A coach who knows a thing or two about the awkwardness of late-career struggles says he can identify with fellow ACC legend Frank Beamer in the wake of Virginia Tech's 6-3 double-overtime loss to lowly Wake Forest.
That coach, as you might expect, is Florida State icon Bobby Bowden, whose prolonged, painful exit from the Seminoles will be a model for what Virginia Tech hopes to avoid when Beamer retires.
“His situation kind of reminds me of what mine looked like in my last years,” Bowden said he told his wife in reaction to the Wake loss, per a conversation with Sports Illustrated.
“Frank has done as good a job there as Joe Paterno and myself and Bear Bryant did at our schools. When you think of Virginia Tech and the last generation there, all they remember is Coach Beamer.”
And Bowden would be correct, as Virginia Tech is synonymous with Frank Beamer and Beamerball. Beamer took over a Virginia Tech program that wasn't exactly a college football power in 1987, and after 25-39-2 in his first six seasons, the Hokies have gone 203-76 since and have not missed a bowl game since the 1992 season. The Hokies have won seven conference titles under Beamer (three in the Big East, four in the ACC) and have played in six BCS bowls.
Beamer's impact on the program is undeniable, but he finds himself in a situation at the moment where some are wondering just what the future holds. Even though Beamer signed a contract extension through 2018 before this season began, the buyout on his deal is only $2 million, and there's been speculation that the school could consider making a change if the Hokies lose to Virginia this week and miss out on a bowl game.
It seems somewhat ridiculous to consider given what Beamer's meant to the program, but it's entirely logical as well. Beamer turned 68 last month, and in the last three years the Hokies have gone only 20-17 overall and 11-12 in ACC play. As we've seen with Bowden at Florida State, and Mack Brown at Texas only a year ago, this is a "what have you done for me lately" kind of business.
Something Bowden himself stressed in his talk with Sports Illustrated.
"There's no loyalty at the end," said Bowden. "It's strictly winning."
