Frank Beamer will always be a part of Virginia Tech football. That's what happen when you reach Program Patriarch status -- the team and the man become inseparable to a certain degree. That's especially true when your team plays a brand of football that literally bears your name.
But now, Beamer will always be on the field with Virginia Tech in more than just spirit.
The Hokies announced Monday they will award one special teams player a week to wear No. 25 as a means of honoring Beamer.
“Thanks to Coach Beamer, his assistants and many talented student-athletes, Virginia Tech has become synonymous with special teams success,” head coach Justin Fuente said in a statement. “When opposing coaches and fans hear the term Hokies, the first thing that pops into the many of their minds is blocked punts and big plays in the kicking game. Coach Beamer revolutioned (sic) the college game by putting such a priority on special teams. With his blessing, we’ll honor a player every week and pay homage to the tradition of excellence at Virginia Tech by allowing them to wear Coach Beamer’s No. 25 jersey in that week’s game.”
Virginia Tech blocked 136 kicks in Beamer's 361 games as the Hokies' head coach and, fittingly, returned a kickoff for a touchdown in his first game and a punt for a touchdown in his 361st and final game, a 55-52 win over Tulsa in the 2015 Independence Bowl.
Virginia Tech opens its season against Liberty in Lane Stadium on Saturday.