THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 3, 1994 TAG: 9408030560
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
It's been nine years since Paul Webb stepped down as Old Dominion's basketball coach. Make that nine long years for the Monarchs, who haven't come close to replicating the success Webb managed at ODU.
Webb won 196 games, took ODU from Division II into Division I and garnered nine postseason bids, including four to the NCAA tournament, in his 10 years with the Monarchs.
His teams upset Georgetown, Syracuse, Virginia (twice), Clemson and No. 1-ranked DePaul. Players such as Ronnie Valentine, Billy Mann, Tommy Branch, Kenny Gattison and Mark West all declined offers from ACC schools to attend ODU.
Yet during his last season he was besieged by fans who wrote letters to area newspapers complaining about his conservative coaching style. Attendance dwindled in his last five years.
Well-placed sources at ODU and elsewhere say Webb was pushed out the door. ODU officials vigorously deny that allegation.
Regardless, Webb says he is more appreciated now by Monarchs supporters, including some who were critical of him.
``Some have told me, `We wish you were back,' '' he said.
``I never felt personally that I wasn't appreciated. The thing that bothered me was that I felt the program wasn't appreciated. . . . I don't think people realized how tough it was for an Old Dominion to be as successful as we were.
``I felt the players, coaches and everyone else in the program deserved more credit than they received.''
Webb says he has no regrets about leaving coaching and that he is happily settled in Virginia Beach, in the same house he bought when he moved to Hampton Roads 19 years ago.
Webb, 65, spends his spare time caring for his yard, visiting his six grandchildren and attending basketball games. He's a frequent spectator at VCU, where son Eddie is coaching, and at Scope for ODU games.
He and his wife, Charlotte, say Virginia Beach is home.
``When I was a kid, my dad would bring the whole family to Virginia Beach each summer,'' Paul Webb said. ``We'd go to the old Roanoke Cottages on 22nd Street and stay for a week or two. I've been a beach person ever since.
``I've enjoyed myself since retiring. I'm still active, but I've got time to do the things I didn't used to have time for. I'm able to travel. I have a wonderful family, a wonderful wife.
``I couldn't ask for more.'' by CNB