Frank Beamer - Coaching Career

Coaching Career

Beamer's college coaching experience began in 1972, when he became a graduate assistant for the University of Maryland, College Park. After one season, he became an assistant coach at The Citadel under Bobby Ross. He spent seven seasons at The Citadel, the last two as the defensive coordinator. He moved on to become the defensive coordinator at Murray State University in 1979 under Mike Gottfried. After two seasons, he was promoted to head coach and compiled a record of 42–23–2 (.642) in six years. On December 22, 1986, Beamer was hired as the head coach at Virginia Tech. Beamer was to replace Bill Dooley, whose nine-year tenure was the most successful in terms of total wins and winning percentage in school history. Beamer signed a four-year contract worth $80,000 annually. Virginia Tech's new athletic director, Dale Baughman, who was hired to replace Dooley in that capacity, received criticism for hiring Beamer. "Some people have questioned this decision because he is not a big name," Baughman said at the time. "But it's a sound decision, and I'm standing by it."

Beamer took over a Virginia Tech football program that was largely unsuccessful in its first century, having reached only six bowl games to that point. Beamer has since built the Hokies into a perennially ranked team.One of his biggest successes was a winning record against the sec(40-27). In 25 years at the helm of VT, his overall record is 209–98–2 (.680), making him far and away the winningest coach in school history. His teams have made 19 consecutive bowl appearances, and Beamer has gone 8–11 in those 19 bowls, including 1–5 in BCS bowls and 1–1 in BCS-precursor Bowl Alliance bowls. During the bowl streak, Beamer has amassed a record of 185–58 (.761).

Head coach Beamer's total compensation before bonuses for the 2012 season will be $2,288,204, this includes his salary, privileges & car, a retention incentive, and additional income from sponsors including Nike & other marketing rights.

During Beamer's tenure at Virginia Tech, the program has evolved from independent status to a member of the Big East Conference to a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. His teams have won three Big East championships and four ACC titles. Beamer has been named the Big East Coach of the Year three times, in 1995, 1996, and 1999. In 1999, he won a number of national coach of the year honors when he led Virginia Tech to an undefeated regular season and an appearance in the Sugar Bowl, where they lost a bid for the national championship to Florida State. Beamer was named the ACC Coach of the Year in 2004, his first year competing in the conference. He repeated as ACC Coach of the Year in 2005 while leading his team to the ACC Coastal Division title and an appearance in the inaugural ACC Championship Game. His team was also given the Fall Sportsmanship Award in its inaugural season in the ACC.

Frank Beamer is currently the winningest active coach in Division I FBS.