Virginia Tech football: Worst head coach hires in program history
By Josh Yourish
![Oct 16, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Justin Fuente waits in the tunnel to take his team onto the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports Oct 16, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Justin Fuente waits in the tunnel to take his team onto the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/760994f4f0034f0db8e9a7a28748652a042e46755383457fbdef6c3819cab919.jpg)
Prior to Frank Beamer’s tenure in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech never experienced any real success on the football field. Their first win in a bowl game came in 1986 under Bill Dooley, so there isn’t a storied history of success.
Still, amongst the years of mediocrity, McNeish’s tenure stands out. Virginia Tech would have loved a mediocre season with McNeish as its head coach, but what he gave them was a complete disaster.
He coached from 1948-50 and in those three seasons, managed just one win, beating Richmond in 1949. He finished his career with a record of 1-25-3.
McNeish was awful while he was in Blacksburg, but the only silver lining is that he didn’t set the program back long-term. A few seasons later in 1954, Frank Moseley led Virginia Tech to an undefeated season, 8-0-1.