Shane Beamer Joins the Virginia Tech Coaching Staff

Shane Beamer has returned to Blacksburg. After serving as a full-time
assistant coach for two SEC schools since the 2004 season, Beamer will join his
father’s staff, where he will coach the running backs. Billy Hite has retired as
a college football coach, and will now serve in a new position in the athletics
department.

Beamer was Virginia Tech’s long snapper during the 1999 season, and went into
the coaching ranks upon his graduation. He serves as a graduate assistant under
George O’Leary at Georgia Tech in 2000, before joining Phil Fulmer at Tennessee
as a graduate assistant from 2001 through 2003.

In 2004, Beamer took his first full-time coaching position. He became the
cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator for Mississippi State, and in 2006
he coached the running backs while serving as recruiting coordinator.

In 2007 he moved on to South Carolina, joining Steve Spurrier’s staff. In his
four seasons in Columbia, Beamer has served as cornerbacks coach, outside
linebackers coach, spurs and strong safeties coach, special teams coordinator
and recruiting coordinator.

Here’s a quick look at his bio.

Beamer has spent time under two National Championship winners: Phil Fulmer
and Steve Spurrier. He has also learned under respected head coach George
O’Leary at Georgia Tech. Ralph Friedgen was the offensive coordinator at Georgia
Tech that season as well, and Beamer served directly under him.

With ties to Phil Fulmer, Steve Spurrier, George O’Leary, Ralph Friedgen, and
of course Frank Beamer, there is no better-qualified young assistant coach in
American than Shane Beamer.

With Beamer as recruiting coordinator, South Carolina signed the #12
recruiting class in the nation in 2009, #24 in 2010, and #15 in 2011. In 2011,
they signed the #1 recruit in the country, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. In
2010, they signed the nation’s top running back, Marcus Lattimore.

Meanwhile, Billy Hite will no longer be an active assistant coach. However,
he has been elevated to a new administration position as assistant to the head
coach and senior advisor. Hite won’t have a position to coach, nor territories
to recruit, but he will still be a valuable asset to the program. He has served
as the Virginia Tech running backs coach since 1978.