Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990 TAG: 9004040807
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Barnes was in Charlottesville early today and was to meet with UVa President Robert O'Neil. There also were plans for Barnes to meet with University of Connecticut President John Casteen, who will succeed O'Neil this summer.
A news conference probably will be held Friday.
The biggest hang-up, according to sources, is Barnes' contract. He has two years remaining on a four-year pact that is not known to have a buyout clause.
Barnes reportedly was to inform Providence athletic director John Marinatto of his decision to go to Virginia at a meeting today.
"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."
Barnes, a 35-year-old native of Hickory, N.C., met with Virginia athletic director Jim Copeland on Tuesday at an undisclosed site in the Washington, D.C., area, before going to Charlottesville later in the day.
Stanford coach Mike Montgomery, the only other candidate to visit the campus, had left Charlottesville on Tuesday morning.
Montgomery, 42, reportedly was not offered the job during his visit and had not indicated whether he would accept if it were offered.
UVa has been in the market for a new coach since June 23, when Terry Holland announced that he would step down after the 1989-90 season to become the athletic director at Davidson, his alma mater.
Copeland originally had hoped to conclude the search by the end of the regular season, but changed his timetable when he was unable to speak with several possible candidates, including Pete Gillen of Xavier, during the season. Gillen removed his name from consideration after meeting with Copeland 10 days ago.
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."
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 graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., 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 is 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]," Barnes' colleague 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 scored more than 80 points per game.
by CNB