Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff (CFP), today announced that Frank Beamer has been appointed to the selection committee by the CFP Management Committee. Beamer will each begin a three-year term this spring along with fellow new committee members Chris Howard (President, Robert Morris University) and Gene Smith (Director of Athletics, The Ohio State University).
“Frank, Chris and Gene will each bring a wealth of knowledge to the selection committee,” Hancock said. “All three played college football. And they will continue the CFP tradition of committee members with high integrity and a passion for college football.”
Prior to his retirement in 2015, Beamer was the winningest active coach in FBS history at the time of his retirement, having tallied an impressive career record of 238-121-2 at Virginia Tech. Under Beamer, Virginia Tech football enjoyed unprecedented success with 23 consecutive bowl appearances, a mark that the Hokies extended to 24 straight under head coach Justin Fuente in 2016.
“I had to make sure it wasn’t someone pulling my leg when I got the call inquiring whether I’d be interested in serving on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee,” Beamer said. “When Bill Hancock assured me that that it was quite legitimate, it didn’t take me long to sign up. What an honor and what a privilege!
“College football has been my life’s work, and I’m really humbled that I can still contribute to the game in this role,” he continued. “Hopefully the rest of the committee will be interested in my perspective. To join a group with so many great minds and such a diverse range of experience, I just want to pull my weight. The committee has an important role, and I’ll do everything asked of me to help rank the best teams in America for the right to compete for the national championship.”
Beamer guided his alma mater to four Atlantic Coast Conference championships, five ACC Coastal Division crowns, three BIG EAST Conference titles, six BCS appearances, two “major” bowl victories and a trip to the national championship game in 2000. Including his tenure at Murray State from 1981-86, he finished his illustrious career with 280 head coaching victories.
A three-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year (1995, 1996, 1999), Beamer was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005. He was the consensus National Coach of the Year in 1999.
Beamer continues to serve Virginia Tech as an ambassador for athletics and the spokesperson for the Drive for 25 campaign that seeks to increase membership in the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund (aka the “Hokie Club”) to 25,000 members.
“I know firsthand from both my experience as a player and from coaching just how important scholarships are to young people here at Virginia Tech,” Beamer said. “Scholarships change lives, and that’s why Cheryl [his wife] and I have always been willing to give to help these student-athletes not just to play sports, but also to be a part of such a special place and get a degree. Many of my former players wouldn’t have received that opportunity otherwise.”
— Courtesy of VT Athletics
