BEAMER APPARENTLY SPURNS NFL JOB

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 2, 1992                   TAG: 9201020087
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
BEAMER APPARENTLY SPURNS NFL JOB
Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer apparently has turned down a chance to become an NFL assistant coach, but that doesn't guarantee he'll be the Hokies' coach this fall.
Beamer's friend and new San Diego Chargers head coach Bobby Ross offered Virginia Tech's fifth-year coach a position on his new staff, according to sources familiar with the two coaches. On Wednesday, though, Tech athletic director Dave Braine said Beamer told him he "was not going to San Diego."
However, Beamer released a statement to the media that left the door open for him to pursue the head coach's job at Georgia Tech, vacated by Ross.
"At this point in time, it is my intention to remain at Virginia Tech . . . ," Beamer said in the statement. "I have talked with my longtime friend Bobby Ross and wish him great success in his new position with the San Diego Chargers. I have not, however, been contacted by officials at Georgia Tech regarding the head coaching job there."
Beamer did not return phone messages to clarify whether he was offered a position on Ross' staff, or to clarify whether he was interested in the Georgia Tech opening. In the past, Beamer has been mum on such subjects; for example, he never publicly acknowledged that he was offered the Boston College job last winter, saying only that he had spoken to BC officials about the job.
Ross has not returned several messages left at his home in Atlanta. Chargers spokesman Bill Johnston said Ross and general manager Bobby Beathard have said they won't comment on Ross' future staff until after Ross officially takes over in San Diego.
Ross has offered jobs to four members of his Georgia Tech staff.
Georgia Tech athletic director Homer Rice has been unavailable for comment on the coaching search there. He has formed a search committee and athletic department spokesman Mike Finn said Rice hopes to have a coach by the end of next week.
As of Wednesday evening, Braine said, no one from Georgia Tech had called him asking permission to talk to Beamer. The Yellow Jackets are thought to be interested in Beamer, East Carolina coach Bill Lewis and Georgia Tech defensive coordinator George O'Leary. Georgia Tech assistant coach Ralph Friedgen also said he has been promised an interview before the search committee.
Braine, referring to Beamer's news release, said, "By that statement, I would say he'll talk to them if they contact him."
Finn said the search committee has had a get-acquainted meeting and formal interviews should begin "pretty quickly."

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB