Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer Needs to Retire

Why it’s time for Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer to retire

Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, 68, is the NCAA’s active all-time leader in wins in college football, but his program is declining with no signs of improvement and now may be the best time for the legendary coach to step away from the sidelines.

Donning a career coaching record of 271-138-4, Beamer has made his mark on Virginia Tech’s program with a record of 229-115-2 as a Hokie and leading the program to their 22nd straight bowl appearance in 2014.  He has won a total of 10 coaching awards including conference coach of the year awards (Big East and ACC), Bobby Dodd Coach of the year award, Joseph V. Paterno coach of the year award and etc.  Beamer has won eight total conference titles (one in the OVC, three in the Big East and four in the ACC.)  He also took the Hokies to their only national championship appearance in the 1999 Sugar Bowl with a team led by star quarterback Michael Vick.

The list of accomplishments are endless, but Beamer is most notably known for his special teams expertise which is now known as “Beamerball.”  Beamerball is best defined as scoring non-offensive touchdowns and using the defense and special teams units to put points on the scoreboard.  Since 1987, Beamer has had a player at every defensive position score a touchdown in his 27-year span at Virginia Tech.  An additional 35 players have scored on special teams.  Beamerball is also known for blocking punts and field goals, that are momentum changers.

Four of Beamer’s first six seasons were losing seasons, but since 1993 Beamer has not had a losing season.  During that span, his teams have won 10 or more games a total of 13 times, including a span of eight straight seasons from 2004 to 2011.  Virginia Tech will play Cincinnati in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27, and if the Hokies lose this game, it will be their first losing season since 1992 (2-8-1.)

Beamer landed his first five-star recruit two recruiting classes when defensive back Kendall Fuller committed to Virginia Tech.  In arguably the best class the program has seen, their record is an underwhelming 14-11 and finished last in the ACC Coastal division in 2014.  While the team is young, Beamer and his staff have been known to take above-average recruiting classes and turning them into great players that fit into the system.  However, that has not happened with this great recruiting class through their first two seasons.

Before the 2013 season, Virginia Tech brought in three new offensive coaches in attempt to take the Hokies’ offense to the next level.  Since then, Hokie fans have been let down by offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, Aaron Moorehead and Jeff Grimes.  Loefller was thought to be biggest hire since he has worked with Tom Brady and Tim Tebow.  In 2014, Virginia Tech’s offense ranks 97th (out of 128 teams) in total yardage with 368 yards per game and 23.3 points per game.  In Loefller’s first season with the Hokies’ offense and working with Logan Thomas, they finished 91st (out of 126 teams) averaging 356 yards per game and 22.5 points per game.

Aaron Moorehead has done a good job of recruiting and bringing in talented receivers, such as freshman Isaiah Ford who has 53 catches for 665 yards and six touchdowns.  But overall the receivers have been an unreliable group with many dropped passes.  Jeff Grimes, perhaps, could be the biggest disappointment for the Hokies.  Grimes improved the offensive line in 2013, his only season with the team.  Grimes left after the 2013 season to take the offensive line position at LSU.

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Despite the lack of production from the hires in 2013, they aren’t all to blame.  The special teams unit has looked miserable in recent years.  Beamer was once an innovator of using special teams to change the game by scoring points and blocking kicks, but as of late the Hokies’ special teams units have looked confused, and have made many mistakes.  Beamer takes sole responsibility as special teams coach and has for a long time.

The lone bright spot and the most consistent part of the team has been the defense.  Nicknamed the “Lunch Pale Defense” due to their hard work and strong mentality, Bud Foster’s group has been dominant.  Anchored by defensive lineman Dadi Nicholas and defensive back Kendall Fuller, the Hokies rank 17th in total defense allowing 331.7 yards per game and 20.4 points against per game.  Virginia Tech has seemed to always be tough, especially in big games.  The highlight of the season for the Hokies was their 35-21 win at Ohio State on Sep. 6 and it was the defense that sparked the win.

Frank’s son, Shane, has been linked to the head coaching vacancy at Troy University.  If Shane were to take the position, it may be the best opportunity for Frank to step away from the game.  Spending your last season as a head coach with your son on your staff would be a special father-son bond the Beamers would never be able to forget.

According to Hokiesports.com, Beamer underwent surgery on Saturday to repair an issue in his throat.  However, he is doing well and was able to watch Saturday’s college football playoff selection show at his home.  It is expected that Beamer will be on the sidelines for his 22nd consecutive bowl game on Dec. 27.

Beamer’s on the verge of having his first losing season since 1992.  The Hokies are coming off their worst conference performance in Beamer’s tenure in either the Big East or the ACC.  With health issues as a concern as of late, it may be best for Beamer to step off the sidelines and into a role within Virginia Tech’s athletic department.  When the time does come for Beamer to retire, it will be a sad moment for college football fans everywhere as another legend will hang up the headset.

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