Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

It’s not hard to find the blueprint for success in the ACC, but so many coaches and athletic directors throughout the league seem as lost as a ninth grader on the first day of high school.

All anyone has to do, though, is look at Virginia Tech.

It starts with staff stability. Even Miami coach Randy Shannon will be one of the first to admit he’d love to get to that point, where familiarity goes a long way with the players, and schemes and philosophies aren’t swapped as often as running backs.

It starts with recruiting, but development of those often unheralded players is even more important than how many stars precede their names.

It leaves out a coach-in-waiting plan. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster knows he is held in high regard in Blacksburg, and yet he is free to leave for a head coaching opportunity when it arises, and Frank Beamer is free to retire whenever the feeling suits him.

There is a loyalty in Blacksburg rarely seen anymore, and it trickles down from the coaching staff to the players. It's why they give their best effort every Saturday instead of every other Saturday.

It’s those constants that add up to winning, even in a year like 2008, when the Hokies were an average team at best. It’s why Darren Evans was ready to take over for Kenny Lewis Jr., and why Ryan Williams was ready to take over for the injured Evans. It’s why the Hokies have won three of the past five ACC titles and could win their fourth this fall.

No, Virginia Tech isn’t invincible. It’s not flashy. But the Hokies focus on what they’re good at, and they find a way to win with it almost every weekend. While Hokies fans might not always like the way Virginia Tech wins, at least they know what they're paying to see every weekend -- Beamer finding answers.

Florida State turned to Jimbo Fisher and a coach-in-waiting plan for an answer. Clemson has turned to its former receivers coach. Virginia turned to an entirely new offense. Maryland simply refuses to change and can’t afford to. Boston College has had three head coaches in four seasons. Five programs introduced new coordinators this fall, and seven have had head coaching changes in the past three years. At this rate, there could be more coming soon.

Look around the ACC this year and try to find consistency. Virginia Tech is the one program that’s had any -- on and off the field. And that’s why the Hokies' success hasn't changed either.