Frank Beamer wears South Carolina gear before matchup between Virginia Tech, Shane Beamer

Frank Beamer had a difficult decision in front of him on Sunday. Beamer was Virginia Tech‘s head coach from 1987-2015 and is the Hokies’ winningest coach of all time. However, he’s South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer‘s father.

Naturally, everybody was wondering who Frank Beamer would be cheering for in South Carolina and Virginia Tech’s Week 1 showdown. Beamer ultimately went with his own blood, wearing a South Carolina pullover to the game.

In fairness, Beamer had a Virginia Tech pin attached to his pullover as well. Virginia Tech fans certainly didn’t seem to take offense. Beamer took the field ahead of the game to read an invocation and was greeted by a standing ovation.

Virginia Tech legend Frank Beamer supporting his son today against the Hokies (but still a lil VT love with the pin) pic.twitter.com/o8kgLSIbLQ

— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) August 31, 2025

During his time at the helm, Beamer led the Hokies to seven conference titles, three in the Big East and four in the ACC. He was named the AP Coach of the Year in 1999 and is a two-time ACC Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Shane Beamer only hopes to have as much success as his father did during his coaching career. Ahead of the game, the Gamecocks’ headman demanded his dad root for South Carolina despite his years of loyalty to Virginia Tech.

“He’s giving the politically-correct answer saying he wants both teams to play well,” Shane Beamer said in July. “I called my parents on Saturday, I was driving back from the beach and my son and I were in the car, and (Frank Beamer) was telling me that same story. And it was kind of, ‘Hold on now, you can tell Brent (Pry) that, but you’re sitting with us.’

“You’re not going to sit with my wife where she is (in the South Carolina family section) just hoping both teams play well. There better be more allegiance to (South Carolina) than just hoping to see a good game.”

Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry didn’t apply nearly as much pressure on the 78-year-old former HC. At ACC Media Days in July, Pry was asked about Frank Beamer’s conflicting loyalties.

“He said, ’I just want both teams to play really well,’” Pry said. “It’s pretty awesome for him and his family, I think, to have this game. It’s a great setup, appreciate the folks that planned it. It’s an awesome opportunity for our team. But the connection between the Beamers and Virginia Tech, it’s got a nice storyline to it.”