Beamer's contract extended to 2019

Virginia Tech announces contract extension for head coach Frank Beamer
The new agreement extends Beamers contract through January 1, 2019

BLACKSBURG, Va. Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock announced a two-year contract extension through January 1, 2019 for head football coach Frank Beamer on Wednesday.

We are pleased to be in a position to present Coach Beamer with this contract extension, Babcock said. Announcing before our home opener serves as a tangible show of support for the winningest coach in college football who does it the right way, continues our positive momentum in recruiting, and signals the stability of leadership in our program. His stamp on our football program, and our institution, is indelible. This well-deserved extension is a reward for 27 tremendous years, certainly, but also is based upon my observations and work with him these past seven months. His integrity and work ethic is even better than advertised and he still has that competitive fire and wants to move Virginia Tech forward. I believe in him and support him, his staff, and our team. We look forward to a successful 2014 season and beyond.

As Ive stated numerous times, the only job I desire is right here at Virginia Tech, Beamer said. My passion and commitment have been further energized with the arrivals of President (Tim) Sands and Whit Babcock and the leadership and vision they provide. I am appreciative of the confidence they continue to show in me and our football program. I can honestly tell you that our program currently stands atop a rock-solid foundation. This coaching staff is the best Ive ever had. Weve had an influx of talented, young student-athletes into our program and were hard at work recruiting more just like them. So, Im confident in the character and talent of our coaches, players and support staff. Then, you see this impressive, state-of-the-art indoor practice facility on its way up, which shows the continuing dedication from this university, its people and our fans, and our future can only be bright. Im proud of where weve been, and Im extremely excited about where were going.

Beamer is entering his 28th year as Virginia Techs head coach and is the winningest active coach in the FBS with 266 career wins. Under Beamer, Tech football has enjoyed unprecedented success with 21 consecutive bowl appearances, four ACC titles, five ACC Coastal Division crowns, three BIG EAST Conference titles, six BCS appearances, two major bowl victories and a trip to the national championship game. Under his guidance, the Hokies have finished in the Top 20 in 16 of the past 21 seasons, including four top-10 finishes during the last 10 years.

Along with all of its accomplishments on the field, Virginia Tech football has been just as successful in the classroom: this year scoring a 977 multi-year Academic Progress Rate its highest score ever. Additionally, in 11 of the past 13 years, Tech has graduated at least 70 percent of its football recruiting class. From 2001-2013, there were 229 senior Tech football players on the roster with 213 earning their degree, 93 percent. By the time this year is over, 78 of 80 seniors since 2010 will have graduated from Tech.