When Virginia Tech promoted Justin Hamilton to replace the Ole Miss bound Tyrone Nix as safeties coach, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive and rightfully so. Hamilton had made a strong impression in his first year on the staff as the Director of Player Development (Defense) and it became clear that Hamilton is a talented young coach with a bright future.
In addition, he immediately was recognizable for Hokie fans due to his past career with the Hokies that included him playing on both sides of the ball as former Virginia Tech WR and current Towson assistant Justin Harper provided some insight into.
https://twitter.com/Justin_Harpo/status/1097634832736243712
It's clear that Hamilton has all the makings of being an excellent fit as Virginia Tech's safeties coach, but his hiring is almost identical to another hiring that Virginia Tech made that, unlike Hamilton's hiring, was probably the most criticized assistant hiring in the history of Virginia Tech football (okay, that may be a little extreme, but it's up there).
When Adam Lechtenberg was promoted into the 10th assistant role, the move caught many by surprise as most expected a traditional outside hiring. Instead, Virginia Tech went with a young coach who had worked his way up the ladder having experience both in an off-the-field role with Justin Fuente and an on-field role at a pair of FCS programs including varying coordinator experience at both stops.
Here was Lechtenberg's resume before being promoted into his position as the 10th assistant for Virginia Tech.
- 2017: Virginia Tech Director of Player Development
- 2016: UT-Martin WRs Coach/Passing Game Coordinator
- 2012-2015: Memphis Director of Player Personnel
- 2010-2011: Central Connecticut State Co-Offensive Coordinator/QBs Coach
- 2007-2009: TCU Offensive Graduate Assistant
- 2018: Virginia Tech Director of Player Development (Defense)
- 2014-2017: VMI Inside LBs Coach/Co-Special Teams Coordinator
- 2011-2013: UVA-Wise Defensive Coordinator
Photo Credit: Dave Knachel/Virginia Tech Athletics
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