Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 3, 1993 TAG: 9307030143
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Sheridan stepped down as the Wolfpack's football coach Tuesday, citing unspecified health reasons. His resignation was the latest in a series of ACC coaching moves that seemed to multiply after Jim Valvano was forced out as N.C. State's basketball coach in April 1990.
"We don't feel any jinx," said Frank Weedon, an associate athletic director who has been at N.C. State for 34 years. "We do feel unfortunate the people we lost.
"It's probably very unusual that those two types [Sheridan and Valvano] can be together and then leave in unusual circumstances," he added. "It is rare."
While Sheridan's decision may have had the most shock value, Bobby Cremins' flip-flop a few months ago between Georgia Tech and South Carolina basketball jobs certainly was the most bizarre.
Homer Rice, athletic director at Georgia Tech, said the key to any coaching change is being prepared.
"In high-profile positions like this you are going to have changes," said Rice. He said there have been 47 job changes in his profession at the 106 Division I-A football schools the past three years. "The word is out it's an impossible job."
Wolfpack athletic director Todd Turner moved quickly, naming former Sheridan assistant Mike O'Cain as head coach Tuesday.
Rice said he hired Bobby Ross within 48 hours in 1987, then took only six days to hire Bill Lewis when Ross left for the San Diego Chargers after winning a share of the national football title in 1990.
Believe it or not, Rice also was prepared for the Cremins situation - sort of.
"Being prepared is the best solution to this," Rice said. "I knew it was happening, because he was dealing with the thing the whole basketball season. I was prepared if it did happen, but before I could move on it he was back."
Cremins has since become the butt of jokes around the ACC - especially at a roast in June by fellow coaches to raise money for a cancer research project in memory of Valvano, who died this year.
In addition, Wake Forest's Bill Dooley retired as a football coach last season after guiding the Demon Deacons to an 8-4 record and its first bowl victory since the 1946 Gator Bowl.
Many believe Dooley - the ACC's winningest football coach and a former Virginia Tech head coach and athletic director - grew tired of what he perceived as a lack of interest in the football program.
However, Dooley's resignation set up more ACC history as former Penn State assistant Jim Caldwell was hired as the league's first black head football coach.
In addition:
Steve Spurrier rebuilt Duke's football program with his high-profile passing attack, then left for a more lucrative contract at Florida. The Blue Devils have gone 2-20 in ACC games under Barry Wilson the past three seasons.
Gary Williams is trying to rebuild Maryland's basketball team, placed on probation for three years after recruiting violations forced Bob Wade to resign.
Jeff Jones took over behind the Virginia basketball bench after Terry Holland left to become athletic director at Davidson.
And Danny Ford said goodbye to the Clemson football program in 1990 after guiding the Tigers to five ACC titles and a national title.
"The good thing is that the only one that left for another college job is Spurrier," said Tom Mickle, a spokesman for the ACC. "We used to have guys leaving to take other football jobs. Our league used to be used as a stepping stone.
"It seems like we've had a couple of unusual situations," he said of the changes. "But I think it's about normal. In any league in a three or four year period you are going to have that many."
by CNB