by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB
Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 13, 1993 TAG: 9301130161 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BEAMER COMPLETES SHAKE-UP OF FOOTBALL STAFF
Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer on Tuesday dismissed former defensive coordinator Mike Clark and promoted graduate assistant Bryan Stinespring, ending the overhaul of his staff after the Hokies' 2-8-1 season, their worst since 1987.Four new full-time coaches - defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian, J.B. Grimes (offensive line), Rod Sharpless (defensive ends) and Stinespring (tight ends) - are aboard. Gone are Clark, former secondary coach Keith Jones, tight ends coach Tommy Groom and offensive coordinator/line coach Steve Marshall, who is at Tennessee.
Other changes: Quarterbacks coach Rickey Bustle is the new offensive coordinator in part to preserve continuity, Beamer said; and Terry Strock moves from defensive ends to receivers, which he coached at Georgia Tech in 1990.
It's the second straight year Beamer has promoted a graduate assistant. Last year, Todd Grantham replaced Larry Creekmore on defense. Stinespring's familiarity with Tech's offense appealed to Beamer.
Grimes, an Arkansas assistant since 1989, committed a secondary violation of NCAA rules when he conducted seven "teaching sessions" last July. Arkansas self-reported the violation and athletic director Frank Broyles suspended Grimes, without pay, and the eight linemen he coached for seven preseason practices.
At the time, Grimes told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: "I used poor judgment, I shouldn't have done it and I won't do it again."
Beamer said he was "absolutely convinced" it wouldn't happen again.
Beamer said Elmassian wanted four defensive coaches and there "weren't enough positions" for Clark. Jones was to coach receivers, but when Marshall left, Beamer sought someone with experience at that position.
"Frank Beamer and Virginia Tech have helped me a lot more than they have hurt me. I hope they can look back and say the same thing," Clark said. "This wasn't something that I knew was coming."