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Coaching Highlights
• Former Hokies’ All-ACC linebacker was promoted to linebackers coach by head coach Justin Fuente in January 2021.
• Tyler had previously served in a variety of roles on Tech’s defensive staff following his playing career, and moved into a role as one of the team’s 10 full-time, on-field assistants in the spring of 2021.
• Moves into the linebacker coach role once held by his former defensive coordinator, position coach and longtime mentor, Bud Foster, who he worked closely with upon his return to Blacksburg.
• Is one of four former Tech alums working in full-time roles on the current defensive staff, joining Justin Hamilton (defensive coordinator/safeties), J.C. Price (co-defensive line/defensive recruiting coordinator) and Pierson Prioleau (director of player development – defense).
• With multiple members of the defensive staff unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols leading up to the squad’s contest at Duke (10/3/20), Tyler wore multiple hats during the week and served as the defensive signal caller in a 38-31 victory.
• “Jack has earned this opportunity to take on a larger role with our team as our linebackers coach,” Fuente said upon promoting Tyler. “Jack is a tireless worker who is passionate about the game and possesses a great love for Virginia Tech. During every step of his career, Jack has soaked up every ounce of knowledge about the game from his coaches and teammates. He’s a very mature individual who has gained the trust and respect of our coaching staff and our players. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the positive impact that I believe Jack will make in his new role with the Hokies.”
• “I’m beyond grateful to Coach Fuente for placing his faith in me,” Tyler said. “Even while I was still a student-athlete, my dream job was to someday coach the position I played at my alma mater. Virginia Tech has made such an unbelievable impact on my life and I really try to pay that forward every day. I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Coach Foster, who saw the potential in me to someday become a coach. I can’t thank Coach Fuente, Coach Foster, Coach Hamilton and the members of the current defensive staff, as well as Coach Claeys for entrusting me with more responsibilities over the years and serving as great mentors to me.”
• Took a hands-on role assisting Tracy Claeys with the linebackers in 2020 and played an integral role for the Hokies as the availability of the coaching and playing roster often changed on a daily basis.
• Tech LBs Rayshard Ashby and Dax Hollifield have been among the numerous players who Tyler has aided in their development, utilizing his knowledge of the game, as well as his own personal experience playing to position to make players better.
• After serving a defensive internship at James Madison in 2015, returned to his alma mater as a student assistant in 2016 before eventually moving into a role as graduate assistant on defense for the 2017-18 campaigns. He then took on the role as defensive quality control coach in 2019 and 2020.
• The Virginia Player of the Year at Oakton High School as a senior in 2008, Tyler set a school record with 147 tackles before enrolling at Tech and redshirting in 2009.
Prominent Pupils
LB RAYSHARD ASHBY
Virginia Tech Five-time ACC Linebacker of the Week, Second-Team All-ACC selection in 2019. Led ACC with 120 tackles and ranked eighth among FBS linebackers with 17.0 TFL.
LB DAX HOLLIFIELD
Virginia Tech Has produced 181 tackles (69 solo), 14.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks and three INTs in three seasons at Tech (2018-20).
Playing Highlights
• Began his career as a walk-on before eventually earning a scholarship at Tech.
• A four-year letterwinner from 2010-13, played an integral role in Tech’s 2010 ACC Championship Game win over Florida State.
• Was part of squads that compiled 37 wins during his playing career, reached four bowl games and produced a perfect 4-0 record against Virginia.
• Played in 54 games for the Hokies, finishing his career with 286 tackles (124 solo), 8.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss.
• Captained the squad and eamed second-team All-ACC in 2013 after producing a team-high 100 tackles (36 solo). Tied for second on the squad with 11.0 TFL, while adding 4.5 sacks, 12 passes defensed, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
• Led Tech with 119 total tackles (55 solo) and 13.0 TFL in 2012. Also added 2.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed and three PBUs to earn first-team All-ACC honors.
• Named ACC Linebacker of the Week after posting 17 tackles vs. Georgia Tech in 2012.
• Earned the team’s Frank O. Moseley Award in 2011, an honor presented to the defensive player who exhibited the most hustle during the off-season and spring workouts.
• Started at middle linebacker in the 2011 Orange Bowl vs. Stanford and the 2011 ACC Championship Game against Clemson.
Coaching Highlights
• Former Hokies’ All-ACC linebacker was promoted to linebackers coach by head coach Justin Fuente in January 2021.
• Tyler had previously served in a variety of roles on Tech’s defensive staff following his playing career, and moved into a role as one of the team’s 10 full-time, on-field assistants in the spring of 2021.
• Moves into the linebacker coach role once held by his former defensive coordinator, position coach and longtime mentor, Bud Foster, who he worked closely with upon his return to Blacksburg.
• Is one of four former Tech alums working in full-time roles on the current defensive staff, joining Justin Hamilton (defensive coordinator/safeties), J.C. Price (co-defensive line/defensive recruiting coordinator) and Pierson Prioleau (director of player development – defense).
• With multiple members of the defensive staff unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols leading up to the squad’s contest at Duke (10/3/20), Tyler wore multiple hats during the week and served as the defensive signal caller in a 38-31 victory.
• “Jack has earned this opportunity to take on a larger role with our team as our linebackers coach,” Fuente said upon promoting Tyler. “Jack is a tireless worker who is passionate about the game and possesses a great love for Virginia Tech. During every step of his career, Jack has soaked up every ounce of knowledge about the game from his coaches and teammates. He’s a very mature individual who has gained the trust and respect of our coaching staff and our players. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the positive impact that I believe Jack will make in his new role with the Hokies.”
• “I’m beyond grateful to Coach Fuente for placing his faith in me,” Tyler said. “Even while I was still a student-athlete, my dream job was to someday coach the position I played at my alma mater. Virginia Tech has made such an unbelievable impact on my life and I really try to pay that forward every day. I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Coach Foster, who saw the potential in me to someday become a coach. I can’t thank Coach Fuente, Coach Foster, Coach Hamilton and the members of the current defensive staff, as well as Coach Claeys for entrusting me with more responsibilities over the years and serving as great mentors to me.”
• Took a hands-on role assisting Tracy Claeys with the linebackers in 2020 and played an integral role for the Hokies as the availability of the coaching and playing roster often changed on a daily basis.
• Tech LBs Rayshard Ashby and Dax Hollifield have been among the numerous players who Tyler has aided in their development, utilizing his knowledge of the game, as well as his own personal experience playing to position to make players better.
• After serving a defensive internship at James Madison in 2015, returned to his alma mater as a student assistant in 2016 before eventually moving into a role as graduate assistant on defense for the 2017-18 campaigns. He then took on the role as defensive quality control coach in 2019 and 2020.
• The Virginia Player of the Year at Oakton High School as a senior in 2008, Tyler set a school record with 147 tackles before enrolling at Tech and redshirting in 2009.
Prominent Pupils
LB RAYSHARD ASHBY
Virginia Tech Five-time ACC Linebacker of the Week, Second-Team All-ACC selection in 2019. Led ACC with 120 tackles and ranked eighth among FBS linebackers with 17.0 TFL.
LB DAX HOLLIFIELD
Virginia Tech Has produced 181 tackles (69 solo), 14.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks and three INTs in three seasons at Tech (2018-20).
Playing Highlights
• Began his career as a walk-on before eventually earning a scholarship at Tech.
• A four-year letterwinner from 2010-13, played an integral role in Tech’s 2010 ACC Championship Game win over Florida State.
• Was part of squads that compiled 37 wins during his playing career, reached four bowl games and produced a perfect 4-0 record against Virginia.
• Played in 54 games for the Hokies, finishing his career with 286 tackles (124 solo), 8.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss.
• Captained the squad and eamed second-team All-ACC in 2013 after producing a team-high 100 tackles (36 solo). Tied for second on the squad with 11.0 TFL, while adding 4.5 sacks, 12 passes defensed, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
• Led Tech with 119 total tackles (55 solo) and 13.0 TFL in 2012. Also added 2.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed and three PBUs to earn first-team All-ACC honors.
• Named ACC Linebacker of the Week after posting 17 tackles vs. Georgia Tech in 2012.
• Earned the team’s Frank O. Moseley Award in 2011, an honor presented to the defensive player who exhibited the most hustle during the off-season and spring workouts.
• Started at middle linebacker in the 2011 Orange Bowl vs. Stanford and the 2011 ACC Championship Game against Clemson.