The closest active coach is Steve Spurrier, who sits 47 wins in the rears. On the all time wins list, there are far too many big names in his wake to list, so instead I’ll list the only D-1 coaches who have more career wins than Beamer:
One only needs to look at the numbers to see how impressive of a resume he has compiled. I get the feeling that nationally, Beamer is still under appreciated. Playing in one of the most storied bowl games against one of the most prestigious teams in the sport, an unknown Virginia Tech team whipped up on the Longhorns 28-10 and woke up the country to the fact that the Hokies were legit, and Beamer was leading the charge. A Virginia native and Hokie football alum, Beamer slowly built a juggernaut in Southwest Virginia as Virginia Tech emerged from decades of irrelevance on the college football landscape.Įveryone points to the 1999 season when the Hokies made it to the Nationals Championship game on the arm and legs of Michael Vick, but a truer milestone is the 1995 Sugar Bowl win over Texas. The trajectory of his career and their program have run parallel since he took the job in 1987 after a head coaching stint at Murray State. However, many are starting to ask the question, should Frank Beamer retire?įrank Beamer is Virginia Tech football, plain and simple. After last night, it was probably an easy task to find a despondent Hokie supporter in the Lane Stadium parking lot who’d argue Beamer shouldn’t be on the sidelines “next year.”Ĩ-5 and 7-6 campaigns have been followed up by this season going almost completely off the rails, as the Hokies are in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since 1992 an incredible run built on the back of Beamer and his staff. Next year? I can’t imagine any players, coaches, alumni or fans would have expected “next year” talk with four games remaining this year, after Virginia Tech celebrated their landmark win at Ohio State in early September. A garbage time TD pass from the backup QB was the only thing that prevented the first Hokies shut out since 1995, as the Canes took this one with ease, 30-6.Īt his post game press conference, Head Coach Frank Beamer remarked “I think we’re going to be a good football team next year, and that’s kind of where we are.” The moment was fleeting, as running back Marshawn Williams was stripped of the ball at the Hurricane 2 yard line on a play that for all intents and purposes sealed the fate of Virginia Tech on this night.
The Hokies quickly marched to the Miami 3 yard line, as the bourbon fueled, sellout crowd at Lane Stadium regained their bright eyes and full throats. Down 24-0, Virginia Tech returned to the field with a sense of urgency, sparked by a 58 yard kickoff return.
Photo: Chris Graythen, Getty ImagesĪs the Virginia Tech Hokies came out of the tunnel last night for the 2nd half versus the Miami Hurricanes, they found themselves on the wrong side of a disappointing 1st half. Frank Beamer stands with his team before taking the field.