Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 1, 1992 TAG: 9201010175
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BEAMER COURTSHIP ON AGAIN
The Courtship of Frank Beamer, Part II, began Tuesday when his longtime
friend Bobby Ross agreed to become the San Diego Chargers' head coach.
Beamer, Virginia Tech's fifth-year football coach, last year turned down an
offer to become Boston College's head coach. Now, he's among the coaches on
Georgia Tech's list of candidates to replace Ross - and it's widely assumed
that Ross will offer him an assistant's position on his staff at San Diego.
Beamer went underground Tuesday. His wife, Cheryl, said he was "trying to
avoid all the calls," and Beamer did not return two messages left at his
home.
Georgia Tech assistant coach Ralph Friedgen said Ross met with the current
Yellow Jacket staff Tuesday and offered four of them - offensive coordinator
Friedgen, defensive coordinator George O'Leary, defensive backs coach Chuck
Priefer and recruiting coordinator John Misciagna - the chance to accompany
him to San Diego.
Both O'Leary and Friedgen said Beamer's name was not mentioned, but
Friedgen said Ross didn't talk about who else he would contact.
Friedgen said Ross said he wanted to know "as soon as possible" whether any
of the four planned to accept hisoffer, but said he didn't put a date on it.
Virginia Tech athletic director Dave Braine said Tuesday that, according to
Beamer's contract, Beamer must get permission from Braine before talking with
anyone about another job. Nobody from Georgia Tech has called him about
Beamer, Braine said, and added that Beamer has not tried to get in touch as of
Tuesday night, either.
"I would not stop him," Braine said. "The situation being what it is, we
did everything we could do [to keep him last year]. We can't do anything
else."
Beamer, 45, is 22-32-1 in five years at his alma mater, a mark that
includes two winning seasons but no bowl bids. The 1991 Hokies finished 5-6,
including a lopsided loss to Virginia, after beginning the year with what
Beamer said may have been his best team.
Beamer is entering the second year of a five-year contract he signed
shortly after turning down Boston College last winter. The contract includes a
buyout clause that would force Beamer to pay Tech $227,000 if he leaves for
another job before the 1992 season.
However, Beamer has four escape clauses. The contract says he can leave
without having to buy out the deal if he takes "a job in any capacity with a
professional football team," or the head coaching job at any of three schools
of his choice.
Braine said he believes Tech would hold Beamer to the buyout clause if one
of the escape clauses did not apply.