For the first time in 30 years, Virginia Tech's football program is not headed by Frank Beamer.
The legendary mentor of the Hokies stepped down last season after compiling a record of 238-121-2 that included four Orange Bowl and four Sugar Bowl trips. Beamer also coached twice against Tennessee - Virginia Tech's foe Saturday night in the "Battle at Bristol" - losing to Phillip Fulmer's Volunteers in the 1994 Gator Bowl and beating Lane Kiffin's Vols in the 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Beamer was a guest Thursday of "Press Row" on Chattanooga's ESPN 105.1 FM.
Q: You've been through preseason camp and Labor Day weekend. Are you having withdrawals, or are you handling it better than you thought?
A: "We're doing all right. I just came back from visiting my daughter down in Georgia. She just had her second boy, so I've had things on my mind and things to do. I'm staying busy. Of course my son is now coaching at the University of Georgia, and we went to their game against North Carolina.
"I'm hanging out with the grandkids a little bit, so I'm doing OK."
Q: The "Battle of Bristol" was announced in October 2013. Did you expect then to be coaching in this game?
A: "Well, I probably did, so yeah. I always thought that when it was time for me to leave the coaching profession that I would know, and it hit me. I think we've left it in such good hands. Whit Babcock is doing such a good job as athletic director, and Justin (Fuente) is doing a fantastic job of coaching the team, so they're going to continue to grow and get better. That's what I wanted all along."
Q: You mentioned Justin and you know the team's personnel. Are the Hokies being sold short a little bit entering Saturday night?
A: "I think we've got a good team, but we're starting a new quarterback (Jerod Evans), and anytime you do that, how well that quarterback plays really makes a difference for your football team. I think this kid is talented, so we'll see. We've probably got the best receiving group we've ever had at Virginia Tech, and we've got a good running back (Travon McMillian) and a good defense with a lot of experience.
"Our field-goal kicker is back, and Joey Slye has been the difference in some ballgames. I think we've got a good team."
Q: Tennessee and Virginia Tech haven't played in the regular season since 1937. Given the proximity, what took so long for this to happen?
A: "I was always for it, but when you get involved with home games and how much money you're going to make at home and that type of thing, it gets a little difficult. I always thought it was very natural and that to be in a unique situation was a very good thing for your football program. There is a Bristol, Va., and a Bristol, Tenn., and the distances from Knoxville and Blacksburg are about the same."
Q: How different was your job in your first season in 1987 compared to last season?
A: "It always got back to the kids and being a difference in their lives. You've always had to have success on the field or you won't be around long enough to be a difference in their lives, and I think the biggest difference is how information gets out. When I started out, when you had a problem within your football team, you could get to the bottom of it and solve it without it being a big issue.
"Now, if it's a problem, information gets out right away, and the public is involved. That can make it tougher to solve a problem sometimes."
Q: You mentioned Shane. How much fun is he having coaching that deep group of tight ends for Kirby Smart?
A: "He's enjoying it. He's at a great place. Georgia is one of the great jobs in the country. They're able to get good players there, and he really likes Kirby. Kirby has been a hot coach for a long time.
"Shane has good, talented kids, and he's also heading up the special teams, which he knows an awful lot about."
Q: How are you dividing your travel schedule between Georgia games and Virginia Tech games?
A: "I've got it figured out on my calendar. We're going to be at one or the other about every weekend. We're going to split it up and do a lot of traveling this fall."
Q: Turning to our rapid fire, what was your greatest victory at Virginia Tech?
A: "The win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl after the 1995 season. That's the one that made a difference - beating a name opponent in a major bowl game."
Q: Where was the toughest place you had to play?
A: "I always enjoyed it loud and would much rather play in a loud stadium than a place that was half full and nobody cared who won. West Virginia has fans who are very much into it, and they're not opposed to throwing stuff at you as you come out of the dressing room, so I think I'll go with the Mountaineers."
Q: You became a hot commodity in Blacksburg, so what was the most tempting offer you received during your years there?
A: "It was North Carolina (following the 2000 regular season). I actually took the job, but when it came time to leave, I couldn't leave Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. I always thought North Carolina was a great school and a great job. You can recruit well there, and I will always be sorry for telling them I was coming and then backing out.
"My word is good, and that was one time it wasn't, so I was a little embarrassed about that."
Q: When they make the Frank Beamer movie, who should play the title character?
A: "They'll have to figure that out, because I'm not quite sure myself. I'll have to give that a little thought."
Q: Shouldn't you just say Brad Pitt?
A: "Yes. Yes. Yes. If I had been quick on my feet, he's the one I would have said right away. Brad Pitt."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.