| Page 4 of 4 < |
'He Had a Vision About This Place'
Elite Company
Frank Beamer has proved the state engineering school tucked in the mountains of southwest Virginia could become home to one of the biggest, flashiest and best college football teams in the country.
(John McDonnell - The Washington Post)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
In 1994, Beamer went on his first Nike coaches' trip, an annual getaway paid for by the shoe company for programs that use its equipment. On the way back from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the coaches had a layover in the Houston airport. Beamer and his wife went to grab a sandwich, and he noticed a couple old coaches munching on lunch with their wives. They waved him and Cheryl over.
"I'm thinking, 'Gee, my whiz, I'm sitting here with Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno,' " Beamer said. "I was kind of amazed at that."
Bowden and Paterno are the only two current coaches who have coached longer at one school and compiled more victories than Beamer. He has become one of the sport's grand old men in an era when coaches get fired at the first sign of struggle.
When asked about why he's been able to remain here so long, Beamer answered after a lengthy pause.
"I think I treat people right," Beamer said. "I think that's big in this business. There's always going to be a crisis. And so, when that happens, there better be a lot of trust and belief in each other. If you don't, you're probably not going to be able to solve the problem. I think that's one of the things we've done here that's helped us survive."
He's as much a CEO as football coach now. Hite has been here for 29 years. Foster has been with him 28, including his time as a player. Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring and recruiting coordinator/strong safety-outside linebackers coach Jim Cavanaugh have both been with him for at least 11 years. Beamer spends one night with the defense, one night with the offense and trusts his assistants.
Some football coaches can't relax. Beamer can. He finishes his work and leaves Virginia Tech's complex most nights by 8 p.m. while other coaches work, until midnight some nights. He plays golf (he's about a 12 handicap) in the offseason. He cooks out with his family. He owns a place and a boat on Claytor Lake.
Beamer is at a place more special to him than any other, surrounded by people with whom he shares a mutual loyalty to the football program he built with them. He still, perhaps, can see more in Virginia Tech than anyone else.
"As far as how this operation runs, I think it's very efficient," Beamer said. "I don't put as many hours in, but feel it gets done properly.
"From that standpoint, I am happy. I feel thankful. And very, very happy."
