On the heels of Frank Beamer's retirement announcement, Virginia Tech finds itself in search of a football coach for the 2016 season. This is uncharted territory for the Hokies, at least in the age of the Internet. The Key Play will cover Whit Babcock's task to replace Beamer to the best of our ability.

In addition to the sources I regularly check in with, I'm going to leverage the 50,000-or-so people that read TKP each month. Among that crowd are high-level boosters, Virginia Tech stakeholders and perhaps even athletic department employees. If you would like to anonymously share information with The Key Play, please email tips@thekeyplay.com.

I will add commentary to media reports, but will remind everyone what Babcock said when he discussed men's basketball coach James Johnson termination and ensuing coaching search last year.

"I would caution our fan base with this however, not to put too much merit in quote leaks or sources. I've done this enough to know, and I want to warn them or at least let them know, that any time you have a leak, it's done with a motive. Sometimes it's simply a blogger or reporter throwing names up on the wall to see what sticks, and I guess the motive would be entertainment, or seeing if they get lucky on that.

"Other times, I've seen agents on purpose that will leak the name of their candidate, and associate it with your job for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they're trying to leverage us here, but a lot of other times they're simply trying to leverage the school their coach is currently at, or they're also trying to leverage a school that is also open in the marketplace. So leaks always have a motive.

"I've also seen, but we will not do this, I've also seen schools that leak candidate names on their own, to put leverage on the candidate, or to put out a litmus test with the media to get a gauge on their candidates. That's not going to happen here, but it does happen in the industry."

Information will leak for a variety of reasons, and Babcock is right, one of the motivations is self-interest.

I've been asked many times who I want as Tech's next head coach. I don't have a specific answer. In fact, I've found it easier to oppose a candidate, rather then endorse one. Unless Babcock poaches Urban Meyer or Nick Saban, the next head Hokie will have pros and cons. At a high level, I want a coach that will have a vision for the future of Virginia Tech football and be able to see it through. I prefer an energetic recruiter who can own/coach a phase of the game. Finally, I want someone on the upswing of his career who will work relentlessly to make his mark on Virginia Tech. Tech doesn't need to hire a lifer. If the next coach is successful enough to take another step up the coaching ladder then everyone wins.

This is a big board candidates based on media speculation and personal preference. The list isn't in any particular order, and probably isn't inclusive.

Rich Rodriguez, Arizona head coach

Why's this guy in the mix?: Before Beamer announced his retirement there were already rumors that Rich Rod could be destined for the Virginia Tech job. Rodriguez has working relationship with Babcock, and reportedly wants to relocate to the east coast.

Pros:There are three main benefits if Babcock hires Rodriguez:

Tech will have a competent offense, something fans have clamored for since after Michael Vick left. There's a possibility to enrage West Virginia fans. A Rodriguez–Bud Foster tag team would immediately challenge for the WCW title belts.

Rodriguez will undoubtedly deliver on the offensive side of the ball. If he jettisons longtime assistant coach Jeff Casteel, and retains Foster, that could be a potent combination.

Cons: His recruiting classes at Michigan had star power, but Arizona isn't lighting it up on the trail. He had messy exits at Michigan and West Virginia. There are also plenty of unbecoming anecdotes.

Rodriguez said he didn't speak to the quarterback for two weeks because he was so mad after the Fiesta Bowl loss, in which Solomon went 28-49 and threw a pair of interceptions.

Above all else, at his press conference Monday Beamer said, "The last thing I want is for Hokies to be divided," as a reason for why now was the right time to retire. Rodriguez is by far the most polarizing name to surface. If he's hired, he certainly won't unify Hokie Nation; at least not right away.

My stance against Rich Rod has been emphatic.

DON'T REALLY WANT TO DISCUSS THE #HOKIES HEAD COACH SEARCH EXCEPT TO SAY THIS: NO RICH RODRIGUEZ.— THE KEY PLAY (@thekeyplay) November 1, 2015

Rodriguez has been a Power 5 head coach for 13 full seasons. He won one outright conference championship and won 10-plus games 4 times. Most of that success happened after Miami and Virginia Tech left the Big East. WVU's 2007 home loss to Pitt ('Eers were a 28-point favorite) with a trip to the BCS championship on the line was among the biggest choke of the aughts.

Initial Assessment: This is a high floor, low ceiling, safe hire.

Chad Morris, SMU head coach

Why's this guy in the mix?: According to then 247Sports insider J.C. Shurburtt in 2013 (via 247Sports staffer Cory Fravel), "Chad Morris wants the Virginia Tech job if and when it opens".

Pros: Moris' motion-laced, smashmouth spread attack at Clemson dominated ACC defenses. Moris' aggressive running philosophy and big-play pass game would fit the culture at Virginia Tech.

Cons: In his first year as a head coach he is currently 1-7 at SMU, and his offense has been a train wreck.

Initial Assessment: He's familiar with the atlantic region, but is a native Texan and to my knowledge doesn't have Virginia ties. It'll be tough for Whit to sell a head coach with a losing record and limited experience to the fans.

Bud Foster, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator

Why's this guy in the mix?: In 2014, Foster told The Key Play Virginia Tech head coach was his dream job.

"I said, 'You know Whit, just like you said you found your dream job, this is my dream job,'" Foster said. "'You've been here three months and I've been here for 27 years and built this program.' "The thing I let him know though, I'm not a status quo guy. I'm not going to be Frank Beamer. I'm going to carry on the foundation that Frank Beamer started and build on it. Just like Tom Osborne did for Bob Devaney, or Jimbo Fisher after Bobby Bowden. We built something here and I'm a big part of that."

Pros: Foster is widely regarded as the top defensive coordinator in college football.

Cons: Bud doesn't have head coaching experience. Isn't an ace recruiter.

Initial Assessment: Foster's longtime tenure as Hokies' defensive coordinator makes him the logical choice if Babcock wants to maintain continuity post-Beamer.

Steve Addazio, Boston College head coach

Why's this guy in the mix?: He hasn't been connected to the job, and he's seemingly happy at Boston College. However, out of realistically obtainable current Power 5 head coaches, his football philosophy meshes with the one Beamer curated in Blacksburg.

Pros: The Dean of Dudes wants to run the dang ball. He recruited his fair share of blue-chip recruits at Florida. He coached under Urban Meyer.

Cons: His overall win-loss record isn't impressive. Outside of his stint at Temple, he doesn't have strong ties to the mid-atlantic region.

Initial Assessment: While he could be a very effective coach in Blacksburg, it wouldn't be a splash hire.

Mark Richt, head coach Georia

Why's this guy in the mix?: Because everything is fine at Georgia.

Hearing that #UGA power brokers & big dogs now asking questions/talking about potentially moving on--unlike ever before in Mark Richt era.— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 2, 2015

680 in Atlanta reporting Pruitt could already be out. And that there may have been physical altercations. Yikes.— Corey Clark/TDO.com (@Corey_Clark) November 5, 2015

Just so everyone knows, Jeremy Pruitt is our defensive coordinator and is in the office working diligently getting ready for Kentucky!— Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) November 5, 2015

This is the Whit Babcock hire™: 1. Find off-the-radar, successful, unhappy coach. 2. Hire said coach. 3. ???? 4. Profit. Babcock did it with Buzz Williams at Tech and Tommy Tuberville and Cincinnati.

Pros: He's had nine, 10+ win seasons at Georgia including 2 SEC Championships in 14 full years with the Dawgs. He wanted to hire Bud Foster as his defensive coordinator in 2009, which may mean he would retain him in Blacksburg.

"It was getting ready to happen," said Foster, who is in town with the Hokies to play Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve. "Mark and I talked on several occasions ... and then Tech stepped up to the plate. "He [Richt] said he would be excited to have me as coordinator. It was going in that direction."

Cons: This is unfair as hell to write, but Richt's underachieved at Georgia — a top 5 program resource wise — because he never won the national championship.

Initial Assessment: This is the splash hire.

Kirby Smart, Alabama defensive coordinator

Why's this guy in the mix?: He's reportedly interested.

Heard tonight that Kirby is very interested https://t.co/NaT3R8wIrc— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 2, 2015

Pros: He's a longtime Nick Saban assistant with NFL and SEC experience. He's fielded top-notch defenses as Alabama's defensive coordinator. He's a superb recruiter.

Cons: He doesn't have head coach experience. It could be a challenge to recruit elite players to Tech that fit his defensive scheme.

Initial Assessment: If Tech hires a defensive-minded head coach, Bud Foster more-than-likely bolts Blacksburg. Smart played at Georgia and spent most of his coaching career in the SEC. The fit seems awkward.

Butch Jones, Tennessee head coach

Why's this guy in the mix?: Because a longstanding website fixated on covering the coaching carousel tweeted about it.

I can't tell you how the VT search will play out; but can tell you that Whit Babcock is a believer in Butch Jones.— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) November 1, 2015

And Babcock was Jones' boss at Cincinnati.

Pros: Jones went 27-13 with two outright MAC Championships at Central Michigan, and 23-14 with two tied Big East Championships at Cincinnati. He recruits his pants off.

Cons: Jones is just 16-17 at Tennessee in almost three full seasons. At 4-4, he's not making enough moves in year three.

Initial Assessment: He inherited a Tennessee program in turmoil, but he's still been able to sell his vision of the future to the recruits who will ultimately carry it through. The ACC Coastal is less daunting than the SEC East. Jones' pedigree on the recruiting trail, in a familiar region, might spark early success in Blacksburg.

Justin Fuente (39), Memphis head coach; Matt Rhule (40), Temple head coach; Tom Herman (40), Houston head coach; Matt Campbell (35), Toledo head coach

Why are these guy in the mix?: They are the young, darling, up-and-comers, of the non-Power 5.

Pros: All four have won in short order at non-traditional football schools.

Fuente was Gary Patterson's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at TCU from 2009-11. Andy Dalton blossomed under Fuente's tutelage. Memphis is No. 3 in scoring offense and No. 6 in total offense nationally this season.

Rhule's recruiting philosophy will perk your ears up.

At some high-profile places, the head coach, even some assistant coaches don't enjoy recruiting. They don't have too. The Jims and Joes will still come. For Rhule however, as a former recruiting coordinator at Temple, he realizes recruiting is the lifeline for the program and has his sleeves rolled up digging in with his dedicated staff. "I'm involved in all of the evaluation process," Rhule said. "I think I have to be involved in every step in terms of the evaluation of prospects. I want every kid that comes to Temple to know from the head coach on down we view him as a first round draft pick. "I have really good assistant coaches that build strong relationships with the kids. I trust my coaches to go recruit guys, but (the recruits) need to feel a connection and the parents need to feel a connection with me. I like to have a relationship with the players."

Herman may be the top guy on every AD's board given his tremendous success as Ohio State's offensive coordinator, Houston's 8-0 start and recruiting prowess.

Campbell is 33-14 in just under four seasons at Toledo. That includes a 7-1 mark in 2015. Read this feature on him and you'll come away impressed.

Cons \ Initial Assessment: It's a boom or bust proposition across the board. It's hard to fathom any of these four coaches will slip on the next rung up the ladder, but it happens all the time.

Larry Fedora, North Carolina head coach

Why's this guy in the mix?: Primarily because David Teel mentioned him.

Babcock has no clear connection with North Carolina's Larry Fedora, and pursuing a coach from within your conference is dicey, but on the off chance Fedora is tired of the academic scandal that hovers over the entire university, and which he had no part in, his warp-speed offense might appeal to Tech faithful. An offensive coordinator under Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State from 2005-07, Fedora went 34-19 at Southern Mississippi from 2008-11, and he parlayed an 12-2 mark in '11 into the UNC job. Fedora is 28-18 with the Tar Heels, 7-1 this season and will be on the opposing sideline Nov. 21 for Beamer's final home game.

Pros: Fedora has more than enough head coach experience. He owns one side of the ball (offense), and North Carolina's recruited reasonably well on his watch.

Cons: At times he's so involved with the offense he gets in his own way. (Waves to Elijah Hood on the bench in the red zone against South Carolina. Hollers at Marquise Williams and Mitch Trubisky flip-flopping at quarterback.) Up until 2015, his ACC record hovered around .500. Doesn't actually wear a fedora.

Initial Assessment: It would be odd for him to jump ship as it's being righted. It would be a very solid hire though.

Pep Hamilton, former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator

Why's this guy in the mix?: The Colts just fired him and he needs a job. It's rumored that Beamer hotly pursued Hamilton before Scot Loeffer was ultimately hired as Tech's offensive coordinator in 2013.

Pros: Pep's got plenty of NFL coaching experience. He's a descendant of the Jim Harbaugh coaching tree. Has proven himself to be a capable offensive mind in both college and the NFL. Has regional ties to D.C. and North Carolina.

Cons: No head coaching experience. His stock is low. Hamilton's most prominent pupil, Andrew Luck, may have indirectly helped get him pink slipped from the Colts.

Initial Assessment: I would have been ecstatic if Tech hired Hamilton as its offensive coordinator a few years ago. However, nothing he's done since leads me to believe he's qualified to be a Power 5 head coach.