According to The Athletic’s Manny Navarro, Virginia Tech doesn’t have the budget to bring in Shane Beamer as its next head coach. Instead, the Hokies are expected to target a candidate from the Group of Five ranks.
However, that candidate won’t be Alex Golesh — one of the fastest-rising names in the coaching world — who has already guided USF to impressive early-season wins over ranked opponents Boise State and Florida.
Manny Navarro of The Athletic explained that while the dream hire for Virginia Tech would be bringing home 2024 SEC Coach of the Year Shane Beamer, the numbers just don’t add up. Beamer, a Hokies alum and son of legendary coach Frank Beamer, is earning $8.15 million this season at South Carolina with annual raises built into his contract through 2030, and leaving would cost him a $5 million buyout. Unless Virginia Tech suddenly finds a deep-pocketed donor, matching that deal seems impossible.
Instead, the more realistic path is targeting a rising Power Four coordinator or a successful Group of Five head coach. Recent examples of that route paying off include Indiana hiring Curt Cignetti from James Madison, Arizona State turning to former Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, and Syracuse landing Fran Brown, a respected assistant.
Among current names, USF’s Alex Golesh is one of the hottest candidates. At just 41, he’s already guided the Bulls to multiple top-25 upsets and looks poised to land on shortlists for major SEC or Big Ten jobs if his momentum continues.
Virginia Tech, however, isn’t spending at the NIL level required to land either Beamer or Golesh. Beamer has built stability in Columbia, and Golesh could have better options soon — including the Florida job if Billy Napier falters, a natural fit given Golesh’s local ties. Other SEC positions could also open if Alabama decides to move on from Kalen DeBoer.
All of this leaves the Hokies in a tough spot, sitting well behind the pack in the race for top-tier coaching candidates.