Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 13 No. 4 | March 2021

14 Inside Hokie Sports THE OFFICIAL KIDS’ CLUB OF VIRGINIA TECH ATHLETICS TWO PLANS TO CHOOSE FROM ORANGE LEVEL: FREE MAROON LEVEL: $35 Visit hokiesports.com/hokiekidsclub to join! Since the conclusion of 2020 season, Fuente has announced several changes to his staff, including two former Tech players moving into new roles with the hiring of Jack Tyler as linebackers coach and J.C. Price as co-defensive line coach and defensive recruiting coordinator. Fuente also announced that Jon Tenuta is joining the Hokies as a senior defensive analyst. Adam Lechtenberg is adding offensive recruiting coordinator his duties as running backs coach. In addition, Fuente confirmed that cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith will add passing game coordinator to his duties on the defensive side of the ball, continuing his work with defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton in developing defensive game plans and schemes. Jack Tyler Linebackers Coach Tyler began his career at Virginia Tech as a walk-on linebacker before eventually earning a scholarship and developing into an All-ACC linebacker for the Hokies. A four-year letterwinner from 2010-13, the Oakton, Virginia native played in Tech’s 2010 ACC Championship Game win over Florida State and was part of squads that compiled 37 wins during his playing career, including a 4-0 mark against in-state rival, Virginia. “Jack Tyler has earned this opportunity to take on a larger role with our team as our linebackers coach,” Fuente said. “Jack is a tireless worker who is passionate about the game and possesses a great love for Virginia Tech. During every step of his career, Jack has soaked up every ounce of knowledge about the game from his coaches and teammates. He’s a very mature individual who has gained the trust and respect of our coaching staff and our players. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the positive impact that I believe Jack will make in his new role with the Hokies.” The Virginia Player of the Year at Oakton High School as a senior in 2008, Tyler set a school record with 147 tackles before enrolling at Tech and redshirting in 2009. He went on to play in 54 games for the Hokies, finishing his career with 286 tackles (124 solo), 8.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss. Tyler led Tech in tackles in both 2012 and 2013. He was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2012 and a second-team All-ACC pick in 2013. J.C. Price Co-Defensive Line Coach/ Defensive Recruiting Coordinator A third-team All-America selection for the Hokies as a senior in 1995, Price was a four-year starter who captained Tech’s 1995 BIG EAST championship team that defeated Texas in the Sugar Bowl. He returns to his alma mater after spending the past nine seasons at Marshall University, most recently as co-defensive coordinator (2019-20). Price served on the Marshall staff as defensive line coach from 2012- 17 before being promoted to assistant head coach in 2018 and then being elevated to co-defensive coordinator in 2019. Named the Conference USA Recruiter of the Year in 2015, Price was part of seven Marshall squads that earned bowl berths, the 2014 C-USA championship, as well three C-USA East Division titles. “First and foremost, we’re excited to welcome J.C. and his family back to Blacksburg,” Fuente said. “J.C. played an integral role in establishing Tech’s winning tradition and helping the Hokies earn a place on the national stage. We’re not only adding a coach who owns nearly two decades of coaching experience, but J.C. also brings another talented recruiter to our ranks. He possesses a long history of strong relationships with high school coaches across Virginia, particularly in the 757, Richmond and Northern Virginia. He’ll be great fit with the rest of our staff and I know our players will respect what J.C. has accomplished both as a player and a coach.” Price is married to the former Jenny Root, who was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. A standout for the women’s basketball program, her 1,582 career points still rank as the fifth-highest total in Hokies’ history. Price began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant for Tech from 2002-04. A third-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in the 1996 NFL Draft, he also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals (1996-97) before injuries curtailed his pro playing career. The Dunkirk, Coaching ADDITIONS, HANGES Staff Continued from page 13 TYLER price tenuta