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When Frank Beamer speaks, you listen.
On Monday, the former Virginia Tech coach and future Hall of Famer was in attendance at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Classic golf tournament, alongside a handful of other noteworthy coaches and alumni.
When asked which conference is in the best shape heading into the 2016 college football season, Beamer had this to say (hint: it’s not the ACC):
“I think the SEC will be there for a long time,” Beamer told SEC Country. “You look at the stadiums, the passion that’s in southern football. Not many of them are fighting other elements — pro football is not a direct conflict — so I think just the whole setting, what it’s become, the stadium sizes, the competition. It’s probably, from top to bottom, the best conference going. I think all these things lead to that.”
Beamer, who currently serves as the “special advisor” to the athletic director, was the Hokies’ coach for 29 years. He finished his career in Blacksburg with a 238-121-2 record, having avoided a losing season from 1993-2015 while taking the program to 23 straight postseason appearances, which is second only to Florida State’s 33.
In other words: he’s pretty credible.
Meanwhile, the 69-year-old legend believes the ACC still has some work to do, but is on the rise:
“I think the ACC continues to get better,” said Beamer. “Florida State and Clemson have been in there the last few years. Miami’s on its way back. North Carolina’s good. I think the coaching in the ACC is really very, very good, and the end result is going to be very good from top to bottom.
“You’ve got to win some big games,” he continued. “Win the bowl games when you get a chance. Win one for the conference. I’m not ever sure you’re gonna pass another league. And that kinda changes from year to year, but I think just generally, are you on the level of the SEC? Or are you not? And I think we’re working our way there.”
The SEC has claimed eight of the last 10 national championships and will have a legitimate chance at increasing that overall number this winter, as a handful of teams are expected to compete for a spot in the playoffs.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
