Virginia Tech has filled its cornerbacks coach vacancy in hiring Brian Mitchell, who previously served in the same position under Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia. Mitchell’s hiring in Blacksburg was reported by Mike Casazza of The Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Mitchell, 47, was the Mountaineers’ cornerbacks coach for three seasons and replaces Torrian Gray, who has since moved on to Florida. He will now be tasked with kicking off new coach Justin Fuente’s first season with a bang, as Fuente is arriving from Memphis and succeeding the legendary Frank Beamer, who retired at the end of last season after nearly 30 years on the job.
And just how Mitchell proves to be as a coach remains to be seen. West Virginia ranked 83rd against the pass last season in giving up 23 touchdowns and nearly 238 yards per game through the air. That number isn’t ideal by any means, but the Mountaineers also tied for second in the nation with San Diego State with 23 interceptions as a team.
Given how Virginia Tech only managed 10 interceptions in 2015 despite ranking eighth in passing defense, Mitchell’s hire should improve the secondary to some degree.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
