Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 7, 1990 TAG: 9004070182
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Copeland issued a news release saying he had offered the job to Barnes and it had been accepted, at which point Copeland released his other prospects.
When he announced Thursday night that he would remain at Providence, Barnes claimed he had never been offered the job - much less accepted it.
"The commitment had to be made before I would say anything to the other candidates," Copeland said. "I had made the offer. He had accepted. We had talked about the terms of the contract. There was no problem from our end. I asked if he anticipated a problem up there, and he said no."
Copeland accompanied Barnes to Providence, R.I., where Barnes met with athletic director John Marinatto to discuss a release from the final two years of his four-year contract.
Marinatto later was joined by school president Rev. John Cunningham and Big East Conference Commissioner Dave Gavitt, a former Friars coach.
"I talked to him frequently during his breaks," Copeland said. "I saw him a couple of times, but it was not until Thursday afternoon that he said there was a problem. He told me around 4 o'clock [Thursday] that it wouldn't work."
And, Copeland's reaction?
"I was very disappointed," Copeland said. "I was very angry."
Copeland first released a general statement Thursday night that indicated he admired Barnes' commitment and loyalty, although Copeland obviously felt Barnes had broken his word. The change in tone came Friday afternoon.
"It was hard to [issue the second release] because I've taken a pretty hard line all along in talking about the candidates," Copeland said. "But, when some things were said, I felt I had to set the record straight."
Copeland met Friday with Jeff Jones and Craig Littlepage, the two full-time assistants under Terry Holland. Holland will leave to become the athletic director at Davidson as soon as UVa completes its search.
Copeland said he will meet with Jones and Littlepage again next week. Copeland will participate in the ground-breaking ceremonies for Virginia's new football-support building today, then take a day off to collect his thoughts.
"I think it would be inappropriate to make a decision so close [to Barnes' withdrawal]," Copeland said. "What I've tried to do is get a handle on what my options are. It's important to get on it as fast as I can, but it's a decision I've got to live with."
Copeland reportedly contacted some of the prospects he had before the overture to Barnes, but they were not interested, "at least not the ones I contacted," Copeland said.
Xavier coach Pete Gillen, who took his name out of consideration March 28, is coaching one of the teams in the Aloha Classic in Tokyo and will not return until Monday night.
Gillen, interviewed by Copeland at the Pittsburgh airport, declined an invitation to visit the campus.
"Pete Gillen, at the time, was not my No. 1 candidate," Copeland said. "I don't know what would have happened if he had stayed in [the race]. I liked him."
Stanford coach Mike Montgomery was the first prospect to make an on-campus visit, April 2-3.
"I felt very strongly about Mike Montgomery," Copeland said. "I had always been up front with Mike. I told him before he came in that I could not promise him he was No. 1."
On Wednesday morning, Copeland informed Montgomery and Penn State coach Bruce Parkhill that Barnes would be the choice.
"After [Barnes] accepted the job, I called them," Copeland said. "I do have a concern for all of the candidates. I called them and said that they could make whatever statements they considered appropriate."
Montgomery said he never committed to taking the job if it were offered, but he obviously was very interested.
"I wish things had worked out," Montgomery said. "I could have been very happy at Virginia."
Copeland said he would have preferred to entertain Barnes first, but encountered opposition from Providence officials.
"I did not get permission until late," Copeland said. "I got information through a third party, but I was determined not to talk with possible candidates until I received permission.
"I had called John Marinatto [the Providence athletic director] after the season. I had a hard time getting Marinatto to return my phone calls. I do have a problem with the way I was dealt with by the Providence AD."
by CNB