What's Tech's ceiling, what are reasonable program goals?

I've read and heard a lot of, "This is unacceptable," with regards to how Tech has fared this season. The empty trophy case—the site is divided over whether it should stand. A majority of us want coaching changes, a few of you think Frank Beamer's best years are behind him. What do you think are reasonable goals for the program? What, on average, would you consider a successful season?

Here's some additional information:

Coaching Salaries

via: USA TODAY http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2011-coache...

23 schools in the USA TODAY database pay their coaching staffs more than Tech.

Modern Day Winners

Texas, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Oklahoma, Florida, Arkansas, Michigan, Iowa, Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina, Oregon, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Clemson, Louisville, Washington, Wisconsin, Mississippi State

Only 13 teams have played in the BCS Championship.

LSU (2–1)
Florida (2–0)
Alabama (2-0)
Auburn (1–0)
Tennessee (1–0)
Oklahoma (1–3)
Texas (1–1)
Nebraska (0–1)
Florida State (1–2)
Miami, FL (1–1)
Virginia Tech (0–1)
Ohio State (1–2)
Oregon (0-1)

28 possible slots occupied by just 13 teams, and of those 13, 8 have been multiple times.

Recruiting Access

There's no doubt the state of Virginia has a wealth of high school talent. Published in July 2011, Rivals rated Virginia 7th in high school talent: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1239398.

History

The Hokies entered their 119th season of college football with a record of 690-434-46 in 1,170 games played, appearing in 25 bowl games. Beamer has coached Tech to 20 of its bowl appearances, and holds a record of 213-102-2. Beamer accounts for nearly a 1/3 of Tech's wins in just about a 1/5 of its years. Consistent success is relatively new to the program, and unknown to any other coach.

Fans

According to Wiki (I know, I couldn't find the info anywhere else, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_stadiums) Lane is 34th largest stadium by capacity, that's filled on Saturday's because of the sellout streak. Gate and concession revenue are two of the biggest ways the program generates revenue, and it could be argued the stadium size and tickets sold are proportional to fanbase and interest.

Conference

The ACC will have equal access to college football's new postseason, however the conference lags behind the SEC, B1G, Big 12, and Pac-12 in television contract dollars and doesn't have a major conference bowl partnership like the B1G/Pac-12/Rose and SEC/Big 12/Champions.

What are your thoughts?

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Comments

I want an MNC

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21st century QBs Undefeated vs UVA:
MV7, MV5, LT3, Kyron Drones, Grant Wells, Braxton Burmeister, Ryan Willis, Josh Jackson, Jerod Evans, Michael Brewer, Tyrod Taylor, Sean Glennon, and Grant Noel. That's right, UVA. You couldn't beat Grant Noel.

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Don't ever let the pressure exceed the pleasure. - Joe Maddon

I do not think a National Championship is a reasonable goal.

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agreed

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“I hope that they’re not going to have big eyes and pee down their legs so to speak,” -- Bud Foster

I still have hope

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“I hope that they’re not going to have big eyes and pee down their legs so to speak,” -- Bud Foster

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"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster

I'd consider the MNC to be an outside goal

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"We were at the pinnacle, and we did it for years," Foster says. He pauses, nods, takes a deep breath. "And I did it with the best guy in the business."

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"We were at the pinnacle, and we did it for years," Foster says. He pauses, nods, takes a deep breath. "And I did it with the best guy in the business."

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"Go Hokies!" - Thomas Jefferson
@HaydenDubya

Early draft

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“I hope that they’re not going to have big eyes and pee down their legs so to speak,” -- Bud Foster

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"Go Hokies!" - Thomas Jefferson
@HaydenDubya

Players leaving

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“I hope that they’re not going to have big eyes and pee down their legs so to speak,” -- Bud Foster

BCS Bowl win and top 10 finish

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Logan 3:16

True Ceilings are Ellusive

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Keys were invented for 3rd downs.