BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10 SPORTS) - Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer does not plan on retiring anytime soon, however he does know who he wants to replace him when he does.
Beamer said during appearance on ESPN Tuesday, that he would prefer someone from his current coaching staff to take over as head coach when he retires. That someone would either be longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster or his son, associate head coach Shane Beamer.
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Before the start of the 2014 season, Virginia Tech extended Beamer's contract by two years which will last through the end of the 2018 season. The Hokies are coming off a 7-6 season in which they upset Ohio State 35-21 last year .The Hokies will play Ohio Sate again in their season opener.
Coach Beamer is coming off of throat surgery in December that sidelined him during the Military Bowl when the Hokies defeated Cincinnati 33-17. The surgery recovery took longer than expected and even caused him to lose forty pounds. However, he says he is in good health and does not plan to on slowing down anytime soon.
"It's going to be up to the athletics director and president," Beamer said. "They're going to have to want to keep me. My job has never been better. My health is good, I feel good and I'm looking forward to getting it going again. Right now, my job is the best it's ever been at Virginia Tech. Hopefully, we can have some great wins and great years."
Foster, 56, has been a member of Virginia Tech's staff since Beamer was hired in 1987 and was hired as the defensive coordinator in 1995. He is widely regarded as one of college football's best defensive minds and won Frank Broyles Award as the country's top assistant in 2006.
Beamer's son, Shane, 38, joined his father's staff in 2011 after working at South Carolina and Mississippi State. Beamer has been coaching the Hokies' running backs during the past four seasons.
"I can a make case for both of them," Beamer said. "Certainly, they're both viable. I think Bud is the best in the country at what he does, and he certainly deserves an opportunity. I think Shane is very good at what he does. He understands the details of being a coach. I think he understands the details of what it takes to be a good head coach."