BLACKSBURG, Va. – In a costly buyout for Virginia Tech, the school and head football coach Justin Fuente have agreed to part ways.

Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock says the school and Fuente reached a mutual agreement to separate. Once it became clear that Babcock could not guarantee another year, Fuente decided it would be best to leave immediately rather than finish out the season. But it doesn’t come cheaply.

Babcock said the buyout was negotiated down from $10 million to $8.75 million to be able to make the move now. Had the Hokies waited until Dec. 15, the buyout would have decreased to $7.5 million.

Fuente had a 43-31 record in six seasons at the Blacksburg school.

Defensive line coach J.C. Price will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season as Virginia Tech mounts a nationwide search to find a permanent replacement.

Virginia Tech fans expressed mixed emotions but said they were not surprised by the decision to oust Fuente.