FAYETTEVILLE — FAYETTEVILLE — Life cast Bill Blankenship and Justin Fuente as football mentor and student, but from Day 1 Blankenship said it has sometimes worked somewhat opposite.
Blankenship is known in Arkansas as the first-year Fayetteville coach who guided the Bulldogs to the Class 7A state title two weeks ago.
Fuente coaches the Virginia Tech Hokies, who are awaiting the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Belk Bowl, Dec. 29 at Charlotte, N.C.
Blankenship, a former University of Tulsa quarterback (1976-1969) and head coach (2011-2014), instructed Fuente from 1992-1994 at Tulsa’s Union High School.
“In a weird sort of way Justin is probably responsible for me getting the (Union) job,” Blankenship said.