Frank Beamer, a Hillsville, Virginia native, graduated from Virginia Tech in 1969, where he was a three year starting cornerback for Tech’s football program. He then went on to accept coaching positions at Maryland, The Citadel, and Murray State before being promoted to Murray State’s head coaching role. After six years of coaching at Murray State posting a 42-23-2 record, Beamer accepted the head coaching position at his Alma Mater, Virginia Tech. He then went on to lead the Tech football program to the national spotlight. During his 29-seasons as Virginia Tech’s head coach, Beamer’s Hokies posted a 238-121-2 record. In major college football history, only Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, Bear Bryant, Pop Warner and Amos Alonzo Stagg coached more victories than Frank Beamer’s 280. Beamer’s Hokies also spent 84 consecutive weeks in the AP Poll top 25. Beamer guided the Hokies to seven conference titles; however, his most memorable year came in 1999, when he led the Hokies to the school’s first National Championship game appearance, and was also named the 1999 National Coach of the Year. His greatest accomplishment however may have been the respect he garnered from those in the coaching profession, as he was voted “Most Respectable Coach”. He retired in 2015 with the most wins of any active coach, while also breaking an NCAA record with 23 consecutive Bowl Appearances. He coached 13 teams to 10 or more victories, including a run of eight straight years of 10 or more wins after the Hokies moved to the ACC in 2004. Beamer is a 2018 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.
