Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 31, 1990 TAG: 9003310189
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL BRILL EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: DENVER LENGTH: Medium
Former Cavaliers assistant and current Wake Forest head coach Dave Odom said he thinks Montgomery is the top choice of UVa athletic director Jim Copeland, and that if Montgomery visits the Charlottesville school, the position will be offered to him.
In June 1989, Holland announced he would step down at the end of the season to become athletic director at Davidson, his alma mater. He then guided the Cavs to a 20-12 record and a victory over Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Xavier's Pete Gillen, perhaps the favorite among UVa alumni and boosters, met with Copeland on Monday but withdrew his name from consideration Wednesday.
"I'm happy at Xavier," Gillen said then. But reports indicate Gillen, a Catholic, is willing to remain at the Cincinnati school until Digger Phelps steps down at Notre Dame - whenever that might happen. Gillen, a one-time Notre Dame assistant, is considered the likely successor to Phelps.
Another coach whose name has been connected with the UVa vacancy is Rick Barnes of Providence. Barnes, who spent one year as a head coach at George Mason before taking over the Friars in 1988, repeatedly has denied he is interested.
Ironically, Holland and Barnes worked out together Friday, and Holland reported that Barnes once again said he wasn't interested in the UVa job.
Barnes is bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation at Providence, although two of his top prospects have yet to qualify academically.
On Thursday, Barnes ate lunch with two sportswriters and said he wasn't involved with the Virginia vacancy.
Montgomery's wife, answering the phone in the coach's room Friday at the Radisson Hotel here, first asked who wanted to speak to her husband, then said, "He's not here."
The only other remaining known candidates for the UVa position are Bruce Parkhill of Penn State, who worked under Copeland at William and Mary, and current UVa assistant Jeff Jones.
by CNB