Hokie ClubVirginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer, along with every other head coach in the nation, is in the running for 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.
It's the ultimate recognition of achievement, dedication and responsibility in coaching college football. It's awarded to one coach in each of the four NCAA Divisions - DI, DIAA, DII, and DIII - who demonstrates the utmost integrity on and off the field. And it's up to you, the fans, to decide who deserves it most. Vote once a day for the coach who inspires his team, his fans, and his community.
From now until December 6th, fans can vote online at www.coachoftheyear.com for any head coach they believe is most deserving. After the initial nomination period, the top 25 coaches in each division with the most fan votes will qualify as semifinalists, at which point they will be scored using a model approved by the College Football Hall of Fame, including such criteria as coaching excellence, sportsmanship, integrity, academic excellence and community commitment.
The scoring will identify the top 10 coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision, all of whom will be named finalists on Dec. 11th. From then until Dec. 22nd, fans can vote again at www.coachoftheyear.com for who they believe should win. The fan vote will carry 20 percent of the final tally, while media will account for 25 percent and a College Football Hall of Fame committee will take care of the remaining 55 percent.
The winners will be announced on Jan. 31st. Each winning coach will receive a $50,000 to donate to one or more charitable organizations of his choice and a $20,000 grant to donate to his school's alumni association to enhance student scholarships and activities.