the Ole Miss win. I'm pretty certain Fuente felt this would be his last year at the UofM. I was asked today at lunch by a disgruntled Memphis fan how in the world a program like Memphis could join the ranks of the big boys if every coach with success jumps ship. I pointed out that this hasn't really been a problem around here since so few coaches have had success! It's awesome walking around in Hokies gear and having dozens of people tell you what a great coach we hired. Also pretty awesome just how much it seems Coach Fuente wanted this particular job.
Tell me someone else noticed the fact that right above Mr. Babcock's John Hancock the line reads:
"VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND UNIVERSITY"
Forgot the State... how does that slip through the cracks?
But anyway, super excited for him to be in Blacksburg
The State is implied - we've owned it for 12 years now.
Heyoooooo!
well done, sir
Does this make the deal null and void?
Only kidding!
Well, I think Justin will have plenty of money to buy a stadium full of Hokies pizza if (make that WHEN) we make the play-offs. (If you do not follow, Dabo promised this for Clemson last month)..:-)
http://makeagif.com/v5fJ0f#PT1FlA0Oxk0gERda.14
A new hype train has just pulled in to Blacksburg. Hop aboard everyone. TOOT TOOOOOOOOT!!!!!
Would love to see that $500,000.00 receipt from Memphis on Coach Fuentes expense report!
I was curious about Gentry, Chuck Cantor, etc. it was brought up in the presser about Ballein moving up to administration.
It will be interesting to see how Fuente fills these roles, or retains folks. I've been a big fan of Thomas Guerry, so hoping he gets to hang on.
Looks like Gentry is gone
Really hoping Coach Gentry, Ferguson, and Ryan Shuman get retained as strength coaches. Widely known in the collegiate circles that VT has one of the best strength departments in the country.. led by a hall of fame coach in Gentry. Would be a huge mistake by Fuente to not keep them.
Looks like gentyr is gone
How'd you come to that?
https://twitter.com/K_Gochenour
Who is this guy?
Also anyone catch his retweet of the worst Hokie ever in the stream?
I personally thought the Marcus tweet was hysterical. I mean the dude has made some questionable decisions in his past but he showed he can have a sense of humor about it.
I also find it hysterical, because he probably genuinely thinks he could do that.
How does this work?
A couple of questions for anyone to answer.
1) Does Tech not already have someone already in all these positions?
2) Why are only 4 staff positions listed? I assumed these staffs were MUCH bigger
3) Is this compensation level normal?
There are certainly more staff working under those people. These are just the ones Fuente has a say in hiring. The rest probably just go through the AD. I think we have all those positions, but I suspect like coaches, Fuente can either try to retain who we have or hire new people.