Texas A&M Football: 6 Best candidates to replace Kevin Sumlin

Justin Fuente (Virgina Tech)

Fuente came to Virginia Tech after bringing Memphis to national relevance in 2014 and 2015. He went 10-4 in his first season as the head man of the Hokies. His most impressive win might have been the final victory of Virginia Tech’s 2016 campaign. Trailing the Arkansas Razorbacks 24-0 at halftime of the Belk Bowl, the Hokies stormed back to win the game 35-25. The anti-Sumlin, if you will.

His first year in Blacksburg was largely positive. Outside of a head-scratching loss to Syracuse on the road, the Hokies’ three other losses weren’t unforgivable. They fell to Georgia Tech and Tennessee (when they were still on their early season run) as well eventual national champion Clemson by a touchdown in the ACC Championship Game.

Reaching the conference champion game is something that Kevin Sumlin was never able to do in his five-year tenure. Fuente did it in season number one with wins over Mitch Trubsiky and North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Miami.

While he doesn’t have the extended track record of most of the other names on this list, he’s proven that he can win at multiple stops. He’d be foolish not to consider an SEC coaching job if the Aggies did come calling. The Aggies have plenty of resources and should be able to woo Fuente away from Virginia Tech if they want him.