THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 22, 1995 TAG: 9511220697
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
The University of Virginia, co-ACC football champions for 1995, not going to a bowl game this year? Unlikely.
Virginia head football coach George Welsh headed to Georgia? Doubtful.
Still, in a Tuesday teleconference, Virginia athletic director Terry Holland addressed the possibility that his football team may get shut out of a bowl, and that rumors are circulating of Welsh's interest in the open position at Georgia.
Holland also made it clear he expects the Cavaliers to get a bowl bid, and that he envisions Welsh as the coach for years to come.
Holland said he and Welsh have ``agreed in principal'' to extending Welsh's contract through the year 2000. Holland said Welsh told him Tuesday he would like to have the extension for recruiting purposes.
Welsh's current contract runs through 1998.
``The extension was his suggestion and from my standpoint I though it was a great idea,'' Holland said. ``I don't know how long it will take to get it finalized, but I think we have an agreement in principal.''
Holland said he did not know if Welsh's request stemmed from rumors that the Georgia may be interested in the 62-year-old Welsh becoming its next coach. Current Georgia coach Ray Goff was told last week he will be dismissed following Thursday's game against Georgia Tech.
Welsh brushed off a question about the Georgia rumor following last Saturday's loss to Virginia Tech, and Holland said he has had no discussion with Welsh on the subject.
Holland said Georgia athletic director Vince Dooley, whose son Derek played for Welsh at Virginia, had not requested permission to talk to Welsh, either.
``It would be very surprising if Vince does not express some interest,'' Holland said, ``and we would not have a problem with him talking to George if that is what he wants to do.
``But we would do everything in our power to make George know this is where he needs to finish his career.''
Welsh has a 97-63-3 record for his 14 seasons at Virginia and he had a 55-46-1 record in nine years at Navy. He needs only one win to tie Bill Dooley, Vince's brother, for the most victories by an ACC coach. Dooley won 98 games while at North Carolina and Wake Forest.
Virginia, which had never been to a bowl game before Welsh's arrival, is expecting to receive its eighth bowl bid this week.
Holland said during a media conference call that he was disappointed the Cavaliers, who finished 8-4 and tied for the ACC title, have not already received a bid from the Peach Bowl.
The Gator Bowl picked Clemson on Monday. The Peach has the next pick of ACC teams, with the exception of Florida State, which is expected to play in an Alliance bowl.
Holland said Peach Bowl officials are delaying a decision until all ACC teams have finished their schedules. Georgia Tech and North Carolina, which plays N.C. State Friday, would qualify for a bowl by winning their final game. Maryland (6-5) also is eligible for a bowl.
Holland said he would be greatly upset if the Peach passed over Virginia. Still, he could not rule out the possibility of Virginia being left out of the bowl picture entirely.
``We told the Peach Bowl if they wanted to pick someone else, to tell us and we would go to the Carquest Bowl (which gets the fourth pick of ACC teams) and have a great time,'' Holland said.
``They wouldn't do that, and under terms of the contract the ACC signed with the Peach Bowl, we can't go to another bowl if the Peach decides it wants us.''
The Carquest, though, is free to make a deal with another team while Virginia waits for the Peach to decide. If the Peach then picked someone else, Virginia could be left out all together.
``If the ACC have six teams eligible for bowls, someone is going to get left out,'' Holland said. ``I can't believe it will be us. Virginia belongs in the Peach Bowl and I expect to have a bid before the week is over.'' by CNB