Virginia Tech football Coach Frank Beamer is set to step down at the end of this season following his 29th year in Blacksburg, where he transformed the program into a perennial national power and became the winningest active coach in Football Bowl Subdivision history, the school announced Sunday.
Beamer informed his staff and players as well as Virginia Tech officials of his intentions during meetings early Sunday afternoon. There was no immediate indication as to who would replace the coaching icon, but Beamer has stated a preference for that job to fall to a member of his staff, most notably defensive coordinator Bud Foster or son and associate head coach Shane Beamer.
Frank Beamer is scheduled to speak in detail about his decision during a news conference Monday afternoon in Blacksburg, according to the school. The Hokies (4-5, 2-3), meantime, are coming off a 26-10 win against Boston College Saturday on the road and remain in contention to secure a bowl appearance for a 23rd consecutive year.
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“I was going to wait until the end of the season to make this announcement, but I’ve always believed in being open and honest with my players and coaches,” Beamer said in a statement. “I know Hokie Nation will continue to give our players and our coaches their full support in these last three games, and hopefully through a bowl game.”
Beamer, 69, owns a career record of 277-143-4, including 235-120-2 at Virginia Tech. He directed his alma mater to four ACC championships, three Big East titles and six trips to a Bowl Championship Series bowl game behind a playing style dubbed “Beamer Ball” that focused on special teams, defense and a robust running game.
The Hokies have blocked 136 kicks (67 punts, 41 field goals and 28 PATs) during his tenure. Dating from 1996, no Power Five program has registered more sacks (740) or interceptions (335). 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).
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The Hokies won at least 10 games in a season consecutively from 2004 through ’11 but have lost at least five games in each of the last five seasons. The school nonetheless extended Beamer’s contract by two years, through 2018, before the start of last year.
“I will be forever grateful to everyone who made these past three decades the best years of my life,” said Beamer, a 1969 graduate of Virginia Tech. “It’s an emotional day for me and my family. I am so honored and humbled to have served as your head coach.”
Beamer guided Virginia Tech from independent to the Big East in 1991 and then to the ACC in 2004. He won three games in each of his first two seasons in 1987 and ’88, but the Hokies began to flourish following Big East championships in 1995 and ’96. The program surged to national prominence in 1999 and played Florida State in the Sugar Bowl for the national championship.
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Redshirt freshman Michael Vick started at quarterback in that game but was unable to rally the Hokies in a 46-29 loss. The next season, Virginia Tech, amid high expectations, did not play for the national championship because of a loss to third-ranked Miami late in the year. It was the only loss of the season for the Hokies, who thumped Clemson in the Gator Bowl, 41-20.
Virginia Tech had just one more season in which it lost two games or fewer, that coming in 2005. Its only regular season loss that year came to Miami, but the Hurricanes fell to Georgia Tech, allowing Virginia Tech to claim the ACC Coastal Division title. The Hokies lost to Florida State in the conference title game, 27-22, and went on to beat Louisville in the Gator Bowl, 35-24.
“Coach [Beamer] will always remain one of the most beloved figures in college football history,” Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock said. “He’s a future Hall of Famer, an educator and a role model. His contributions to Virginia Tech and the game of football — both on and off of the field — are unquestionable and beyond measure.”
Added Virginia Coach Mike London: “I have nothing but respect for Coach Beamer and his accomplishments. 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.”
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