Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, December 25, 1993                   TAG: 9312250094
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

VMI SEEKS COACH WITH MILITARY TIES

Davis Babb, VMI's athletic director, would not confirm who had been interviewed for the position, which was vacated Dec. 7 when the institute fired Jim Shuck.

However, sources confirmed that at least three coaches have been interviewed: Shuck's defensive coordinator, Mike Clark; The Citadel's Al Seagraves; and Virginia assistant Danny Wilmer, who attended a military prep school. One source familiar with the search said VMI is interested in Air Force aide Bill Stewart, but it could not be confirmed whether Stewart has interviewed for the job.

A five-member search committee, which includes Babb and three members of the Keydet football team, has been screening prospective coaches and will make recommendations to VMI's superintendent, Maj. Gen. John Knapp. A decision likely will be made next week.

"We're trying to move at the best pace possible," Babb said. "We're very aware of the importance in making a decision soon . . . but we don't want to be overly hasty."

Clark, VMI's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach last season, appears to be the players' choice to replace Shuck, who was an assistant at Army and compiled a record of 14-40-1 in five seasons at VMI. Members of the Keydets football team circulated a letter to campus representatives expressing their support for Clark.

Clark joined Shuck's staff last year after being dismissed as defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech after five seasons. Clark played at the University of Cincinnati and coached defensive positions at Arizona and Murray State before being hired at Tech.

Sources confirmed Clark was interviewed last week. He could not be reached for comment.

Seagraves said he was interviewed Wednesday. Seagraves said he was very interested in the opportunity to "get VMI back on its feet again."

"It's very appealing," said Seagraves, the Southern Conference's offensive coach of the year in 1990. "Taking over a program with a lot of tradition, but has been down for a few years - that would be a great challenge."

Seagraves, 40, joined the staff at The Citadel in 1986. He is the assistant head coach and running backs coach. He was the defensive coordinator at Central Florida and has also coached defense at Army and Shippensburg State, his alma mater.

Wilmer, in his 10th season as an assistant at Virginia, also was interviewed.

Wilmer, 46, was born in Lexington and grew up in nearby Buena Vista. He graduated from Parry McCluer High School and Staunton Military Academy.

Wilmer has been a head coach at two high schools, including Stuarts Draft. His collegiate assistant coaching experience includes stints at Western New Mexico and James Madison.

Wilmer coaches offensive tackles and tight ends for Carquest Bowl-bound Virginia.

Stewart, 41, is a native of Grafton, W.Va., and played football at Fairmont State. He has held assistant coaching positions at North Carolina (twice), Marshall, William and Mary, the Naval Academy and Arizona State.

Stewart joined the staff at Air Force in 1990 and coaches the defensive line. He could not be reached for comment.