ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140035
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
If they're leaving a trail somewhere, Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer and Georgia athletic director Vince Dooley are doing a masterful job of disguising it.
Dogged by reports he is Dooley's No.1 choice to succeed Ray Goff as Georgia's head coach, Beamer continued to play hopscotch around the country Wednesday.
After a morning in which the phone in his Tech office rang off the hook, Beamer blew out of Blacksburg early Wednesday afternoon for a flight to Houston, where he will attend tonight's National Coach of the Year dinner.
Beamer, one of six finalists for the Bear Bryant Award, had just returned to Blacksburg late Monday night after a two-night sojourn in New York City.
Coincidence or not, Dooley also was in the Big Apple on Sunday and Monday. However, there has been no confirmation the two made contact.
If they did, that would be news to Dave Braine. The Tech AD said Georgia has not asked for permission to talk to Beamer.
Saying he didn't have time to return the calls because of his early-afternoon flight to Houston, Beamer released the following statement:
``As I have said many times before, changing the status of Virginia Tech football is a great challenge to me. We are right in the middle of doing that. Our goals are in sight. All my effort and attention is being directed toward recruiting for Virginia Tech and preparing our football team for its greatest bowl game ever, against the University of Texas in the Sugar Bowl.''
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday that Beamer had moved to the top of Georgia's wish list after No.1 choice Gary Barnett of Northwestern withdrew his name from consideration Monday.
Craig Kelly, Beamer's attorney, said he met with Beamer on Friday in Blacksburg. Kelly said Beamer told him to be ready to negotiate with Georgia at a moment's notice if Beamer is contacted and decides to pursue the job.
``I'm packed and ready to go if it gets to the negotiating phase,'' Kelly told The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. ``We're flattered to be considered for a job like Georgia.''
Dooley has gone on record as saying he would like to officially announced Goff's successor no later than Jan.5. Goff, who was fired Nov.23, will coach the Bulldogs (6-5) against Virginia (8-4) in the Peach Bowl on Dec.30 in Atlanta.
Beamer reportedly was given a strong endorsement for the Bulldogs' job by longtime friend Bobby Ross, coach of the NFL's San Diego Chargers.
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB