Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 5, 1990 TAG: 9006050159
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Valvano signed a three-year deal reportedly worth $900,000 and will team with Brent Musburger on 11 network telecasts during the 1990-91 season. He also will work as an analyst for ESPN, owned by ABC's parent company Capital Cities.
It was an ABC News report Feb. 28 that started a series of events leading to Valvano's ouster at N.C. State. The ABC report alleged that Wolfpack players were involved in point shaving under Valvano.
Those allegations remain under investigation, but that didn't seem to deter Valvano or ABC. During two conference calls Monday, Valvano accepted responsibility for the Wolfpack program but denied he was involved in any wrongdoing.
"I have never stated that I had no accountability," said Valvano, who had been the coach at N.C. State since 1980. "It started from the top and I accepted it from the very beginning. But I don't think anyone has ever said I was responsible for what goes on."
Dennis Swanson, president of ABC Sports, pointed out that ABC News and ABC Sports are separate entities.
"I don't think that any of the stories involved in that incident in any way involve Jim Valvano," Swanson said. "ABC News ran the story, not us."
Keith Jackson will continue to work with Dick Vitale, another fast-talking former coach, on the network's primary games.
Valvano's broadcast partner, Musburger, was let go by CBS on April 1, six days before the former coach settled with N.C. State. Valvano's ouster followed lengthy negotiations in the wake of point-shaving allegations and criticism from faculty members and others about the lack of academic progress by Wolfpack players.
Earlier, Valvano had been forced to step down as athletic director after the school was placed on NCAA probation for violations, including the sale of complimentary tickets and sneakers by players.
Swanson said he realized there could be problems with Valvano's image.
"Life goes on, and hopefully on Dec. 1 we can all turn over a new page," he said.
Valvano, 44, whose name has been mentioned in connection with several pro and college coaching jobs, said he had no plans to forsake his new career.
"Right now I'm excited about this. I want to be the best I can be," he said. "Very few people have their dreams come true. I had my dreams come true with a national championship [in 1983]. I'll be doing the two things I like the best - watching basketball and talking."
As for his ability to handle the job, he said: "I don't have experience at being an analyst, but I don't know any analyst who has as much experience in coaching. I've been an athletic director for six years and coach for 23. I think there's a certain value in sharing that with someone on the outside. I feel comfortable in not just talking about a pick and roll and not just making a comical comment."
by CNB