Frank Beamer Is "Beamer Ball"

When you hear the name Frank Beamer, you think of "Beamer Ball" which is synonymous with tough defense and special teams play. Beamer spent six seasons as the head coach at Murray State, compiling a record of 42-23-2 before going to Virginia Tech.

Beamer in 1987 took over a Hokies football program that was largely unsuccessful in its first century, reaching only six bowl games in that time span. Beamer has since built the Hokies into a perennially ranked team. In 20 years at the helm of VT, his overall record is 156-82-2. His teams have made 14 consecutive bowl appearances. During his tenure as coach, 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 one ACC Championship.

He won Big East Coach of the Year awards in 1995, 1996, and 1999. In 1999, he won consensus National Coach of the Year honors when he led Virginia Tech to an undefeated regular season and appearance in the National Championship game against Florida State. Beamer was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 2004, his first year competing in the league. 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

During the 'Beamer Era' at Virginia Tech, putting points on the scoreboard has become a full team effort - offensive, defensive and special teams. Often when the team scores one or more non-offensive touchdowns, the style of play is described as "Beamer Ball." Since Beamer's first season in 1987, a player at every position on the defensive unit has scored at least one touchdown.