The McNair Conversations on the American South: Frank Beamer

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina is pleased to welcome Frank Beamer as the 2026 Honoree for the McNair Conversations on the American South. The talk will be hosted by Mark Smith, Director of the Institute for Southern Studies and Carolina Distinguished Professor of History.
Frank Beamer is a legendary American college football coach, best known for his highly successful 29-season tenure (1987-2015) at his alma mater, Virginia Tech, where he became the winningest coach in program history, leading them to numerous conference titles, 23 consecutive bowl games (including a BCS National Championship appearance in the 1999 season), and earning national acclaim for building "Beamer Ball". A former Hokies player, he began his head coaching career at Murray State before returning to Tech to build it into a national powerhouse, leaving a legacy of hard work, discipline, and consistent success, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Dad to USC’s own Coach Shane Beamer, Coach Frank Beamer will join Dr. Mark Smith for a conversation about his lasting impact on the American South and what being Southern means to him.

This year’s McNair Conversation will be live-recorded and aired at a later date on the Take on the South podcast.

This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated once all registered guests are seated. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m., and the program will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.

About the McNair Conversations

The McNair Conversations is a live podcast interview honoring individuals who have made a lasting and significant contribution to the American South. They are recorded in front of an audience and broadcast on the Institute’s highly successful Take on the South podcast series.

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