ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, December 15, 1996              TAG: 9612160141
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: NEWTON, MASS.
SOURCE: Associated Press 

O'BRIEN TAKES THE REINS AT BC

THE FORMER COACH at Virginia says the Eagles will soar again under his tutelage.

Tom O'Brien, Boston College's new football coach, promised Saturday to move the troubled program on to ``bigger and better things.''

O'Brien, former offensive coordinator for Virginia, takes over following a gambling scandal that resulted in the suspension of 13 BC players, including two who had bet against their own team.

``I think it's a great lesson learned,'' O'Brien said at a news conference Saturday. ``One thing this football team ought to recognize is that's something that will not be condoned here.''

Team captain Omari Walker said O'Brien has much work ahead of him.

``The biggest task he has is to reunite the team,'' said Walker as he waited to meet O'Brien for the first time. ``I think there's a lot of division and a lot of backbiting. It will take someone with a lot of character.''

Thirteen players were suspended for the last two games of the season after a probe found they gambled in violation of NCAA rules. The investigation uncovered no evidence of point shaving but concluded that two of the players bet against BC in a loss to Syracuse on Oct.26.

O'Brien replaced Dan Henning, who resigned Nov.25, two days after the Eagles ended their season. Henning was 16-19-1 during three years at Boston College.

As for playing strategy, O'Brien said he will focus on a power running game.

Only days after helping Virginia's offense prepare for its Dec.27 Carquest Bowl game against Miami, the new coach donned a maroon and gold windbreaker with a sense of humor.

``Don't worry about the maroon clashing with my hair here,'' said O'Brien, whose strawberry blonde crewcut conforms with his service as a U.S. Marine and his reputation for running a tight operation.

``I was a little miffed yesterday coming in to see Roger [Clemens] leaving town,'' O'Brien said, referring to the loss of the Red Sox ace right-hander to Toronto. ``I thought there was enough room for both of us.''

BC athletic director Chet Gladchuk said O'Brien's reputation as a recruiter figured heavily in his choice among eight finalists from an original field of 65.

O'Brien, 48, has been Virginia's offensive coordinator for the past six seasons. During that time, the Cavaliers consistently have been ranked among the top offensive teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

LENGTH: Medium:   58 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  AP. Tom O'Brien takes over at Boston College after 
          coaching at Virginia for 15 years, the past six as the Cavaliers' 
          offensive coordinator He replaces Dan Henning, who resigned Nov. 
          25.