Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer announced Sunday his intention to retire upon the conclusion of the 2015 season. Beamer informed Virginia Tech officials, his players and coaches today.
"I have always said that 'I want what is best for Virginia Tech,'" Beamer said. "Because of my love and passion for this great university, this program and our tremendous fans, I have decided after 29 years that it's time. Today, I informed Dr. Timothy Sands and Whit Babcock of my decision to retire at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
"I was going to wait until the end of the season to make this announcement, but I've always believed in being open and honest with my players and coaches. I know Hokie Nation will continue to give our players and our coaches their full support in these last three games, and hopefully through a bowl game. I will be forever grateful to everyone who made these past three decades the best years of my life. It's an emotional day for me and my family. I am so honored and humbled to have served as your head coach.
"I will speak about my retirement at my regular press conference tomorrow, and after that, my sole and absolute focus will return to coaching these players as best as I can and encouraging our coaches and staff who I care for so deeply."
Beamer owns a 277-143-4 (.656) career head coaching record in 35 seasons, including a 235-120-2 (.661) mark during his 29 years at Virginia Tech. His 277 career wins are the most of any active FBS coach and are sixth all-time in the FBS. But perhaps two of his most notable accomplishments are the fact that 100 percent of his senior football student-athletes have graduated dating back to 2012 and that 25 different sets of brothers have played for him at Virginia Tech.
A 1969 graduate of Virginia Tech, Beamer was a three-year starting cornerback for the Hokies and was a member of the school's 1966 and 1968 Liberty Bowl squads. After taking over as the Hokies' head coach in 1987, he built the football program at his alma mater into a national power. He has guided the Hokies to 22 consecutive bowl games, the longest active streak recognized by the NCAA. A former defensive back for Virginia Tech, Beamer's No. 25 jersey was retired by the school in 2002. On Aug. 6, 2015 the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors officially renamed Spring Road in front of Lane Stadium as "Beamer Way."
"Coach Beamer contacted me earlier today with his decision to retire following this season," Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock stated. "Coach will always remain one of the most beloved figures in college football history. He's a future Hall-of-Famer, an educator and a role model. His contributions to Virginia Tech and the game of football - both on and off of the field – are unquestionable and beyond measure.
"It's been an unbelievable honor and privilege for me to work with the winningest active coach in college football for the past two years. Like the hundreds of players and the thousands of lives he has touched and impacted in such a positive and profound manner over his life and career, he has positively impacted mine as well and I am a better athletic director for it.
"He coached the game the right way and no one coached it better, no one. You cannot 'replace' Coach Beamer. What an amazing run it was over the past 29 years! He will be missed on the sideline, but he and Cheryl will always be part of the Virginia Tech family.
"Moving forward, first and foremost, we will focus our efforts on supporting Coach, his staff, and most importantly our students who play football, in order to finish this season on a high note. I'm confident the Hokie Nation will rally around them and do the same. Coach will lead our program through the remainder of the season and hopefully in a bowl game for the 23rd consecutive year.
"Today is about Coach Beamer and celebrating all that he and his staff have meant to Virginia Tech. Once the regular season is completed, I will speak about our search and finding the next great leader for our program. That is for another time. Today is both a sad and proud day for the Hokie Family. We will stay strong, together."
Beamer's legacy as one of the game's most influential coaches will be marked by consistently stellar special teams play and exceptional defense. The Hokies have blocked 136 kicks (67 punts, 41 field goals and 28 PATs) during his tenure. Dating back to 1996, no Power Five program has registered more sacks (740.0) or interceptions (335). Since the start of the 1995 season, Ohio State (15) is the only Power Five program that has produced more seasons with 10 or more victories than Virginia Tech (13). A total of 93 Virginia Tech players under his tenure have been drafted by the National Football League, while numerous others have signed NFL free agent contracts.
Beamer guided the Hokies to four ACC titles (2004, 2007, 2008 and 2010), five ACC Coastal Division crowns, three BIG EAST Conference titles, two "major" bowl victories, six BCS appearances and a trip to the 1999 national championship game. Tech won the BIG EAST title in 1995 and 1999, and shared it in 1996. The Hillsville, Virginia, product was voted BIG EAST Coach of the Year by the league's coaches each of those seasons and was tabbed the Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year in both 2004 and 2005. Following the 1999 season, he earned eight national coach of the year honors.
"Over the past three decades, Virginia Tech and Coach Beamer have transformed the university and the football program together and have created a legacy on which we will continue to grow," said Virginia Tech President Dr. Timothy Sands. "Coach Beamer built our football program into a consistent winner through continuous innovation, a relentless work ethic and a commitment to integrity, while Virginia Tech was becoming a major research university with global reach."
"Virginia Tech and our football team share these values," Dr. Sands continued. "The spirit of 'Ut Prosim' (That I May Serve) and the strong community we call Hokie Nation have created a special bond between our university and its football team, a result that would not have been possible without Coach Beamer's leadership through his words, but most importantly, through his integrity and actions.
"Laura and I want to thank Frank and Cheryl Beamer for their many contributions and we look forward to celebrating the indelible contributions of these remarkable Hokies."
Beamer's illustrious coaching career began as an assistant at Radford High School from 1969 through 1971. Then, after one season as a graduate assistant at the University of Maryland, he went to The Citadel where he worked five seasons under Bobby Ross and one year under Art Baker. His last two years at The Citadel, Beamer was the defensive coordinator. In 1979, he went to Murray State as the defensive coordinator under Mike Gottfried. He was named head coach at MSU in 1981 and went on to compile a six-year record of 42-23-2.
He is married to the former Cheryl Oakley of Richmond, Virginia. They have two children, Shane, a former member of his father's football team at Virginia Tech and now the associate head coach/running backs coach at Virginia Tech; and daughter Casey, a 2003 graduate of Tech. He has four grandchildren, Sutton, Olivia and Hunter, children of Shane and his wife, Emily. Casey, who married former Virginia Tech wrestler Canaan Prater in 2012, had her first son, Hudson, in February.
Beamer was born in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, and grew up in Hillsville, Virginia. At Hillsville High, he earned 11 varsity letters as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball.
Comment from ACC Commissioner John Swofford:
"Frank Beamer is one of the most respected coaches in college athletics, and for good reason. What he has meant to college football, his players, staff and fans is immeasurable. He is a man of integrity, class and humility, and I'm tremendously pleased that part of his career has been spent in the Atlantic Coast Conference. I wish Frank, Cheryl and his entire family nothing but the best."
Comments
Thank you Frank. Thank you.
Farewell to a legend and all around great dude
Thanks for everything, Coach Beamer. It will be so strange to see another head coach on the sidelines.
I'm heartbroken he's leaving. Frank will always be THE hokie. But it is time. I will be at the UNC game and I am going to drink in every last second of Beamer's last ever game in Lane Stadium.
And that's how it's done. That is how it is supposed to be done. Let's finish up and get the 23rd bowl. I plan on being at the game in C'ville.
This UNC game better be loud and crowded.
Frank was a very important figure for the university and community in the aftermath of April 16th. Forget about his many football accomplishments, he's a gem of a person.
My family and I will miss him.
Let's win out for Frank
This feeling is so strange. I've never known VT football without Coach Beamer. Thank you for making VT Football into what it is Coach Beamer!
Words can't express how grateful I am for what he's done for this program.
My only regret is that I've only been to one game coached by Beamer, and with me being so far away I likely won't be attending anymore.
#ThankYouFrank
I have been waiting for this day for some time now. Now that it has come though, I am sad. I hope we will be lucky enough to find a coach that is even half the coach/man Beamer is.
Frank gets to do it the same way he has always done things...the right way.
Get to work building his statue to put on Beamer Way.
I am so glad that his retirement is being handled this way. Thank Coach Beamer for all you have done for the football program and the university. I will be cheering loud at your last home game. Thanks for the memories and enjoy your retirement. CHEERS!!
Sad that this is about to come to an end... Excited about the future. Let's be loud in Lane for the UNC game!!!
I can't wait until we show up with 40k at the UVA game to support him.
Think someone will spraypaint a "T" at midfield again? It'll be a unofficial home game anyhow...
#neverforget
I have a particular affinity for this since my company (Hotel) did something similar on the rat path to Shultz back in the day.
We were forced to apply asphalt over the whole path for messing up the slogans from all the other companies, but in the end, everyone knew who won.
already got my tickets!
Oh I will definitely be there.
Bought mine today on StubHub... $50 which is below face.... Silly wahoos.
I live in South Carolina and when Steve Spurrier upped and quit on his team literally in the middle of the season, it made me glad of who we had at Head Coach. Most of us have been critical of Frank the last few years, but he never quit on this program or us as fans and alumni. Spurrier may have won a national championship, but I'll take Frank Beamer every damn day.
281 career wins sounds good to me
Thank you old man. Truly. You said you would, and I am grateful, as all of Hokie Nation undoubtedly is. We're motivated, and that makes us hard to please, but you built that motivation into the school, even as you built it into the program. That's what makes you, the program, and our school, great. None of us, will accept mediocrity. All of us will strive for greatness. You have served, and for that, we all thank you.
When icons leave (Dr Steger, Larry Hincker, Jim Weaver, Bill Roth and now CFB) we are left with apprehensions about who will replace them. Out of all those who did replace the above, I am less apprehensive about Frank's replacement because Whit will find that guy!!!
Don't forget Torgersen!
Got my UNC & UVA tickets. Going to cheer Beamer on in his last TWO home games.
I'm so happy for Frank and I'm glad he came to this decision within his own bounds. He will be missed on the sidelines by all of Hokie Nation and he will always represent what a true Hokie is all about. Thank you, Frank.
To Frank,
He is VT Football. Defintely a tough act to replace. It's bittersweet as a lot of us suspected it was time but it's still a little numbing. Sad and exciting times at VT as we say goodbye to a legend and look for the next leader of VT Football.
Get your turkey legs ready people, lots of feels coming through in all of these threads.
Never met CFB but heard what a gentleman he was. SI must have some inside news on the candidates to be the next head coach according to this article http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/11/01/virginia-tech-football-fra...
How do they know this?
Or, they are just throwing out the hot names that have been linked to most openings (plus Rich Rod, because of his ties to this area and Whit).
I guess the masses finally got what they wanted... Me I'm going to be in the corner crying and drinking bourbon. Come on boys let's send him off right!
I don't think anyone "wanted" Beamer to be gone. It's just time, that's all. Happens to everyone, even the greatest like Frank.
Sobbing drunkenly from the corner?
I wouldn't normally, but you had me at "bourbon"!
The vocal minority wanted him fired. This is the best way that it could actually happen, all things considered.
Its been a great run and Im glad i got to see Frank coach in person for his last season.
I also salute whit for his solid words and having the wisdom and respect to shut down the talk of replacing the legendary coach till the end of the season. All our hokies just seem to be full of class.
I don't know how to embed a video, but this video made me tear up a little bit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDX5dnSeFEA
got you bro
Great video
via GIPHY
What a great video and tribute.
Big dramatic siiiiiiiiiigh.
I look forward to seeing the other things they put out for him too. Maybe something that involves coaches of other teams hes worked with. Glad we get a few weeks to say goodbye.
Great video, it is like they knew this was going to happen for awhile.
I am SO happy this is how it is going down. Now we can honor a VT legend properly. Frank deserves all the accolades that will be coming his way.
Over the years, whenever I heard of a football program that got into trouble, whether it involved recruiting, grades, misconduct, or whatever, I'd hear the refrain that everyone did it. And there were times when I wondered when the allegations would hit Tech. Did Frank Beamer run as clean a program as we kept hearing?
Well, it certainly seems that he did. And I'm thankful that we Hokies have never had to endure those situations that so many other programs have had to go through. Integrity and class. Those are the things I'll always associated with Frank Beamer.
I'm at my daughter's cheer competition and when I saw the news I had to step out and really see if it was true.
Tell ya what, this guy for one will be a bit teary eyed when Coach Beamer's retirement cermony takes place.
I am going through the strangest mix of emotions. As I have been swinging back and forth from deep sadness to great excitement my wife just told me I'm acting like I'm PMSing...
Couldn't have asked for a better man to lead this program over the past few decades. Truly the definition of a class act, and I can't wait to scream my head off Nov. 21 in the student section, cheering on a great man and a heck of a run. Though I am a bit sad to see him go, it really is in the best interest of the program to move on. My guess is that we will still see a lot of Frank over the next few years, cheering on from the stands, as he seems to still genuinely care about the state of his alma mater. Go Hokies and #ThankYouFrank!
As critical of him as I've been over the last 5 years, I'm sad to see him go. I arrived as a Fresham in '95, and I've stayed in the 'burg every since.
Some of the greatest memories of my life happened because of Beamer and the culture he created here in SWVSA.
Happy retirement Coach Beamer!
Well, now we know how to sell out Scott Stadium! /s
I'm only 21 years old and Frank is all I know so I'm full of mixed emotions. So glad he was able to go out on his own terms, unlike many other older legends, but this needed to happen. Hopefully, he can prosper in health in retirement and come to many games. Can't imagine life without his constant sniffles in postgame interviews!
I love that the bowl streak is older than the students :)
If ever there was a time for this gif...
I live in Bristol and the UVA rivalry doesn't really exist in this part of the state, therefore I have never grown up despising UVA or caring that they get beat apart from whenever Virginia Tech played them. However, after seeing some of the disgusting comments from UVA fans on Sportscenter's Facebook post about Beamer retiring, I am quite angry. Destroy them. For Beamer. End this streak on a good note.
I saw some idiotic comments from Tennessee fans too, but I'm sure you already know how classless they can be.
Yeah, they're the most obnoxious and rude fans in the country, I'm not surprised. While Tennessee hasn't played in a bowl game since they met us in 2009 in Atlanta (37-14 VT), under Beamer we've been in a bowl game annually since 1993. I don't know if they're jealous of our success, cocky because they're in the SEC, bitter that they've had such horrible luck over the recent years, or that they're still on a high from 1998... Whatever the reason, Tennessee fans and UVA fans should have a little respect right now. That doesn't mean that they have to support VT or even comment on it, but don't make yourself look like an ass by saying bad things about a man who has been nothing but a great person, on and, more importantly, off the field.
Unfortunately, that would require those people to stick their heads out of their southern orifice, clear their eyes and look around. I'm sorry to say, that isn't happening any time soon.
I'd like to leave you with this little anecdote that explains why I so loath UVa:
Back in 2005, I took my then girlfriend, now wife, to a wine festival in the Blue Ridge Mountains, somewhere in southwest Virginia. Since I was a grad student at the time and low on funds, I came with some VT gear on. Long story, short, I'm standing in line waiting to use the porta-potty. This older gentleman in front of me spots my VT gear and proceeds to tell me what a mistake I made going to VT for Grad School. I couldn't get a word in during the whole conversation. Told me my degree was only worthy to be used as toilet paper and that I was a dumb ass for picking Virginia Tech. I tried to inform him how highly regarded the Civil Engineering program was at Tech, but before I could, his wife came out of the porta-potty. She looked at my VT gear, wrinkled her nose, looked at me like I was garbage and told her husband he was wasting his time with people like me.
As they were walking away, I just couldn't get over what a complete dusch these people were. Spotted the UVa symbol on her purse and just shook my head. So what if their university was founded by Thomas Jefferson. If these people are representative of their other graduates, man that school must really suck.
Hated that school ever since.
Definitely true, but I wouldn't say southern orifices. Bristol's about an hour and 45 minutes from Knoxville, about the same distance from Bristol to Blacksburg. There are great people here in NETN/SWVA. Unfortunately, most of the Tennessee fans are just lousy, cocky, and obnoxious, which is apparently about like most UVA fans.
But, wow, sorry you had that experience! That's just lousy. I don't know why someone would consider any engineering degree like it's a mistake, yikes. I can believe it though. One of the comments on Facebook pretty much said that as much as UVA has beat VT in other sports, it pretty much levels out to beating VT in football. Uh, what is that logic? Don't they regard themselves as the smart ones? However, I creeped on that person and apparently they didn't even go to UVA. They went a community college and majored in vocal performance.
I think southern was meant in terms of anatomy, not geography
Bingo! Winner winner, chicken dinner...
I think we all have had a bad encounter with a UVA person that has drawn our dislike for the school. For me, it was when I was in middle school in the mid 90s. The kid would constantly talk trash about Tech on the bus and was the most annoying preppy wannabe ever. I guess the one positive is he didn't get into UVA or he could have been even worse as an adult. To me, it seems like a lot of their students are the snobby kids that think they're good enough for Ivy League, but couldn't get into an Ivy League school and are left with UVA as their 5th choice. I think this is what drives their snobbery.
I learned to NEVER read comments on anything Sportscenter posts. It's the mecca of ignorant sports fans.
Then again, Facebook is the mecca of ignorance.
BEST SUNDAY EVER!
go away.
Nothing can bring me down today, even those that do not respect the opinions of others
Saying 'BEST SUNDAY EVER' is not sharing your opinion, it's being a dick in a time of 'mourning' for VT fans.
I also wanted Beamer to go at the end of this season, but now that it's happened and the fact that he did it so gracefully means I hold no ill feeling for him and the staff. I choose to remember the good times we had and wish Beamer the best for the future.
Now that is an opinion. Saying what you said is not and I will call you out for it.
I'm just going to let Morgan Freeman say it for me via meme:
If being excited about the end of a depressing era for a college that I attended, support and love then I guess I am in the wrong. Beamer may have built this program but the last few years he has done his best to destroy it while trying to hang on so his unqualified son could take over. With an end in sight we can focus on hiring a coach and moving forward with recruiticorning. Also maybe it will motivate the players to win a few more so they can send him out with his bowl streak alive. Winning for all involved if you ask me. Whit outdid himself with the basketball hire, I am hoping he can do the same with football even given the stiff competition we will have this year to get a new coach.
What most of us are trying to say is:
Maybe this comment could have waited until the season ended. Considering what he has done for the program, couldn't we, as a fan base, waited until the season was over? He deserves that much from us, at a minimum.
Just old school I guess.
Now that you've articulated it I can understand where you're coming from. I don't know why you're in the negative I gave you an upvote, although I understand emotions are running high right now.
Well I am also quite a few beers in right now since my Raiders are kicking the Jets ass so...
Hmm. Gets drunk, loses all tact, irritates people.
Raider fandom check out.
I'm not sure about the order you placed those.
Beamer may have built this program but the last few years he has done his best to destroy it while trying to hang on so his unqualified son could take over.
with all due respect sir....you can go fuck yourself....i don't care if i get flagged for a TOS violation, and those that know me here know i never talk that way...but to suggest that Frank Beamer intentionally destroyed this program (your quoted words) is something i cannot abide by.
Thank you Frank.......for everything...
No one will respect you if you can't show some respect for Frank Beamer.
Funny thing about respect, so many people believe once you get it you just automatically keep it. Respect has to be earned over and over again, nothing is permanent...
Well sir, you certainly haven't earned mine
Another funny thing about respect. It goes both ways.
Beat me to it.
So you don't respect Frank Beamer for building this program up from the ground, just because we had 4 subpar seasons?
I think you really should get off the computer for a while, because you're sounding like a complete moron.
And subpar includes bowls and winning records in each one, with this year being the only possible exception. Over half of college football would be glad to be so "subpar"
absolutely pathetic
Best use of this gif, ever.
Unless something miraculous like your child being born, wedding day, etc happened to you today, bad timing
4FSJ
Sketchy gets it
Meh, you two can head back to the baconleague and take your rudimentary humor with you. I have never looked back since I left that pretend "sports" site and I am once again reminded why I don't miss it.
Are you saying this because you're pissed off at the state of the program? I want to know, because I don't want to be projecting when I write this next sentence.
We wouldn't have a program worth being pissed off about were it not for Beamer. Show some respect.
But he destroyed the entire program on the way out!! We're basically back in 1988 now!!!
I guess I have to add /s on TKP. The memes should have given it away
Shame on you. ...you have single handedly exemplified the opposite of everything that Frank has stood for both as a person and as a representative of OUR university in two sentences.
Based on his use of exclamation points I feel like that might be a sarcastic response, but I'm not sure...
ok...got it...my apologies and a leg for him
Best use of a downvote ever!
I can only surmise that Jander75 believes that this is an appropriate response to someone leaving, because it is generally how others have acted wherever he has left.
I'm glad that Coach Frank Beamer has chosen how he leaves the job rather than the other way around. I'm also grateful for how respectful this process has been handled by the staff in the VT AD.
I hope we can unite as a fan base and celebrate the man's accomplishments and also unite behind our new head coach.
Last, but not least, a profound sense of gratitude to Coach Frank Beamer for staying with the program, building it up, and running it with integrity. I wish you well, Sir, in all your future endeavors. Go Hokies!
Lane-Beamer Stadium has a nice ring to it, just sayin.
I actually think it would be a wonderful show of respect were Wes Worsham to request the name of the playing field be changed to Beamer Field.
Why stop there?
Not Beamervania?
or Beamershire?
or Beamerland?
Beamertopia.
Beamerburg.
Frankland.
Yes. That would be glorious.
His job will be filled, but no one can replace Frank Beamer.
Hope to see this after a win in a bowl game.
Well played sir. You have taken this ship to great heights and we will miss your leadership in more ways than all of those wins!
There's 5 ways to Go about your job and life:
Bad
Mediocre
Good
Great
or Elite
CFB is in the Elite group no question about it
Thanks Beamer. You had one hell of a run. Thanks for putting VT on the map and for the unforgettable and incredible memories made during my undergraduate years. To a legend.
Thank you Frank. I wouldn't have been at Tech if my brother wasn't there for the Vick years and the championship run. I got to learn about the school then, and became a true Hokie in 2004. The shootings, I will never forget that ECU game, and the campus coming together for football. We all cried that day. It was more than football that day. And always will be with Frank. God bless you. Ut Prosim forever, Go Hokies!
The 2007 pregame:
https://youtu.be/SQp6r0VehPM
Well it has finally happened. The man has coached Hokie football longer than I've been alive. Oh man it just got all too real.
Thank you CFB. All seasons considered, and I do mean all, you're a legend.
Man I really wish that he could be going out on better terms than this. I feel like Coach is leaving wanting more. Its crazy how much can change in just a few years. Five years ago we were still thinking National Championship before every season and Coach Beamer would be here forever. Ten years ago that feeling was even stronger, and 2005 doesnt seem that long ago. I hope Coach is proud of the job he has done and knows how strongly us fans feel about him. Im glad that I became a VT fan at an early age and had got to experience all those wins and what will be remembered as a special time at Virginia Tech. No other coach was right for us all those years other than Frank Beamer and Im gonna miss him, I know that. This is a humbling and somewhat scary time, even the greats have to give it up. I couldnt imagine having to walk out on a job like his where you have had so many great memories. Long live Frank Beamer
Even though I have been critical of Beamer and his handling of the program since I was a student, there is no doubt that he was nothing but class and represented all that is/can be good in college athletics. CFB did things the right way, national championship or no national championship, and I respect the hell out of him for that. He did more than cash paychecks but contributed to the community and university that he loved.
Frank Beamer will always be synonymous with Virginia Tech football, whether he is coaching or not. I did shed a tear as he has all I have every known as the coach of VT football. I also shed a tear that he might not go out with dignity and triumph that a 29 career at your Alma mater deserves. How awesome would it be that even if VT went to a bowl game, win, and Frank being carried off the field a la Bobby Bowden in the Gator Bowl against WVU?
Everyone should just enjoy that last few games of his career as there will never be another CFB.
UNC TICKETS PURCHASED!!! CAN'T WAIT TO CHEER ON FRANK IN LANE ONE LAST TIME!
Got mine for $65 a piece. Checked back an hour later in the same section going for $120 a piece. It's going to sell out, and it's going to be a wild place.
TKP should make t-shirts for the last home game.
Maroon with #25 front & back, LEGEND across the shoulders, ACC championships on the left sleeve, Big East on the right.
http://espn.go.com/blog/travis-haney/insider/post?id=4918
WVa...???
That snafu aside, I'm loving the notion that we're considered the second most desirable P5 vacancy behind USCw. And since we aren't going to be competing for the same candidates as the Condoms, if that logic stands up, it means we might get our pick of candidates.
USCw also has an AD who just resigned from the CFP committee and, in my opinion, may be out of there soon. There's probably more pressure to succeed out there, higher expectations.
Maybe that is part of why Frank is leaving now. At the moment, the fan base isn't going to expect a new coach to come in and win ten games next year. The next guy will be following a legend, but he'll have the opportunity to go through some growing pains, something that a guy like RichRod wasn't really afforded after Lloyd Carr left. I'm going to say Frank has intentionally left it a little easier for the next guy by lowering expectations for the next year or two. Yes, this sounds right.
Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket!
I'll go even further:
CFB shows his true colors and love of VT with this act. Not only does he leave the HC job voluntarily, but he unites the fan base in a single swoop. Think about it. If CFB had been forced from his position, there would have been a large segment of the fan base that would never have given the next HC a chance. This would eventually erode the VT fan base.
.
Now, not only can we unite in our appreciation of CFB's accomplishments, but also go forward together to embrace the future of VT football. CFB, class act all the way. Mad respect for CFB for again putting VT before how own wishes. Damn it, we're never going to have another coach like him.
This. What a classy move. Cleanly avoids the mess Penn state, FSU, and others dealt with in similar situations. Beamer is absolutely the best thing that ever happened to VT football.
These are exactly the scenarios I was talking about. In both the FSU and PSU cases, the long-time coach was forced out against his will, leaving parts of the fan/donor/alumni base angry at the school.
Frank leaving, with all outward appearances showing that it was his decision, eliminates that rift. This is the correct way to handle a coaching transition from a legend to the new guy, and Frank and Whit deserve a lot of credit for handling it this way.
The UNC game is gonna be something else. Senior day, Franks last game at Lane, bowl game is gonna be on the line. That place better be rocking.
I would love to hear...LET'S GO!....BEA-MER! as the team gets ready for kickoff against UNC.
I thought of "Thank You! Beamer!" at the start of the game, but I think it would be better at the end. Let the pregame be about the seniors, the entrance about the team, and the end be about Beamer.
I'm excited to see the T-shirts and see 66,000 people all wearing them
Have been Hokie fan since 1989 and have witnessed to effect Frank Beamer has had. The high expectations, the ever present hopes, the hype train are all there because of what he gave the program. We have evolved from calling it a successful season if we were able to play spoiler to UVA or WVU (of which were often ranked) to annual Big East, ACC and national title hopes (I dare say expectations...?). CFB gave VT that. There have been so many memorable moments throughout his tenure that I can't add them all here, but it'd be a fun post if The Key Play opened up a thread for the fans to post their favourites. I think that all of us, no matter how die hard a fan, would be surprised how many we could come up with. So many memories, some not even on the gridiron (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR9lH3ovnj4)... Had to throw that in there. Not just of the awesome aspect, but because the rapport CFB had with his players was at a such a level that he'd cut the rug for them.
My hat is off to CFB. With my only regret being that you couldn't quite get the big one for the trophy case. But you left a program that could. Thank you.
me walking into kroger after the 1999/2000 sugar bowl and in walks Beamer and I'm heading out, I was just staring at him completely speechless and he's looking at me like "What the heck is wrong with this kid?" I then came to reality and said to myself, oh yeah that was Coach Beamer.
Does anyone have the full press conference video when he was announced as VT's new head coach? I'd love to watch it.
Coach,
You'll never know what you have meant to us. For coaching the right way and what you did to help Hokie Nation heal after tragedy, from this lifelong Hokie,
Thank you, Frank.
Admittedly, at times I have been a critical of Coach Beamer, but I am not blind to the fact that he has built an amazing foundation of football culture in Blacksburg. It will be odd seeing another coach walk the sideline. It will be even more odd bitching about a different coaches in-game decision making process.
Each of his accomplishments stands on its own. Winning is often paramount to any other goal or accomplishment. However, of his accomplishments I find the 100% graduation rate among seniors since 2012 to be very impressive and one that should be applauded above all else. Hopefully, that trend continues long into this programs future.
Cheers, Frank
While that is pretty impressive. Does anyone know why that stat is based on since 2012?
Im not trying to be a jerk I just wonder if there was any significance to that year or if going back further the numbers would drop hence taking away from the statistic.
There might have been a lone senior that didn't graduate in '11. I have no idea how to find out who it was or if I'm even right.
The value of the tickets for the rest of this season just went up...
Beamer has done a lot for Virginia Tech football, as well as the university, and he did it the right way. He's a class act all the way.
I'm still hoping that VT can make it to a bowl game, and beat UVa this year to keep those streaks alive.
Thanks, Frank!
Stubhub tickets went from a low of 40 to 70 and parking passes from 41 to 70.
I checked Stubhub immediately when I saw the tweet from AZ (these things interest me). The cheapest ticket was 32 dollars (without fees) and they were up over 70 last night.
So...I've never actually tuned into the TTL but I would like to this evening. Can somebody help me out with:
What time is it?
How can I tune into it?
If I can't be home when it's playing live will I be able to stream a replay?
TIA
Go Hokies!
Frank, you'll be sorely missed. VT wouldn't be anywhere close to the institution it is now without your tireless efforts. And I'm not just referring to the football program. VT owes a huge debt to Frank for it's growth and success over the last 3 decades. No doubt in my mind about that.
The "hokiesXtra" app has a link to listen live AND a replay ability.
I also retired this year after a 21+ year career or I should say I was made an offer I couldn't refuse. Like Frank, you always think that you have something to offer the program/company but after taking a step back, you realize maybe it is time to go. Now after spending a couple of months in retirement, traveling to all the home games since I now have the time, Frank you will love retirement. You have and will always be the face of VT football and an ambassador for the school. I was very fortunate to have met Coach Beamer a couple of times and he is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. So when you look in the mirror Coach after you have retired, smile at the person you see because you did it the right way.
I can't friggin wait to retire. Now, I'll have to work about as long as I've been alive so far but that's just details.
Thank you for all the great memories Frank. It was the right time to step away, but it's hard to imagine taking the field next year without our coach. To say that you are one-of-a-kind is an understatement. You are a dying breed in a profession that has become solely about winning, no matter the cost. Your loyalty, kindness, humility and genuine nature will always be remembered. Your on the field accomplishments speak for themselves, but your off the field qualities are, in my opinion, your legacy. Thank you for always representing VT with class and embodying our spirit of family and community. You are Virginia Tech and will be missed by Hokie Nation.
I just saw this posted on the VT Athletics Facebook page. Not to start a basketball discussion here, but I like how Buzz phrased "our institution, our city and state".
Man, can we just appreciate for a minute how excellently this is being handled? Who "made the decision and met with the players" on Sunday? Beamer. Who issued the first statement making the announcement official? Beamer. Who got an extra slot on TTL? Beamer. What did Whit do? Came out and said all the right things and said all discussion about the future will wait until after the season, after Beamer. What did Buzz - arguably the best coach on campus - do? Gave up his spot on TTL (and said Beamer should have all of them until the season's over) and issued the statement VT_Fencer has embedded above.
All of this has been about the positives of Beamer's career and tenure, and his quality as a coach and a person. We as Hokie Nation and the administration are putting aside the recent slide, accepting the time has come, and doing everything possible to do right by the man who built this program and exemplifies everything right with Virginia Tech. THAT is how it is done. THAT is how you retire a legend. Well done, VT.
Now, who's cutting onions in my lab?
Well said and exactly correct.
So many good memories of Frank on the sidelines! THANK YOU COACH BEAMER for all that you have done for Virginia Tech!