University of Virginia Library

Time Factor

Secondly, the change would
have occurred too late in the
year. Considering the existing
minuses with which head
recruiter Jim West must
contend, a coaching shakeup
would have sent even more
blue-chippers scurrying to the
likes of North Carolina and
Duke.

This need for continuity has
been a windfall for Lawrence
once before.

After the rather
under-nourished seasons of
1969 and '70, when the Cavaliers
were 8-14 and only 1-11 against
ACC competition, the need to
dump head coach George
Blackburn was obvious. His
logical successor would have
been a "name" personality
who has proven his leadership
elsewhere.

Instead, the job went to
Lawrence, who as sportswriter
Durden pointed out, was
second in command behind
Blackburn in charge of the
defense, and was just as
culpable for Virginia's
downfall.

According to Mr. Roberts,
the late firing of Blackburn
forced time to be a crucial
factor, especially in respect to
recruiting. Lawrence was
available and was hastily
promoted to the top spot.

Mr. King believes that in
order to avoid the boot,
Lawrence must produce a
winning record next season.

The pressure is also on
Virginia's athletic director
Gene Corrigan, who was hired
partly because his knowledge
gained as assistant
commissioner of the ACC was
considered valuable to the
University's sports program.

On the question of whether
money means might, each
denied being the Jack Kent
Cooke of Virginia athletics.

"Corrigari is definitely the
boss," they both contended.
"Now, we can give opinions to
the newspapers and television.
and, of course, from time to
time, we have conversations
with Corrigan, Lawrence, and
President Shannon about
certain topics of interest."

Roberts implied that the
Foundation's control over the
program's purse strings was
most evident in these subtle
tete-a-tetes.

The faces of both men
redden with anger when
reminded of the charges of
professionalism which seem to
intensify with every additional
dollar spent by the SAF.

"I abhor the people that tell
me that they are scared of
professionalism. It's so
ridiculous that it isn't even
worth talking about.

"If there's any question in
your mind, check our records.
Pros. Hell. We (the
Foundation) are not even good
amateurs.

"We don't demand a Bear
Bryant-like machine that goes
11-0 every year. I'd be satisfied
with a team that went 8-3 or
even 7-4.

"Now, if our football team
goes undefeated for the next
five seasons, then come to me
and we will both worry about
professionalism."

Both men agree on many
changes which must occur
before the Cavaliers rise from
the bottom of the conference
totem pole. Again the magic
word is "balance", which is a
euphemism for winning more
than you lose.

Both lament some of the
University's rigid entrance
requirements as being a
hindrance to competitive
football, especially the foreign
language requirement for
admission which has been
dropped by North Carolina and
Duke.

Since Carolina is willing to
lower its standards to admit an
attractive prospect while
Virginia is unable to make such
a compromise, they felt the
Tar Heels have a head start in
the recruiting race.