Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 26, 1995 TAG: 9508280051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ANN ARBOR, MICH. LENGTH: Medium
It has been 20 years at least since Carr, then the football coach at John Glenn High School in Westland, Mich., went to Charlottesville to observe UVa's workouts.
``I had a friend on that staff, Frank Novak, who had coached me in college,'' said Carr, who is entering his first season as Michigan's head coach. ``I think Sonny Randle was the [Virginia] coach at the time.
``We spent a couple of days watching spring practice, but I was not going to leave there without seeing Monticello. It was one of the real highlights of that trip.''
Carr, a Northern Michigan graduate, entered college coaching in 1975. At 50, he will be making his debut as a college head coach when the Wolverines entertain Virginia at noon today in the Pigskin Classic.
MUSIC LOVER: Virginia coach George Welsh said that his favorite fight song is Michigan's ``Hail to the Victors'' and that he has always admired the Wolverines' program.
``My wife [Sandra] always says, `I've been at two schools and I don't want to go anywhere else,''' said Welsh, previously the head coach at Navy, ``but she told me, `If Michigan ever offers you the job, we're coming.'''
There was no indication what Carr or Michigan athletics director Joe Roberson thought about Welsh's comment. Carr, named coach following Gary Moeller's dismissal, has a contract only through this season.
CHAIN OF COMMAND: Welsh said that offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien will move from the press box to the sidelines for today's game, but will continue to call plays.
Former Maryland head coach Joe Krivak has taken over for O'Brien as quarterback coach and will make suggestions from the press box. O'Brien now has primary responsibility for UVa's offensive guards and centers.
SHERMAN NAMED: Welsh said Friday that junior Tim Sherman will go into the game if anything happens to starting quarterback Mike Groh.
``That doesn't mean he's the second quarterback forever,'' Welsh said. ``I think based on the kind of game this is and the atmosphere, I would lean to him. This is Sherman's fourth year in the program; he's been around.''
Sherman, son of UVa receivers coach Tom Sherman, has completed four of seven passes in his college career. The other contender for the back-up job, Aaron Brooks, is a highly touted redshirt freshman.
MISTER ED: Brent Musburger, master of ceremonies at a pregame function Friday, introduced Groh as the son of New England Patriots defensive coordinator ``Ed'' Groh. Groh's father, a former UVa lineman, is named Al.
POINDEXTER SOUND: Anthony Poindexter, the Group AA state player of the year in 1993, is close to full speed after a series of knee injuries and will make his collegiate debut.
Poindexter, from Jefferson Forest High School, will play on special teams and as a fifth defensive back in obvious passing situations. A 6-foot-2, 209-pounder, he also may see time at linebacker.
``He hits like a linebacker; I know that,'' said UVa cornerback Ronde Barber, last year's ACC rookie of the year. ``He's an exciting player to be on the field with.''
EXTRA INCENTIVE: Chris Harrison, who has taken advantage of a rare sixth year he was afforded by the NCAA, concedes that the Pigskin Classic was one of the reasons he returned.
``I've always wanted to play teams like Michigan, Notre Dame and Colorado,'' said Harrison, who skipped spring practice and talked of quitting because of persistent knee and ankle pain.
``Florida State counts, but I wanted someone who plays smash-mouth football,'' he said. ``When I was thinking about coming back, I looked and saw Michigan and Texas on the schedule and that definitely helped.''
INJURIES: Welsh said that Derick Byrd is running well after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, welcome news for a UVa receiving corps that earlier had lost Patrick Jeffers.
Scott Sullivan, a starter for Michigan last year at offensive tackle, has a back injury and will not play. Michigan's only other casualty is inside linebacker Brent Blackwell.
by CNB