Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, November 15, 1993                   TAG: 9311150052
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

COACHES GOT TOUGH; TECH GOT GOING

When Virginia Tech's football players credited discipline and a new attitude for their turnaround from a 2-8-1 record last year to 7-3 and bowl-bound this year, most Hokies observers pointed to first-year defensive coordinator and noted tough guy Phil Elmassian.

But Elmassian isn't the only heavy on Tech's staff. Halfway through the '93 season, one Tech assistant said head coach Frank Beamer (consistently referred to as a "player's coach") had been "letting inmates run the asylum" in his first six years and had realized where it had gotten him: to the brink of losing his job after the '92 season.

Beamer had been a milder version of himself, the aide said, after he had taken the Tech job in '87. The Hokies had just won a bowl game and been handed NCAA probation; the Tech alumnus didn't want to return to Blacksburg arrogantly singing "My Way."

After last season, however, Beamer toned down his noted affability and became more demanding.

When did the players begin to feel it?

"In two-a-days from hell before the season," said linebacker Ken Brown. "It took everyone right to the breaking point. We hit constantly [and were] always running. It was like they pounded us, in a sense, and really they didn't let up during the season."

Brown said that, plus endless repetitions of fundamentals, helped Tech land its first bowl bid since 1986. The Hokies play an opponent to be announced in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 31 in Shreveport, La.

Tech's 45-24 victory over Big East Conference foe Syracuse locked up the bowl bid and moved the Hokies back into the Associated Press poll at No. 25. Tech is No. 23 in the USA Today-CNN coaches' poll.

Virginia, which lost to Clemson on Saturday, fell to No. 23 in the AP poll and No. 22 in USA Today-CNN. Tech and UVa meet Saturday in Charlottesville.

The Hokies' turnaround not only saved Beamer's job, it took some heat off athletic director Dave Braine.

"I'm very happy for Frank and his staff," said Braine, reluctant to reveal his personal feelings. "It's a good, good day for all of us. It probably did relieve some pressure."

Braine also sent a message to the Hokies about their trip to Shreveport.

"This is going to be a reward for them," he said. "It's not just going to be all work and no play."