Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990 TAG: 9004180198
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Littlepage's fellow full-time assistant, Jeff Jones, was selected Monday as the successor to Terry Holland, who is leaving to become the athletic director at Davidson College.
Littlepage said his inclination was to pursue a position in UVa's athletic administration, but that he would not accept Jones' offer for him to join the new coaching staff.
"My No. 1 priority, a decision made last summer, was to remain in Charlottesville regardless of whom was hired as Virginia's head basketball coach," said Littlepage, whose wife is from the Charlottesville area.
"More recently, I made it clear that my goal was to be selected head basketball coach. If that did not happen, I would not remain as an assistant on the staff of the new head coach."
Athletic director Jim Copeland interviewed Littlepage for the job, but said Monday that Littlepage's previous experience as a head coach worked against him.
Littlepage had a six-year record of 63-102, including a 40-39 mark in three years at Pennsylvania, followed by three seasons at Rutgers, where he was 23-63.
"It may have been, in his mind, the only reason," Littlepage said. "If somebody wants a reason not to pick Craig Littlepage, that's the obvious one. To my point of view, that's an old issue.
"If he felt that was a compelling reason, so be it. At least it's a known fact. It's a very convenient reason. But if you look at each and every one of the candidates, there is some question about their ability."
Littlepage issued a six-paragraph statement through the school's sports information office, then conducted a 45-minute conference call for the media.
"My desire for the job was very clear, but to be denied is an inevitable part of the coaching profession," he said. "Also, I am disappointed because it seems nearly impossible for a black head coach with a dismissal in his background to be rehired as an assistant coach.
"I feel good to have worked my way back as an assistant coach in a program like Virginia's. To have been offered the position of head coach at the University of Virginia would have opened many doors for this program and reopened doors for other black coaches around the country."
Midway through the conference call, Littlepage, who is black, cautioned anybody against drawing the conclusion that he thought his rejection had been racially motivated.
"I felt there was a tremendous amount of merit to hiring a black coach from the standpoint of mending the university's image," Littlepage said.
"I think there is still a lot of ground to cover. There is a generation or so of black folks who are still skeptical. The message needs to be sent that the university has a commitment beyond the athletes who represent it on the field.
"I have a very real concern that my argument was not taken as seriously as it was made. To his [Copeland's] credit, he listened. He read everything I had to write. Just how favorably he looked on my suggestions, I don't know."
Littlepage had not attended the news conference at which Jones was introduced to the media. He said his decision should "not be construed as a reflection on Jeff Jones' appointment."
"I felt it would be inappropriate to attend Jeff Jones' press conference Monday. Monday was Jeff's day and the basketball program's day, and my attendance was a potential distraction that could be avoided. I hope my absence is viewed as strictly a professional and personal courtesy."
Littlepage, an assistant coach at Virginia from 1976-82, returned to UVa as a graduate assistant in 1988 after separate three-year stints as head coach at Pennsylvania and Rutgers.
"Two years ago, Jim Copeland expressed an interest in me filling a position on the University's athletic-administration staff, an offer which I turned down at the time," Littlepage, 38, said.
"My present contract offers me the same type of option. At this time, it is my desire to move in that direction."
Littlepage reiterated an earlier opinion that he had been overlooked as a candidate by the media.
"I am well aware of the support expressed in my behalf by many people who follow the Virginia basketball program," Littlepage said. "Many felt, and I agree, that support was not adequately publicized by the media.
"Those voices of support were heard by me, but I know how important it was for people, particularly in the black community, to have their feelings publicly recognized."
Littlepage said he noticed the relative absence of other black prospects from news accounts of the search.
"I did not ever get the feeling, based on what I read, that a black coach was being strongly considered," he said in the conference call. "There's no question [Copeland] had to think about it because I was so persistent."
Copeland confirmed Tuesday night that he had spoken with black candidates other than Littlepage. Copeland would not give names, but it is believed Mike Jarvis of Boston University was contacted about the position.
"Craig did talk to me about his concerns," Copeland said, "and whether he had been persistent or not, I would have considered - and I did consider - black candidates.
"I don't think we have an image problem. There is a place in this athletic department for administrators and coaches of all colors."
by CNB