ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers and head coach Justin Fuente of the Virginia Tech Hokies shake hands during the ACC Championship on December 3, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Former ACC Coach of the Year gets lengthy contract extension

The team has shown they really want him.

After only one year as the head coach at Virginia Tech, Justin Fuente has already earned a contract extension.

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Fuente was named the ACC Coach of the Year in 2016 after leading the Hokies to a 10-4 record and an appearance in the ACC Championship Game. Virginia Tech finished at No. 16 in the both polls, and Fuente was given a contract extension through 2023.

Virginia Tech athletics director Whit Babcock said Fuente has already exceeded expectations.

"Justin has set high expectations for our team in the classroom, in the community, and on the field," Babcock told Hokie Sports. "I personally appreciate the way he exemplifies our Virginia Tech values and helps instill those attributes in our student-athletes."

Fuente said he is "blessed" to work at Virginia Tech and he and his family love Blacksburg.

"Our student-athletes know how invested our staff is in the success of our team and in helping them achieve their personal goals in the classroom, in life, and on the football field," Fuente said. "I'm excited that we'll continue the work that we've begun at Virginia Tech for many years to come."

At 40, Fuente is the youngest head coach in the ACC. He spent four seasons at Memphis turning that program around before taking the job at Virginia Tech. The highlights of Fuente's first season included a dominating 34-3 win at North Carolina and a 35-24 win over Arkansas in the Belk Bowl.

The Hokies lost to defending national champion Clemson 42-35 in the ACC title game.