ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 18, 1996 TAG: 9601180066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
CO-DEFENSIVE coordinator has been hired to establish a fresh scheme for new coach Terry Shea.
Rod Sharpless, who served as co-defensive coordinator for Virginia Tech's Sugar Bowl champion football team this past season, has accepted an offer to become defensive coordinator at Rutgers, sources confirmed Wednesday.
Sharpless was in his Tech office Wednesday afternoon, but refused to return phone calls. Sources in New Jersey and Blacksburg both confirmed that Sharpless had taken the job under new Rutgers coach Terry Shea.
Tech went to a bowl game in each of Sharpless' three seasons in Blacksburg.
The Jacksonville, N.C., native was promoted last season by Tech coach Frank Beamer to defensive coordinator, a position he split with Bud Foster.
Under Foster and Sharpless, the Tech defense anchored the most successful team in school history. The 10-2 Sugar Bowl champion Hokies ranked first in the nation in rushing defense, fifth in scoring defense and 10th in total defense.
Shea, named last month by Rutgers to replace Doug Graber, reportedly wants Sharpless to institute a defensive scheme similar to Tech's at Rutgers.
Sharpless, who played collegiately at Maryland, has been coaching for 17 years. He worked at Maryland, Kentucky and Cornell before coming to Tech in 1993.
Foster, who called the defensive signals from the sideline this past season, is expected to handle all of Tech's coordinator chores in 1996.
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB