Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203120177
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Grantham, 25, a graduate assistant, was chosen to coach the defensive tackles after Tech Sports Hall of Fame member George Foussekis turned down the Hokies to enter private business with his family.
Grantham and another former Hokie, Terry Strock, were hired after head coach Frank Beamer did not retain assistants Duke Strager and Larry Creekmore. Strock was selected last week to coach defensive ends.
"Todd is a young, enthusiastic coach who has a great knowledge of the game," Beamer said. "I have been tremendously impressed with his coaching ability. He and Terry Strock bring a good mix of youth and experience to our staff."
Grantham, a native of Pulaski, played for the Hokies for four years through 1988 and was an honorable mention All-America selection in his senior year.
"[Beamer] talked to me about how he felt about me," said Grantham, who was working in his office late Wednesday. "I knew if one of those guys [Strock or Foussekis] didn't take the job, I had a good chance of getting it.
"I just wanted to know what was going to happen [with Foussekis]. I really wanted it to happen that way. You want to prepare yourself in case it didn't happen, but it did.
"It's a great opportunity for me, and also a challenge. It probably really hasn't sunk in. I'm going about things the same as I did yesterday. I'm just real happy."
Both assistants will be in place Monday, when Tech opens its sixth spring practice under Beamer. - Staff report
by CNB