A Legend Departs: Hokies Prepare to Bid Frank Beamer Farewell

Frank Beamer entered and exited his retirement press conference to a standing ovation from players, coaches, family, friends and the media alike.

It couldn't have been more deserved.

A visibly emotional Beamer, with his wife Cheryl standing at his side, opened in true Frank Beamer fashion — he thanked everyone for coming.

"Thank everyone for being here. I love my players. I love my coaches," said Beamer. "I know I'm the most fortunate guy in the world."

Beamer, a 1969 graduate of Virginia Tech, said his decision to retire at the end of the season was due in part to his desire to keep his beloved alma mater's fans united.

"I've always said 'I think I'll know when it's time,'" said Beamer. "I think it's time. It's right. There's been some difference of opinions out there. Anytime you're in a public life, there's gonna be difference of opinion, I understand that. But the last thing I want is for Hokies to be divided. I want everyone to be in the same direction. I think it's right in that regard. I think it's the right time."

Even in the modern age of college football where elite programs consistently churn out top NFL prospects, Beamer still refers to his job as a "people business." On Monday, Beamer's deep-seated love for those very people shined through.

"The tough part about retiring is you're leaving the people that you love the most, that mean the most to you," said Beamer as he fought away tears. "That wasn't an easy time. But I appreciate them."

Even as his time at the helm of the Hokies draws to a close, Beamer's love for his players has never — and will never — go unnoticed.

"Right when I heard about it, a lot of emotion came over me. Just a big shock just because of how much he means to me personally," said fullback Sam Rogers. "Everything he's done for me. Coach Beamer was one of the only coaches really to give me a chance. He just means so much to me. It goes far beyond football...It's an honor to be coached by such a legend."

Defensive end Ken Ekanem used the very same word — love.

"He means so much to this program and this University," said Ekanem. "A lot of people wouldn't be here if it weren't for him. Students. All of this. This whole program wouldn't be the same without him...We all love him. It's hard to see him go."

For Ekanem, his connection with Beamer began before he even committed to play football at Virginia Tech. A highly-rated four-star recruit from Centreville, Virginia, Ekanem had scholarship offers from some of the nation's elite programs — Notre Dame, Oregon, and Michigan State, just to name a few. But in the 2011 Virginia state championship game against Oscar Smith, Ekanem tore his ACL.

Several schools backed off, hesitant to welcome in a player fresh off a serious knee injury.

Virginia Tech never wavered.

"When I was getting recruited my junior year, I came here, he sent me to his office, him and Bud, he just kept telling me how it was a family atmosphere, no one else will take care of you like we will," recalled Ekanem. "At that moment he said, 'We'll honor your scholarship regardless of what happens. Injuries happens, whatever may happen to you.' Senior year in one of my football games, I tore my ACL and he sent Bud over and Bud emphasized that they'll still honor my scholarship."

Beamer's admirable loyalty has certainly paid off as Ekanem has blossomed into an All-ACC performer. But even if Ekanem had never played a down in maroon and orange, does anyone think Beamer would have regretted it for a minute?

I, for one, don't.

Rogers, a former walk-on from Mechanicsville, Virginia, took a very different path to Blacksburg. Unrecruited by just about every major program, Rogers ultimately decided to come to Virginia Tech, in part because of the abounding kindness of Beamer.

"Coach Beamer is an incredible man. It goes far beyond football. It's a blessing to be around him everyday," said Rogers. "A little story: before I was even getting recruited or anything like that, my brother and his best friend got caught in a house fire. He had no angle or no purpose to calling besides the fact that he cared about them. He just heard about them in Richmond and he called them, asked them if they were alright, just let them know he was caring for them. Praying for them...That goes far beyond football. He didn't do that to get any headlines or anything like that. He just did it because he cared. That's the kind of man that we play for. I just hope we never take that for granted."

And regardless of where you go or who you talk to, nearly everyone that has crossed paths with Frank Beamer has a story just like this one. It's why he's been so successful.

Asked what he hopes his legacy entails, Beamer didn't even mention the word football.

"He is who he is. Honest, caring and respectful," said Beamer.

At some point in the not-so-distant future, a new head coach will be announced in Blacksburg. Perhaps it'll be Rich Rodriguez, a former colleague of athletic director Whit Babcock at West Virginia. It could be Tom Herman, the current Houston head coach and former Ohio State offensive coordinator. Maybe it'll be Bud Foster, Beamer's longtime defensive coordinator.

But regardless to whom Babcock hands the reigns, that man will arrive in Blacksburg with facilities, fan support and players that all rank among the tops in the nation.

"One thing I take great pride in is I think we leave this job as a very attractive job," said Beamer. "Facilities and an ability to compete. I think we leave it in good shape in that regard. I think we leave some fantastic players. Some really good young players that we've watched develop and get better. I think the future is bright. I take great pride in that."

But until that fateful day does come, Beamer's undivided attention will remain on impending matchups with Georgia Tech, North Carolina and rival Virginia.

"If we can win these last three, and I'm gonna work like heck and I know our team will, our coaches will, to win these last three and go to a bowl and do some dancin'. We dance in the dressing room. We're gonna do some dancin'," joked Beamer.

And after last week's 26-10 victory over Boston College, Beamer is confident that his Hokies can go on one last winning streak.

"To me, this thing is a lot about life," said Beamer. "Not everyday out there in life's gonna be great. Some of the greatest people are the ones that respond to adversity. And when things are not right, people are not saying the best things about you, how do you respond to that? I'll tell you what — that last win up at Boston College, I couldn't be more proud of how we went up there and played. I thought it made a great statement about our players, our coaches. I'll say this: there's not a group I'd rather be with going down the stretch trying to win three games and a bowl. Couldn't think of a better group."

Beamer's players, many of whom were in the audience to support their coach this afternoon, recognize that their final three games are about more than just themselves.

"It's not about us anymore," said Rogers. "It's definitely about him. It's always gonna be about him here at Virginia Tech."