THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 15, 1996 TAG: 9610150426
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COMMENT
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 99 lines
George Welsh is a wonderful football coach and his accomplishments at the University of Virginia have been well documented.
Most Virginia fans who recall how dismal their football program was BG - before George - were delighted when Welsh recently extended his contract to finish out the century in Charlottesville.
But, considering Welsh's actions in the last week and his comments on his radio call-in show Sunday night, you have to wonder if he will stick around just long enough to tear down what he has so masterfully built.
History is full of coaches who could get their teams near the top of the heap but didn't know how to handle the situation when they got there.
Virginia got close to the top of the heap a year ago when it played Michigan and Texas close on the road and defeated Florida State in Charlottesville.
Among those down in the arena doing much of the pushing and pulling was running back Tiki Barber, a gifted athlete and a honor student in the classroom.
No university could ask for a better ambassador for its football program than Barber, who became a hero to many high school athletes and was primarily responsible for Virginia signing Thomas Jones, one of the nation's top prep prospects last year.
Jones came to Virginia because he wanted to be like Tiki, and have the type of success that Tiki has had at Virginia, which includes gaining consideration for the Heisman Trophy.
If Virginia stays near the top of the heap, or even makes it to the top, it will be because of players like Barber and Jones.
But, here's the rub.
Welsh indicated on his radio program he might not be interested in promoting any more of his players for the Heisman Trophy.
In other words, if star prep players want to get the Heisman treatment, let them go elsewhere.
Virginia fans can only hope Hampton High School's talented Ronald Curry did not hear the remarks.
But you can bet recruiters from colleges still interested in Heisman-type prospects will make sure Curry hears about them - just as Georgia Tech coaches made certain their players heard about Barber's comments prior to their game two weeks ago.
Barber said Virginia should easily defeat Tech because the Cavaliers had the best coaches, best players, and best game plan.
He didn't say it viciously, but matter-of-factly and based on his experiences the three previous years against Tech.
Despite another outstanding game by Barber, Virginia didn't win easily - didn't win at all, in fact, losing 13-7.
Welsh retaliated by putting his players off limits to the media. They were not available for interviews last week, won't be available this week, and Welsh hasn't decided about next week.
The worst part is that Welsh has painted Barber as someone who is not mature enough to handle the publicity of being a Heisman Trophy candidate.
``I didn't know he (Barber) was going to have a personal press conference every week. I am not sure we should allow college kids every week to be interviewed,'' Welsh said.
``Before I decided to stop it, I told my staff maybe things were getting out of hand, and he (Barber) was talking too much. When the same guy is talking week after week, I am not sure that is in the best interest of the team.''
Actually, Barber has not received any special favors as a Heisman Trophy candidate.
All Virginia upperclass players are available on Mondays if requested for interviews by the media. Barber wasn't the only Cavalier to be interviewed weekly.
So was his brother, Ronde, and defensive tackle Todd White, and quarterback Tim Sherman. At least four or five other players usually get media attention on Mondays.
It has been that way for years. Chris Slade and Terry Kirby were interviewed weekly when they played at Virginia. Mike Groh was a regular interview last year.
Heisman candidates at other schools generally are made available to the media not only on a weekly basis, but a near daily basis, as at Florida State where Bobby Bowden says he hasn't lost a game yet because one of his players talked to the media.
I remember many years ago answering the phone at my desk and being asked by a Notre Dame representative if I wanted to interview Joe Montana.
But Welsh indicated on his radio program that he's about had it with Heisman candidates.
Referring to putting Barber off limits to the media, Welsh said, ``So if that is going to hurt his Heisman candidacy, then I will tell you what. ... I ain't going to do it again. I am not going to promote any of our players for the Heisman if it is going to hurt our team.''
For the record, none of Barber's teammates blamed him for the Tech loss, and supported him after his comments were made public.
Welsh already has the reputation as a coach who does not promote his players for honors or pro considerations - even though he needs those kind of players to win.
At another point in his radio show Sunday, a fan preluded a question by saying he was sure Barber would be a first-round NFL draft choice.
``I don't know if Tiki will go in the first round,'' Welsh responded.
Too bad Welsh didn't stick a gag in his own mouth. by CNB