Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991 TAG: 9103280056
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Portland Trail Blazers assistant John Wetzel, a Tech graduate and a native of Waynesboro, Va., said Wednesday that Tech associate athletic director Danny Monk called him a few days after Frankie Allen was reassigned to ask if Wetzel was interested in the Tech job.
Wetzel, in his third year with the Blazers, played four years in the NBA and was an assistant with the Phoenix Suns for eight years before becoming that team's head coach in 1987-88, compiling a 28-54 record.
"I said I would certainly be interested, if [they] have any interest in me," Wetzel said. "Danny said they were getting together a list of people they're interested in."
Wetzel said Tech hasn't called back, however.
The Hokies also have tried to get in touch with another alumnus, Charlotte Hornets vice president for basketball operations Allan Bristow. Bristow said Wednesday that Tech athletic director Dave Braine and Monk have left messages for him but said they were unavailable when he called back.
Bristow wouldn't speculate on whether the Hokies want a background check on another candidate or whether they want to talk to him about taking the Tech job, and he said he doesn't want to say whether he is interested in the job before he talks to Tech officials.
Another NBA coach, Washington Bullets assistant Bill Blair, turned down an opportunity to talk with Tech about the job, saying he wants to try to become a pro head coach.
At least one more college coach has tried to catch Tech's eye: Siena's Mike Deane, who is 104-45 in five years at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference school.
"I have not been contacted by Virginia Tech," Deane said. "However, I have called them and expressed an interest in the job."
Virginia Union's Dave Robbins, who two weeks ago said he had gotten feelers from "people in the know" about his interest in the job, would not say Wednesday whether the Hokies have called.
"My understanding is if they talk to somebody, they want to release it," Robbins said.
Virginia Tech officials, however, adamantly have refused to comment on any aspect of the search for Allen's successor.
"It's really just best to say nothing," Robbins said.
Green, in his third year under Jayhawks coach Roy Williams, has said he won't comment on his interest in the job until the season is over for Kansas, which has reached the Final Four in Indianapolis.
But Tech's shadowing of Green at the NCAA Southeast Regional last weekend in Charlotte has prompted speculation that Green is the top candidate, and at least two coaching acquaintances of Green's have indicated that he has strong interest in the Tech position.
by CNB