For Christmas this year Santa was generous enough to give me Frank Beamer's latest book "Let me be Frank". I finished reading the book last night and now I have a few things I want to say. This book gives a unique perspective and wanted to finish it before posting on here.
Lots of the questions that have bothered many of us over the past few months are actually answered here in the book. From the is Bud leaving question (he is quoted in the book as saying that yes, he would like to be a HC someday, but he's been at Tech long enough now that he's going to stay until Frank retires and then start looking for a job) to Frank's weight loss a few years back (he made the decision to lose weight because he was feeling fat, it had nothing to do with stress from a losing season). And several issues in between that get some light shed on them. Such as the Vicks, and how close he came to leaving after the 2000 season.
Overall, I have to say that it is an excellent book. It gives an in-depth look at the man at the helm of our Hokies. To anyone out there who says that Frank needs to retire soon (he actually mentions that in the book too), or needs to be fired if we have another "down" year, and to those who say that he's lost his touch and can't coach at a high level anymore, I would like to respectfully request that you read this book. A lot of that talk as died down with the bowl win and landing some big recruits lately, but not long ago it was loud.
I have always been a strong supporter of Frank and the job that he has done at Virginia Tech. But this book opened my eyes as to how truly blessed we are to have a coach with the integrity, heart, and drive of Frank Beamer. There is only one Frank Beamer and we will never find another like him. In my humble opinion, he is more than welcome to stay as long as he feels he is capable.
Just my thoughts. I would like to finish my first Forum Topic with this recommendation that all Hokie fans should read this book in order to better understand the man who is our Head Coach.
Comments
Frank, the godfather of my unborn children
Ok, can I still be Garth?
Party on, Garth!
I too finished this book within the last few months, and it is a great read. My father also read it and was pleased that it was more about Frank-the man than it was a Game by Game analysis of his career.
Interesting point though, in the book he points out that he doesn't believe in recruiting kids who have already committed elsewhere. But I think its pretty apparent that he may have changed his stance on that even if he isn't real comfortable with it. Thoughts?
Eh, times change. It was apparent that Frank resisted it for a while but until a recruit signs it's an open market. Realistically though, Frank is doing very little of the day to day. The credit for the change should go more to the assistant coaches (Moorehead, Torrian, Shane, etc) who stay in contact with the recruits even after they have "committed".
I think that has become the nature of the beast. This newer staff appears more energetic with recruiting and probably introduced many fresh takes to it that Frank was old-hat on. So yeah, I think he's loosened up a bit on his stance and it probably differs a little for each situation.
He said that he will only pursue if the interest comes from the other end first, if the kid says that even though they are "committed" elsewhere that they are still interested in Tech and want to hear more. If that is the case then he will continue to discuss coming to Tech with the kid. Otherwise, if a kid has committed elsewhere, he leaves them alone.
Maybe we've just been better at landing those kids that are a little unsure after committing elsewhere lately.
I'm sorry. We already have a Frank. You can be Bill.
Just don't call him late for dinner.
Amen to that!
Nope, we already have a Bill so he can be Ned.
Mind if we call ya Bruce? Y'know, to avoid confusion.
Most people call me Jason or Jake, but...whatever. :)
Sorry if you didn't get the reference. It's a slightly obscure Monty Python sketch (though I suppose most of them are obscure)
I hadn't seen that one. It is pretty funny though.
Flanders? No-diddley-thanks, neighbor-ino.
I always told my buddies who wanted him out after every loss: "You think you hate watching us lose, multiply that feeling by 100x, that's how Frank Beamer feels!"
I logged in just so I could up vote this. Put this quote in for quote of the year 2015...
I got this book last year and loved it too. It's a very easy read and a great look into the man at the helm. I agree that we will only have 1 Frank Beamer, and believe he can stay as long as he wants. When he leaves, it will never be the same. His integrity, loyalty an commitment are without equal. His staff do a tremen do us job building these young men.
I found this book on a Goodwill trip a few days ago and can't wait to read it. A couple years ago I picked up his previous book "Turn Up the Wick" that was published back in 2000. It was an interesting read on how he built the program up to that point, and provided some game analysis from previous seasons. If you can find a copy, its a great perspective. Looking forward to reading "Let Me be Frank".
Links below for his previous book and a compendium my parents got me for Christmas one year entitled "Always a Hokie". It is a great collection of stories from former players, coaches, etc about what it means to them to be a Hokie.
Turn Up the Wick
Always a Hokie
I just got "Always a Hokie" this year for Christmas. Definitely looking forward to reading it. I got Frank's latest book last year; I loved it.
I read about a third of "Always a Hokie" over that Christmas and haven't read much since. It can be a bit of a slog in one sitting, but I plan to pick it back up soon. It always amazes me to hear the stories of players, coaches, and fans though and compare their perspective and experiences to my own.
I want this book badly, a few pages he talks of my uncle who used to coach with him at Murray and Va Tech before being let go. I understand it is a business and there were never any hard feelings from my uncle as far as I know. My uncle also played with Frank at Va Tech. Hokie pride and blood run deep in my family. So proud my wife is also a graduate of VT and not UVA!
I finished this book a couple nights ago. It was an incredible journey through his life and his philosophy on coaching and life. I loved it more and more with each page. Can't recommend it highly enough.
I loaned my copy of the book to my father, he became interested after hearing me talk about it. He doesn't have much time for pleasure reading, (he's a full time farmer, head of the county Market Animal Show, a member of the county School Board, and in charge of a statewide youth organization), but he has found time to work on it some and he has enjoyed what he's read.
Your Dad gets after it
Yeah, he keeps pretty busy. And this is him "retired". He was a high school AG teacher.
Every Hokie needs to read this book to fully understand what coach Beamer has done, puts everything in prospective.
Sounds like a great book. I will have to pick up a copy.
I wonder if his parents named him Frank just in case he ever wrote a book called "Let Me Be Frank"?
As soon as I finish this book I am going to read Franks book...
Best book I ever read! Hard to put down =)
@hokiefan89
You read "Mommy Drinks Because Your Bad" also?
Glad you enjoyed it!