Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-24
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAU By FRANCIS sTANN
The Week End of a New Coach

ON FRIDAY NIGHT Tommy Mont drove to the Dupont
Plaza Hotel here greeted Coach Ben Schwarwader of
and his aides cut tape recording for his yet-unspon
sored radio show and headed for home in College Park Md
The cocky attitude Of the Syracuse
nous. Tommy brushed away his fears best he could
The Maryland head coach usually goes to bed early
on the of important day. This time he sat up until
midnight, later and watched televson with his pert
pretty blond wife Virginia Before he knew it the exArmy
major was talking of his experiences He nervous
Virginia noted She knew her husband had never
talked about World War II and the battles in Germany He
barely noticed the pair Of shoes she had bought
AT $50 am Saturday Tommy up dressing hurredly
as If his debut not nearly nine hours off He
hand early for the teams pregame meal of tender juicy
steak Mont usually big eater messed UP his portion for
effect but ate very little.
FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCEs wished him well for
the afternoon Tommy acknowledged each campus greeting
with CHEEKY wave although he boiling inside with
nervous tension. After all, wasn't he taking charge
major college football power which hadn't lost
regular decision in its last Is games? Not only
there that pressure but his No. quarterback going
to play because of the military draft of his good half
backs HOWE Dare in hospital with yellow jaundice
He forgot about lunch There long morning meet
ing with his squad, 80 minutes at least Then pre- game
meeting his Maryands were suited up. BY half time
Tommy sensed that he wasn't going to win His squad like
an engine missing on some cylinders wasn't producing And
Syracuse was good =. awfully good.
During inermission Tommy and his assistants pooled
their information and tried tell Terrapns how and
why Syracuse beating them They had learned bitterly
Almost heavy-duty pro right now.
Mont learned tiredly that John Fritsch needs more
game experience at quarterback Ditto Bob Rseyyan But
Fritsch and Rusevlyan lucky There
coach than an exquarerback and Mont of the
best in Maryland history.
VIRGINIA MONT DRESSED the kids-stephen, 8; JEFF
frey g. and Danny sand went to Byrd Stadium. There is
ncalcuabe stress the wife of head coach Edna Tatum
wife of Tommys predecessor wouldn't attend big game
until she heard on the radio that Maryland safely in
front.
I'm not sure the children are old enough to realize their
daddy is head COACH" Gnny Mont saying But this
happenedsomethng of the tension which felt rubbed of
on the kids They sat tight and tense hardly saying word
Honestly, it's fun"
Then. brightly, Ginny added: "But therein be other
Saturdays"
AFTER THE 2e-12 LosS-no less staggering perhaps,
than Notre Danes upset by SMUMon talked to his squad
in the dressing Some of his players crying Mont
felt like crying too. But coaches don't cry.
There three poSt-game invitations to parties Dui
fully but with real heart for it. Mont went TO Athletic
Director Bill Cobeys shndg One of his coaches Lay
celebrating birthday Mont dropped by his house.
too
If not the place-Dr Wilson H. Elkins president of the
university patted him the back and uttered words Of
encouragement
The phone had been ringing long distance operator
trying to reach Mont in behalf Of Jim Tatum Tommy picked
up the in friends house listened gratefully
his exboss drawed the paying end Let's hold wake
Tatum suggested because in his debut North Cardinals
head coach got whomped by North Carolina State
TOMMY FELT SOMEWHAT BETTER after he hung up.
He wendell his way home and to bed
Sunday morning. early il not bright Mont began
Ing his busy telephone church and as soon
the films ready he went to his Office
room Tommy and his assistants stared at the screen making
mental and penciled notes the fooage unreeled
Then Tommy and his stan began to worry about this
week Wake Forest All he Deacons had done Saturday
slaughter William Mary see coach doesn't like to blow
two in a row. Not if he can help 1t.