CHARLOTTE, NC (WSLS 10 SPORTS) - We have four new head coaches including both entries from the Commonwealth. The last time both Virginia and Virginia Tech changed coaches simultaneously the year was 1974, so we have two new coaches meshing with their programs and learning their new home state.
"Their may never be another person in Virginia Tech history that means as much to that school as Coach Beamer, and we should celebrate that. But we also have an obligation to build on what he has done, and I have an obligation to do that in the best way that I know possible," said first year Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente.
"They actually believe now that they are capable and that's a huge gift and a very powerful message. If you believe you are capable, you are anxious to take on challenges as opposed to being hesitant or apprehensive about what might come," said first year Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Now it's up to the players to buy into what are two new cultures in Blacksburg and Charlottesville.
"If you try harder you will be on the field. It's will before skill, everything is earned and not given, and the third thing is there are two ways to do things. The right way, and again, and they mean it," explained Cavaliers center Jackson Matteo.
Hokies defensive end Ken Ekanem spoke on the transition since the coaching change, "Just the tempo of things, getting things done in a timely manner has been like the main thing I've noticed from transitioning so, I think we are just all excited a lot of guys have bought in very quickly and we seem all headed in a really great direction. "
Scheduling in the Coastal favors the Hokies as they are the only team in the division to not face Florida State,Clemson or Lousiville in the Atlantic. Every other team in the division faces at least one of the top three contenders.