European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 13, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse Hire Seattle apr Dennis Erickson made his name coaching the Miami hurricanes now he Hopes to earn nil coaching Fame with the Seattle sear Hawks. Erickson who led the hurricanes to two National championships and a 63-9 record from 1989 through 1994, was introduced thursday in Palo Alto calif., As the sea Hawks. New1 head coach. Quot its great to be Erickson Back Home and have the Opportunity to coach the so Hawks the Washington state native told Kiro radio thursday morning a a it a just a real thrill for me right now. 1 know we be got a lot of work to do but in a just excited to be the news Tribune in Tacoma reported in thursdays editions that Erickson accepted a four year contract Worth about $800,000 a year in base salary. With a to and radio package plus incentives Erickson can earn More than $1 million per season the newspaper said. He reportedly earned $700,000 a season in Miami. Erickson expects a smooth transition from College to the nil. A obviously there Are some things we re going to have to learn. But to me coaching in College coaching in thenal coaching in High school a xes and of a and things like that a Are similar in a lot of ways.�?T�?T. A v. A v he said he will keep at least two current sea Hawks assistants a offensive line coach Howard Mudd and wide receivers coach Bob Bratkowski a and bring some assistants in from Miami. The sea Hawks ranked 24th in total offence and 23rd in total defense this season. A a a a a a a a a. A a a that a and a half empty kingdom Cost Tom Flores his jobs As coach and general manager. Erickson is a Good Start for the sea Hawks but Seattle a fans were turned off during the Flores Era when the sea Hawks were 14-34. Erickson 47, coached underdog Washington state to a 9-3 record and into the Aloha bowl in 1988, beating Houston 2422 in Hawaii. He was the Pacific-10 conferences co coach of the year in a year when Timm Rosenbach was the nations passing efficiency Leader. If Erickson has a reputation for being a successful coach he May be an even better evaluator of Talent. In Miami he coached 14 All americas defensive tackle Warren Sapp was this seasons hurricanes Star Ana Sapp May be the first player chosen in april a draft. In Miami. Erickson a first 1989 and third 1991 teams won National titles. His hurricanes went 10-2 this season with a loss to National Champion Nebraska in the Orange bowl. It was Erickson a the stars and stripes ports january 13,1995 Page 32 third consecutive bowl loss and ended a difficult season. The hurricanes other loss this season was 38-20 defeat by Washington on sept. 24, a defeat that snapped Miami a Mcaa record 58-game Home winning Streak. Denver and Philadelphia wanted Erickson but he wanted to come Home. He was born in Everett 30 Miles North of Seattle and played football at Everett High school. Steele Man Pittsburgh running Back Barry Foster appears to enjoy a practice session wednesday. The St clerk Host the san Diego chargers in the acc title game sunday. Cowboy Star Emmitt Smith Calls it a mind Over matter As he tells the Media hell go All out in sundays game. Pemmitt will risk it All against 49ers by Denne h. Freeman Irving Texas apr Emmitt Smith is willing to take any risk to help the Dallas cowboys win the pfc title game even if it Means doing More damage to his said wednesday that he wont be bothered by conditions at soggy candlestick Park in san Francisco because he will be mentally geared to handle any a thing. V. A. / a a a in a not concerned about the Field conditions a Smith said. A a in la be mentally prepared for anything. In a just going to. Wrap my left hamstring tight and be out there As Long As i can be Smith jogged lightly wednesday and said he would turn it Loose against the 49ers despite the possibility of making the injury worse. A this is a risk i have to take a Smith said As he stood on a Bench in the Middle nil playoffs Odds injury report a Page 28 to radio coverage a Page 31 of the dressing room with electrodes dangling off his hamstring. A a in la risk the dam-.age.�?�. Smith said dealing with a hamstring pull is totally different than playing with the pain of a separated shoulder As he did in the 16-13 overtime Victory Over the new York giants in the final regular sea son game of the 1993 season. Quot you can Deal with the pain in the shoulder but the hamstring is your Power muscle a Smith said. Quot i Felt totally helpless out there against Green Bay on sunday. Its hard to go on one Good ice and one bad Smith first pulled the hamstring on nov. 19. After three weeks rest he played most of one Quarter before leaving after feeling a Quot twinge during the cowboys 35-9 playoff Victory sunday Over the packers. Earlier in the season Smith had troubles with his right hamstring. A Quot i done to know How close to 100 per cent my be but i la go As Long As i can a he said. Quot this is mind Over matter and it will be a Challenge. 1 just Hope in a a a running backs out there. The difference Between a tunning backs and a a backs is a lot. 1 have to be Able to Duck and Dodge like a running Back. If not in a out on a Smith said the mud might help him. Ground Crews have been working hard on trying to dry out the candlestick Park Field. However Smith knows that when the tide comes in the Field gets Slick anyway. A in the past i have run Well in poor conditions a Smith said. Asked if the cowboys could win without him Smith said Quot the team will have to find a Way to win no matter free agent Blair Thomas will play when Smith can to
