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Groh doubles his workload

December 23, 2005 12:50 am

By TAFT COGHILL JR.

CHARLOTTESVILLE--Al Groh had rarely moved so fast.

As his press conference to talk about next Friday's matchup with Minnesota in the Music City Bowl wrapped up, Groh hurried out the University Hall press room door.

It's not that Groh couldn't wait to get away from the media. He just has more work to do now that four of his assistant coaches have taken jobs elsewhere.

Groh's offensive coordinator Ron Prince was named head coach of Kansas State; defensive coordinator Al Golden will take over head coaching duties at Temple; outside linebackers coach Danny Rocco will lead Liberty; and inside linebackers/special teams coach Mark D'Onofrio will join Golden's staff.

Rocco and D'Onofrio are helping the Cavaliers (6-5) prepare for Minnesota, but not Prince and Golden.

It all means a heavier work load for Groh, who has actually enjoyed the chance to be more hands-on with his players.

"It's the busiest that I've been," Groh said. "But frankly, I'm having more fun than I've had in a long time."

Groh has basically taken over Golden's duties in addition to his daily administrative job as head coach.

He's working with the secondary, and he'll also call the defensive game plan against Minnesota.

"That's by default," Groh said. "It's certainly not by genius."

Groh said his offensive coaches have made the adjustment to not having Prince around. And with him taking over the defensive duties, there shouldn't be much drop-off.

But if D'Onofrio hadn't decided to help out for the bowl game, the Cavaliers' special teams would've greatly suffered.

"Of all the coaches who have moved onward, [D'Onofrio] would've been the most difficult to replace," Groh said.

The assistant-coach duties aren't new to Groh. He was a well-respected defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells in the NFL.

Virginia players said they can tell why he was such an effective coordinator on the professional level.

They also said they've noticed a higher energy level in Groh since the assistants left.

"It's definitely been interesting," Virginia All-Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker Kai Parham said. "It's been kind of cool. I think he's enjoying it. He's a really good teacher."

Groh and his remaining assistants will have their work cut out in preparing for the Golden Gophers (7-4). Minnesota boasts the second-ranked rushing attack in the country, with 279.9 yards per game. The Gophers have won 19 consecutive nonconference games.

The Music City Bowl, which is in Nashville, Tenn., marks the fourth straight bowl game for the Cavaliers.

Virginia won two straight Continental Tire Bowl games over West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Last season, the Cavaliers fell 37-34 to Fresno State in the MPC Computers Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

Groh said Minnesota will be a bigger challenge than his three previous bowl games.

"I think this is the best bowl team we've played," Groh said. "It obviously starts with their offense. You don't need a tape to know why they're good. They've gotten the type of big plays from their running game that most teams need to go to the passing game to get."

And that may make Groh's job as defensive coordinator that much harder, even if his expressions in practice aren't showing it.

"He's enjoying it," defensive end Chris Long said. "It seems like he's having so much fun."

Virginia starting inside linebacker Ahmad Brooks and starting safety Tony Franklin won't be available for the Music City Bowl.

Brooks, who was an All-American in 2004, will miss the game because of a back injury. Franklin's absence is disciplinary. He was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana earlier this month.

Brooks missed the first three games of the season while recovering from offseason knee surgery. He missed another contest with an ankle injury before sitting out the regular-season finale at Miami with the back injury. Franklin was one of four players suspended before a win over Georgia Tech last month. He played the final two games against Virginia Tech and Miami.

Cavaliers nose tackle Ron Darden will play one final game for Virginia. Darden, who is one of three rotating nose tackles for the Cavaliers, quit football in early November because of recurring headaches. He's felt better recently and decided to give the game another try. Groh said so far all is well. Darden is scheduled to graduate in May, and won't return next season.

Parham, who has one year of eligibility left, is clearly uncomfortable discussing the possibility of declaring for the NFL draft at the end of this season.

But the more uncomfortable he got, the more it became apparent that he's at least considering leaving. Parham earned a degree in African-American studies earlier this month. He was named all-ACC after collecting 89 tackles and nine sacks.

Parham said he won't make a decision on leaving until after the bowl game.

The Music City Bowl will mark the ever-first matchup between Virginia and Minnesota.

The teams have no common opponents this season.

Virginia is 3-9 all-time against Big Ten opponents.

The game will serve as a homecoming for Virginia tight end Tom Santi, who is a Nashville native.

Holder John Phillips (Memphis), defensive end Vince Redd (Elizabethton), running back Hall Simmons (Rossville), kicker Kurt Smith (Chattanooga) and linebacker Bryan White (Knoxville) also are Tennessee natives.

To reach TAFT COGHILL JR.:540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com