Gobbler Country, a Virginia Tech Hokies community

"This may sound nuts, but T.J. Millweard (Fort Worth, Texas/All Saints Episcopal) is very, very similar to former Missouri QB and first-round NFL draft pick Blaine Gabbert. He has size, is a deceptive athlete who can run and has the arm to make all the throws with a powerful over-the-top release. Frank Beamer got a steal with this Virginia Tech commit."

"I’ve always admired the job Frank Beamer has done in Blacksburg, both on the field and away from it," said Penn State coach Joe Paterno, the award’s namesake. "I’ve been especially impressed by his work in the community. He stands for all that’s good in college sports, a great choice for this year’s winner."

"For us, I think it's kind of the final straw for where we are in the college football world," Beamer says. "What we lack is a national championship. When we do that, I think the picture will be complete."

"‘Bud, this is my team, not your team,’" Foster vividly remembers Beamer snarling, followed by the "suggestion" that he shut his mouth.

Foster was stunned. Beamer had never said anything like that to him, or anyone else, before. Not during Foster’s days playing for Beamer at Murray State University in 1979 and 1980. Not during the seasons he spent as a graduate assistant and assistant coach at the same school. Not during what was then 18 years together at Tech, where Foster had risen from inside-linebackers coach to co-defensive coordinator in 1995 to sole occupant of the position a year later.

While it's premature to say the tide has turned in the battle for in-state football recruits, early returns indicate that new University of Virginia coach Mike London is making good on his promise to refocus efforts closer to home.

The Cavaliers received two verbal commitments from area recruits in the past week, bringing their Class of 2011 haul to 13 prospects - six from the state, five from Hampton Roads.

"We've seen some serious incidents of pavement damage here before, but outside of a war zone you're not going to see anything like this. When you're dealing with someone like Frank, though, his 11 rating on the Mohs Scale explains it all."

"Changing of the guards at Virginia Tech. Frank Beamer retires, Bud Foster takes over, and AD Jim Weaver steps down. The first is inevitable. The second isn’t a guarantee. And the third could be prompted by health concerns. Foster’s latest agreement will do a good job of keeping him in Blacksburg, though, and it would be a public relations nightmare if Virginia Tech picked anyone else to succeed Beamer."

"Consistent. Steady. Consistent. I think you have to be that way. I think if your program … what I’m most proud of is we’ve consistently been a winner for the last 16 years. I don’t think you can be that if you aren’t that way. Your players will be up and down."

"It’s just simply trying to do things the right way," Frank Beamer said. "We’re supposed to be setting the example for our players here at Virginia Tech and if we, as coaches, make a conscious effort to try and always conduct ourselves professionally, I hope our players will see that and follow along."