Frank Beamer (2004) - Hall of Fame - Murray State University Athletics

Frank Beamer

Induction:
2004

Frank Beamer - Head Football Coach, 1981-1986

Under the direction of Coach Frank Beamer, Murray State Football gained national recognition during the 1980s with a winning program that was built on class and poise both on and off the field.
Dedication and hard work from Beamer and his talented staff resulted in a 42-23-2 record during his tenure.
Under Beamer's direction, the Racers enjoyed a two-year stint in which the Racers were nationally ranked in the NCAA 1-AA Top-25.
Beamer arrived on the MSU campus as defensive coordinator for Coach Mike Gottfried in 1979.
A defensive and special teams wizard, Beamer introduced the wide tackle six defense to the OVC, and the Racers demonstrated it to be effective system with high-level talent.
In 1979, Beamer's defense ranked second in the nation in rushing defense and fourth in scoring defense.
In two seasons as defensive coordinator, Beamer coached eight All-OVC performers including defensive back Terry Love who was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Year.
In 1980, the Racer defense was ranked second nationally in total defense while allowing a mere 9.1 points per game, the best in the country.
As a rookie head coach in 1981, Beamer became one of the most successful first-year coaches in all of college football. The Racers were 8-3 and finished second in the OVC.
Part of what makes a team great is attention to detail and emphasis on special teams play. Both are areas of excellence for Beamer. The Racers blocked a total of 33 kicks and forced 224 turnovers in his eight years at MSU.
As head coach, Beamer produced 17 All-OVC players, with Gino Gibbs being named the 1981 OVC Offensive Player of the Year.
Beamer had 11 players named All-America including Charlie Wiles being named a first-team selection in 1986.
Frank Beamer went on to be the first alumnus to guide the Virginia Tech Hokies since the 1940s when he took over the reins from Bill Dooley in January 1987.
At Virginia Tech, Beamer built on the success that he experienced at Murray State.
Under Beamer, the Hokies posted five top-10 finishes and became one of only six programs in college football history to go to a bowl game in at least 20-straight seasons.
After just one win in six bowl games prior to his arrival, Beamer would win 11 of his 23 appearances, including marquee wins in the 1995 Sugar Bowl, 2009 Orange Bowl and the 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl.
A five-time conference Coach of the Year, Beamer won three BIG EAST titles and added four ACC titles in five conference championship game appearances.
Overall, he coached 16 First Team All-Americans for the Hokies.
In 2016, Beamer became the 11^th Murray State coach or administrator to be enshrined in the OVC Hall of Fame.
The honor by the OVC meant that Beamer was a hall of fame member in three different places, Murray State, Virginia Tech and at the OVC.
In 2018, Beamer was announced as one of three coaches and 13 total inductees that will be honored in the class of 2018 for the College Football Hall of Fame, as announced by the National Football Foundation.