Notebook
Tuesday, January 14, 1997
VonAppen:
By Paul Arnett
No time to coach this week
Star-Bulletin
Fred vonAppen said yesterday his plate was too full to assist South head coach Bobby Bowden in this Sunday's Hula Bowl.The University of Hawaii head coach said recruiting and maybe having to replace an assistant or two in the coming weeks would keep him from being able to coach the defense in the 51st annual college all-star game.
"I woke up this morning at 2:30 and realized there was no way I could give the game the 100 percent effort it deserves," vonAppen said. "This coming weekend is our biggest in recruiting. We're going to have 16 players in, so there was nothing I could do.
"To be honest, I don't deserve to be coaching in an all-star game after our 2-10 season. I wouldn't want to do anything to hamper coach Bowden. My wife is angry with me for not coaching in the game, but I have too much to do."
Hula Bowl chief operating officer Lenny Klompus said yesterday that he was sorry vonAppen couldn't participate in the game. He added that former Michigan State head coach George Perles would step in for vonAppen.
"Coach told me today that he couldn't give it his full attention and we understand that," Klompus said. "I tried to tell him we could lighten his load, but he was still reluctant to take part in everything. Given his current set of circumstances, I can see why he has to bow out."
Despite nursing a sore right shoulder, Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel said yesterday that he will do his best to play in the upcoming game. WUERFFEL WILL TRY
He told South head coach Bobby Bowden that he hadn't been able to throw much since injuring his shoulder in the Sugar Bowl. He plans to throw some this week in practice to see how it responds. He is scheduled to have an MRI after the game.
Hula Bowl and American Football Coaches Association officials believe he will play in the game, but just how much remains to be seen. The South also has Southern California quarterback Brad Otton and Fresno State's Jim Arelianes. The North quarterbacks are Koy Detmer of Colorado, Steve Sarkisian of Brigham Young and Beau Morgan of Air Force.
"I'll have to wait and see how the shoulder responds, but I'm going to do my very best to play this weekend," Wuerffel said. "It's been a great year for me. I'd love to end my college career by playing in this game."
Wuerffel is the first Heisman Trophy winner to be on the Hula Bowl roster since Notre Dame's Tim Brown in 1988.
University of Oregon offensive guard Tasi Malepeai was added to the roster yesterday to help bolster the South's offensive line. MALEPEAI ON BOARD
He is replacing University of Florida center Jeff Mitchell, who was injured in the Sugar Bowl. Gator guard Donnie Young didn't make the trip as well.
"Tasi was very excited to be coming to the game," Klompus said. "We're not sure what happened to Young. Just call him an MIA (missing in action)."
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