The Cavalier daily :: Wednesday, October 14, 1970 :: University of Virginia Library

Rumors floating around the
state's football scene suggest that
the current season will be the last
for Virginia Tech football coach
Jerry Claiborne. A source close to
the VPI administration indicated
that the 42-year-old Claiborne had
been summoned to meet with Tech
President Hahn and Athletic
Director Frank Moseley at which
time he was informed that he
would not be rehired.

Played Under Bryant

Formerly a player under Paul
"Bear" Bryant, and a coach under
both Bryant and Arkansas' Frank
Broyles (then at Missouri),
Claiborne expected to have another
top notch squad on his hands this
year but was put on the trail to
oblivion by virtue of an opening
loss to Virginia. The Hokies are still
winless in 1970 after dropping
games to Alabama, Memphis State,
South Carolina, and Wake Forest,
with only the Memphis State
contest being close.

Dismal Season Prompts Move

This move on the part of the
Tech Athletic Department is
precipitated by Coach Claborne's
dismal showings. In the 1969 and
present seasons, both of which were
supposed to be peak years for
Tech's gridiron program. After six
consecutive winning campaigns,
Claborne's highly touted 1969
squad proceeded to lose its initial
five contests, winding up 4-5-1 for
the first losing mark since
Claborne's debut at Blacksburg.

Six Games Remain

There are six games remaining
on Tech's 1970 schedule - Tulsa,
Buffalo, William and Mary, Florida
State, and VMI, respectively. At
current team strength, Tech will
undoubtedly be favored to win
only two of those games.

Clean House

Naturally, the unsuccessful
nature of the past 15 games have
the Tech fans in an uproar and the
only thing to do in such a situation
is to clean house.