
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 11, 1994                   TAG: 9408120042
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Short

CONTRACT TALKS STALLED

Frank Beamer will begin coaching his eighth Virginia Tech football team today without the contract extension he'd hoped for since the Hokies won the Independence Bowl last year.

Lawyers representing Beamer and the school have discussed an extension for months, but Beamer said during Tech's media day Wednesday that nothing has been done. It is not clear what's holding up the process, and Tech athletic director Dave Braine declined to comment.

``I've been disappointed in the whole deal,'' Beamer said. ``This thing started way back ... Now I'm going to go on and try to do some coaching.''

Beamer signed a five-year deal after the 1990 season, in which Tech went 6-5. That deal superceded Beamer's original contract with the school and has two years left. Asked if he has given up hope of getting that deal extended, Beamer said only that he has left it up to his lawyer and Tech officials.

``It's gone on for a long time,'' Beamer said. ``I'm disappointed. I'd leave it right there.''

by CNB