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Reports: Justin Fuente to succeed Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech

It appears Memphis coach Justin Fuente has been tabbed as the man to replace Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech.

Multiple reports surfaced Saturday indicating an announcement would be made next week and that defensive coordinator Bud Foster and running backs coach Shane Beamer, the son of Frank Beamer, would remain on the Hokies’ staff.

Yahoo Sports’ columnist Pat Forde speculated earlier this week that Fuente would be the Hokies’ choice and that he had been the favorite for awhile.

Virginia Tech (9) – Leaving: Frank Beamer. Arriving: The Dash is betting the mortgage on Memphis coach Justin Fuente, and betting that it happens quickly next week. Word is that athletic director Whit Babcock has his man, and has for a while now, and Fuente is that man. He’s done a remarkable job at previously moribund Memphis, going 18-6 over the past two seasons. It’s possible that tumbling dominoes at LSU and points elsewhere (namely Florida State) unspring this, but unlikely. A Fuente hiring would also keep Rich Rodriguez in place at Arizona.

Fuente has spent four seasons at Memphis. He won just seven games in his first two seasons before a breakout 10-win season a year ago. The Tigers are 9-3 this season.

Memphis did say it made a competitive offer to Fuente to get him to stay with the Tigers but did not specifically say how much that deal was worth. Reports did cite the number was more than $3 million.

For more Virginia Tech news, visit HokieHaven.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!

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