Leitao’s tenure ends after 4 years
By Jeff White
Published: March 17, 2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- The Dave Leitao era at the University of Virginia ended abruptly yesterday, little more than two years after he was named ACC men's basketball coach of the year.

As recently as a week ago, signs pointed toward Leitao's returning for a fifth season. But the Cavaliers' performance at the ACC tournament, coupled with concerns about Leitao's demeanor with his players, convinced school officials that an immediate change was warranted.

At a meeting with U.Va. Athletic Director Craig Littlepage yesterday, Leitao agreed to resign, effective immediately. The university, in a release, said Leitao "determined it was in the best interests of the program to step down."

In four seasons under Leitao, the Cavaliers posted a 63-60 overall record. They were 27-37 in ACC regular-season games and advanced to the NCAA tournament once, in 2006-07.

Virginia finished 10-18, stumbling through a first-round loss to Boston College in the ACC tournament Thursday night to bring the season to a close. Not since 1969-70, when the Cavaliers went 10-15, had they won so few games. U.Va.'s winning percentage was its worst since the 1966-67 team finished 9-17.

It didn't help Leitao, either, that U.Va. fans' enthusiasm for him and program fell off dramatically this season. Average announced attendance for games at 14,593-seat John Paul Jones Arena was 10,219, and the actual crowds often were much smaller.

U.Va.'s players learned of Leitao's fate yesterday afternoon. The father of freshman Sylven Landesberg, the ACC rookie of the year, said the family was upset by the news.

"We love Dave Leitao," Steve Landesberg said.

However, he added, coaches may come and go, "but Virginia is always going to be there. I love the school, and Sylven's not going anywhere. He's coming back to Virginia next year, just like we always planned. It's just that simple."

Leitao, who had four years left on a contract that paid him about $1 million annually, will receive about $2.1 million from the school. While Virginia's official statement called Leitao's departure a resignation, $2.1 million is the amount his contract called for if U.Va. fired him.

Virginia has launched a national search for Leitao's successor.

"We expect to attract a strong pool of candidates interested in becoming a part of our university community," Littlepage said in a release. He added that U.Va. "has a promising nucleus of young players who we expect will continue to develop."

They include the 6-6 Landesberg, 6-8 Mike Scott, 7-0 Assane Sene, 6-11 John Brandenburg, 6-4 Jeff Jones and 6-1 Sammy Zeglinski, all of whom have at least two seasons of eligibility left.

In its search for Leitao's successor, U.Va. is expected to focus on such coaches as Tubby Smith (Minnesota), Jeff Capel (Oklahoma), Lon Kruger (UNLV) and, perhaps, Sean Miller (Xavier). Capel, a former Duke standout, coached at Virginia Commonwealth University before taking the Oklahoma job.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch's attempts to reach Leitao and Littlepage were unsuccessful. The release issued by U.Va. yesterday afternoon included no comments from Leitao, but Littlepage said, "Dave has been a respected colleague and a fine university representative in the local community during his tenure here. He brought a great deal of leadership, discipline and integrity to his coaching responsibilities."

One of the first public signs that Leitao might be in trouble came Friday during the ACC tournament. Given two opportunities to state definitively that Leitao would be back as Virginia's coach in 2009-10, Littlepage declined to do so. In e-mails to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Littlepage said only that "Dave's our coach."

In November, when asked about his football coach's status for the 2009 season, Littlepage had left no wiggle room.

"Al Groh will be our head coach," Littlepage said then in an e-mail to the T-D.

Two high school seniors signed with U.Va. in November -- 6-7 forward Tristan Spurlock of Woodbridge and 5-11 point guard Jontel Evans of Hampton -- and each could ask to be released from his letter of intent.

Neither player could be reached last night. But Evans' coach at Bethel High, Craig Brehon, said Leitao and U.Va. assistant Steve Seymour called Evans yesterday before the official announcement. For now, at least, Evans' "focus is U.Va., and he's committed to the university and the community," Brehon said.

His advice to Evans, Brehon said, was to let U.Va. "go ahead and select a new coach. When that happens, you need to sit down with your family and meet the new coach and see his philosophy and where you fit in with that."

Leitao took over for Pete Gillen, who resigned under pressure in March 2005, and Leitao's tenure started in promising fashion. Picked to finish last in the ACC in 2005-06, Virginia tied for seventh and advanced to the NIT.

In 2006-07, led by guards Sean Singletary and J.R. Reynolds, U.Va. shared the ACC regular-season title with North Carolina. Leitao was named ACC coach of the year, and his team reached the NCAA tournament's second round.

In Leitao's third season, however, the Wahoos dipped to 5-11 in the ACC and 17-16 overall, and they had to settle for a trip to the less-than-prestigious College Basketball Invitational.

 

Leitao’s total didn’t match the sum of the parts at U.Va.
By Paul Woody
Published: March 17, 2009

Leitao total didn't equal sum of parts Dave Leitao appeared to have everything necessary to succeed as the men's basketball coach at the University of Virginia.

He had the pedigree. He played for Jim Calhoun at Northeastern and served two terms as an assistant coach for Calhoun at Connecticut.

Leitao had six years experience as a head coach. He led DePaul to three postseason appearances.

He is bright and well-spoken. He answers questions in sentences and paragraphs, not one-word grunts or snippy, arrogant pronouncements.

He cuts a striking figure on the sideline.

But he didn't get the job done in Charlottesville.

The University of Virginia is a place where the job should be done. If it is not, changes must be made.

Yesterday, Leitao resigned with four years left on his contract.

Everyone involved was wise to end the Leitao era now instead of laboring through another painful 10-18 season. It would have been almost as bad to show slight improvement in 2009-10 and claim that as progress.

This isn't about a coach who got caught up in unreasonable expectations. Leitao's teams needed to be competitive in the ACC. For $1 million per season, that is not too much to ask.

It did not happen.

It would have been uncomfortable for everyone to go through next season when the underlying question after every loss would have been, "Will coach Leitao be fired?"

Virginia has everything necessary for a highly successful athletic program. The facilities are excellent. The school is an elite academic institution. The campus is beautiful.

Virginia might not be able to challenge North Carolina or Duke for ACC supremacy in basketball. But the Cavaliers should compete with Wake Forest, Clemson, Maryland, Florida State and Virginia Tech for a spot in the top half of the league.

They haven't.

Success is not a stranger to Virginia basketball.

Terry Holland took the Cavaliers to two Final Four appearances, with the recruiting albatross of the archaic U-Hall wrapped around his program.

Now, with JPJ Arena, the Cavaliers should be able to compete for the best recruits in the country.

All the bright, talented basketball players don't have to go to Duke. Or North Carolina.

Leitao had his chances. But this year the program went backward.

No one enjoys watching someone lose his job. Leitao, though, was not working for minimum wage, and his $2.1 buyout package is the envy of the average working person who has been the victim of this brutal recession.

Leitao will be OK.

The basketball program has not been OK. Few of Leitao's recruits are ACC caliber players. His record, 63-60 overall, 27-37 in the ACC, is unacceptable. The program shows no signs of ascent.

This season, the Cavaliers lost to Liberty, at home. They were fortunate to beat Radford and VMI, at home. They weren't competitive against Duke or North Carolina.

Virginia came out flat and lost at N.C. State after back-to-back home victories over Clemson and Virginia Tech.

It is one thing to have such performances in a coach's first year on the job. A coach in his fourth season should have his players and his system firmly entrenched. If he doesn't, he should go.

Leitao is gone. It was the right move to make.

 

Tech’s Greenberg disappointed Leitao is gone
By Darryl Slater
Published: March 16, 2009

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg said he was “shocked and disappointed” when he learned that University of Virginia coach Dave Leitao agreed to resign.

“It’s extremely disappointing,“ Greenberg said, noting that Leitao was ACC Coach of the Year in 2006-07. “It’s just a reflection of how unstable our business is. A good guy, he worked hard. He tried to do it the right way. Unfortunately, at times, there are unrealistic expectations within our profession.“

During Leitao’s four seasons in Charlottesville, he went 5-4 against Greenberg, including 1-1 this season and 0-2 last season. Leitao and Greenberg met once in the ACC tournament, in 2006, and Virginia won 60-56.

Greenberg is in his sixth season in Blacksburg and, like Leitao at Virginia, has coached the Hokies to one NCAA tournament. Both teams played in Columbus, Ohio, in 2007 and both lost in the second round. The Hokies this season will play in their third National Invitation Tournament under Greenberg. The Cavaliers played in one NIT under Leitao.

Greenberg has won 46.6 percent of his ACC games (38-42 in the regular season, 3-5 in the league tournament) since the Hokies joined the league in his second season, 2004-05. Leitao’s final league winning percentage was 40.6 (27-37 regular season, 1-4 tournament).

“Being successful in this conference is a process that doesn’t happen overnight,“ said Greenberg, the ACC Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2008. “Obviously, Florida State showed great patience with coach [Leonard] Hamilton and he’s got one of the top teams in the country. It takes time. You also need to be a little lucky. I feel for him, his family. It’s just not right.“

Hamilton, in his seventh season at Florida State, was the ACC Coach of the Year this season and led the Seminoles to the league tournament final and a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament – their first appearance since 1998.

Coming into this season, Hamilton’s ACC winning percentage at Florida State was 38 percent (37-59 regular season, 3-6 tournament). The Seminoles went 10-6 in the ACC this season and 2-1 in the conference tournament.

Greenberg, who turns 53 next month, is under contract through the 2012-13 season, based on an extension that was announced midway through last season. He got his first coaching job in 1978 and spent the 1983-84 season as an assistant at Virginia under Terry Holland, helping the Cavaliers advance to the Final Four, a level they have not reached since.

Greenberg believes the coaching business has changed since his early years.

“Talk radio changed it,“ he said. “The Internet changed it. People’s unrealistic expectations changed it. It’s a very sad commentary.“

 

Leitao out at UVa
The Virginia men's basketball coach resigns after just four seasons.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

When Virginia men's basketball player Mamadi Diane received notification of a team meeting Monday, he didn't feel there was much reason for him to attend.

"We normally have meetings around this time every year to talk about our off-season plans," said Diane, a senior and one of the Cavaliers' 2008-09 co-captains. "That's what I figured this was about, so I didn't go."

Diane had no warning about the blockbuster that would follow. But then, shortly after 1 p.m., his cellphone started buzzing and wouldn't stop.

It was teammates calling, telling him that Dave Leitao's tenure as Virginia head coach had come to a close after four seasons.

UVa announced in a news release distributed at 3:30 p.m. that Leitao had "resigned" after a morning meeting with athletic director Craig Littlepage. Leitao will be compensated $2.1 million for the remaining four years on his contract.

"Dave has been a respected colleague and a fine university representative in the local community during his tenure here," said Littlepage in his statement. "He brought a great deal of leadership, discipline and integrity to his coaching responsibilities."

Littlepage was not available for further comment and Leitao did not return voice messages.

Leitao, 48, had the shortest tenure of any UVa men's basketball coach in more than 75 years. His overall record was 63-60, and his departure comes two years after his selection as 2006-07 ACC coach of the year.

UVa's 10-18 record this year was its worst, in terms of winning percentage, since 1966-67. Yet, there was no indication that a change was imminent prior to the Cavaliers' game with Boston College in the first round of the ACC Tournament.

"We were chatting before the game and I asked, 'Is your team getting better?'" Dave Odom, a former Littlepage coaching associate, said. "He said, 'They're just young. We've just got to keep getting better and keep coaching 'em.' Nobody would have known he was making a change. I don't think he knew."

The Cavaliers got off to the kind of slow start that has been their custom and committed 20 turnovers in a 76-63 loss.

Afterwards, nobody asked Leitao if he was worried about his job status or even if he might be making changes in his staff, a scenario that had been a topic of considerable speculation.

There had been more heat during an eight-game losing streak at midseason.

"Considering the season we were having, sure, the thought [of a Leitao dismissal] had to cross anyone's mind," Diane said. "But, today, of course it was a shock."

Diane had been there before. He was signed in the fall of 2004 by the staff of Leitao's predecessor, Pete Gillen, then watched from a distance when Gillen was fired in March 2005.

"I never played for Gillen," Diane said. "A lot of the guys today were really distraught because this is the guy who had recruited them and developed a relationship with them and their family, so it was basically all they knew.

"I was trying to talk some of them down because they were pretty emotional."

Efforts to reach several of the returning players were unsuccessful.

Much has been made of Diane's relationship with Leitao. Diane celebrated his Senior Day by scoring 23 points March 7 in a 68-63 victory over Maryland, then came back with a 24-point night against Boston College.

But he previously had been benched by Leitao and sat on the bench for four consecutive games.

"There were ups and downs," Diane said. "There were times when I was very upset with him and he was upset with me. We've gone at it [and] butted heads at times, but this isn't anything good that happened. This is not something you'd wish on anyone."

Leitao's arrival coincided with the construction of John Paul Jones Arena, a $128-million facility that opened for the 2006-07 season. Attendance has declined since that first season, when Leitao's second team went 21-7 and shared the ACC regular-season championship, and finances could have entered in the decision to part company.

"To say that there was a group of people who demanded that changes be made, no, that didn't happen," said a source familiar with UVa's athletic finances. "That kind of atmosphere is not prevalent here.

"What I will say is, the fundraising game is obviously a fickle business. By the time you see it tail off, you're in a world of hurt. You can't re-engage it. If you don't make a change now, everybody knows how difficult it's going to be."

It remains to be seen how much the on-floor product is affected by a coaching transition. UVa got most of its scoring this year from freshmen and sophomores, topped by ACC freshman of the year Sylven Landesberg.

Diane said that several had mentioned the possibility of transferring.

"That's a decision for them and their families," Diane said. "In my case, I listened to what the athletic director had to say and then waited to talk to the new coach. In the end, it most likely will be a better situation to stay where they are."
 

AD needs to shoulder the blame, too
By Aaron McFarling

The athletic director is next.

Or he should be, if things don't turn in a hurry. Spout baseball and swimming and lacrosse and trapeze records all you want, but the sports that matter to the masses, the sports that draw the donations and bring in the fans and build the palatial facilities -- and then must fill them -- are men's basketball and football.

At Virginia, both of those sports are in the toilet. Football coach Al Groh is hanging by a whistle string. And on Monday, men's basketball coach Dave Leitao "resigned" just two years after being named ACC coach of the year. Which probably means he was told to go. Which probably means the few alumni who still have disposable income in these trying economic times weren't willing to spend another dime as long as he headed the program.

We'll get to whether Leitao deserved the axe in a minute. But the bigger issue, the one that will resonate long after the shock of this news fades, is this: Just when, exactly, is athletic director Craig Littlepage going to be held accountable for the state of UVa revenue sports?

Let's go back four years, to when Leitao was introduced as the new coach. Littlepage was there. He sat right next to Leitao, pleased as could be about his fresh hire out of then-Conference USA participant DePaul.

Littlepage, who has an extensive basketball background -- both at UVa and elsewhere -- told us all that this was his decision. His guy. Donors had no influence. Administrators had little say. This was a basketball man making a basketball decision, hiring a basketball coach.

So we all made a mental note to credit Littlepage should Leitao become a big hit. Just to be fair, though, we asked Littlepage if we could blame him if things didn't work out with this new coach.

"Why not?" Littlepage said that day, smiling. "I get blamed for a lot of other things."

He does. All ADs do. Some of it is fair. Some of it isn't.

Littlepage didn't hire Groh. Terry Holland did, shortly before stepping down to becoming special assistant to the president at UVa and later the AD at East Carolina. But it's Littlepage's job to manage Groh, to demand excellence. And until this past offseason, when Groh made a slew of changes to his staff under pressure, Littlepage's presence wasn't felt much.

Still, though, that's a foggier situation than this. The basketball situation is much more clear. Littlepage the basketball man -- former player at Pennsylvania, former head coach at two schools and assistant at two others -- made a basketball hire essentially on his own. On Monday, that hire was declared a failure. And he should assume the majority of the blame.

As bad as things got, Leitao should have gotten one more year. His best players are freshmen. The odds of the team becoming an ACC power next year were miniscule, but the idea of a last-chance opportunity to prove himself seemed reasonable. Especially when the alternative is paying a guy $2.1 million to go away.

Such is the price of 2009 college sports. Likewise, people will be watching Groh closely this fall, knowing he is potentially walking the plank. People will be watching the new basketball coach, whoever he is, to see if he can revive hope in Charlottesville.

But the guy we should be watching is Littlepage. His biggest move, his most important decision, just went bust. And at some point, the director of athletics has to take responsibility for the direction those athletics are going.
 

U.Va.'s woes extend beyond Leitao's departure
Posted to: Sports Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson
Virginian-Pilot columnist
Read Articles
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 17, 2009

 Dave Leitao walked into the basketball coaching job at the University of Virginia four years ago Marine-stiff, vowing that the Cavaliers, so fickle under high-strung predecessor Pete Gillen, would be every rival's "toughest out."

Alas, Leitao's words were empty, like the nothingness that settled over Leitao's forgettable tenure in Charlottesville. That ended Monday, when Leitao either resigned or was removed from a program languishing in irrelevancy.

The Cavaliers won 63 games, lost 60 and reached one NCAA tournament for Leitao, who was the ACC's Coach of the Year two seasons ago. At 27-37 in ACC games - 4-12 this season, 5-11 last year - U.Va. had become a ragamuffin.

Worse, the Cavs evidently had neither the talent, the drive nor the direction to do more, let alone become a team difficult to dismiss. In fact, 21 of U.Va.'s 34 losses the last two seasons were double-digit decisions. Hardly the profile of a hard-scrabble team that's close to contention in the ACC.

Leitao's last team was the worst in the league in shooting and defending, and better than only Florida State and Maryland - both NCAA tournament teams, ironically - in rebounding.

Other than that, well, U.Va. shot free throws pretty good.

The disconnect that developed under the aloof Leitao, who at 48 leaves his third head-coaching post, is obvious when you try to pin down the Cavs' identity. There is none.

Aside from the departed Sean Singletary, Gillen's recruit whom Leitao convinced to stay at U.Va when he arrived, and Sylven Landesberg, the ACC's top rookie this season, Cavalier personality is scarce, their mission uninteresting.

That's a problem the next guy through the door will address with urgency, considering only two players on the roster are seniors.

This, though, isn't to bury Leitao, and the Cavaliers more than they've done on their own.

The real onus hovers closer now above the head of U.Va. athletic director Craig Littlepage, who's in a slump when it comes to managing the big-boy sports that matter most to a major university.

Football and basketball have strayed into various stages of disarray during Littlepage's eight-year watch, from the contract extensions he committed to Gillen and underperforming football coach Al Groh, to seeing more in Leitao than there was to see.

To be fair, Leitao, out of the Jim Calhoun stable at Connecticut, was the flavor of the month in 2005 when Littlepage lured him from DePaul, where he'd spent three seasons. Somebody else would have hired him, too.

But that doesn't resonate with the donors Littlepage was clearly addressing last month with his odd official statement. The one in which he reminded everybody what his job is as AD - to field successful teams athletically and academically - and acknowledged that he shares their frustration, without specifying what he was frustrated over, as well as assuring that "improvements in football and men's basketball are a priority."

As if there were some question about the latter.

Littlepage acted first by not reflexively rolling over Groh's contract, which runs through 2011. He's followed up by holding open the door out of John Paul Jones Arena for Leitao, who leaves with a tidy $2.1 million settlement.

Littlepage's next move holds more gravity for himself and U.Va. athletics than an official "hang in there" letter to boosters can temper.

 

Losing was just part of why Leitao exited
David Teel
March 17, 2009

Five weeks ago, Dave Leitao looked like dead coach walking. One week ago, he appeared to have secured a pardon.

Monday he was terminated.

The detailed machinations of Leitao's demise as the University of Virginia's basketball coach are not clear. Nor is the identity of his successor, though bank on a thorough vetting of Oklahoma's Jeff Capel.

But these Cliff notes are:

Donors to Virginia's athletic department are fed up with the collective malaise haunting the signature programs of football and men's basketball. Many wanted football coach Al Groh fired after a 5-7 season in 2008, and when he wasn't, they were itching for a fight.

Leitao promptly guided the basketball team to a 10-18 record, his first losing season in four years on the job, but the Cavaliers' worst since 1967. And as that season was ending with Thursday's discouraging ACC tournament loss to Boston College, athletic director Craig Littlepage heard benefactors' anger in no uncertain terms.

Did Leitao, 63-60 overall, 27-37 in ACC play and the 2007 ACC coach of the year, deserve to be fired? Didn't the shared regular-season title, first-round NCAA tournament victory and 21-11 finish of two years ago trump his scattered substitution patterns, checkered recruiting and aloof nature? Or were those successes merely the outgrowth of roots planted by former coach Pete Gillen?

As an outsider, I thought Leitao deserved another season, albeit with some changes to his staff. Virginia improved during February and won three conference games, and freshman Sylven Landesberg was the ACC's rookie of the year.

Besides, four years is hardly enough time for a head coach to establish himself. In fact, this is the briefest tenure for a Virginia basketball coach since Roy Randall led the program for one season, in 1929-30.

Littlepage was unavailable for comment, but I'm guessing he agrees with all of the above. He's ponderous and patient, sometimes to a fault, and as a former coach retains a fondness for the profession.

Moreover, Leitao was his choice to succeed Gillen. Littlepage orchestrated the search, recovered from then-Kentucky coach Tubby Smith's thanks-but-no-thanks, and targeted Leitao, a protégé of Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun and then head coach at DePaul of the Big East.

Given those ties, divorcing Leitao — accepting his resignation if you insist on the party line — does not enhance Littlepage's standing. It also ratchets up the pressure to get the next hire right as rain.

But Littlepage was in a fix. Virginia fans stopped attending games this season, much as they did in football. Combine that dissatisfaction with the blighted economy, and you have a recipe for red ink.

And when the money spigot clogs, change is mandated, no matter how distasteful.

It's odd. When Virginia's ACC losing streak reached eight games in early February, conventional wisdom said Leitao was more insecure than a third-world despot. Littlepage and others insisted otherwise.

When the Cavaliers showed a pulse at season's end, Leitao's return seemed certain. Then the ACC tournament, another desultory performance before a lifeless crowd, and the chance to vent at the CEO.

So what now? With a classic campus, esteemed academics, storied conference and state-of-the-art facilities, Virginia is an attractive job, the specter of competing against North Carolina and Duke notwithstanding.

Many will be interested, but given the urgency to change not only results but also tone, Littlepage must court established head coaches. Hot young assistants, or even one-hit-wonder big whistles, need not apply.

Though that narrows the pool, many names will be floated, some even plausible. Smith, now at Minnesota; Xavier's Sean Miller, whose Musketeers waxed the Cavaliers by 14 in January; VCU's Anthony Grant, preparing for his second NCAA tournament in three years; Wright State's Brad Brownell, a former UNC Wilmington coach who's destined for the big leagues. (See accompanying chart.)

But the wish list ought to start with Capel. He's young (34), polished, pedigreed and successful at the highest levels. He has state and regional ties — he played for Duke — and would command instant respect in critical recruiting areas such as Hampton Roads, where Boo Williams' summer program reigns.

Capel's little brother, Jason, played for Williams. Their father, Jeff, an assistant coach with the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, was Old Dominion's head coach and remains a Williams confidant.

In four seasons at VCU, young Jeff's teams never won fewer than 18 games. This is his third year at Oklahoma, and the Sooners are seeded second in the NCAA tournament's South Regional.

Capel is contracted through the 2014 season and makes just north of $1 million. But if Virginia wants him and vice-versa, lawyers can handle the minutiae.

Would Capel be interested? Given the job and lure of his North Carolina-based family, I think yes.

Would some Virginia faithful wince at his Duke ties? Sure, to which I would say, "Deal with it."

If Louisville can embrace former Kentucky nemesis Rick Pitino, Virginia can accept a Dukie.

 

Virginia's Leitao "resigns"
By David Teel | Daily Press
4:34 PM EDT, March 16, 2009

Virginia basketball coach Dave Leitao resigned today, effective immediately, the university said in a statement.

The resignation was forced, sources said. Players were informed in a meeting this afternoon and were scheduled to convene again at 4 p.m..

The Cavaliers were 63-60 under Leitao, 27-37 in the ACC. They just completed their worst season since 1967, finishing 10-18, 4-12 in the ACC.

But that was Leitao's only losing record and comes two years after he earned ACC coach of the year honors by guiding Virginia to a share of the ACC regular-season title.

Leitao has two years remaining on a contract that pays him approximately $1 million annually. He will receive $2.1 million in severance, the school's release said.

Leitao's tenure is the shortest for any Virginia men's basketball coach since Roy Randall guided the program for the 1929-30 season.

"Dave has been a respected colleague and a fine University representative in the local community during his tenure here. He brought a great deal of leadership, discipline and integrity to his coaching responsibilities," athletic director Craig Littlepage said in a statement. "I appreciate his hard work and dedication to athletics at the University of Virginia."

The Cavaliers' nine conference victories the last two seasons are the fewest of any ACC program. After winning at Georgia Tech to open the league season, Virginia lost eight consecutive ACC games, six by double figures.

Littlepage said a national search will begin immediately.

"We expect to attract a strong pool of candidates interested in becoming a part of our University community," he said. "Our intention is to hire the very best person to lead the university's basketball program consistent with our overall department goals. Our team has a promising nucleus of young players who we expect will continue to develop."

Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel is expected to be among Virginia's targets. He's a 34-year-old Duke graduate, a former VCU head coach, and his Sooners are a No. 2 seed in this seaaon's NCAA tournament.

Virginia has signed two recruits for next season, including Bethel High point guard Jontel Evans.

"They didn't just sign him," Bethel coach Craig Brehon said. "They called every week to check on his progress in school and see how we're doing. They were very committed to him, like I'm sure they are with all the athletes they recruit.

"It shows you they don't run a meat market. They weren't just recruiting him as a player. Even today on the phone, they were saying, 'I don't know where we'll land, but if there's any way we can help you, we will.'"

Brehon said he's already received calls from schools wondering if Evans is available.

"He's obviously dejected," Brehon said. "He told me, 'This is the coach I wanted to play for.' He developed a closeness with the staff. But I told him, this is adult life, and it can be harsh and cruel. He'll weather this with his family. He's going to stay committed to Virginia."
 

What’s next for UVa basketball?
By Jerry Ratcliffe
Published: March 17, 2009

When the Dave Leitao Experiment finally exploded on Monday, it should go down in Virginia history as a great lesson learned. You get what you pay for.

Four years ago, on the verge of opening one of the grandest arenas in the nation, UVa didn’t fulfill its commitment to excellence with its basketball program. Its coaching search started in the Big Boys Department and ended up in the Bargain Basement.

Instead of hitting a home run and bringing in a Hall of Famer in Tubby Smith, then at Kentucky, the UVa search committee whiffed when it settled for an unproven Dave Leitao. Clearly, the school didn’t do its homework.

Instead it chose the cheap route.

After four more years of

mediocrity — at best — Virginia has a second chance to go back and do it the right way.

Sure, it will be expensive. But it’s like our better halves often remind us when they’re in pursuit of that one ensemble to die for: “It’s investment shopping, dear. This outfit will stand the test of time.”

So should Virginia’s next basketball coach. Here’s John Casteen’s and Craig Littlepage’s chance to knock one out of the park for the good of the University.

Yes, it’s going to cost big bucks. But it’s an investment. Another mediocre hire will end up costing UVa basketball more than just money. It will cost empty seats at that great arena. It will cost them the loss of faith by the fan base. It will make a statement to the rest of the ACC that basketball just doesn’t matter in Charlottesville.

According to our sources, here’s the five guys on Virginia’s wish list: Minnesota’s Tubby Smith; Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel III; Virginia Commonwealth’s Anthony Grant; Villanova’s Jay Wright; and Michigan’s John Beilein.

While several of those guys would be nice hires, there’s only one name on the list that can go jaw-to-jaw with Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and North Carolina’s Roy Williams.

Tubby Smith.

He’s the only one with a national championship ring. He’s the only one who has proven himself over a lengthy period of time at several places.

He’s the only one who could bring instant credibility to the Virginia basketball program, could walk into any recruit in the country’s living room and make them believe that Cavalier basketball was back.

“That would be the best of all worlds,” said one major contributor.

“Tubby puts the school at a different level,” said another who wished to remain anonymous.

Let’s examine the profiles of those five gentlemen.

Capel is the son of Jeff Capel Jr., the former head coach at Old Dominion.

Young Jeff played guard for Krzyzewski at Duke, went on to become a successful head coach at VCU and had folks campaigning for him to get a shot at the UVa job when the Cavaliers hired Leitao.

Some felt he wasn’t seasoned enough at the time, but he has compiled a 66-31 record at Oklahoma in the past three years and has built a strong Sooners program after Kelvin Sampson left the place a mess.

Anthony Grant came out of Billy Donovan’s national championship program at Florida where he served as an assistant coach. He took up where Capel left off at VCU and has compiled a

76-24 record in three years with the Rams, including two NCAA Tournament bids.

Wright has been a strong force at ‘Nova where he has been head coach since 2001. He has steadily built the Wildcats’ program during that span and is considered a solid coach.

Beilein’s name also surfaced during UVa’s last coaching search, but the timing didn’t appear correct. Beilein built winners at Richmond and West Virginia before taking over at Michigan two years ago.

Again, all those candidates are nice. But they’re no Tubby Smith.

Smith, who will be 58 in June, started his coaching career at VCU as an assistant but worked his way up the ranks and has been a winner everywhere he’s been: Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky, and now Minnesota.

Not only is he one of the most respected and classiest coaches in the nation, he’s one of the winningest. His 407-159 (.719) record before this season was the 12th-best among active Division I coaches.

He has never had a losing season and is one of only nine coaches to ever take three schools to an NCAA Sweet 16.

Smith is in the midst of a 16th straight, 20-plus win season, the longest active streak in the nation and the third-longest in NCAA history.

We could go on with myriad impressive numbers, but you get the picture. Virginia can’t do any better than Tubby Smith unless they go after Krzyzewski or Williams, and they aren’t budging for all the money in the world.

The best part of this whole thing is that a strong source told this columnist more than a month ago that if there was a coaching change at Virginia, then Tubby was very interested.

Sure, he won’t come cheap. Tubby is a certain Hall of Famer and those kinds of coaches command the market price.

In Tubby’s case, he signed a seven-year, $13 million-plus contract two years ago to become the Big Ten’s highest paid coach. He’s making $1.15 million in annual supplemental income plus an initial base salary of $600,000 per year with the Gophers.

Of course, he has incentive clauses and perks like any other coach. He also has a buyout, which would have been $3 million if he had left UM prior to April 30, 2008. However, that amount decreases over time.

Certainly, some of the heavy hitters that have expressed great dismay over the state of UVa basketball over the past two seasons, or for that matter, over the last 15 or so seasons, would

contribute significantly to the cause to bring in a Hall of Fame coach that would resuscitate Wahoo basketball.

According to several sources, some of the program’s most influential donors over the past decade have been extremely concerned over the state of the program. One confirmed major contributor was preparing to pull his pledges because of the erosion of Virginia basketball.

Apparently the UVa athletic department was divided on whether or not to end the Leitao regime. Athletics director Craig Littlepage was allegedly the last holdout until he saw the light.

After some back channel exploration to feel out potential candidates and receiving positive responses, Littlepage was convinced the time for a change was right.

The time to make perhaps the biggest hire in the history of Virginia athletics is upon Littlepage, his staff, Casteen and the UVa Board of Visitors.

The future of Cavalier basketball is at stake. UVa can’t afford to make another mistake.

Swing for the fences. It’s the only right thing to do.

 

Change could impact class
By Whitey Reid
Published: March 17, 2009

Virginia’s firing of coach Dave Leitao on Monday has at least one downside.
Sources have told The Daily Progress that it is a virtual certainty that Tristan Spurlock — a highly-rated recruit from Rockville, Md. who had committed to UVa during the early-signing period — will not be coming to Charlottesville.
The sources say that Spurlock was attracted to Virginia almost entirely by Leitao and assistant coach Bill Courtney.
Spurlock, who also strongly considered Georgetown during the recruiting process, is rated as a 4-star recruit by Rivals.com. It is conceivable that the 6-foot-7 wing player waits to see who Virginia will hire as its new coach before completely ruling the Wahoos out, but the chances of that are slim, sources said.
UVa’s only other incoming recruit is point guard Jontel Evans, a 3-star recruit from Bethel High in Hampton.
Neither Spurlock nor Evans returned phone messages on Monday.
With Leitao’s dismissal, Virginia could also take a hit in its 2010 recruiting efforts. The Miller School’s Mychal Parker and Eric Atkins (Mt. St. Joseph’s, Columbia, Md.) were top targets.
Typically, assistant coaches aren’t retained when the head coach is fired and a new coach comes aboard. But whoever replaces Leitao may want to think about keeping Courtney, the staff’s best recruiter — he was responsible for bringing in freshmen Sylven Landesberg and Assane Sene.
Keeping Landesberg happy should be a top priority. On Monday, the ACC Rookie of the Year voiced displeasure with Leitao’s dismissal.
“[What the (expletive)]!” wrote Landesberg on his Facebook page. “I came to play for him, didn’t think I would feel this way.”
One coach who it would be a surprise to see return is Rick Brunson, the school’s director of basketball operations.
Brunson, the former Temple player and NBA journeyman, has rubbed just about everyone in the Virginia athletics department, including members of the UVa basketball staff, the wrong way, according to sources.
It was because of Brunson that the school adapted an overly restrictive media policy that prevented journalists from stopping by the basketball offices unannounced, going against a nearly quarter-century old open-door media policy that spanned several coaching regimes.
Coaches Drew Diener and Steve Seymour are the other members of Leitao’s staff.
 

UVa’s Leitao exits
By Whitey Reid
Published: March 17, 2009

Coach Dave Leitao just wrapped up one of the worst basketball seasons in the University of Virginia’s history, and it will be his last.
UVa let Leitao go Monday with four years remaining on his contract, a move estimated to cost UVa $2.1 million. The money will come from the school’s athletics department coffers.

Minnesota coach Tubby Smith, whom Virginia flirted with before it hired Leitao four years ago, is considered the leading candidate to take over the program’s reins. Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel and Virginia Commonwealth’s Anthony Grant could be other possibilities.
“We expect to attract a strong pool of candidates interested in becoming a part of our university community,” Athletics Director Craig Littlepage said in a statement. “Our intention is to hire the very best person to lead the university’s basketball program consistent with our overall department goals. Our team has a promising nucleus of young players who we expect will continue to develop.”
The school said neither Leitao nor Littlepage would be available for additional comment.

Leitao was 63-60 with just one NCAA Tournament appearance in his four years.
Virginia’s latest season ended in a loss to Boston College in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Thursday. The team was 10-18 overall and just 4-12 in the ACC. The 10 wins were the fewest in nearly 40 years.
Leitao’s firing caught UVa players completely off guard. Senior Mamadi Diane didn’t even show up for the meeting at which Littlepage told them the news.
“I figured it was for like spring workouts or something like that,” said Diane, who has completed his college eligibility. “It came so quick. I was definitely shocked. It seems like the season just ended a couple of days ago and he already got fired. It’s definitely a shock.”
Diane declined to say whether he thought Leitao got a fair shake.
“Honestly I’m in no position to say how much time he should have had left,” Diane said. “I’m not sure what the school administrators or athletic director was saying. I have no idea what the criteria is.”

Former Virginia star Sean Singletary, perhaps Leitao’s biggest advocate, was angered. Singletary had spoken to Leitao just before last week’s ACC Tournament to wish him well. Never did it cross Singletary’s mind that Leitao might be preparing to coach his last game at Virginia.
“I’m just real upset about the decision to let him go,” said Singletary, whose No. 44 was retired last month. “It’s tough. I’m real upset about it. He only got four years. We went to the tournament once. … It doesn’t make much sense to me.”
Singletary, now playing for the Charlotte Bobcats’ NBA Developmental team in Sioux Falls, S.D., said Leitao, behind closed doors, was a very different person than he may have seemed to the public.
“First and foremost, he’s a great guy, man,” Singletary said. “He really cares about every player. He puts a lot of time into each individual on the court.
“He’s warm-hearted. If you look at any level of basketball, a lot of coaches yell and that’s how they get their point across. Some players are able to take the message and some aren’t.”

Others saw a more caustic side. Players such as Teejay Bannister and Lars Mikalauskas had issues with Leitao. The coach didn’t give the time of day to former Virginia player and radio color commentator Jim Hobgood on some occasions.
This season, Leitao benched Diane, alienating the player’s father in the process. In a recent Washington Post article, Mori Diane called Leitao’s attitude toward his son “demeaning.”
However, after the season-ending loss to Boston College, Mamadi Diane credited Leitao with making him a man.
In four years at Virginia, Leitao won just 51.2 percent of his games. By comparison, former coaches Pete Gillen and Jeff Jones won 55.9 percent and 58.4 percent, respectively.
Leitao was named ACC Coach of the Year after the 2006-07 season, when he led Virginia to a share of the league regular-season championship. The team, behind Singletary and J.R. Reynolds — players Gillen had recruited — made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Tennessee.
But the team dropped off dramatically soon after.

Even with an All-ACC guard in Singletary, Virginia finished just 5-11 in the conference last season.
This season, UVa had an eight-game losing streak, then closed the year by dropping four of its last five.
But it may have been Leitao’s demeanor as much as his on-court results that ultimately led to his demise. A protegee of Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun, Leitao often rubbed media, fans and even his own players the wrong way.

While Leitao’s drill sergeant approach was initially just what the doctor ordered – he had replaced a coach in Gillen whose regime was considered too lax – it eventually drew the ire of too many of the wrong people.

 

Students express surprise, disappointment over Leitao ouster
By Scott Shenk
Published: March 17, 2009

A sampling of students on the Corner late Monday afternoon said they would’ve liked to see Dave Leitao stick around a little longer.
“I’m surprised,” fourth-year-student Stephan Batt said as he worked behind the Subway counter. “They seemed to be headed in the right direction.”
Batt, who attended most home games, said he believed the young players showed promise.

And he said the team drew good, enthusiastic crowds through the last home game, in which the Cavaliers upset Maryland.
Several other students on the Corner also defended Leitao, who stepped down as the University of Virginia’s head basketball coach Monday. His tenure ends after four years and a 63-60 record. This year’s 10-18 season was the worst since 1967-68.
First-year students Taylor Logue and Ben Wilkes said Leitao needed more time to build a successful team.
“I don’t really think it was fair,” Logue said. “Especially when the team wasn’t that bad. I mean, they sucked this year, but … Every coach they get, they do the same thing.”

Leitao’s tenure ended with time left on his contract, as happened with his predecessor, Pete Gillen.
Logue and Wilkes said they believed students “definitely” would rather see football coach Al Groh leave.
“He’s been here a lot longer and produced less,” Logue said.
Stephen Ogilvy, a third-year student working at the Jimmy John’s sandwich shop, said he was surprised by the move.

“I thought he’d be around at least one more year,” he said.
Maggie Cearley, wearing UVa sweats and smoking a clove cigarette outside the Cohn’s convenience store, wasn’t overly concerned about the whole thing.
She knew the basketball team was bad this year, but she’s more of a UVa football fan.
S till, she said, maybe the move will be a positive.
And if it helps improve the basketball team, “I definitely will follow them next year.”

 

Leitao's term as coach ends
Sources classify move as firing as coach steps down; Leitao addresses team in ‘emotional’ closed-door meeting as coaching search begins
Dan Stalcup, Cavalier Daily Sports Editor
Published: Tuesday, March 17 2009

Dave Leitao’s four-year career at Virginia was marked with both historic highs and historic lows. Virginia will begin its search for a new coach immediately. Dave Leitao resigned from his position as the Virginia men’s basketball coach yesterday afternoon, according to an athletic department press release.

Leitao met with Athletic Director Craig Littlepage to discuss the future of the program, according to the release. During the meeting, Littlepage and Leitao came to an agreement that resulted in Leitao’s resignation from the position, along with a compensation package of about $2.1 million.

Though the athletic department called the decision a resignation on Leitao’s part, several reports from other media outlets note that the move resembles a contract buyout and termination, citing anonymous sources who referred to the move as a “firing.”

After the decision was reached, Leitao met with players and coaching staff, The Cavalier Daily was told by a source close to the situation, who wished to remain anonymous.

The team “talked about the past and good memories,” the source said. “No real reason was given” for the change in coaching staff.
The source also said Leitao, rather than calling the move a resignation or a firing, “presented it ... that he was no longer employed as head coach.”

Leitao wished the team luck and told players that he is “just a phone call away” if they ever need anything, the source said.

“I think people were surprised,” the source said when asked about the team’s and staff’s response to the announcement. “I mean, it was an emotional time because it was unexpected.”

Steve Landesberg, father of ACC Rookie of the Year Sylven Landesberg, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that his son was very upset about the move and had a close relationship with Leitao and Leitao’s staff.

Landesberg was one of the bright spots during Virginia’s 2008-09 season and one of the talented players Leitao coached during his up-and-down tenure as Virginia coach.

Leitao, who led the Cavaliers for four years while assembling a 63-60 overall record, was selected as the ACC Coach of the Year in 2007 after winning the conference’s regular season. That year, the Cavaliers were awarded a fourth seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Beginning with the 2007-08 season, Leitao’s team began to struggle. In spite of high expectations after Sean Singletary returned for his senior year instead of declaring for the NBA Draft, the Cavaliers finished 10th in the ACC, winning only five conference games. The team settled for a berth in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

The 2008-09 season saw lower incoming expectations and even worse final results. The Cavaliers placed second-to-last in the ACC while assembling a 10-18 overall record that nearly matched the team’s worst record in a half-century. Though the final stretch of the season saw the team return to competitiveness, the Cavaliers did not qualify for a postseason berth.

Despite mixed success in terms of wins and losses, Leitao leaves behind a legacy of nurturing several elite Virginia players, most notably Singletary. Leitao also oversaw the team’s inaugural season at John Paul Jones Arena in 2007-08.

A national search for a new coach will begin immediately, according to the release. When contacted, Littlepage declined to comment about the search’s potential time frame.

“Our intention is to hire the very best person to lead the University’s basketball program consistent with our overall department goals,” Littlepage said. “Our team has a promising nucleus of young players who we expect will continue to develop.”

 

Cavs look to continue perfect start to season
Virginia’s outstanding numbers, unblemished record accompany team’s impressive start as Virginia climbs polls
Matt Diton, Cavalier Daily Senior Writer
Published: Tuesday, March 17 2009

On a Cavalier team that has shone brightly, sophomore utility player Dan Grovatt has perhaps shone brightest. The Virginia baseball team looks to continue its run as the only undefeated team in Division I at least one more week as it welcomes Marshall and Canisius to Davenport Field this week.

The Cavaliers have been nothing short of dominant this season, as Virginia (15-0, 4-0 ACC) opened its season with an average margin of victory of more than nine runs. This figure suggests the well-rounded excellence, both on defense and offense, that the Cavaliers have demonstrated thus far. As a team, the Cavaliers are hitting .400 and slugging an astronomical .604. Though Virginia’s numbers will likely decrease as the bulk of ACC play begins, the current marks are almost staggering. Were the season to end right now, the Cavaliers would surpass last year’s NCAA-best team total batting average by .045 and would have the nation’s second-best slugging percentage.
Attempting to cool off Virginia bats first this week is Marshall. The Thundering Herd (7-8) has struggled to find consistent results so far. Marshall has yet to win more than two games in a row but just won a series against Youngstown State. Despite its inconsistency, Marshall has a few key players who could spell trouble for the Cavaliers’ win streak. Two underclassmen, freshman infielder Thor Meeks and sophomore outfielder Ben Jurevicius, lead the way for Marshall. Meeks is leading the squad in home runs with four and slugging percentage with an excellent .690. Jurevicius, a speedy outfielder with three steals this season, is leading the Herd with a .400 average.

After hosting Marshall, the Cavaliers will greet the Golden Griffins of Canisius College. The Griffins (6-7), despite struggling through the early portion of their schedule, have shown improvement during the past several days and enter their matchup with the Cavaliers riding a three-game winning streak. Canisius has the benefit of strong senior leader outfielder Connor Burke, who holds the Griffins’ second-best batting average and on base percentage. The Griffins also have several emerging players who are growing in skill and confidence as the season progresses — and may give the Cavaliers some problems. At bat, sophomore infielder Steven McQuail is near the top of all major categories for the Griffins with a .364 batting average and a .614 slugging percentage, while fellow sophomore Josh Marshall leads the pitching staff with two of the team’s six wins.

The Cavaliers, therefore, despite the impressive start to their season, cannot disregard their latest opponents. An overall improvement in batting power has been the key to the Cavaliers’ success, as they have already slugged 17 home runs in comparison to the 25 totaled last year. Even after losing their two top home run hitters from last season — Jeremy Farrell and David Adams — the Cavaliers are on track to easily surpass last year’s power output.

Virginia coach Brian O’Connor is well aware of the hard work his players put in to produce such impressive statistics.

“[The 17 home run mark] is pretty amazing,” O’Connor said. “Losing a couple of guys who were supposed to be our power hitters last year, that shows off-season, last summer, how guys like Jarrett Parker, and Franco Valdes and Danny Grovatt worked really hard. That’s what it takes to improve as a player, and it’s showing for those guys.”

Although Virginia has batted with power, it has shown balance at the plate as well. If the Cavaliers continue this level of play, they will surpass last season’s totals in doubles, triples and hits. In addition, every starter has an on base percentage of more than .400. Sophomore utility player Dan Grovatt, who is leading the team’s starters in batting average, said he is similarly impressed with the current level of play.

“It’s awesome, “ Grovatt said. “It’s a lot of fun to be a part of. Up and down the order, I can’t really tell you what’s going on.”

The Cavaliers must not overlook their midweek opponents as they strive to keep up their torrid pace. They will, however, take this final midweek tune-up to enjoy their historic start before powerhouse Miami comes to town and the heavy portion of their ACC schedule begins.

“Right now, it’s rolling for everybody,” Grovatt said. “It’s a lot of fun.”


 

Virginia hopes to rebound from loss; Tribe comes to town
William & Mary’s fall from polls, .500 record mask a talented team that has only lost to opponents ranked in top 20
Ben Gomez, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Published: Tuesday, March 17 2009

Redshirt sophomore goalie Lauren Benner has allowed fewer than eight goals per game excluding the team’s two losses. The No. 4 Virginia women’s lacrosse team will host in-state rival William & Mary tonight at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers look to recover from their Saturday loss to North Carolina, while the Tribe hopes to break its eight-year losing streak to Virginia.

William & Mary (3-3) recently dropped out of the top 20. They have played a tough schedule this season, facing three top-20 opponents — losing to Duke, Boston University and Stanford. The Cavaliers (5-2, 1-2 ACC) have struggled against top competition as well, losing to then-No. 3 Maryland and then-No. 3 North Carolina.

Virginia has a bevy of offensive talent, but it is the defense that has helped the Cavaliers succeed this season. Tonight Virginia again must use several key players, including junior midfielder Kaitlin Duff, if it wants to continue its dominance of William & Mary.

Duff is Virginia’s best lockdown defender, leading the team in every defensive category this season. She is among the best in the country with 17 turnovers, creating havoc against opposing teams. Duff also has 16 ground balls to lead the team. Having started every game in her collegiate career, she also brings plenty of experience to the defense.

“I think we have a lot of the key players with good experience under their belt stepping up and that really helps everyone who plays alongside of them,” coach Julie Myers said.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Benner anchors the Cavalier defense between the pipes. Benner is third in the conference in goals-against average, affording only 9.84 nettings per game. Excluding the defensive lapses against Maryland and North Carolina — in which the Cavaliers allowed 17 and 12 goals respectively — Benner is allowing less than eight goals per game.

Benner “has had a really good season; she has really stepped it up,” senior defender Katie Shannon said. “She has had some really good games and has come up with some big saves.”

The key to the game, however, could come down to the draw controls. Junior midfielder Brittany Kalkstein arguably is one of the most underappreciated players in the country, with one of the most important jobs on the team in controlling the draw at the beginning of every half and after every goal. Like Duff, she is also a durable and dependable player, starting every game in her career. Kalkstein has 28 draw controls this season and is second on Virginia’s all-time draw controls list.

She “has become one of the best defenders in the game,” Myers said.

William & Mary, meanwhile, has a defensive stalwart of its own in sophomore goalkeeper Emily Geary. She was one of the top freshman goalkeepers in the country last season and was named to the All-CAA Second Team. Geary is averaging just less than 11 saves per games. For the Tribe to be successful tonight, Geary will have to slow down Virginia’s offense, which averages about 14 goals per game.

She is not alone though. William & Mary handles draw controls by committee with four players recording at least 11 this season. The Tribe is among the top 10 in the country in draw controls per game, averaging about 15 per contest.

The Cavaliers will need hold off the Tribe and get back to their winning ways by playing solid defense for 60 minutes. There is no doubt that goals will be scored tonight; the team that overcomes the other’s defense the most, however, will be the one that emerges victorious.


 

U.Va. law school grad to head NFL players’ union
By Staff Reports
Published: March 16, 2009

WAILEA, Hawaii -- The NFL Players Association has turned to a 1989 graduate of the University of Virginia's law school to be its new leader.

With other candidates flaunting a wealth of NFL experience and strong union ties, the players unanimously decided to go in a new direction yesterday, choosing unheralded outsider DeMaurice Smith.

Smith's ties to presidential power and business experts trumped football experience, leading the Washington-based attorney to become the NFLPA's new executive director.

The 45-year-old Smith was chosen over two former union presidents and a high-profile sports attorney. He succeeds the late Gene Upshaw and guides the players into a critical era that includes negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement in the shadow of an economic meltdown.

"Guys, let's get to work," Smith told the membership that had been marred by internal squabbles during the long and sometimes chaotic selection process.

Smith has no labor law or NFL experience, but has ties to President Barack Obama and worked with new U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. He's a trial lawyer and partner at the influential Washington-based Patton Boggs, and chair of the firm's government investigations and white collar practice group. He has represented Fortune 500 companies in numerous cases.

A native of Washington, Smith teaches classes in trial advocacy at U.Va.

Smith was elected on the first ballot by the 32 representatives -- one for each NFL team -- and was introduced to a standing ovation.

Smith was elected by a vote behind closed doors at the posh Fairmont Kea Lani resort on the island of Maui where the union has been meeting. The player reps heard from the four candidates Saturday and once again yesterday, with the finalists providing their closing arguments before the voting began by secret ballot collected in a Reebok shoe box.

The reps emerged with their selection 90 minutes later.

-- The Associated Press

 

UVa to face Marist in NCAA first round
By Jay Jenkins
Published: March 17, 2009

With three of the four regionals complete and her postseason fate in limbo, Virginia senior forward Lyndra Littles pulled the hood on her sweatshirt up to cover her ears inside Bryant Hall.
Visually, it looked as though the star was grimacing about a potential second-round showdown with vaunted Connecticut, the top team in women’s basketball.
Instead, Virginia (23-9) landed the No. 5 seed in the Trenton (N.J.) Regional and a first-round trip to Los Angeles to play 12th-seeded Marist (29-3) on Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
A victory would propel the Cavaliers into the second round against the winner of No. 4 California (25-6) and No. 13 Long Beach State (24-8).
To the Los Angeles-pod victor, however, likely comes top-ranked Connecticut.
“We mentioned that,” Littles said. “I actually kind of had a headache, but it is what it is. If it was [UConn earlier] you have to play, but it is not and if we do what we are supposed to do we will see them in the Sweet Sixteen.
“I am not worried about UConn right now.”
Virginia coach Debbie Ryan, who predicted landing in the Trenton Regional, shared the same views after earning her 23rd NCAA tournament bid.
“I knew we were going to be a five seed. I thought we would be in the West to start and I had a feeling they were going to put us in Trenton,” Ryan said. “That is where I’m from and it seems like we have a magnet to Connecticut — we always get pulled back in that direction.
“But there is a long way before you get into their territory. I am not going to worry about any of that right now because there is too much already in the first two rounds.”
Virginia landed in a regional with UConn last season, but it lost at Old Dominion in the second round in overtime.
This time, Virginia will play on a neutral court — at least in theory.
The Cavaliers and three teams selected for the pod will play this weekend at at Southern Cal’s Galen Center.
Moments after the selection show was completed, Virginia’s coaching staff promptly went to work to land film of Marist, the winner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament on March 8.
“Marist is an excellent team,” Ryan said. “[Marist coach Brian Giorgis] is a really good coach. I have seen his motion and I actually talked to one of his assistants during my last job search.
“I do know that they are a very, very structured team and they are very tough.”
Saturday’s contest will be the first meeting between Virginia and Marist.