Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 3, 1990 TAG: 9004030009
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Perrin is the part-time assistant on UVa's staff. Apparently, the "part-time" portion of his title means he does not spend every waking hour in the office.
During the basketball season, Perrin's work day averaged between 15 and 18 hours.
"I'd be in the office every day by 8 o'clock," Perrin said. "I'd go home after practice, about 7 in the evening, eat dinner, put the baby to bed and then come back down to the office.
"From Jan. 3 to the day we played Syracuse [March 18], I worked every night but one. That was the night [March 3] after we lost to Maryland on the road. We had to get ready for the ACC Tournament, and, besides, my wife's parents were in town."
Perrin could be excused for taking a night off. After all, there were five or six nights this past season when he did not sleep at all. After the Cavaliers defeated Duke 72-69 to end a 16-game losing streak against the Blue Devils, Perrin watched film all night to prepare UVa for a game at Clemson less than 48 hours later.
"I definitely felt more pressure because of the lame-duck situation of the staff," Perrin said. "I feel more is better and this was it."
This definitely was "it" for Perrin, unless he is retained by the new coach. Unlike UVa head coach Terry Holland, who is stepping down to become the athletic director at Davidson, and Jones and Littlepage, who have personal-services contracts with the school, Perrin has nothing.
"I don't have a contract of any kind," said Perrin, 32. "I never have."
He doesn't have a contract, but Perrin has had plenty of responsibilities. In addition to scouting, he has been an unofficial free-throw shooting coach, has overseen academics, has directed Holland's camp and has been on hand for all practices and games.
"If they let Tom Perrin get away, they might as well hang it up," said one former player.
Yet, it appears likely that Holland's successor will bring in his entire staff, including the part-time assistant. The new coach is under no obligation to keep Jones and Littlepage, but they can continue to draw a paycheck while looking for a new job.
Perrin is allowed, under NCAA guidelines, to receive the equivalent of an out-of-state scholarship as a stipend. In UVa's case, that's approximately $10,000. Perrin's stipend runs out in May.
"The only other way you can make money is through the head coach," Perrin said. "Coach Holland has increased my income through his camp."
But with Holland leaving, that income is gone.
"My approach to the whole thing is to keep my mouth shut and worry about the next game," Perrin said during the season.
And now?
"I'm still keeping my mouth shut," Perrin said.
That can't be easy with a wife who has a part-time job, an 18-month-old daughter and another child on the way.
Holland and Perrin have discussed Perrin's situation, and Holland said he thought the coaching change might pressure Perrin into a better situation.
"It's something we've talked over for the last few years," Holland said. "He does such a good job here; he's obviously comfortable here, but, at the same time, if he's ever going to be able to move up in the profession, then he's going to need that other experience. He's going to need recruiting experience."
Under NCAA rules, Perrin has not been allowed out of the office to recruit in his eight years as a volunteer, graduate and part-time assistant. He has, however, recently been in contact with underclassmen through letters and phone calls.
"I can tell you who has interest and who doesn't, who you can call and who you can't," Perrin said. "What's so esoteric about recruiting? I think I'm smart enough, and I know I'll work hard."
The problem is, most coaches at the upper level of Division I are unwilling to take a chance on a first-time recruiter. Perrin, a 1979 University of Vermont graduate, would have an easier time getting a job as a full-time assistant at a low-level Division I program or as the head coach at a Division III program.
"What happens if I go to a Vermont and stay five years?" Perrin said. "Do a good job at Vermont and it might mean 15 or 16 wins. The next time Vermont goes to the NCAAs would be the first time. I don't even know if I could get a job like that."
Perrin spent four days at the National Association of Basketball Coaches' convention in Denver, site of the Final Four, but didn't get any feelers.
"I'm concerned about him, but I'm not sure that guaranteeing him a way of staying here in the part-time position is actually in his best interests in the long run," Holland said. "I'm obviously not in a position to make him that offer anyway."
Perhaps, it would have been wise for Perrin to look for a position before this season. Wise, but maybe not convenient.
"I was committed to getting a degree and, doggone, I was going to get that," said Perrin, who received his doctorate in sports psychology in the fall of 1987. "The next year, we were coming off a 13-18 season and that didn't sit well with me.
"I don't feel I have to stay here the rest of my life. But I would like to stay here one more year for this group of kids."
Athletic director Jim Copeland hasn't talked with Perrin, probably because there isn't much he could tell him. "But, from what I've been told, he has played a significant role with our basketball program," Copeland said.
Presumably, Copeland - or somebody else - will make that information known to the new coach. Perhaps, it will help. "But, it's getting more and more difficult to be optimistic," Perrin said.
by CNB