13 / 52
inside.hokiesports.com
11
It is not just because of Coach, but also
because of the culture that he fosters.
Recently, I attended the program’s Hokies
Hoops & Heels event, and he introduced his
staff and their significant others. As he listed
off the names, I felt the same way I did back
in Minneapolis in the KFAN bullpen. There is
a youthful energy within the group, uncertain
steps to be taken, literally in the case of
some of the newborns to the family, and
figuratively, as it pertains to the direction of
the program–all of it carefully orchestrated
to blend the timing in all of our lives to this
specific point.
Williams is, of course, the biggest part
of this, and as he includes me in things and
teaches me along with his players and staff, I
observe him. I’ve never been around someone
so transparent and conscience of his/her
own development. The tangible things, we
all see–climbing win totals, interest in and
exposure for the program, and the remaking
of the environment at Cassell Coliseum.
But I take the most notes on the intangible
things – the meticulous nature with which he
treats his marriage, careful never to allow his
level of attention to descend; his personal
growth mirroring the development of his four
children, all at somewhat different stages of
their adolescence, and the maturity that they
have. Sometimes, I believe that rubs off on
him rather than the other way around.
Have you noticed the physical changes in
CoachWilliams? Have you noticed a relatively
calmer sideline demeanor? Have you noticed
the evolution of every one of the program’s
events? I have, and it is not lost on me.
So I have no idea about the coming
months. Will Fuente guide the Hokies back to
the ACC Championship Game? I don’t know.
Will Williams lead the Hokies past Kentucky,
or Iowa, or Ole Miss? I don’t know that either.
There are too many variables to which we
don’t have assigned values.
But I’ve been in the wrong place at the
wrong time enough to know when I’m in the
right one at the right moment. To steal a line
fromWilliams, “It isn’t about me.” Hokies, we
have two leaders whose programs mirror the
growth of their families, and to me, there isn’t
anything much more exciting than that.
So enjoy the ride, because in thesemoments,
timing seems to be on our side!
Justin Fuente’s leadership and
wisdom have been beneficial not
only to his players, but also to
those who work with him on a
regular basis.