THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 23, 1996 TAG: 9608230302
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Operation ACC: Fourth stop on a nine-day tour of the Atlantic
Coast Conference
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: 63 lines
With a sly grin on his face, George Welsh said Thursday he is in no hurry to pick a starting quarterback, and isn't too concerned about making a mistake when he does.
``I have got a few more years left on my contract, so I won't be in too much trouble if I don't make the right choice the first time,'' the Virginia football coach said.
Athletic director Terry Holland a few minutes earlier had announced that Welsh recently signed a new contract that will keep him at Virginia through the year 2000.
``I think I can go beyond that if I want,'' said Welsh, whose next ACC victory will make him the winningest coach in league history.
Welsh said last spring that he had agreed to a new contract. Holland said the unannounced signing was in early summer.
Holland kidded that if Welsh did not coach the next four years that he would have to become the athletic director.
When told of Holland's comment, Welsh replied, ``that would be worse than death. I don't want to be A.D.''
DIFFERENCES: Holland, noting that the University of Richmond appears on the 1997 schedule, said he has had second thoughts about not playing Division I-AA schools.
Only two years ago, Virginia bought out future games against VMI and William and Mary because it wanted to play only Division I-A schools.
``We hope to be playing most of the state I-AA schools in the future,'' Holland said.
Welsh, though, said he is not in favor of returning the state I-AA schools to the schedule because of bowl considerations. A school must have at least six wins against I-A schools to be eligible for a bowl.
``We could not find another I-A school to play next year, so that is why Richmond is on the schedule,'' Welsh said.
``I don't want to do it every year if it doesn't help you get to a bowl.''
Virginia's other non-conference opponents in 1997 will be Auburn and Virginia Tech.
RONDE'S BANDWAGON: While tailback Tiki Barber is being boosted as a Heisman Trophy candidate, his twin brother, Ronde, has received more preseason attention.
Ronde, a cornerback, was picked on four first-team All-American teams. The best Tiki did was to be picked third-team by two magazines.
Ronde said the difference is because he's been picking up honors the last two years and Tiki didn't emerge as a star until last year.
GOOD FRESHMEN: Welsh is not one to throw out many compliments, and last week he seemed a little irritated that many of the freshmen were slow getting adjusted to the college game.
He's seen enough in the last week, though, to make him smile.
``We brought in several so-called blue-chippers and, actually, some of them are pretty good. Maybe as good as their reputation, even,'' Welsh said.
Welsh didn't mention names, but one freshman turning heads is running back Thomas Jones of Appalachia, Va. MEMO: Coming Saturday: North Carolina State. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``I think I can go beyond that if I want,'' said U.Va. coach George
Welsh of his new contract through 2000. by CNB