THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9409010717
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and his lawyer figured that securing a contract extension after last year's 9-3 season would be a no-brainer.
Instead they got ``no'' from athletic director Dave Braine on several proposals until finally last week an extension was agreed upon - albeit with an odd hitch.
Tech released the details this week of Beamer's contract extension through the 1999 season, which kicks in if the Hokies have a winning season this year. That seems almost a certainty for the nationally ranked Hokies, but it falls somewhat short of an unbridled vote of confidence.
Beamer's lawyer, Craig Kelly, said the protracted negotiations - which began shortly after the Independence Bowl victory - were frustrating for him and Beamer.
``They didn't want to negotiate,'' Kelly said. ``It was something we thought would be a fairly amenable situation and it turned out to be not so friendly. It was very frustrating. It was difficult to get them to the table.''
Braine has said that if the Hokies do not have a winning season this year, the new contract does not take effect and Beamer still has one year remaining on his existing pact. If Tech is above .500, the new deal would kick in.
The pact would pay Beamer a $135,016 base salary in the first year, an increase over his current $128,587 salary, and will include a minimum bump of 5 percent per year. Beamer also would receive an annuity of about $180,000, providing he fulfills the terms of the contract and remains at the university through 1999.
Beamer is 33-43-2 in seven seasons at his alma mater. He took over a program mired in NCAA probation from Bill Dooley's tenure.
``I would have preferred to come out and extend the contract another year or two years; instead it was done with the stipulation for the season,'' Beamer said.
He added he understood that his superiors were doing what they thought was best for the university.
YOUNG GUNS: Tech got good results last year mixing in a lot of talented youth - three freshmen filled starting spots on defense. And the Hokies are going to take the same tack this year.
Beamer said that as many as eight true freshman may play this season, including Chesapeake's Tony Morrison. Morrison is listed as the backup at outside linebacker behind Brandon Semones on the depth chart released this week for Tech's 4 p.m. home game Saturday with Arkansas State.
Quinton Waller, another true freshman, is Larry Green's backup at right corner. On offense, Gennaro DiNapoli is the backup left guard behind Chris Malone.
Beamer said other freshmen likely to play are running backs Ken Oxendine and Marcus Parker, lineman Todd Washington and defensive tackle Brad Baylor. Linebacker Chris Frith was expected to play as a freshman but may be redshirted because of a knee injury.
``I like playing young kids,'' Beamer said. ``What it says to you is generally you're recruiting pretty well because you've got young kids coming in who can play. . . . I like young guys because I think there's an eagerness and a freshness there.''
NOT MILLER TIME: In 1990, Beamer called Andy Miller from First Colonial High ``Virginia Tech's next great linebacker.'' Miller, now a senior with the Hokies, has started two games in his college career and is not on the preseason two-deep roster.
``Andy has done a good job in some special teams, but he's never been quite as consistent at linebacker as we'd like,'' Beamer said.
Beamer said this week that he shies away from using seniors in backup roles because he would rather get experience for younger players to build for the future.
DeSHAZO'S GOLDEN ARM: Virginia Tech quarterback Maurice DeShazo was selected Wednesday one of 12 finalists for The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which will be announced Dec. 1. Other candidates are Stanford's Steve Stenstrom, Southern Cal's Rob Johnson, Alabama's Jay Barker, Michigan's Todd Collins, UCLA's Wayne Cook, Florida's Terry Dean, Kansas State's Chad May, Alcorn State's Steve McNair, North Carolina's Jason Stanicek, Georgia's Eric Zeier and Colorado's Kordell Stewart.
THE KICKER: Senior Ryan Williams from Suffolk, who struggled last year and faced a challenge from two newcomers this season, has retained his placekicking job. But Beamer said Atle Larsen may get a chance to handle kickoffs because Williams - who had half his foot severed in a lawn mower accident as a youth - has limited mobility, which hinders him as a coverage guy.
``Ryan has kicked exceptionally well in the preseason,'' Beamer said. ``Larsen may see some action as the kickoff guy, but right now Ryan's going to start that off. There's good competition there and I like that. I think everybody gets better.'' ILLUSTRATION: FILE PHOTO
A $6,400 raise awaits Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer under one
condition: His team must post a winning season this fall.
by CNB