THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 1996 TAG: 9605210461
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
Any time now, George Welsh intends to sign a contract extension that will keep him coaching at the University of Virginia through the year 2000.
``I told the recruits this year at least four more,'' Welsh says. ``At that point, I'll reevaluate.''
Which means Welsh could stick around long enough to take U.Va. football into the 21st century. He's feeling that good about himself and his program.
``I don't want to do anything else,'' he said Monday after speaking to the Norfolk Sports Club. ``I'd like to have another great year.''
Before another season begins, Welsh will turn 63. Ten years ago, he thought he'd be through by 62.
``It was my tentative target,'' he said. ``But I changed my mind about a year ago. I still feel good and I don't want to be an administrator.''
At U.Va. or anywhere else excellence is valued, no one should wonder why Welsh wouldn't want to give up coaching.
It would be like asking Tony Bennett why he still sings.
Has anyone done more than Welsh to create interest in college football in the state of Virginia?
Maybe you had to be there when he arrived 14 seasons ago. Maybe only then can you appreciate the style and class he's brought to the scene.
I can remember how it was at the offices of The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star. Sports writers would lobby to cover games at North Carolina. A Tar Heels game was a prime ACC assignment. A trip to Charlottesville in the fall was considered a sentence.
But Welsh gave U.Va. football a measure of stature, even in the early years when his teams struggled. His reputation and the lofty aspirations he brought to the school forced people to pay attention.
While Virginia Tech went through its troubles and worked to rebuild a program of prominence, U.Va. kept alive whatever interest there was in college football within the commonwealth.
Since 1987, U.Va. has not won fewer than seven games each season. Over the same period, the Cavaliers have played in seven bowls.
We tend to take these things for granted now, another sign of what Welsh has managed to accomplish.
Last season, though, will be difficult for U.Va. to duplicate, both for its great successes (beating Florida State, tying the Seminoles for the ACC title, winning the Peach Bowl) and its spectacular disappointments (losing three games on the final play).
For a lot of reasons, the season ``carries special memories for me,'' said Welsh.
This year, fans expect Welsh to find a way to win again. But while Tiki Barber is back, U.Va. needs to retool at quarterback and along the offensive line.
``If we're going to win early,'' Welsh said, ``we might have to do it with defense and kicking. ... We might have to use more first year players. ... We'll work a little bit harder and be more creative on offense.''
In any case, Welsh has faced tougher challenges.
``The first year I was at Virginia,'' he recalled, ``we couldn't even get the best players in the state to so much as visit us.''
Now when they drop by campus, the prep prospects are assured that Welsh will be around for another four seasons, maybe more.
When Welsh signs that extension, it should be counted as U.Va.'s first big victory of the year. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Since 1987, George Welsh, who wants to coach at least four more
years, has led Virginia to seven bowl games.
by CNB