Justin Fuente named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week.

Justin Fuente was named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week. It goes to a "football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity." #Hokies— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) September 7, 2021

Dodd Trophy release

ATLANTA (Sept. 7, 2021) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl today announced that Virginia Tech head football coach Justin Fuente has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week presented by PNC.

The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

The Virginia Tech Hokies secured a top-10 win defeating No. 10 North Carolina 17-10 in the conference and season opener for both teams. The Hokies defense had six sacks, forced three turnovers, and limited the Tarheels to only 10 points and a 2-10 mark on third downs. Junior Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister threw for a touchdown and contributed one on the ground to lead the Hokies on offense.

"This was a marquee victory to open the season and conference play for Coach Fuente and the Hokies," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "Coach Dodd would have admired such a dominating defensive performance against one of the nation's premiere quarterbacks."

Fuente is now in his fifth season with the Hokies after being named the head coach at Virginia Tech in 2016. In his first year in Blacksburg, he led the Hokies to an ACC Coastal Division title and was named ACC coach of the year. In his first four seasons at Virginia Tech, he has secured the second-most wins (33) of any other active ACC head coach in their first four full seasons, trailing only Clemson's Dabo Swiney (36). Since Fuente arrived in Blacksburg, the only ACC schools with more wins over that span are Clemson (65) and Miami (40). His win over North Carolina also marked his sixth victory against a top-25 opponent as head coach of the Hokies.

Off the football field, Fuente has led the Hokies to an impressive Academic Progress Rate of 958 in the classroom. He also had six players named to the All-ACC Football Academic team last season.

In the community, Fuente recently made a large donation of $10,000 to the Carilion Foundation COVID-19 fund. He also led Junior OL Brock Hoffman on the 2021 Wueffrel Award Watch List for the premier community service award in college football. Hoffman under Fuente's guide has also been named to AFCA Good Works Team for the Year 2021.

"Coach Fuente has been a great leader during his time in Blacksburg, both on and off the field," said Gary Stokan, CEO and president of Peach Bowl, Inc. "His commitment to his player's academic excellence, along with his community involvement and the community service of his players speaks volumes to the type of role model he truly is."

The Dodd Trophy presented by PNC - along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2021 season. The winner of the 2021 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of this year's Chick-fil-A Peach Bow