Frank Beamer is a legend at Virginia Tech, to the point that his name should probably be added to Lane Stadium sooner rather than later. Over the course of 28 seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, Beamer has led the Hokies’ program to a 231-115-2 record.
When the 68-year old head coach took over in Blacksburg, the Hokies were a forgotten Division 1-A Independent. Yet under his direction VT gained access to the Big East, where his teams would won three conference titles. Virginia Tech also appeared in the 1999 BCS National Championship Game. In 2004 Tech joined the ACC and Beamer’s squads captured four more league championships. Overall, he’s won ten or more games in a season 13 times.
However, after posting double-digit wins each year from 2004 to 2011, the Hokies have stumbled to mediocre records of 7-6, 8-5 and 7-6 over the last three seasons. Beamer built Virginia Tech into a national college football brand, but there are concerns that he’s taken the Hokies as far as he can.
Earlier this week, Tech athletic director Whit Babcock sat down with David Teel of the Daily Press and praised all Beamer has done in Blacksburg, but made it clear that Beamer does not have a lifetime contract to be the head coach at VT.
"“As far as Coach’s future, there’s nothing been determined on that at all. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Whenever that day comes, we’ll do what we feel like is best for Virginia Tech.”"
Unless the Hokies take a step forward in 2015, it sounds like Beamer could be on the way out.
Next: 9. Derek Mason, Vanderbilt