Justin Fuente to TCU? Virginia Tech fans speculate after Gary Patterson's departure

Gary Patterson and TCU mutually parted ways after nearly 21 seasons on Sunday night.

It didn’t take long for college football fans — and Virginia Tech supporters — to start wondering who could replace Patterson at the helm in Fort Worth.

Hokies coach Justin Fuente’s name was immediately thrown around by both Va Tech fans and neutral observers. His candidacy would make sense — he’s originally from the region and was an assistant under Patterson from 2007-11.

Meanwhile, Fuente’s tenure with Virginia Tech seems to be trending in the wrong direction. He’s 42-30 overall in Blacksburg and hasn’t won 10 games with the Hokies since his first season in charge.

So would Fuente moving back to TCU and clearing way for a new Virginia Tech coach make sense across the board?

A lot of fans seem to think so. Here’s some of that reaction:

Fuente to TCU would be a win win for everyone. He goes back to Texas, we get a new coach, and Jerry Kill has another chance to deck Corn!!

— chris ⍟ (@cshort_) November 1, 2021

TCU Head Coach Justin Fuente?

(This one actually works!) https://t.co/UdqzVr1OdW

— Rocco C. (@ElRocco337) October 31, 2021

TCU football coach Justin Fuente https://t.co/i3ZS8oYd8k

— Mark Boomansky (@markumansky) October 31, 2021

Fuente to TCU and Dykes to TT imo https://t.co/ixWJzSY5Om

— Kyle Levier (@OneManArmy_10) October 31, 2021

THERE IS A MAN NAMED JUSTIN FUENTE THAT TCU SHOULD HIRE https://t.co/sddzCeggOF

— Chris (@CassellCaptain) October 31, 2021

Seems like Gary Patterson may have a role in the search based on that last comment.

If that is true, TCU ties could be a factor which could make Justin Fuente a name to watch given his great run as TCU OC that included the undefeated season with a Rose Bowl win #Hokies https://t.co/Md5ZlNpKI3

— Tim Thomas (@TimThomasTLP) November 1, 2021

I think that all of us can agree Justin Fuente is the man for this job. Will be disappointing for him to leave Blacksburg, but if that’s what’s best for TCU it should make Hokie nation happy https://t.co/qGNGxTjXLz

— Lane Stadium Turkey Legs (@tim8oslice) October 31, 2021

Virginia Tech fans doing their best right now to remind TCU admins that Justin Fuente was the OC for that Rose Bowl team pic.twitter.com/zViSig6ypR

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 1, 2021

Me, hearing the news Fuente is heading back out to TCU pic.twitter.com/3z0LWh3Ex7

— The Mayor of Don V Friday’s (@VT_JoeRogers_38) November 1, 2021

Fuente to replace his mentor at TCU? https://t.co/K4mb1JIYsw

— Brian (@brian_levesque_) November 1, 2021