Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 15, 1994 TAG: 9409150079
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Less than 12 hours later, McGregor was on his way across the Atlantic to start work as a member of Henning's first Boston College football staff.
``I can't imagine a situation where I'd be more comfortable than with Dan,'' said McGregor, who has been in a few coaching situations, including a stint as the head coach at William Fleming High in Roanoke.
After leaving Fleming, McGregor worked under Henning for one season with the Atlanta Falcons. That was followed by two seasons as head coach of the Richmond Ravens of the Continental League, two seasons as quarterback coach at Ohio University and one year as an assistant with the Finnish national team.
``It was fun; I was able to take some cruises to Sweden that I wouldn't have been able to take otherwise,'' McGregor, 55, said. ``The level of football was surprisingly good in Finland - better than it was in Germany. Of course, I left so fast that they don't care for me much there.''
The connection with Henning dates back to 1968, when Henning coached the quarterbacks and receivers at Florida State and McGregor was a freshman coach. McGregor, an offensive coach throughout his career, is working with the Boston College running backs.
McGregor's new responsibilities will find him in a familiar position, the press box, when the Eagles entertain Virginia Tech at 12:07 p.m. Saturday. McGregor coached from the press box on more than one occasion while he was at Fleming.
McGregor lived in the Roanoke Valley longer than he has lived anywhere and had a chance to renew old acquaintances last spring because Virginia is part of his recruiting territory. The Eagles are one of many schools looking at Fleming defensive lineman John St. Clair.
``I can remember having three good years at Fleming and a lot of rough years,'' he said. ``I like to coach, but I'd prefer not to coach in high school again. I like it better in college, where I can coach and teach football and not have to attend to a bajillion other things.''
TURNING TO GRASS: Virginia coach George Welsh said Wednesday that the artificial turf at Scott Stadium will be removed and replaced by grass for the 1995 season. ``I think it's become a factor in recruiting,'' said Welsh, noting that numerous other programs have made the move.
Welsh on a stipulation that requires Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer to win six games before he gets a new contract: ``I don't understand that one. It's beyond me. If the guy's good enough to win eight [actually nine] games, he ought to be good enough to get a new contract.''
IN THE BIG EAST: West Virginia football coach Don Nehlen was surprised to learn that every Big East team but Temple had received a vote for The Associated Press Top 25 this week. ``You mean we did?'' Nehlen, whose team is 1-2, asked. ``Did my wife vote?''
WVU fans are certain to follow the recruiting of Bethelehem, Pa., quarterback Dan Kendra, rated one of the top 25 prospects in the country. Kendra's father/namesake played for the Mountaineers in the early 1970s, when the WVU coach was Bobby Bowden, who is recruiting the younger Kendra for Florida State.
Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni, whose Orangemen sacrificed valuable yardage when penalized for a late-game celebration in a loss to Oklahoma, noted the response to a similar celebration Saturday by Notre Dame.
``The whole bench was in the end zone and there was no penalty,'' Pasqualoni said. ``So I've called all the Catholics in central New York to try to get a couple on our sidelines.''
It appears that a scoring war is underway between top-ranked Florida, No. 2 Florida State and No. 5 Miami, who combined to score 172 points last week and are averaging 56.5 points between them.
``We had a chance probably to score some more,'' said Miami coach Dennis Erickson after the Hurricanes won 47-10 at Arizona State, ``but we played our second and third [teams]. You've just gotta let 'em play, I guess.''
IN THE ACC: The race is on to see which team rushes for 100 yards first, Maryland or Wake Forest. Wake has gained 96 yards in two games, but has to face Florida State this week. The Terps, who go to West Virginia, have rushed for 67 yards as a team.
The Deacons, who are 40-point underdogs, had the distinction last week of completing passes to their quarterback (on a trick play) and center (on a deflection). Florida State has played at Wake Forest only once, when it lost 9-7 in1973.
Maryland coach Mark Duffner said Wednesday that he expects starting center Jamie Bragg to play offense and defense for the second straight week. Bragg played 30 snaps at defensive tackle in a 52-20 loss to Florida State.
Georgia Tech tailback Jimy Lincoln, a former ACC rookie of the year, will be sidelined for 3-4 weeks by a shoulder separation. Lincoln will be replaced by fifth-year senior Michael Smith, a former fullback and linebacker who started in left field for the Yellow Jackets in the College World Series.
BABY ARRIVES: Karen Stewart, wife of VMI football coach Bill Stewart, gave birth Tuesday to the couple's first child Tuesday. William Blaine Stewart, who was eight days overdue, weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces. ``I think we're looking at maybe a tight end or a linebacker,'' his dad said.
WOMEN'S HOOPS: Martinsville High guard Samantha Ferguson, a product of the Roanoke Stars AAU program, has made an oral commitment to North Carolina-Greensboro, where she will play for former Roanoker Lynne Agee.
by CNB