ROSS LEAVES GA. TECH FOR THE NFL

Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 1, 1992 TAG: 9201010056 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: HOLIDAY SOURCE: Associated Press DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium

ROSS LEAVES GA. TECH FOR THE NFL
Bobby Ross, who led Georgia Tech to a co-national championship in 1990, resigned Tuesday to become coach of the NFL's San Diego Chargers.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that coaches who would get top consideration for the Georgia Tech job include Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, East Carolina coach Bill Lewis and Yellow Jackets' defensive coordinator George O'Leary.
Ross' move had been expected for weeks, even before San Diego general manager Bobby Beathard fired Dan Henning at the end of the season. Ross called a news conference to discuss his decision.
"It was with a tremendous amount of mixed emotions because Georgia Tech has been special to me and college athletics have been special to me," Ross said. "I'd like to be remembered as a guy who worked hard and was faithful and loyal to Georgia Tech . . . a person who gave my all for this school and this program."
Georgia Tech completed an 8-5 season with an 18-17 victory over Stanford in the Aloha Bowl.
Ross agreed to a four-year deal to take over the Chargers (4-12), who finished last in the AFC West.
Ross was in San Diego on Sunday to discuss the job with Beathard. After returning to Atlanta on Monday night, he met with his family and discussed the offer until 3 a.m., but said he did not make up his mind until Tuesday morning.
Ross said he had envisioned remaining at Tech for the remainder of his coaching career. But he said he realized that, at age 55, if he ever was going to make such a move, the time was now.
"I'm not getting any younger," he said.
Tech athletic director Homer Rice said a search committee will be formed, but said that no names have been proposed and no one has been contacted about the job.
Ross was 31-26-1 during his five years at Tech. The Yellow Jackets were 11-0-1 in 1990 were named national champions in the UPI coaches poll. Colorado was No. 1 in the AP writers poll.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB