Frank Beamer As A National Coach Of The Year Nominee

Coming off back-to-back losses against Duke and Boston College, the title of this article may shock you. However, I strongly believe all Hokies should back Frank Beamer as coach of the year. Liberty Mutual is in its eighth year of hosting the Coach of the Year award, and Frank deserves some support. Here's why:

Frank Beamer is a great man on and off the field. Coming off their worst season in 20 years, in which the Hokies were still bowl eligible, mind you, Frank Beamer has put forth one of the best defenses in not just the ACC, but the entire nation. In his 25th season, Frank Beamer did something he hasn't had to do for most of his career - he had to make changes. He brought in three new offensive assistants, including a new quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Frank Beamer has always been a loyal man, some might even say to a fault. Coach Beamer had one of the most tenured staffs in college football up until this past off-season. He put this program ahead of his personal comfort and made the requisite changes. Last season Virginia Tech won seven total games, including the bowl game. This year, the Hokies are already at six wins, with a lot of conference play left to go.

Beamer has more than on the field accomplishments to boast about. If you've ever been around the athletic facilities in Blacksburg you've seen the bins filled with piles of books. Those bins are a result of Frank Beamer's dedication to giving children an education. Frank Beamer founded Herma's Readers in memory of his mother. This excerpt is taken from the official web site:

As a tribute to his mother, Herma Beamer, a teacher for over thirty years, and to promote literacy in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Coach Frank Beamer, his brother Barnett, and sisters Betty and Billie, proudly announce the formation of Herma's Readers.

The purpose of this non-profit organization is to introduce the power of reading to our youngsters during their formative years, grades K-3.

Since 2008, Beamer has donated more than $50,000 of his own money to teaching underprivileged children in Virginia how to read. Moreover, Beamer has collected well over 30,000 books for Virginia's youth. This shouldn't surprise people that know Frank. He's always been a charitable figure.

When Tuscaloosa was ravaged by tornadoes, Frank Beamer called up Nick Saban's charity and made a sizable donation to those that needed it the most. Frank Beamer epitomizes being a class act.

That's why I'd like to voice my support for the winningest active coach in college football for Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year. Go get 'em, Frank!