The Odessa American from Odessa, Texas • 9

Saturday. February 11, 1978 THE ODESSA AMERICAN Z3. Cards with Don Coryell lofes job final three years of a contract extending through 1980 carries conditions outlined during their January meeting "with some "The deal is basically the same deal as a month ago," he said. "The only positive thing we have is that we're going full-speed ahead to find a new coach to replace him." As outlined by Bidwill, the provisions attached to the release include coaching any NFL team in 1978 only with the St. Louis owner's consent and any team in the National Conference East only by similar arrangement in 1979.

"He' could take a sabbatical," suggested the 46-year-old Bidwill, who last month demanded a first-round draft ST. LOUIS (AP) Don Coryell, who transformed the St. Louis Cardinals from a doormat to a winner with a high-powered offense, was fired Friday as coach of the National Football League team. The end came at a news conference called by owner Bill Bidwill, although the 53-yearold coach had apparently sealed his fate weeks earlier by publicly renouncing club policies and asking for his release. "I just don't think it's in the best interest of the football team for a coach to say he's unhappy and that he wants another job," said Bidwill, who named no immediate successor.

"There's no rancor. Don has given 'us some very good Although no interviews have been held, officially for prospective Coryell" successors, rumors have centered around former NFL coaches Forrest Gregg of Cleveland and Rick Forzano of Michigan State Coach Darryl Rogers, current Cards offensive line coach Jim: Hanifan and the team's assistant operations director. Larry Wilson. "If there was a possibility that he could have remained, we wanted to keep that possibility open," Bidwill said of the long-delay preceding Friday's final action. "He's a family man and family was his primary concern.

He's a great coach. What I wanted to do was accommodate his wishes." years. I just felt that I owed him the opportunity to look somewhere else." Coryell, who directed the Cards to 42 victories in five seasons, exploded emotionally following the team's 26-20 loss to, the Washington Redskins two months to the day preceding his firing. He lashed out against his limited influence on club draft policies, criticized the comparatively small size of his staff and later said his family would prefer to jive in a warmer climate. Conspicuous by their absence were meetings between Coryell and Bidwill until the two sat down together Jan.

9 and the coach was given permission to look for another job. Bidwill said Coryell's release from the choice from the Los Angeles Rams as compensation for giving up the coach. "We could have worked it out before he went to Los Angeles," Bidwill said in reference to Coryell's talks with Rams owner Carroll Rosenbloom. Coryell sought the Rams' job which ultimately went to George Allen. "Unless he coaches, his pay and benefits will remain in effect through 1980," Bidwill said.

Coryell, who prior to coaching the Cards served a 12-year term at San Diego State, thanked Bidwill in a statement "for giving me the opportunity to coach pro football." "I'm 53 years old," he had said earlier, while bidding for the Rams' job. "By 1980, I'll be 56. How many teams are going to be interested in me then?" Coryell's peak years in St. Louis were 1974, when he was voted NFL Coach of the Year for leading the Cards to their first of two NFC East titles, and the following year, when they repeated. The team posted a 10-4 record in 1976 but missed a wild-card berth in the playoffs.

In 1977, following a midseason surge, it dropped its final four games and finished 7-7. "Don Coryell did many positive things for the St. Louis franchise. He is a winner and we are grateful for his help in making us one of the most exciting teams in the NFL." Bidwill said. Bltim Deep bond remains between boss-, players C's mm mil speed far imF meet nil i j0.

i ST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis Cardinals Coach Don Coryell was fired Friday because he alienated himself from his bosses. Yet it was clear a deep bond remained between Coryell and the players he coached to two National Football League divison championships in five years. "It hurts to see it happen," said All-Pro offensive tackle Dan Dierdorf "but it was inevitable.

It's a sad moment, but we shouldn't lose sight of the marvelous things the man accomplished." Dierdorf's sentiments were echoed by other Cards. "My only said place-kicker Jim Bakken, "is that he wasn't able to pull off what he wanted that job in Los Angeles. I think he deserves the best. I wanted to see him get it." Coryell was a candidate for the Los Angeles Rams' head coaching job, ultimately won by George Allen. "The thing I'll remember most about Don is he proved you can get a lot done through dedication, hard work and the refusal to give up," said tight end Jackie Smith, who retired this year after 15 NFL seasons.

"What impressed me most was his complete dedication. He was strong enough in that dedication to influence the players to commit themselves, too." "The thing that struck you was his sincerity," Dierdorf said. "He radiates integrity. And we had to be the most receptive audience you could find." "Coryell brought a team together here," said wide receiver Mel Gray. "We were a bunch of guys who didn't know about winning and he turned us into champions.

He brought championship football to St. Louis." All-Pro comerback Roger Wehrli said he recognized the Coryell appeal, the intangibles that spelled the difference be 3UV AT BIG By BOB WAGNER "Sports Writer Mike Ziegler figures he's about ready to break everything open. The Odessa College gymnast, who coach Wayne Young termed one of the team's best all-around men before the season began, is just about over his twisted ankle, and the New Jersey native hopes to be competing in all six events before long. "It feels good rightow," Ziegler said of the right ankle, which he twisted coming off the high bar in a preseason practice. "I've still got it taped up, but Saturday night (tonight, 7:30 when the Wranglers entertain Northern Colorado at I'm going to try the vaulting.

"The only event that really gives me any problems any more is the floor exercise. You have to hit the floor hard when you spring up in the air. I could probably do it," he admitted, "but Nationals are coming up in a month-and-a-half, and I don't want to take a chance on hurting it again, because then I'll be injured for another month." But even injured, Ziegler has been able to make a large contribution to OC's 6-1 mark in duel meets, as the defending national champion Wranglers are rolling on toward those National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Nationals. He's been able to compete in the other four events, parallel bars, pommel horse, high bar and rings, and in last week's victory oyer Texas, finished sixth in the all-around on the strengthof those four events alone. Hailing from the central New Jersey city of Old Bridge, about an hour's drive from New York City, and with a population of about 14,000, Ziegler was 1 the top high-schooler in the state his senior year.

"I won state in all-around, and won state in the high bar. I was undefeated in the high bar, too." But even at that.he. didn't hear much from the Eastern schools, Penn State, Southern Connecticut, which have gymnastics reputations, so Ziegler and fi tf it 4 s'-x" it, 1 i tween one-point victories and losses. "His enthusiasm, his ability to get on-: the side of the players were big the cornerback said. "I have some very strong memories of Don Coryell," added Smith.

"I don't have one bad thing to say about him. I hope he finds happiness." Jal, Eunice to play 1 district tilts tonight EUNICE, N.M. (Staff) Eunice will; play host to Dexter and Jal will visit; Texico in New Mexico District 7-2A; basketball games tonight. Eunice and Jal are tied for first place in; the league with 3-1 records. Dexter is 3-2 and Texico stands at 0-5.

The regular season will last through the' weekend of Feb. 18 and then the 7-2A teams will gather for a district' tournament to be held Feb. 21, 23 and 24. Jal is 9-11 for the season. Twins sign outfielder BLOOMINGTON, Minn.

(AP) The Minnesota Twins announced Friday the signing of outfielder Glenn Adams to one-year contract for the 1978 season. Adams, 30, batted .338 in 1977 in 95 games as an outfielder and designated hitter. He collected six home runs in 269. at bats and had 49 runs batted in. A Twins spokesman said the left-handed hitting native of Northbridge, received a "sizeable increase" in his contract.

Adams' signing brings to 18 the number of players the Twins have under contract: for the upcoming season. AND SAVEr 3 2Mafe- SUNSCREEN PICKUPS-VANS-CAR WINDOWS irrmNiTPi 59.95 If I P1CTDR3 EL LIGHTS NOT INCLUDEO PUSH BARS CHEVY Ptl FORD PU DODQE PU JIMMT ILAZER IRONCHO VIE OUR (LATAWAT PUN FORMULA SUPER STOCK OT) Stff Photo SLIDING ALONG THE PARALLEL BARS all-around man Mike Ziegler ill K1 1411 Ml Industrial Exam Center, Inc. 1324 West County Rd. 333-4372 AhmI Prweli 'Phytic Eim ArrMd 9j Pn-MityMit turn jj It-OffiM SinililM Eum-Om Dty Strivict Zfegfeir his coach started a letter-writing campaign. "We wrote to a lot of schools, asking for a scholarship, and coach (Mike) Willson said he gambled on me when he gave me a scholarship." Willson, who has since moved on to Ohio State, had a practice of bringing a prospective gymnast in to see the facilities and show what he can do, but in Ziegler's case he forestalled that.

And Ziegler has proven Willson's gamble to be a good one. After a redshirt year, Ziegler contributed to last year's title season with his all-around work, and the third-year gymnast feels good about this edition of the Wranglers, too. "Yeah, I do," he said as he gestured about the practice area pointing out teammates who have capably filled holes from last season's squad. "I think we've got as good a team, or maybe better than last year. This team will win the Nationals." (.

And if it does, Ziegler feels the progressive coaching of Young, a 1976 Olympic all-around competitor, will be a major factor; He says Young has brought in some new touches that have come from his recent international competition. "If we're having trouble doing something," Ziegler said with a grin, "he just jumps up there and shows us how." And even when the team gathers at the home of Young, and his wife Carol, there is a teaching session. The youthful coach, who occasionally is mistaken for a team member, shows films of international competition at the gathering parties, and Ziegler says that helps quite a bit. "If you're having trouble with something in your routine, or something just isn't working, you can look at those films and pick something up to put in its place. The films really help." And if Ziegler has added anything, it will be on display the Wranglers take on Northern Colorado tonight.

Northern Colorado was a previous OC victim, by a wide margin, during a swing through Colorado last month. arroya "at about two or three miles an hour like a giant blob. It was foam," said AP photographer Jeff Robbins who was at the scene. Trevino, he said, told his partners "let's get going" and the group finished the hole, with Trevino who is only three strokes behind Rogers, making a bogey before play was postponed. Trevino, reaching into the "foam," jokingly remarked: "If the Rio Grande had been as filthy as this I would never fcjve come into this country." The second foursome scheduled to tee off included former President Gerald R.

Ford who had reached the club before the flooding started. He was set to tee of but was called back. Mangum said, "The President is stranded at the moment at Indian Wells Island. I imagine he is having a lot of fun over with Trevino." Ford left the club about noon. When, and if.

play continues Saturday, Rogers, one of a host of talanted young professionals who join the tour each year with high expectations, will hold a I-stroke lead over Tom Watson, who was scheduled to play with Ford at Indian Wells, and Miller Barber, who played at Eldorado. Barber had made the turn 1-under but hit his drive on the 10th out of bounds. Rogers, who shot a 69 at Indian Wells in the first round Wednesday, played La Quinta but his score could not be learned. Rogers shot a 67 at Bermuaa mines Thursday for an (-under par 136. Watson, who has won two tournaments already this year, had a 69 at La Quinta and a 68 at Eldorado while Barber shot a 60 at Bermuda Dunes and a 67 at La Quinta.

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0UALIFIE0 PILOTS. PRIVATE BUSINESS CHARTER HOTSHOT SERVICE 00 AMBULANCE SERVICE it uuun IK UIIIIU SERVICE 101 WESTON. 'I TW, 563-2288 MIDLAND REGIONAL AIR TERMINAL DAT OR NIGHT KU assistant resigns post FORT WORTH, TExas (AP) Lee Pestana, assistant basketball coach at Texas Christian Univer sity for the past five years, has resigned, according to an announcement Friday by TCU Athletic Director Frank Windegger. Pestana. a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, is a 1969 graduate of Boise State in Idaho where he played collegiate basketball.

TCU Head Basketball Coach Tim Somervillei who was named head coach when Johnny Swaim resigned four days before the season opener last November, still has Kenny Gray and Sam Sibert as assistants. "I hope that in the future basketball at TCU will again return to the top of the Southwest Conference, Pestana said. "TCU has been good to me and my familv." CG champion sktes action NEW YORK (AP) -Jimmy Clark, the National Golden Gloves champion from Coatesville. will face two-time Olympic heavyweight champion Teofilo Stevenson in the feature contest of a United States-Cuba boxing meet in Havana Sunday. The pairing was announced Friday by the ABC Television Network, wich will televise the fights live from Havana, and the Amateur Athletic Union.

The fight show will be telecast from 3: IS p.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Cuba defeated the USA 7-4 in a meet in Houston, last November. Stevenson, the 1972 and 1976 Olympic champion, did not compete then.

He was recovering from burns suffered when a stove exploded in his home last summer. OPERATIONS MGR. OWNED It. 101 WESTON HERS ILANKENSHIP T.I. 0 IRIAN ooooooooooooooo II nur i in i nninr ort-is att-is 071-14 GU-M FOR 1 FOR LH-14 HSI-14 LM-M 54-11 IFOR iroi '117 M25 oil uhc PALM SPRINGS, Calif.

(AP)- Flood waters from the Santa Rosa Mountains caused postponement Friday of the third round of the 90-hole Bob Hope Desert Classic. Play is scheduled to begin again Saturday with Bill Rogers holding a 1-stroke lead. The tournament, which will now end Monday instead of Sunday, was postponed because players were unable to reach Indian Wells, one of the four courses used in the tournament. Play had begun on the other three-La Quinte. Eldorado and host Bermude Dunes.

Those players who reached Indian Wells before the flooding were unable to play because of water on at least six holes, according to tournament officials. Clyde Mangum. deputy commissioner of the PGA Tour, said the postment was decided upon after a nearly three-hour delay "because it continued to rain in the mountains so we had to cancel all play." Mangum said not only were the players unable to reach Indian Wells, even in vans, but there were about six areas of the golf coures that were unplayable "where the golfers couldn't really get to the greens. In order to reach Indian Wells, players must cross an arroya or dry gulch planted with swale or high grass that runs though the course. This is where the flooding occurred.

"We rode over there but we couldn't get on the property." said Mangum. "It became obvious after a while that we weren't going to be able to play today. It wouldn't recede fast enough for us to accomplish anything with the delay." Oddly, a bright sunshine lit up the entire Palm Springs area. The foursome of Lee Trevino had teed off at 8:44 on the 10th hole at Indian Wells just as the water came through the 4 PIECE FLOOR MATS BLUE BLACK Vi OFF REG. $9.95 $4 95 ATI mi.

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