Virginia Tech Coaching Rumors: Top 8 candidates to replace Frank Beamer

Sep 7, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Frank Beamer looks on from the sidelines against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

With Frank Beamer retiring at the end of the season, who are the candidates the Virginia Tech Hokies are likely to explore as his replacement in Blacksburg and lead the team to future ACC titles?

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Frank Beamer announced what many had expected on Sunday that the veteran Virginia Tech head coach will call it a career and retire at the end of the year. Beamer is the winningest active head coach in the FBS and holds the longest bowl streak in the nation at 22, but that streak could be in jeopardy this year.

Beamer felt it was time to step away from the game he’s coached since 1972 and been a head coach since he took the Murray State job in 1981.

He’s been at Virginia Tech since 1987 where he has a 234-120-2 record. He has three Big East championships and four ACC championships and played for the BCS National Championship in 1999 against Florida State with Michael Vick at quarterback.

But it was time for a change after the Hokies have gone 25-22 since 2012 and haven’t finished any of those years ranked in the final AP or Coaches polls.

Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock won’t have trouble filling the position considering he’s well regarded and the job is the fourth best in the ACC, behind Florida State, Clemson and Miami and has a fertile recruiting ground to work with.

So who are some of the candidates, Babcock will consider to replace the future Hall of Famer?

Before revealing the top five candidates for the job, here are three names who just missed the cut.

Honorable Mention: Kirby Smart, Alabama defensive coordinator; Dino Babers, Bowling Green head coach; Geoff Collins, Florida defensive coordinator

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