I think it's no secret that this will be Frank Beamer's final 4 games (I am not predicting a bowl game) as the head coach of the Virginia Tech football team. If you watched his post-game interview yesterday, it seems that Frank even understands that his time is coming to an end.
There is no saving this season. We are not going to the ACC Championship, and the best bowl game we can even think of at this point is a Kraft Fight Hunger-type bowl game. Getting worked up over losses at this point is useless. Next year, we will have a different coaching staff, we will see different players on the field, and the overall culture of Virginia Tech football will be different. The final 4 games of this season are basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things, other than the fact that they will be Frank's last.
Frank Beamer took VT to unimaginable heights, despite the odds being against him from the start. He made the program prominent and redefined the entire university. His time had to come to an end at some point. While this isn't the ideal way for it to happen, it's happening, and I'm sure all of this dreaded this day at one point or another.
So, let's soak up these final 4 games. Let's refrain from talking about how washed up Beamer is (myself included), because it's not a matter of opinion anymore. Let's instead cherish the nearly 30 years we got with Frank. Let's cherish the Big East and ACC championships. Let's cherish the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl trips. Let's cherish the 1999 season. None of this would have been possible without the man, and these last 4 games are about him.
Comments
Anyone know where I can watch the post game interviews?
Sooner this is announced the better IMO. It could give the team something to rally around. Maybe even get College Gameday to come to VT for his final home game. Could be a great opportunity to get VT a bunch of TV time. Also potentially makes us a more attractive team should make a bowl game.
Agreed.... We all saw what happened with Steve Spurrier (was all over the news, guest picked on Gameday, etc). When Frank leaves it'll be even bigger. I mean, it sounds awful to say, but I think we're at the point where an announcement would be something positive for the program and the fans and the players. You could definitely count on a sellout crowd for his last game at Lane.
I don't know about that, but I'd count on a sold out sea of maroon in Charlottesville making sure the team knows we still support them. We can't let Frank go out on that note.
A loud continuous "Let's Go!........Hokies!" in Scott Stadium which is louder than the home team fans is required.
I'll be there...doing my part
This would be Friday's TG game against UVA no less! Would be great to get Gameday for that!
It would be UNC on 11/21 I think. UVA game is on a Thursday this year, at UVA I believe.UNC - Saturday, at home 11/21
UVA - Saturday, on road 11/28
Nope. Saturday the 28th.
to try to straighten things out....
Link
BLARAGARARARARGGGH
Thanks for the heads up
I think most of would, if Beamer actually announces his retirement. I don't think he's going to go quietly in the night however.
Nor do I.
Yea, I don't get that feeling either. In fact, I have the exact opposite. That CFB is trying to stay on as long as possible. SMH, who ever though it would come to this.
I seriously doubt we will be that lucky, but I will drink to optimism...
I may be one of the few here who went to VT at the same time as Frank, just a great guy even then. I just find all this just so sad I am personally depressed about it, when I read the hate filled comments here and other places it just makes me wish Frank had stepped down before this could happen. Guys, let's please back away from the attacks. It will be over soon enough.
...which is why he should have stepped down three years ago instead of getting the Moorehead/Grimes/Loeffler reset.
Moorhead and Grimes we're good gets. ...which is why they got snatched from us so quickly.
Loeffler... You guys know how I feel about loeffler.
It's sort of too bad they both got poached.
I've seen this a lot lately and I just don't understand it. I don't remember any serious arguments that CFB should've stepped down that season. We knew things were getting bad, but after all he's done for the program, didn't we all decide that he deserved a chance to right the ship? That was literally ONE season removed from the Sugar Bowl and you want to let the guy go?
Obviously hindsight is 20/20 so we now know that he just doesn't have it in him anymore, but he deserved that shot. MAYBE we hire a great coach that year and we are nationally relevant this year, but the chances were just as good that Beamer would live up to his track record and right the ship.
NOW he got his shot, failed, and it's time to step down.
Regarding this statement:
Speaking only for myself, no. I thought his chance to right the ship expired at the conclusion of the 2008 season. That was when Frank's insistence on continuing to do what wasn't working was made very clear, very publicly (ref: Jason from Arlington). IIRC, our offensive rankings for 2006-2008 were #99, #103, and #104, and yet he stubbornly refused to consider serious changes. It took another four years of disappointing results before even he could no longer ignore the issue.
But that's ancient history at this point, and largely irrelevant. It's 2015, and the only thing Whit needs to worry about is making the right decision for 2016.
Three years ago we would have had a different man making the decision on the future of the program. The one positive would have been that walking down the hall for the next coach would have meant Bud Foster as the next man up. Regardless, I trust Whit a whole lot more in this situation.
I think there is a vocal minority that have been making harsher statements. For the most part, I think the vast majority on here try to be respectful with their opinions one way or the other.
I hate to see the hateful things as well. Unfortunately Frank did this to himself. He ignored long standing problems. Let his pride get in the way.
I'll be the first to admit that I was very upset with the performance of the team dating back to 2012 and was very upset with Frank. Now that I think Frank's time truly is over, though, it's much easier for me to take a step back and appreciate how monumental is coaching tenure at Tech truly is. He basically took Tech from a nobody in the desolate mountains of southwestern Virginia to the big time. He made it one of the most feared locations in college football. He made Tech darlings of the media. These 4 years of mediocrity are nowhere near as significant as what he has done for the last 30 years, and he deserves the best from us fans in his final four games. It's the least we could do for him really.
1- Having lived in the mountains of southwestern Virginia many years , I do not think they are desolate , and actually think they are beautiful . 2- VIrginia Tech was not a nobody before Frank Beamer, and will actually survive after he leaves. 3- Desolute/ State of bleak & dismal emptiness, stark, grim, wild inhaspitable, god forsaken. Other wise I agree with your statement.
To his point, I remember a time during Beamers era, when ESPN didn't know whether to write our abbreviation as "VPISU" , "VT", or "VPI" .. so I think we may be splitting hairs on what the definition of 'nobody' is , he makes a good point
I didn't mean desolate in a negative manner. I meant southwestern Virginia wasn't very well-known and not a lot was going on there. And while we may have not been a nobody, we were nowhere near what he brought us to, and I doubt Dooley would have ever been able to do it.
I wouldn't call these attacks, and they're not hate filled. They're honest assessments of the quality of Frank's recent work. Everyone wants Frank to win, but it hasn't happened often enough in the last three years, and there's no sign that it will turn around soon.
I just wish his last game at Lane would have been against LOLUVA. Instead, his last game ever may be in Charlottesville
Holy shit, I just realized his last ever game could potentially be a loss to UVA. Please, for the love of everything good, let the team rally around Frank and obliterate UVA on his last game.
I was at the game yesterday. First one for me since 2012. Lane Stadium was electric. The people around me were awesome as was the atmosphere. I hated the loss, but I was reminded of why I love VT football. I remembered what Frank built. I agree that it's time to pass the torch, but I have some beautiful memories of Beamer-coached teams.
I even bought tickets for the UNC game. I think it'll be Frank's last at home and I want to make sure I'm there for it.
I've only had season tickets for a couple of years since moving down this way. The only time in that span that I've felt the energy of Lane completely die before the end of the game was when Brewer went down against OSU (I'm not counting late-game losses like ECU and GT last year).
Working as an usher, I will more than likely be in the stands for what will probably be Frank's last Lane game vs. UNC...it will be hard for me not to cry a little at the end of the game, win OR lose, simply because it'll be the last time our beloved head ball coach puts on the headset. I pray they win and the players can carry CFB off the field on their shoulders to the fans chanting "Let's Go Hokies"!!!
The crowd was awesome. As soon as Sirk ran it in the endzone for the game winning 2 point conversion, it hit me that this was very likely the last game I would ever see Frank in person as the coach of Virginia Tech.
VT football has become a way of life for many VT fans (myself included) and that is mainly because of Frank (and Bud) for what he has built here. I just hope that during the UNC game, regardless of the score, Hokie Nation shows Frank the respect he deserves assuming it is his last home game.
I understand that some have been calling for a change for years now. That's fine, and I can even understand a small bit of hope that comes to mind when thinking of a future with a new big whistle. What I don't understand though is the apparent happiness from some that he will soon be gone. Anybody that doesn't recognize the sadness in this really baffles me. Another thing I'm tired of is blaming every single bad thing that happens in a game on coaching. Yes, sometimes a player will make a mistake and it is not the coach's responsibility to go over every infinite possibility that could happen on game day to prepare that player. A coach can't always be criticized for every play with a bad outcome and never praised for the good ones. The attitude of this fan base is approaching embarrassing. Yes, I agree it's time to enjoy the final games with a legend. It's ok to hope for the future but let's do it with some class as a great coach and man heads toward the door.
Not to be a Debbie downer, but people sure are acting like this really is CFB's last season as HC at VT. Did I miss some announcement or is this just some wild speculation that has gotten out of hand?
You really think Frank is still going to be head coach next year?
I'm convinced that Whit will not allow any coach to stay in place after four consecutive mediocre seasons. No sources or inside information.
how about sauces?
Nah, they're overrated.
Not that you are wrong but i find it strange this seems to be the universal mentality. Why not 3 seasons or 5 seasons? Why THIS sucky season? Just wonder if our consensus on this sight clouds the true picture in front of us....much like our view of this teams future record was pre-season.
....
Ouch had to take a sec to recover from my own painful words there. But i certainly hope you're right.
It's not about THIS season. It's about the 4 straight mediocre seasons. It's about the several questionable coaching decisions made. It's about his demeanor in post-game interviews. It's about the drop-off. He's not the same head coach he once was. Another season would hurt the program even more. I don't want to say that staying another season would hurt his legacy because that kind of defeats the purpose of this post, but people certainly struggle to look past Bobby Bowden's last few years at FSU.
As someone pointed out on this site (I think it was Joe), it became clear that Frank Beamer was fostering (no pun intended) a culture of inconsistency. To me, this is the first year since the new staff was implemented where we've seen a downward trend. The two instances that stand out to me are:
I'll refrain from mentioning the mobile QB issue since I do trust that Bud is implementing and teaching the system that he thinks gives our team its best chance to win, regardless of how high/low that chance may be.
Every other season I think we had shown subtle improves. This season, we're mathematically eliminated from the ACC Championship Game, and it's not even November. It's tough, the offense is showing significant improvement, and Lefty has finally been able to implement an effective offense, just as the defense has become a liability.
Once the press release came out at the end of last season, it was pretty clear (at least to me) that Beamer needed a big bounceback season in 2015 in order to be around in 2016. That clearly isn't happening, and based on all of the rumors the last week & Beamer's comments today ("I'm into whatever is best for Virginia Tech"), I'd be extremely surprised if he is back in 2016. Everyone seems to realize it's time, even Frank.
I agree jae1837. I don't know how sure of a thing it is. Why THIS season as apposed to last...as apposed to next? With Bristol and the big 30 next year I feel we may be a year early in this conversation.
I think if anything its his health.
In the following weeks Frank will announce that NEXT season will be his last. Mark it down.
Don't think so, that might seriously impact recruiting.
Not a chance. Would not work for recruiting so it won't happen that way.
This is my hope. His tenure is definitely winding down, but I'd like to see him @Bristol, @SouthBend, and vsLOLUVA at Lane for his last home game.
If we suffer through a terrible season next year, so be it. I can wait.
Agreed. I think Whit will let Beamer do his *victory* lap next year and then retire.
Nobody wants to see Beamer forced out, no matter how mad or thoughtless their comments are, they want him to go out on a high note, and if there is any fanbase that should be accommodating of that, it should be us.
We have 4 games left and it's nearly mathematically impossible for us to win a tiebreaker in the coastal, so we're playing to get to a bowl and to beat UVa. If neither of those things happen... well then I have no idea how things will shake out, but I hope Whit and the fans can be patient.
He's literally had 4 years to go out on a high note. If it's not happening this year, it's not going to happen next year either.
You can't talk about being patient after 4 years of mediocrity, sorry.
While I agree with you 100%. There is too much money in college football to allow Frank a one year swan song. Let alone how that would effect recruiting. Great plan that will not happen.
I can't say you're wrong, not one bit.
So if this is truly his final year, and he leaves the sidelines after this season (by his own choice or not), I'll be disappointed, but it would be difficult to criticize.
I appreciate everything Frank has done for the football program but I would like to see him do exactly what Spurrier did with USCe. The problem/difference between Frank and him is that Frank rarely/never takes accountability anymore. He will never admit (like Spurrier did) that he is the reason why the program is falling and how he is not the guy for the (head coaching) job. You can't have a team without leadership, and you don't have leadership without accountability
Spurrier didn't want to be there when Clemson destroys them this year. Like a true captain, Beamer is working hard to right the ship before it goes down.
might be working hard, but still sinking
I'm not convinced that this will be Franks last season at the helm, though I would not be surprised if his career as a coach ends this November. I haven't been a fan long enough to fully appreciate everything he has done for VT, not just the football program, but the entire university but I have spent enough time with people who have been fans for that long to understand that whenever Frank does hang 'em up it will be significant. And that's an understatement.
I have been critical of the coaching staff in recent years but I don't let my criticisms get in the way of my respect for Beamer, the Coach, character, family man. Frank has always been, and will always be, a true class-act. I know there are lots of shiny new coaches out there that everyone (myself included) would love to see in Blacksburg but not a single one of them can hold a torch to the type of man that Frank is. We have been extremely lucky to have a man like Frank in Blacksburg for 29 years. It has been a once-in-a-lifetime coaching tenure and I just don't think we'll ever have anything else like it. They say you don't know what you've got until it's gone. I like to think that collectively we have a pretty good idea how important Frank has been to VT. We'll feel that when he's gone, I'm sure.
I'm going to treat these last 4 games as though they'll be Frank's last even if I don't necessarily believe that to be the case. I'm fully on board with the OP's perspective that we should cherish these precious few games we have left with the legend that is Frank Beamer. I will scream my tail off and support the heck out of our players and coaches. I will temper my criticisms and just try to enjoy the games for what they are. A team fighting for every inch against all odds under the love and direction of one of College Football's Greats.
Thank you, Frank, for everything. I'll gladly take the bad with the good. What you have done for VT is unmatched and sometimes, I think, under-appreciated. Nobody can be perfect and we've been, perhaps, unfairly critical. It's easy to forget the massive steps forward this program took under your direction given these modest steps backwards in recent years.
Lets all be thankful for Frank and enjoy these last 4 games. I know I will. I'll be there for UNC and UVa. I'll cherish every moment.
Go Hokies!
Well said.
Indeed
I too will be at the UNC game cheering as I always do while quietly remembering the great times that Frank has given us at Lane stadium. I am looking forward to the next era of VT football whether it is next year or the year after.
GO HOKIES!
if we get Foster as head coach, do we get a new Defensive coordinator? Or Will Bud still run the defense? If we get a brand new coach, do they keep Foster?
If Foster goes to coach, I think Wiles gets the nod at DC.
If we get a brand new coach, who even knows about Foster. The new coach could want him or not, and Foster could want to stay or not.
As David Teel points out, we'd owe Foster money:
If I understand this correctly, though, if Beamer's successor is willing to retain Foster, and Foster declines, we owe him nothing, correct?
I didn't see anything specifically in the Teel article I linked addressing this exact scenario, but my best guess would be that Foster would probably still be under whatever contract he currently has.
Foster is under contract until 2019 (if I'm reading this Bitter article correctly) and let's say a new coach says he doesn't want Foster, he 'cuts' Foster and we owe Bud $.
But if new coach comes in and wants Foster, then I think Foster is retained under the same contract. If Foster wanted to leave, then he might be violation of the contract and may have to have a buyout or something. I'm no contract lawyer, that's for sure. Most courtrooms aren't horse-accessible these days.
Just bought my tickets for the UNC game. Can't wait to give that man his proper send off, after all he has done for our football program and school!!!
#Sauces
I know there are a lot of people who are ready to send him off with a ticker tape parade down mainstreet and up Prices Fork, ending at Hardees where he buys out the place and offers free food to the masses. But before we let the ink dry on his epitaph, let's leave this up to Whit since he is still under contract through this time next year.
Frank's contract was extended through 2018. So he's still "under contract" for a long time. Of course, that was a PR move to reinforce the idea of stability. No one expected him to see the end of the 2018 extension, so I doubt anyone really holds firm that he'll hold on to the 2016 date, either.
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/august/27/virginia-tech-announces...
Agreed. The actual terms of that extension left a lot of flexibility.
How about the parade stops shortly after the start on Main St. and he buys out Mike's and gives the food to the masses? Hardees is a chain, Mike's is true Blacksburg, just like Frank is.
Not sure if anyone else has posted this, but it sure made me feel good:
dang, man. I feel bad for Frank. I mean, I know we need change, ....but talk about gut punch man.
Part of me feels bad that he's being asked those questions. Part of me also believes those questions have to be asked in order for him to realize his throne is heating up. I love Frank and when his coaching career ultimately ends (whether he's fired or resigns or what-have-you) it will be an emotional time. Frank means more to VT than just about any other coach means to any other institution. He's right up there with Bowden to FSU and Coach K to Duke.
Iwe would have loved to see him go out on top but it just wasn't in the cards.Andy Bitter noted: "As the saying goes, everything ends badly, otherwise it wouldn't end."
There is a lot of truth to that. I think Beamer was going for the 30 year mark. I think he realized things were on the decline a few years ago (hence the shake up on his staff) and he probably targeted 2016 as his final year. 30 is a nice round number. There's no way he could have predicted such a swift fall from where we were at that time. I admire him for trying to fight through everything but I think it's time for him to concede that he just isn't the same coach he was in his prime. It might be difficult for him to stomach but if he truly cares about VT (and I will be the first to say that nobody cares more about VT than Frank) he should realize that the best thing right now is to pass the reins on to the next guy. Let someone else take it from here Frank. You've done much much more than enough.
Hear, hear.
Nicely written.
If anyone can handle this well it's Frank.
Makes me think a talk has been had and a decision has been made, just not publicly.
This is quite a bit different than "As long as I have a good QB, a good kicker, and am in good health" that he's said for many years.
I know I've been critical of CFB and am more than willing to admit that I've wanted him to retire at the end of this season.
But you know, if this is his last season, dang it, I'm going to be crying my eyes out as I watch our final home game against UNC. I'm originally from South Korea, but grew up in the US and in both societies, it's generally frowned upon if a man can't control his emotions, but VT holds a special place in my heart and I never would have heard about VT were it not for Frank Beamer and his VT Football team coming to California in 2002 to beat Air Force. Man, so much memories all tied together with CFB, VT, my wife and the rest of all the good things about my life. Yeah, I'm going to be crying my eyes out at home.
I wonder if that extension still incorporates the 8 years as a special assistant to the AD @ $250,000 per year. Also does that still apply if Frank doesn't resign like everybody is assuming, and Whit has to fire him?
I'm assuming yes to both of your questions.
I'm also assuming Beamer will do the right thing. I don't have any #marinades, but I don't expect it to get ugly. Beamer is smarter and more aware than people sometimes give him credit for.
That is my assumption as well.
I've had perspective and I was a Hokie before CFB and I will be just as all in with who ever follows. Beamer's time is up. It is fair as a fan base to call for that after 4 years of mediocrity.
I think it is fair to say that without taking away from any of his accomplishments. All dynasties die badly and this is no exception. It was a great run and with the right hire VT get back to relevance. The run is clearly over. We can say that with all respect. I love Beamer and the classy way he ran this program but I want to see VT compete again. We are loosing too many winnable games. Time to move on. That said I trust Whit to make another slam dunk hire. The man has a great mind for business and running this program is no different. Go Hokies!
I've had perspective and I was a Hokie before CFB and I will be just as all in with who ever follows. Beamer's time is up. It is fair as a fan base to call for that after 4 years of mediocrity.
I think it is fair to say that without taking away from any of his accomplishments. All dynasties die badly and this is no exception. It was a great run and with the right hire VT get back to relevance. The run is clearly over. We can say that with all respect. I love Beamer and the classy way he ran this program but I want to see VT compete again. We are loosing too many winnable games. Time to move on. That said I trust Whit to make another slam dunk hire. The man has a great mind for business and running this program is no different. Go Hokies!
Is there an echo in here?
Is there an echo in here?
Whit will make the right hire!
We will win our last home game against UNC!
We will go bowling!
I regret that I have but one leg to give for this Book of Mormon gif.
I love Beamer and love how he has represented our program. There's no doubt there isn't a better guy in college football. I really think the health issue at the end of last season was far more serious than he's let on.
At the Richmond Hokie Club kickoff dinner before the season, he was so noticeably less healthy than last year. I hate it for him that he's going out like this, but the program is in a spiral and it appears he needs to focus on his health a bit more. There's no way the stress of this season is helping either.
I think we'll be hearing something about his future after the BC game. I'm going to try and enjoy his last 4 games as the OP suggests.
All I have to say to my Hokie brethren about BC, GT, UNC and UVA is:
For Frank!