Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 4, 1991 TAG: 9104040028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Among the latest names to emerge as Radford presses its search for a successor to Oliver Purnell are Kansas assistant Steve Robinson, Emory & Henry coach Bob Johnson and Tulane assistant Ron Everhart.
Robinson said he hopes to capitalize on his status as a favorite son and his experience with one of the country's top programs. A Roanoke native, Robinson, 33, has his bachelor's and master's degrees from Radford and has experience as a player (1980-81) and assistant coach (1983-85) there.
This was his third season at Kansas, which won 30 games in 1989-90 and went to the Final Four this season. The Jayhawks were beaten by Duke 72-65 for the title.
"It wouldn't be just another job for me," Robinson said of Radford. "For one thing, it's a Division I head coaching job. But for another, I'd be coming home. I've always wanted to be the coach at Radford."
For a couple of reasons, Robinson has not been in contact with Radford before Wednesday.
"I've been concentrating on one thing and that was to help Kansas beat Duke in the Final Four," Robinson said.
Robinson also was considered to be among the top candidates for the opening at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro before withdrawing his name this week. He reportedly was scheduled to be interviewed there this week.
"[UNC-Greensboro athletic director] Nelson Bobb has some other people in mind for that job," Robinson said.
Robinson is one of two Kansas assistants linked to openings in Virginia. Jerry Green is believed to be a leading candidate at Virginia Tech.
Johnson, who has compiled a 155-132 record in 11 years at Emory & Henry, is the only known NCAA Division III coach to express an interest in Radford. He said his interest was conditional.
"I guess it all depends on Radford," he said. "You don't know what they want. But I don't know how much more I can do at Emory."
Johnson, who coached the Wasps to a 92-24 record over the past four years and had them at No. 3 in the country at one point this season, said he would be in touch with Radford officials.
Everhart, 28, has been Perry Clark's top assistant at Tulane since that program was revived two years ago. Everhart had a hand in recruiting all the players in the program last season. His recruiting territory last season was Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.
Everhart played four years at Virginia Tech, was a graduate assistant one year at Georgia Tech and was an assistant at VMI for two seasons.
Everhart has links to the famous high school program at DeMatha, Md., where he played his senior year.
"Radford is certainly something that I want to look into," he said. "Head coaching jobs in Division I are very hard to come by these days."
by CNB