(05-02-2013 11:07 PM)12thmonarch Wrote: [quote='stinkfist'
I don't think he is disrespecting somebody. VT used to be nothing but a dry straw during the pre Beamer era and I doubt anybody will credit a win against them back then better than a win against them in the current form. Their program grew to new levels during Beamer and of course as the circle tend to complete its going down now. Read techsideline forums and you will see how their fans think they desperately need a new coach. No disrespect to VATech but i hate them for stealing kids from tidewater and will continue to do so) no stopping
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Beamer took Tech to the national limelight beginning in the 90s though to say Tech was a dry straw prior is simply inaccurate.
Tech made their first major strides starting in the early 60s. They had Jerry Claiborne as coach and had become an independent (left the Southern Conference) - West Virginia followed in the early 70s.
Under Claiborne, Tech went to the Liberty Bowl in both 1966 (losing to Miami Fl, 14 - 7) and again in 1968 (losing to Ole Miss, 34 - 17 after leading 17-0). The Liberty Bowl was a much more prominent bowl at that time, there were only about 10 in operation then. Their 1967 team started 7-0 and was ranked in the top 20, dropping their final three games in close fashion, the real kicker for Tech fans was losing to VMI in their last game. Tech also had two huge profile games against Alabama in this period, lost both very close. Their schedule then was a combo of VA teams (UVA, W&M, UR and VMI) along with West Virginia, Kentucky, Florida State, South Carolina and Miami FL.
Tech had also completed Lane Stadium with 35,000 seats, again at that time a large stadium and they filled it most of the time.
Tech struggled in the 70s other than a Peach Bowl win over Miami FL. The program started to gain momentum back when they hired Bill Dooley away from UNC. He had a winning reign there for about 10 years before Beamer, took Tech to several more Bowl games and the stadium was enlarged to 50,000.
So, it's not fair to say a win against Tech was no accomplishment. It certainly was beginning in the 60s.