Men's basketball coach Bruce Parkhill has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Virginia head coaching position, according to a statement released by the sports information office yesterday.

Parkhill was rumored to have been considered for the post -- left vacant after Terry Holland retired -- most of the year, but it wasn't until recently that he confirmed Virginia had asked permission to talk to him.

"There has been a lot of speculation about other coaching positions, at Virginia and elsewhere, for which I may be a candidate," Parkhill said in the statement. "I'm honored to be considered but the time has come to put an end to conjecture about my future."

Parkhill, a State College native and 1971 graduate of Lock Haven, began his coaching career in 1972 as a graduate assistant at Virginia, serving there for two years before moving to William & Mary in 1974. He was an assistant coach there for five years and a head coach for six years, compiling an 82-75 record -- including a 20-9 record his last season, 1983.

In 1984, his first season with the Lions, they went 5-22. Parkhill is now in his seventh season as head coach, with a 98-105 mark at Penn State and 187-180 mark overall.

"I'm happy with my present situation -- where it is now and where I see it headed," Parkhill said. "I feel Penn State is committed to building on the progress of the past two years toward the kind of future in which we all can take pride. I want to be a part of that process."

It's not known if Parkhill, who has a contract which is renewable every year, has signed a new contract or has been given a raise.

The favorite for the Virginia job is now Stanford coach Mike Montgomery. Montgomery led the Cardinal to a 18-12 mark this past season and Stanford is 80-44 during his four years with the program. Yesterday's Harrisburg Patriot reported that Providence coach Rick Barnes is the other favorite to get the Virginia position.

Parkhill was voted the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year this season. His stock has risen after back-to-back 20-win seasons with the Lions, but earlier he said he would have had a hard time leaving because of family and friends in the area.

"Bruce Parkhill's attractiveness as a coaching candidate is a compliment to him and Penn State," Athletic Director Jim Tarman said. "Bruce is one of the outstanding coaches in the country and has done a marvelous job of bringing Penn State basketball to the level of success we enjoyed during the 1989-90 season.

"We're pleased he has chosen to remain here, not only because he is an exceptional coach and teacher, but also because his program is built on integrity and is consistent with the educational mission of the University."