Fontel Mines: The rising coaching star’s path to becoming Virginia Tech’s new Assistant Head Coach.
Fontel Mines Named as Virginia Tech’s New Assistant Head Football Coach.
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Fontel Mines, 39, was an all-state 3-star Wide Reciever and multi-sport athlete at Hermitage High School in Richmond, Va. His size, speed, and sure hands helped him rise to become the #61 ranked WR in America and #13 in the state of Virginia by the end of his senior year (Rivals: Fontel Mines). His presence as a deep threat was crucial to Hermitage’s 2002 playoff run as he shared the field alongside other local legends and future pro players.
Drawing comparisons to another Hoo-legend and big-bodied WR, Billy McMullen, Mines took his talents to in-state UVA, where he played all four years. Mines graduated from UVA and went undrafted to the Chicago Bears as a Tight End from 2007-2009.
After his time was over with the Bears, he returned back to Hermitage HS as an assistant coach. Because of his success at the high school level, he earned other coaching opportunities at higher levels of the sport, including the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship (UR: Mines Selected For Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship) with the Washington Commanders.
One of his biggest successes included recruiting & coaching 3-time all-American and UR’s all-time leading receiver, Brian Brown, a fellow Hermitage alum. At UR, Mines also helped the Spiders become one of the top FCS offenses. Mines helped at least 3 WRs receive pro contracts—including Brown, all while he also served as UR’s Director of High School Relations.
Due to his deep central Virginia football ties, his meteoric rise to success in coaching can also be attributed to Mines’ success in recruiting. Most notably, Mines has developed strong relationship with Coach Loren Johnson, a VT football alum, who leads perennial central Virginia football powerhouse, Highland Springs HS. Mines continues to help elevate the hotbed of football talent in Richmond by helping future stars unlock their potential on the field as a coach and off the field as a mentor and role-model.
Mines’ successful track record as a recruiter coupled with his ability to build relationships with his players, and his exceptional organizational leadership have propelled him to a promotion as the Assistant Head Football Coach at Virginia Tech (Gobbler Country: VT Football WR coach Fontel Mines promoted to assistant head coach) — all while he’s still in his 30s.
If his successful track record continues and he adapts to this new leadership position, we look forward to seeing another great Hokie offense, and more opportunities in Fontel Mines’ future.
