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Strong references

Jordan, Smith support fellow Heel for Georgia coach

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Posted: Sunday March 21, 1999 03:15 PM

Dean Smith has called Georgia to recommend that the Bulldogs name Buzz Peterson as their new coach. Doug Pensinger/Allsport

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Some big-time names in basketball have gotten involved in the search for a head basketball coach at Georgia -- not as candidates but as references.

Former Chicago Bull Michael Jordan and retired North Carolina coach Dean Smith have called Georgia athletics director Vince Dooley on behalf of Appalachian State coach Buzz Peterson.

Peterson, who is one of eight finalists to replace the fired Ron Jirsa, roomed with Jordan when they both played for Smith's Tar Heels.

Dooley said Jordan called him on Thursday.

"He just thinks a lot of [Peterson] and thinks he'd do a good job here. But I've been called on behalf of a lot of people lately," Dooley said.

He said when Smith called, Dooley jokingly suggested that Smith come out of retirement to take the helm at Georgia.

Jirsa came to Georgia from Tulsa in 1995 as an assistant to Tubby Smith and was named head coach when Smith departed for Kentucky two years ago. Dooley fired Jirsa on March 11 after two disappointing seasons.

Dooley said Friday that Georgia's search committee has finished its fact-finding and evaluation stage and could begin interviewing candidates next week.