Tearful Frank Beamer steps aside to keep Hokies’ house united
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Version 0 of 1. BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech football Coach Frank Beamer barely made it through the first few minutes of his news conference Monday afternoon, wiping away tears as he announced his impending retirement at the end of the season. One of the sport’s most iconic figures couldn’t help himself while standing at the dais and witnessing the outpouring of support and gratitude. With wife Cheryl by his side, Beamer addressed a packed McConnell Auditorium on the Virginia Tech campus, one day after informing players and staff of his decision and ending months of speculation about his future. “I’ve always said I think I’ll know when it’s time, and I think it’s time,” Beamer said. “There’s been some differences of opinion. Any time you’re in the public life, there’s going to be differences of opinion. I understand that, but the last thing I want is for Hokies to be divided. I want everybody to be in the same direction, and I think it’s right in that regard.” In 29 years at Virginia Tech, Beamer transformed a program with little college football tradition into a national power. The Hokies, however, have fallen out of the national spotlight in recent years. This season, plagued by injuries and uneven performances, they stand at just 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the ACC. [ Ranking college football’s coaching vacancies ] Beamer, 69, owns a career record of 277-143-4, including 235-120-2 at Virginia Tech. He directed his alma mater to six Bowl Championship Series bowl games, four ACC championships and three Big East titles utilizing a playing style dubbed “Beamer Ball” that relied on special teams, defense and a robust running game. Since the start of the 1995 season, Ohio State (15) is the only Power Five program that has produced more seasons with 10 or more victories than Virginia Tech (13). Dating from 1996, no Power Five program has registered more sacks (740) or interceptions (335). The Hokies have blocked 136 kicks (67 punts, 41 field goals and 28 PATs) during his tenure. The Hokies won at least 10 games in a season consecutively from 2004 through 2011 but have lost at least five in each of the last five years. The school nonetheless extended Beamer’s contract by two years, through 2018, before the start of last season. Virginia Tech is coming off a 26-10 victory over Boston College and next plays on Nov. 12 at Georgia Tech. “I was a little shocked when I heard the news,” Hokies redshirt junior defensive end Ken Ekanem said. “He came in, and it was just hard to watch. It was a painful process for him. He means so much to this program and this university. A lot of people wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. Obviously this whole program wouldn’t be the same without him. Hard to watch this guy leave.” [ Culpepper: Beamer’s defining characteristic ] Ekanem recounted a story about Beamer from when he was in high school at Centreville. Then a highly recruited junior, Ekanam met with Beamer, who told him Virginia Tech would honor his scholarship regardless of injury. Ekanem tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a game the next year, and longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster came to Centreville to reiterate what Beamer had promised. Other members of college football’s coaching fraternity were quick to praise Beamer as well. Among the first to issue a statement was Virginia’s Mike London, who is 0-5 against Beamer since taking over the Cavaliers in 2010. Virginia Tech plays Virginia on Nov. 28 in Charlottesville in what could be the embattled London’s final game as Cavaliers coach. “I have nothing but respect for Coach Beamer and his accomplishments,” London said. “His longevity and influences in the game of football are outstanding. I have gotten to know him personally and know him to be a good man. I wish Coach Beamer and his family well.” There was no immediate indication about a replacement for Beamer, but the winningest active coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision has stated a preference for that job to fall to a member of his staff, most notably Foster or son and associate head coach Shane Beamer. The vacancy at Virginia Tech will leave 10 head coaching jobs available among the 128 FBS schools, including Maryland, Southern California, Miami and South Carolina. “I know the biggest part of this business, and the way you get results, is relationships and caring about people,” Beamer said. “It can’t be fake. It’s got to be real, and like I said, this group of players, this group of coaches made it easy. “Caring and the relationships — I think that’s definitely what I’m going to miss the most.” |