Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990 TAG: 9004040331
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It appears that Copeland has narrowed his choices to Barnes and Stanford coach Mike Montgomery, who was in Charlottesville on Monday.
Barnes, 35, and Copeland reportedly met in the Washington, D.C., area, possibly at Dulles Airport. It was uncertain whether Barnes would visit the campus.
School officials indicated that no announcement was expected before the weekend, although that timetable could be pushed up if one of the finalists withdrew from consideration.
"I think Montgomery would have to know something by [this] morning," said a reliable source.
Montgomery, 42, reportedly was not offered the job during his visit and had not indicated whether he would accept if it were offered.
Various sources have indicated Barnes would take the job.
"We've heard a lot of rumors," said Gregg Burke, the sports information director at Providence. "We're tired of it and we have no comment on the whole situation."
Providence reportedly denied Virginia permission to speak with Barnes during the season.
Barnes has been reluctant to pursue the Virginia vacancy out of concern that he will be labeled a job-jumper. He served as head coach at George Mason for one season, 1987-88, before moving to Providence, where has spent the past two seasons.
"I would be surprised if he did not take the job after getting this far [the interview stage]," said one of Barnes' colleagues. "He's been beating this around for a long time. This step was a big step.
"Rick's been thinking about this for a long time, but he couldn't get involved until he knew they were serious. He had to be one of two, not one of four or five. You don't fool around with a guy like this."
There was some thought that a decision could be made Tuesday night.
"I don't think they could wrap up contract negotiations that quickly," said the coaching source. "But there could be some sort of tacit agreement. You wouldn't want to run the risk of losing both candidates."
Reportedly, an effort would be made to introduce the new coach to John Casteen, who will take over as UVa president on Aug. 1 after completing his tenure as president of the University of Connecticut.
Barnes has a 35-23 record and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances to show for his two seasons at Providence, but he has roots in the ACC area. He was born in Hickory, N.C., and graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College, before stints as an assistant coach at Davidson, George Mason, Alabama and Ohio State.
"He has contacts in the area; he has recruited the area," said Barnes' fellow coach. "He has a chance of being here for a while. That was one of his apprehensions about leaving Providence. He's worried he might be getting a reputation."
Barnes is known as a top-flight recruiter, and Providence's group of early signees was rated among the best in the country. However, two of the Friars' top signees reportedly have not met Proposition 48 guidelines for freshman eligibility and Barnes will lose four seniors.
Virginia, on the other hand, will welcome back its starting five and signed two promising recruits during the early period. Also, former Group AAA co-player of the year Cornel Parker, now at Fork Union Military Academy, is waiting to see who UVa hires before making a decision.
Parker has indicated a preference for Virginia if Cavs assistant Jeff Jones remains on the staff, but Barnes would be expected to bring both of his full-time assistants from Providence.
Barnes' full-time assistants are Fran Fraschilla, a 1979 graduate of Brooklyn College, and Mark Anderson, a 1976 Missouri graduate. Anderson is a Williamsburg native who was on Barnes' staff at George Mason.
"I don't imagine they would keep one of the assistants [at Providence if Barnes left]," the coach said. "There's bound to be some animosity."
Anderson reportedly called San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas, on Tuesday to inquire if star player Butch Morris would be interested in coming to Virginia and playing for Barnes. Morris, originally from Richmond, was not interested.
Barnes favors an up-tempo style of play, and his first two Providence teams have averaged more than 80 points per game.
"In my mind, Mike Montgomery is a great choice," said a source familiar with UVa's coaching search. "But if you can get Rick Barnes, you've hit the ball out of the park."
by CNB