Va. Tech got leaked Wake info before 2014 game; doesn't believe it was utilized
Virginia Tech said Thursday it was one of the teams that received game-plan information from Wake Forest’s former radio analyst.
The information was shared before the Hokies’ 6-3 double-overtime win in 2014. Yes, that’s the game that finished regulation 0-0 and gave us this iconic photograph of former Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.
The school doesn’t believe — at the moment — the four scoreless quarters were impacted by the leaked information.
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“We have recently been made aware that a former Wake Forest staff member provided one of our former assistant coaches some game plan information prior to our game in 2014,” Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock said in a statement. “We have no indication at this time that any of this information was shared with any other staff members, nor utilized during the game itself. However, should new information become available, we will be forthcoming and transparent.”
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Radio announcer Tommy Elrod was fired Tuesday after Wake’s investigation into a “game-plan breach” before its Nov. 12 loss to Louisville. Wake Forest said it had found multiple instances where Elrod had given opposing teams inside information about the Demon Deacons.
Virginia Tech’s statement offered a sharp contrast from Louisville’s statement about getting Wake Forest’s info. Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich was very nonchalant in his Wednesday statement about WakeyLeaks and even went so far as to complain about the “undue attention” his team’s coaching staff was receiving.
“We hold ourselves to a higher standard at Virginia Tech,” Babcock said. “We are disappointed and embarrassed that this type of information was distributed to, and apparently received by one of our former assistant coaches. The distribution of this type of information among peers or rivals is wrong and not int he vein of sportsmanship and integrity that we demand and expect, and for this, I personally apologize to the coaches, student-athletes, administration, alumni, students and fans of Wake Forest University.”
Beamer, who retired at the end of the 2015 season, had this to say:
“I can assure you, that while I was the head coach at Virginia Tech, I had no knowledge of what is being alleged. I’ve built my entire career and life on doing things the right way and that will never change.”
Beamer was replaced by Justin Fuente as the Hokies’ head coach. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster stayed during the coaching transition and he has also said he had no knowledge of any inside Wake Forest info.
According to Sports Illustrated, Army has also been contacted by Wake Forest regarding their investigation into Elrod’s behavior. Florida State said earlier Thursday that it was not involved in receiving any proprietary data.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
