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After nine seasons and a 59-53 record, Virginia fired head football coach Al Groh. The Cavaliers were 3-9 this year. |
CHARLOTTESVILLE
--Al Groh has coached Pro Football Hall of Fame players alongside coaches with those same credentials.He has also coached in two Super Bowls.
But Groh said guiding the University of Virginia team is his most memorable coaching experience.
Those nine oftentimes rocky years came to an end yesterday when Groh was fired by Virginia after a 3-9 campaign, the program's third losing season in four years.
The decision to fire Groh came after he met with athletic director Craig Littlepage less than 24 hours after the Cavaliers' season-ending 42-13 loss to Virginia Tech.
Groh, 65, said he knew his time was coming to an end.
"My coaching philosophy and method of building teams has trust and teamwork as bedrocks," Groh said. "We were poised to solidify our position as a top team. Instead, as that trust and collaboration deteriorated, I could see this day coming. We arrived with a set of principles that we have tried to remain faithful to, and we leave with those principles intact."
This season is Virginia's worst since 1982. The Cavaliers had consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1981-82.
Groh's predecessor, George Welsh, had two losing seasons in 19 years.
The Cavaliers ended this season on a six-game losing streak, and they've dropped 13 of their last 16 games dating back to last season.
Sophomore wide receiver Jared Green said he expected changes to be made because after a 5-7 2008 season three assistant coaches resigned.
Green said the constant speculation about Groh's job didn't affect play on the field, but players were "in denial" if they were unaware his future was in jeopardy.
"I wasn't expecting it this fast," Green said. "But we knew something was going to happen."
Groh, a 1967 Virginia graduate, finished his tenure 59-53. He was 1-8 against rival Virginia Tech, and attendance at Scott Stadium was down this season by an average of 13,600 spectators from two years ago.
Groh had his bright moments.
He guided the Cavaliers to five bowl games, including three wins. He was named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year after the 2002 and 2007 seasons.
Groh said in his statement that he was privileged to coach at the same school he and his two sons graduated from.
"I feel very fortunate," Groh said. "I am an ordinary guy who has been lucky to have been around some extraordinary players and coaches who put me in a position to enjoy many fulfilling games and seasons-- and that's the truth. I gave everything I had to the position and to each game."
Senior defensive end Nate Collins said he and many other Virginia players "love Coach Groh like he's a father."
The returning players and a handful of seniors met with Littlepage yesterday to discuss the future.
Green said players told Littlepage what they would like to see in their next coach.
Green said he would like a coach who's personable and has a tight relationship with his players. He said playing for Groh was like a job.
"My relationship with him was good, but it was good at the McCue Center [Virginia's football facility]," Green said. "That's as far as it went."
Groh's not leaving Virginia empty-handed. He had two years remaining on his contract, which paid him $2 million per year. He and the university reached a buyout agreement that will pay Groh $4.33 million. None of the buyout will come from state funds, according to a press release from the school.
The Cavaliers will immediately begin a nationwide coaching search. Assistant coaches Bob Price and Anthony Poindexter will remain with the team during the transition period, with Price handling recruiting.
However, the new coach will determine whether any of Groh's assistants will stay with the program.
Littlepage didn't announce a timetable for naming a new coach because many of the possible candidates are likely to be involved in postseason play. He won't comment further until the search is concluded.
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com
