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Coach Blackburn Fired After Poor ACC Showing

Coach Angered By Surprise Move;
Leaves Wahoos After 6 Years

By Bill Nachman
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Coach George Blackburn

Fired After Six Years

George Blackburn, head football
coach at the University, will not be
retained beyond his current appointment
which expires January 25, 1971, it was
announced yesterday.

The decision not to renew Mr.
Blackburn's appointment was made at a
meeting of Dr. D. Alan Williams, Vice
President for Student Affairs, Eugene F.
Corrigan, who becomes Director of
Athletic Programs at the University on
January 1, and Steve Sebo, Director of
Intercollegiate Athletics. Coach
Blackburn was notified of the decision
yesterday.

Vice President Williams said late last night
that "Coach Blackburn has made significant
contributions to athletic life at the University
and has exerted a fine influence on the men he
has coached. This decision to change was made
because it was felt that the University needs to
revitalize its position in Atlantic Coast
Conference football. President Shannon
concurs with our decision to replace Mr.
Blackburn."

Vice President Williams said that a search for
a successor to Mr. Blackburn will be begun
immediately.

Violent Rhetoric

Mr. Blackburn commented to The Cavalier
Daily in violent rhetoric denouncing the three
University officials who fired him in an
"ungentlemanly" manner.

Mr. Blackburn was informed of his dismissal
after the reports had been announced on local
radio and television.

Mr. Blackburn when contacted late
yesterday afternoon said that he knew "nothing
about the report." He expounded by stating
that he has "never talked to anyone about the
possibilities of resigning after the 1970 season."

Mr. Blackburn was informed of the forced
retirement at a meeting with athletic directors
at 6 p.m. yesterday evening.

Paul Fishback told the Cavalier Daily
yesterday evening that the University authorities
had taken great pains to assure that Mr.
Blackburn's dismissal was not released to the
press before the coach was told. Mr. Fishback
said that the early press reports were to be
considered leaks.

WLVA-TV in Lynchburg touched off
the controversy Monday evening by
broadcasting a statement from a "reliable"
source. Charles Travis, sports director of the
station, said that the tipoff came from someone
"relatively close to the University community."
he went on to add that the tip said a statement
would "probably be released sometime on
Wednesday concerning the Blackburn affair."

Local radio stations then picked up the lead.
Ray Cary of WINA said that a phone call to Mr.
Blackburn early Tuesday morning produced a
"negative" answer. A spokesman for WCHV
stated hat his newsmen had picked up the tip
via Lynchburg, but upon questioning Coach
Blackburn "there appeared to be no signs that
he was planning to resign."

Flatly Denied

Eugene Corrigan was not available for
comment. It was learned that Mr. Corrigan had
a conference with Coach Blackburn Saturday
morning; however, the conversation reportedly
was not about a resignation. Also unavailable
for comment was intercollegiate sports director
Steve Sebo. Barney Cooke, sports information
director, was contacted late Monday evening by
Mr. Travis from WLVA-TV. According to Mr.
Travis, Mr. Cooke "flatly denied" all statements
regarding the exit of Coach Blackburn.

Mr. Blackburn became head coach at the
University in 1965. During the six years he
directed the Cavaliers, he compiled a record of
14 victories and 22 loses in the ACC and 29
victories and 32 losses overall. The football
team has won one out of its last 12 ACC
games.