Undisputable Honor: 2 West Virginia Football Icons Retain Place in 2026 Class of Hall of Fame…
Aaron Beasley, a consensus All-American cornerback from West Virginia University, and former coach Jim Carlen have both remained on the ballot for this year’s College Football Hall of Fame, according to the National Football Foundation (NFF) announcement released today.
Beasley, originally from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, led the nation in interceptions in 1994 with 10 picks and earned consensus All-America recognition in 1995. He was a two-time First Team All-Big East selection and played a key role in the Mountaineers’ undefeated regular season and 1993 Big East championship during his sophomore year. Beasley ranks second in WVU history with 19 career interceptions totaling 367 yards, as well as 38 pass breakups.
Notably, he intercepted three passes in a game against Virginia Tech on September 22, 1994, and broke up four passes in a 24-13 victory over Temple on September 9, 1995. Beasley went on to play nine seasons in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons, and was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Jim Carlen, from Cookeville, Tennessee, coached college football for 16 seasons across West Virginia, Texas Tech, and South Carolina between 1966 and 1981. His first four years at WVU (1966-69) were transformative for the Mountaineers’ struggling program. In his final WVU season in 1969, the team won 10 games, defeated South Carolina in the Peach Bowl, and returned to the national rankings for the first time in 14 years. Carlen’s WVU tenure ended with a 25-13-1 record and three winning seasons.
A Georgia Tech alumnus, Carlen enjoyed success at Texas Tech from 1970 to 1974, achieving winning seasons in four of five years. He guided the Red Raiders to two Sun Bowls, one Gator Bowl, and a Peach Bowl. His 1973 team posted an 11-1 record, beating 19th-ranked Arizona during the regular season, defeating 14th-ranked Tennessee 28-19 in the Peach Bowl, and finishing 11th nationally. The next season, Carlen’s squad upset sixth-ranked Texas 26-3 and tied Vanderbilt 6-6 in the Peach Bowl.
Carlen later revitalized the South Carolina Gamecock program, coaching from 1975 to 1981. The team posted 8-4 records in both 1979 and 1980, and Carlen coached Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers. His final season saw the Gamecocks upset third-ranked North Carolina, finishing 6-6. Over his career, Carlen compiled a 107-69-6 record with 13 winning seasons and eight bowl appearances. He passed away on July 22, 2012, in Hilton Head, South Carolina, at the age of 79.
This year’s ballot features 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, along with 100 players and 35 coaches from other divisions. The ballots were mailed to over 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers, whose votes will be counted and sent to the Honors Court. The Honors Court, chaired by College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin, includes athletic administrators, Hall of Famers, and media members. The 2026 Hall of Fame class announcement will be made in early 2025, with further details to follow.
Currently, 14 former West Virginia University players and coaches are in the College Football Hall of Fame. The most recent inductee is All-American running back Steve Slaton, who will be officially enshrined this year.
