Fuente focusing on improving, not fans’ complaints, in Hokies’ off week before Clemson game
Every Wednesday, Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente says he chats with Hokies athletic director Whit Babcock. From Fuente’s point of view, those conversations offer plenty of clarity regarding the state of the football program and the obstacles it’s confronting.
Fuente said financial hurdles spawned by the coronavirus pandemic have been mentioned, as have issues of player availability, virus testing and protocols for daily life functions as mundane as how players should meet and eat dinner.
He didn’t say the matter of Tech’s on-field struggles have come up, but after the Hokies fell to 4-5 with their third consecutive loss Saturday at Pittsburgh, it doesn’t seem like much of a stretch to assume there’s at least concern in the athletic department.
“I think everybody understands what we’re all dealing with,” said Fuente, whose team is on an off week after playing nine consecutive weeks. “It’s pretty evident every single day. Being actually on the ground floor probably even highlights it even more. I think everybody understands what this is like, and you can imagine what the administration’s dealing with, right?”
Many Tech fans have vociferously voiced their opinions regarding the program’s spiral. Fuente insists he doesn’t pay attention to the outside chatter, which primarily comes in the form of venting on social media.
“I can’t control the perception of other people, OK?” Fuente said.
“What I can do is do the best job I can do for our players. ... It is nice to coach at a place that values football. There’s a lot that comes with that, right? I understand that, and I get it, but I’m not going
to let that influence the direction of what we’re doing. I’m sure it’s out there. I haven’t listened to one thing.
“Nobody’s happy with the record. Nobody likes what we’re doing, and nobody’s more invested in what we’re doing than I am, our staff and our players.”
Virginia Tech doesn’t play again until Dec. 5, when it’ll welcome No. 4 Clemson to Blacksburg. Tech will practice Tuesday and Wednesday before taking Thanksgiving Day and Friday off, then the Hokies will have team and position meetings Saturday before resuming gameweek preparation Sunday.
Fuente said he’s not sure if cornerback Jermaine Waller, who has dealt with injuries all season, will be able to play again this season.
Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who sat out the Pittsburgh game, didn’t practice last week and won’t practice much this week. Fuente, who said “we’ll see” when asked about Darrisaw’s prospects of getting back on the field soon, added Darrisaw traveled to Pitt and tried to get ready, but couldn’t play.
As for Thanksgiving plans, Fuente is giving players the opportunity to go off-campus if they’re traveling in the region. Tech doesn’t play Thanksgiving week for the first time since 2001.
“I’m not going to lock them up,” Fuente said. “I mean, we all understand what we’re dealing with. I mean, these kids have already sacrificed a tremendous amount. I’m not sure anybody knows unless you’re on the inside what these kids have been through.”