Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 14, 1994 TAG: 9412140130
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After a year's sabbatical at the University of South Carolina, Bustle accepted an offer Tuesday to return to Tech for his second stint as the Hokies' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Bustle, 41, replaces Gary Tranquill, who resigned Thursday to become offensive coordinator at Michigan State.
``In a coaching career, just maybe once or twice you work at a place which you really love,'' Bustle said in a statement released by Virginia Tech. ``I felt that way about Blacksburg and look forward to returning there. I'm very excited about it.''
So is Frank Beamer, the Hokies' head coach. When Tranquill left, Beamer said Bustle was the first person he called.
``After I found out about his interest in coming back, there was really nobody else considered,'' said Beamer, who acknowledged he did talk with several other candidates. ``It was a no-brainer, really. I know what we are getting and I like what we are getting. Ricky did a great job for us before and he will again.''
Bustle will remain on the South Carolina staff through the Carquest Bowl on Jan.2, when the Gamecocks (6-5) will face West Virginia (7-5). He will return to Tech shortly thereafter.
Billy Hite, the Hokies' assistant head coach, has taken charge of the offense in preparation for the Gator Bowl on Dec.30, when 17th-ranked Tech (8-3) meets Tennessee (7-4). Beamer, with input from his offensive assistants, will call the plays in the bowl game.
Bustle served as an assistant at Clemson (1977-78), Gardner-Webb (1979), East Carolina (1980-82) and Northeast Louisiana (1984-86) before coming to Tech with Beamer in 1987. He was a quarterbacks coach for six years before being named offensive coordinator in 1993.
Under Bustle's guidance, the Hokies' offense had the most productive year in school history. In a 9-3 season capped by a 45-20 victory over Indiana in the Independence Bowl, Tech established seven school records, including scoring average (36.4 points per game) and total offense (444.1 yards per game).
Under Tranquill this season, Tech's offense tapered off to 27.6 points and 355 yards per game.
Bustle was noted for his work with Hokies quarterback Maurice DeShazo. In Bustle's scheme in 1993, DeShazo threw for 22 touchdowns and ranked fifth in the nation in passing efficiency, with a rating of 157.53.
Bustle, suddenly a hot commodity, joined Brad Scott's new staff at South Carolina on Jan.10. Bustle said one of the big factors in his move was the opportunity for he and his wife, Lynn, to return to their native South Carolina. A source said Tuesday that Bustle ``wasn't happy'' at the Southeastern Conference school.
``I don't know about that,'' Beamer said. ``All I know is that I'm happy to have him back. We made the deal a little better financially for him, but I think the biggest thing for him was his affection for Blacksburg. He liked the situation when he was here, and now he's eager to get back.''
by CNB