Frank Beamer was born on October 18, 1946 in Mount Airy, North Carolina. He grew up in a small town where football was a way of life. Beamer knew from a young age that he wanted to be involved in the sport in some capacity. He attended Virginia Tech where he played cornerback from 1966 to 1969. It was during his time as a player that Beamer developed a love and passion for the game that would shape his future career.
After graduating from Virginia Tech, Beamer began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Maryland in 1972. He quickly moved up the ranks and eventually landed his first head coaching role at Murray State from 1981 to 1986. It was during his time at Murray State that Beamer honed his coaching skills and developed his unique coaching style that would set him apart in the world of college football.
In 1987, Beamer took over as the head coach at Virginia Tech, a position he would hold for the next three decades. Under Beamer's leadership, the Hokies experienced unprecedented success, winning numerous conference championships and consistently ranking among the top teams in the nation. In 1999, Beamer was recognized for his coaching prowess when he received the prestigious Paul "Bear" Bryant Award for the NCAA's top coach.
Off the field, Beamer is a family man. He has a son, Shane Beamer, who followed in his father's footsteps and is also a football coach. The father-son duo share a special bond over their shared love of the game and have both made significant impacts on the world of college football.
Early in his coaching career, Beamer had the opportunity to work under legendary coach Bobby Ross at The Citadel. Ross's mentorship and guidance had a profound impact on Beamer, shaping his coaching philosophy and approach to the game.
After a storied career as Virginia Tech's head coach, Beamer announced his retirement in 2015. His impact on the program and the sport as a whole cannot be overstated. Beamer's legacy will endure for generations to come, as he is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history.