Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 14, 1994 TAG: 9401140057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LOUISVILLE, KY. LENGTH: Medium
Tranquill, quarterbacks coach for the NFL's Cleveland Browns, appears to be Tech's top choice to succeed Rickey Bustle, who left Monday to become offensive coordinator at South Carolina.
"We met, and I think there was interest on both sides," said Frank Beamer, the Hokies' head coach. "There's nothing further to report right now."
Beamer said he has no "immediate plans" to interview more candidates because he has recruiting business scheduled through Tuesday.
Beamer would not comment when asked if Tranquill had been offered the job nor would he say when he expected to speak to Tranquill again. Tranquill, who was Virginia's quarterbacks coach from 1987-90, could not be reached for comment.
Tranquill's years at Virginia coincided with Tech defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian's tenure in Charlottesville. Tranquill called the plays for a Shawn Moore-led offense that at one point during the 1990 season was the nation's top-ranked unit.
"He's a very special person. There's a professional respect that's above and beyond anybody I've ever been with," said Elmassian, who then used a recruiting metaphor. "It'd be one of our top signings."
Bustle, who had been at Tech since 1987, left after guiding the Hokies' offense to several school records as the team went 9-3 and won the Independence Bowl 45-20 over Indiana.
Tranquill has been the Browns' quarterbacks coach for three years since leaving Virginia.
Asked if Tranquill could be expected to leave the NFL for a coordinator's position at the college level, Elmassian said:
"He wouldn't be down here if he wasn't in that position. He's not the type of fellow just to come down. He'll make a decision."
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB