Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990 TAG: 9003290651
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
UVa is seeking a successor for Terry Holland, who has resigned after 16 seasons to become the athletic director at Davidson College.
Gillen's announcement came two days after a meeting with UVa athletic director Jim Copeland at the Pittsburgh airport.
Copeland reportedly had invited Gillen and his wife to visit Charlottesville on Friday.
"I called [Copeland] today and said I didn't want to be considered," said Gillen when contacted Wednesday in Denver, site of the Final Four.
"We had a good meeting in Pittsburgh on Monday. It's a good job and he is a nice man. But I'm happy at Xavier. My wife wanted to come [to Virginia]."
With Gillen out of the running, Stanford coach Mike Montgomery appears to be a leading candidate, and Providence coach Rick Barnes is said to have renewed interest in the job.
Providence athletic director John Marinato, in a statement issued through the school's sports information department, said he has not heard from Copeland.
Gillen, who has a 119-39 record in five seasons at Xavier, took the Musketeers to the final 16 of the NCAA Tournament before they were beaten by Texas 102-89. Xavier finished 28-5.
"I've not been offered the [Virginia] job," Gillen told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Nothing was offered. Nothing was guaranteed by either party . . . nothing was said to indicate `you're this or you're that.' "
Gillen was concerned that he would be under too much pressure at Virginia after reportedly being told that Copeland would want him to take Virginia to the NCAA Tournament five out of every six years.
Copeland has met twice with Montgomery, who reportedly may visit Charlottesville next week. Also being mentioned in connection with the post are Penn State coach Bruce Parkhill, Vanderbilt coach Eddie Fogler and Barnes.
by CNB