Justin Fuente and Family Ready to "Win Some Games, Baby"

Whit Babcock had found his man, and he knew it. Not one to dilly-dally, Babcock told Justin Fuente the Virginia Tech job was his if he wanted it. And Justin Fuente wanted it.

But before Fuente could pull the trigger, he knew he needed his wife's stamp of approval.

"Let's win some games, baby," exclaimed Jenny Fuente.

And with that, Babcock found a coach — and a family — to build upon the foundation that Frank Beamer laid in Blacksburg over the past 29 years.

Fuente, who parts ways with Memphis after leading the Tigers to two of the most successful seasons in school history, was formally introduced as the Hokies' head coach this morning. With his wife and their three daughters sitting in the front row, Fuente made it known that Virginia Tech was his first and only choice.

"This is absolutely the job that I was interested in," said Fuente. "...I had no interest in anything else. Just this. Because of what it has been and what it can be and the community that comes along with it."

Fuente received a six-year contract that will pay him $500,000 in base salary annually, along with supplemental compensation that will increase from $2.7 million to $3.15 million during the span of the deal.

Prior to resurrecting a Memphis program that had just 51 scholarship players upon his arrival, Fuente spent five years at TCU under Gary Patterson and led the Horned Frogs' spread-based attack as offensive coordinator from 2009-2011. Widely considered one of the top offensive minds in college football, Fuente will bring a dynamic, up-tempo offense to Blacksburg. And even though Fuente's offenses consistently light up the scoreboard, the 39 year old coach said his goals on offense are actually far simpler.

"There's a lot of coaches out there that want to lead the country in total offense, no matter what. That's not what I believe in. I believe in trying to win the game," said Fuente. "...That being said, we want to change the tempo. That doesn't mean we want to go at such a speed that we hang the defensive side of the ball out to dry so to speak...But we do wanna control the tempo. We have been a run the ball first team. We have made big plays through play action pass, moving the pocket and getting the ball on the perimeter. That's what we'll continue to try to do."

Fuente's coaching staff remains a work in progress, but it was confirmed today that Bud Foster, Holman Wiggins, and James Shibest will be a part of the new regime. Foster needs no introduction, but Wiggins, the wide receivers coach at Memphis under Fuente, and Shibest, formerly the Tigers' special teams coordinator / tight ends coach, will be new faces roaming the sidelines of Lane Stadium.

Clearly understanding the premium placed on special teams in Blacksburg, Fuente singled out Shibest as a coach who will build on the success of Beamer's "Pride and Joy" units.

"I'm oftly proud of what we've done at the University of Memphis on special teams. And that's part of the reason James Shibest is standing in this room right now," said Fuente. "He's been our special teams coordinator. He's been a special teams coordinator in the Southeastern Conference for many years. I think you all will be excited to see him go to work."

Even though Foster didn't get the dream job he may have hoped for, the Hokies' longtime defensive coordinator seemed genuinely excited to team up with an offensive mind like Fuente, calling Babcock's hiring of Fuente an "excellent choice."

"Obviously we've been in an offense here that's been more of a pro-style, more ball control," said Foster. "...I'm gonna learn a lot from having to defend a spread type offense, an up-tempo offense (in practice). I think picking their brain offensively, what gives them problems. We can improve from some things. I think it's gonna be a great fit."

Fuente insinuated that as bowl season wraps up, additional Memphis assistants will make the transition to Blacksburg. But with both team's postseasons still in front of them, Fuente is weary of poaching too many of the Tigers' resources.

"Both teams, it's kind of a unique situation, both teams are playing in a bowl game. I want to make sure I pay due respect to the University of Memphis by making sure they have enough guys there to win their bowl game because I want them to go win," said Fuente. "But I also know I need to move forward at this aspect, too. There will be some guys that will stay there the entire time until they're done and then we'll bring them aboard."

For now, Fuente will jump right into recruiting as he hopes to finish out the Class of 2016 on a strong note. But when Fuente isn't on the recruiting trail, he'll be able to observe the Hokies' bowl practices and get acquainted with the team he'll inherit come January.

"I think it's an awesome benefit," said Fuente. "To be around, to see, watch the kids interact and get a chance, quite honestly, not be in charge of it but be able to sit back and just observe and watch. I think it's a huge advantage. I really do. I'm excited about it."

Much of Fuente's recruiting experience has come a long ways from Southwest Virginia, but the former Murray State quarterback isn't worried about developing relationships throughout the region.

"We will hire great people. People always win out," said Fuente. "It doesn't matter what part of the country you're in, when you hire great people, they'll do a great job and other people recognize that."

Fuente laid out the three underlying themes that he believes a program should be built on — mentoring young men, player development and recruiting. And while Fuente was certainly passionate about the first two, his voice perked up for the third and final pillar.

"We've gotta recruit," said Fuente. "We've gotta bring good young people to this community. That all starts in the state of Virginia. We have to do a great job in this state in order to continue this program along. And we will."

Despite head coaching vacancies sprinkled throughout college football, Fuente wanted to be nowhere else but Blacksburg. Sure, part of that was likely inheriting Bud Foster, one of football's finest defensive minds. But more importantly, Fuente takes over a program that's he come to deeply respect.

"I've admired this program from afar for many years," said Fuente. "On television, the way the players have played. The way the fans have cheered. The traditions. The wins. The losses. The facilities. The support. The league changes. And I've always wanted to be a part of something like that."

"The thing about this job is that it comes with all of those things, wrapped up in a community that I cannot wait to raise my three girls in," added Fuente.