Best college football coach in history from each state

TUSCALOOSA, AL - CIRCA 1958-1982: Paul Bryant, head coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team observes the play during a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Alabama) (Photo by University of Alabama/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /

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Dec 26, 2015; Shreveport, LA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Frank Beamer looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Virginia: Frank Beamer

Beamer transformed a dormant program into a national power, becoming one of the greatest coaches in college football history in the process.

A three-sport star in high school, Beamer attended Virginia Tech to play cornerback and earned his first collegiate coaching job as an assistant at Maryland four years later. Beamer rose to the defensive coordinator position at Murray State by 1979 and compiled a 42-23-2 record as head coach of the Racers between 1981 and 1986.

Virginia Tech hired Beamer to replace Bud Dooley, who achieved a rare run of sustained success in Blacksburg as the winningest coach in school history. After a few years of middling results, the program started to take off in 1995 with a 10-2 record, victory in the Sugar Bowl over Texas, and first-ever finish in the AP top 10.

Beamer quickly eclipsed Dooley’s accomplishments with 13 double-digit win seasons, including a run of eight straight from 2004-2011. The Hokies finished as high as second with an 11-1 record in 1999 and made eight appearances in major bowl games before Beamer retired in 2015.

A national championship eluded Beamer and the Hokies, but he owns the Virginia Tech record book with a lifetime mark of 238-121-2 and nine conference championships. Justin Fuente looks ready to keep the Hokies going after a promising first season, while rival Virginia has enjoyed little success outside of the George Welsh era.

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