Virginia Tech hires Memphis' Justin Fuente to succeed Beamer
By HANK KURZ Jr., Associated Press
Nov 29, 2015 2:11 PM CST
Memphis head coach Justin Fuente looks on before an NCAA college football game against SMU at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis won 63-0. (Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT   (Associated Press)

Virginia Tech has hired Memphis' Justin Fuente to be its next football coach.

The school made the announcement Sunday, bringing a quick end to its search to replace the retiring Frank Beamer after 29 seasons. The school also said longtime Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster, thought to be a candidate for the job, will remain in that position at Fuente's request.

Fuente, 39, has spent the past four seasons at Memphis, turning a struggling program into a winner. The Tigers, who compete in the American Athletic Conference, were 10-3 last season, including a 55-48, double-overtime victory against BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl.

They are 9-3 this season, including a 63-0 victory against SMU on Saturday in Fuente's final game.

Virginia Tech will introduce Fuente at a news conference Monday.

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AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org