Miami (FL) vs. No. 21 Virginia Tech: Why Frank Beamer Should Be Considered Elite

Frank Beamer will lead his Virginia Tech Hokies today in a home contest against conference rival Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes will look to earn some respect with a win, and the Hokies hope to keep their ACC titles alive with a win.

One edge that the Hokies are sure to have in this game is Frank Beamer. Beamer has been a great coach in his career and has won ballgames. It may not always be pretty, but wins matter.

He has done more than most, but the question still remains, is Frank Beamer really among the college football coaching elite?

Beamer began his coaching career at Maryland as a graduate assistant in 1972. Ever since the first day as a coach, Beamer has been focused on putting quality defense on the field and earning the respect and hard work of his players.

Beamer has only coached and four different collegiate institutions in his career. He started at Maryland and then went on to the Citadel and became defensive coordinator. He left for Murray State in 1979 to take over the same position and was eventually promoted to head coach in 1981. Beamer brought his talents back to Virginia Tech in 1987 and hasn’t looked back since.

Beamer has brought numerous game-changing strategies to defense and to special teams in his tenure with the Hokies. One of the most famous contributions to the game has been the advent of “Beamerball.”

“Beamerball” has been used to describe the pattern of scoring from defensive and special teams units under the leadership of Beamer. Since he has arrived at Virginia Tech, his teams have played with a special swagger on block teams and on defense.

Beamer played for the Hokies from 1966-69, so it’s a no brainer that he has settled in at Tech and has done quite well for his alma matter. Beamer has become an iconic figure for the Hokies fan base and for the school, and is likely settling into a Bowden- or Paterno-style reverence.

When Beamer took over the Hokies,they were a losing program. They continued to lose or play mediocre football for a few years, but since 1992 Beamer has not coached a losing football team.

No matter what other gauge there is out there for a head coach and his worth to the college football game, not having a losing season in 18 years is standard for elite status.

Beamer has coached the Hokies to two Big East titles and three ACC titles. The only ring that is missing is the national title ring. Beamer got the team there with Michael Vick at the helm, but they eventually lost to a very talented Florida State team.

Beamer has been consistent in whatever conference that the Hokies have found themselves aligned. This season is no different, as they have only lost one conference game. Today’s game comes against a returning Miami team, but the Hokies have to expect to get the win at home.

A win against Miami will continue to show that Beamer can lead his teams to successful seasons against top-level talent. It will show that Beamer can get his team refocused after a big loss to a very talented Clemson team.

At the end of the day, Beamer can lead his team to win ballgames. He has been an innovator for the way that defense and special teams are played. Every play matters to the Hokies, and it shows in the win column and the ability to take advantage of every edge that is given to them.

Beamer will undoubtedly finish his career with the Hokies and will go down a legend for the Virginia Tech program. The return to dominance came with Beamer’s homecoming, and the tradition is likely to live on past his tenure. No matter the future success, his role in the resurgence will never be forgotten.