Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 30, 1993 TAG: 9306300208
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
"My first priority is I want to feel good," Sheridan said at a news conference.
Sheridan, 51, declined to discuss his health problems, other than to say that they were not life-threatening. He called them "problems that have bothered me more as the years progressed."
Quarterbacks coach Mike O'Cain, who joined the Wolfpack in 1985, will take over as North Carolina State's 32nd football coach.
Sheridan said it became apparent during football camps that ended recently that "I didn't have the level of energy and enthusiasm . . . that this job requires."
Sheridan also said the recent death of his close friend Jim Valvano, the former Wolfpack basketball coach, made him think of his own mortality. Valvano died after a lengthy bout with cancer.
"The message was that really nothing is more important than your health," he said.
O'Cain, 39, hugged Sheridan and both cried as Sheridan left the podium with Sheridan saying he first coached O'Cain when as a ninth-grader in South Carolina.
Sheridan will remain at the school as a consultant to the football program.
"I've faced the fact that at this point I have no plans to coach again," he said.
The announcement came about one week after Sheridan advised his coaching staff of his intentions, according to reports.
"I'm truly surprised by all of this," said ACC commissioner Gene Corrigan. "Dick Sheridan is one of the great coaches in the United States.
"This is a loss to the Atlantic Coast Conference and to North Carolina State University."
Sheridan became N.C. State's coach on Dec. 30, 1985, succeeding Tom Reed. He guided the Wolfpack to six bowls and twice tied the school record with nine victories in a season. Sheridan took N.C. State to more postseason appearances than any other coach in school history.
In seven seasons, Sheridan compiled a 52-29-3 record, including a 31-18-1 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference games. The only thing missing was an ACC title. As head coach at N.C. State and Furman, Sheridan had a coaching record of 121-52-5.
After three successive 3-8 seasons, N.C. State turned it around in Sheridan's inaugural season of 1986 and posted an 8-3-1 mark. The Wolfpack's season ended with a last-second loss to Virginia Tech in the Peach Bowl.
by CNB