Temple job rumors now about Prince
By Jerry Ratcliffe / Daily Progress sports editor
November 10, 2005

Scattershooting around the ACC, while noting that someone at Temple must really like UVa ...
A few weeks after the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that former Virginia coach George Welsh was on the list of potential candidates to replace Bobby Wallace as Temple’s football coach (Welsh has since denied it), now the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Cavaliers’ offensive coordinator Ron Prince has been contacted about the job.
Rumor central
Where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. And there’s been a ton of smoke in Charlottesville the past
48 hours, as rumors grew legs that the Virginia football program was going to hand out suspensions to a handful of players for failing a drug test.
Whether it’s true or not remains to be seen, but it certainly has Al Groh’s attention.
“There are some internal issues that we’re doing a little investigation on,” Virginia’s coach said on Wednesday. “When we’ve culminated that process and finalized what that means, I’ll make a determination on some people’s status.”
Dow Jonesers
What’s responsible for N.C. State’s turnaround of two straight wins, having knocked off FSU in Tallahassee?
Freshman running back Andre Brown is one big reason, rushing for 248 yards against Southern Miss and 427 yards in those two wins. Also, State switched starting quarterbacks and its defense has recaptured the form that made the Wolfies the nation’s No. 1 defensive unit last season.
Maybe coach Chuck Amato was right when he said after a lopsided home loss to Clemson on Oct. 13: “This team will make you proud before the season is over - I promise.”
Meanwhile, what’s wrong with Florida State?
The Seminoles have shown they’re human. They are beaten up, playing more freshmen than ever. But the main problem is defense. FSU has given up 11 passes of 20 yards or more in the past five games [two losses], and 11 runs of 20 yards or more.
“It’s kind of frustrating,” said longtime Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews. “We continue to give up long plays that either keep us from winning or make it very difficult. You go out there and play solid defense and then all of a sudden, one burst out of there.”
FSU is having trouble practicing at full speed as well because of all the injuries on the team.
Faces in the crowd
Well, make that on the sidelines of the UVa-Temple game last Saturday.
Thanks to Tom Leonard for pointing out that former heavyweight boxer Tex Cobb was roaming the Owls’ sideline, having adopted Temple football a few years ago.
His son played for Temple last year before returning home to Texas.
Few probably noticed but No. 77 for Temple last Saturday, starting at right tackle, was Nehemiah Ingram, the infamous “goon” from last year’s Temple vs. St. Joseph’s basketball game. Ingram was the guy sent in to the game by John Chaney to deliver some hard fouls and ultimately broke the arm of a St. Joe’s player, ending the kid’s season. Ingram, by the way, had not played football since ninth grade.

Trouble in Terp land. Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen hasn’t been in a good mood this week after announcing he will suspend three players for one game for violating team rules after some of his players were involved in a Halloween night fight at a college hangout in College Park.
School officials will not identify the players and Friedgen declined to say when the suspensions will take place over the next three games.
The fight occurred at 1 a.m., well after Friedgen’s 11:30 p.m. team curfew.
“It was probably one of the more difficult things I’ve done since I’ve been here,” the Fridge said. “I took some time and some deliberation in making my decision. Some of them weren’t very popular with our players, but I did what I felt like had to be done. The message has to be sent that this type of action will not be tolerated.”

Bowling for dollars. Here’s the situation. Five of the ACC’s 12 teams are already bowl eligible with six wins or more: Florida State, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Miami and Georgia Tech.
Virginia and Clemson both need one more win to qualify. UVa must face Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Miami. Clemson plays FSU, and South Carolina.
These teams each need to win two more games: Maryland, N.C. State and UNC.
The loser of the Maryland vs. UNC game this weekend could be in trouble. The Terps still have to play BC and N.C. State, while UNC must face Duke and Virginia Tech. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack, which travel to BC, still has games with Middle Tennessee and Maryland.
If the ACC has more teams eligible than it has bowl ties, those teams would have to fill other vacancies if various conferences come up short.

Stat of the week. Virginia is 5-2 in its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents in Scott Stadium under coach Al Groh. Georgia Tech is ranked No. 24.

Quote of the week. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden was asked if the Seminoles’ loss to N.C. State and Virginia Tech’s loss to Miami good for the conference:
“Well, it was for us because it got us in the playoff,” Bowden laughed. “It’s the first time I ever backed into a playoff. I can’t believe it. I think it’s good. It shows your parity. Nobody’s got it made.”
When BC lost to UNC, it allowed FSU to clinch the Atlantic Division.

Opinion of the week. Asked what made North Carolina so effective against Virginia QB Marques Hagans, this is what Georgia Tech senior safety Chris Reis had to say:
“I don’t think it was much what North Carolina did as much as what Virginia did to itself. They tried to run the ball a lot this year and they haven’t been too successful against some teams. When they’ve tried to pass, they’ve been successful. That’s how they beat Florida State. That’s a good question.”

BC blues. Boston College coach Tom O’Brien is hoping his Eagles can get things turned around. After a 6-1 start, BC has dropped two in a row.
“We have to respect how tough this conference is,” O’Brien said. “I think we got to a point where we were 6-1 and we thought we were a pretty good football team. We haven’t played for two weeks now with that edge we had in the first six, seven games. We have got to get that edge back.”

Short yardage. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden turned 76 this week but has shown no signs of slowing down. ... Documentary filmmaker George Butler began filming Monday for a movie on Bowden, entitled “Bound For Glory,” which will be released in 2007. Most of the movie will focus on the 2006 season. ... Breaking down ACC play, Coastal Division teams have a 9-7 edge over Atlantic Division teams in head-to-head games this season. ... Of the 17 ACC games that have been decided by seven points or less this season, 11 have been won by the home team. Two of the others were decided in overtime. ... Bad idea of the week: Virginia Tech wasn’t supposed to wear its two-toned jerseys again until the postseason, but players voted to wear them for the Miami game last weekend. ... Of the 55 plays reviewed in the ACC’s instant replay system, 21 have been overturned. The average length of those 55 replays is an amazing 1 minute, 38 seconds each. ... Over the last five games, Miami’s opponents have completed only 38 percent of their passes. ... Georgia Tech’s P.J. Daniels has rushed for 100 yards or more in 15 of his last 27 games. ... Wake Forest’s Chris Barclay needs 73 yards rushing against Miami this weekend to become only the third player in ACC history to rush for 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns (the other two were N.C. State’s Ted Brown 4,602/49; and Georgia Tech’s Robert Lavette 4,066/45). ... How tough is Georgia Tech to run against this season? Ask Wake coach Jim Grobe about how his running attack was stuffed by the Jackets last week. “We couldn’t get anybody blocked,” Grobe said. “They overloaded us and came after us. And when we had hats on everybody, we weren’t physical enough to keep them blocked.”

The picks. Last week: 4-2. To date: 49-19. This week: UNC 27, Maryland 24; Virginia 26, Georgia Tech 23; Upset Special:
N.C. State 33, Boston College 24. Upset Special II: Clemson 30, FSU 27.

 

Snelling helps when he is able
Despite some undisclosed heath issues, the UVa back contributes to the offense.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129
The Roanoke Times

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- As tempting as it might be, Virginia football coach Al Groh can't bring himself to approve an offensive game plan designed for Jason Snelling.

Groh already knew what Snelling could do before a 17-carry, 126-yard rushing performance Saturday against Temple, but he can't always be sure that Snelling will be available.

Snelling doesn't have an injury, at least not right now. Most days, he feels well. However, he suffers from an undisclosed medical condition that could send him to the bench at any time.

Even if he were inclined to elaborate on the condition, for which one of the symptoms is headaches, Snelling knows it is Groh's policy not to discuss injuries. It is not a life-threatening condition and, for the most part, can be controlled through medication.

"It's been a pretty good stretch here relative to other time frames," Groh said Wednesday. "But does [Snelling's medical history] keep us from fully committing to any one thing that's exclusively a Jason job? Yes, by all means."

Snelling had seven carries for a team-high 72 yards in the Cavaliers' season opener, a 31-19 triumph over Western Michigan, but had a total of six carries in UVa next six games.

Some of that was attributable to missed practice time, although he fumbled against Duke and got a quick hook.

"If you're a player on this team or any team and you're a fumbler, you can't play," said Snelling, who also lost a fumble against Western Michigan. "I don't look at myself as a fumbler. It happened."

At his best, Snelling is one of the most dangerous fullbacks in the country, a powerful blocker at 5-foot-11 and 245 pounds, a punishing runner and a dangerous receiver. Against Georgia Tech, the Cavaliers' opponent Saturday at Scott Stadium, he had eight receptions for 93 yards in 2002.

There was no indication that he would have a breakout game against Temple and, the truth be known, the lopsided nature of the game may have contributed to that. With two tailbacks injured and the Cavaliers leading 41-0, Snelling subbed for Wali Lundy as the lone running back in UVa's one-back set.

Lundy also rushed for more than 100 yards against the Owls, which raises the invariable questions about the possibility of using Snelling as a lead back for Lundy and getting an occasional carry as a change of pace.

"Jason's versatility, because of his turns at fullback, do give us the opportunity to do that," Groh said, "but, right now, we're planning to use him as more of a carry-the-ball guy.

"I think that will be his primary function here for a while, provided we can maintain the practice preparation that has been the case for the last week and a half."

When Snelling showed up for practice Monday night, Groh held up seven fingers. Snelling knew exactly what the coach meant -- that Snelling had made seven straight practices. For this season at least, that was a first.

"He's been dealing with a lot of things," UVa quarterback Marques Hagans said. "But the team means so much to him. There are so many times when he's not able to practice when he tries to fight through it and practice anyway.

"Even when he's not practicing, he's watching the practice film and seeing what happened that day. So, it's not like he's not prepared. When he steps on the field, he just knows how to execute. He's one of those guys who can bring it."

Temple might have thought Virginia would ease up once Lundy sat down, but Snelling had runs of 32 and 24 yards and also had a 19-yard reception Saturday.

"Coach [Groh] kept giving me the ball and that was our goal -- to go back to the Virginia running game -- and that's what we did," Snelling said. "My health has been good for a while now.

"I've been dealing with my situation for a while. All you can do is roll with the punches. Whether you're injured or whatever, you never know what will happen. It's a violent sport but I'm thinking positive about getting through the season."

Trouble lurking?

Groh said he has become aware of some off-field matters that might require him to take disciplinary action before the Cavaliers' game with Georgia Tech.

"There are some internal issues that we're doing a little investigation on," Groh said Wednesday on the ACC coaches' teleconference. "When we've culminated that process and finalized what that means, I'll make a determination on some people's status."

Groh said the Cavaliers "probably" would put out a news release when the process is completed.

"Or maybe not," he said. "Maybe there's nothing to put a release out on."

 

Cavs don't foresee this as a lost season
Although UVa has been picked last by the ACC media, Dave Leitao will lean on his veteran backcourt in hopes of building a winner.
Doug Doughty
The Roanoke Times

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- The precedent for Virginia men's basketball teams picked last in the ACC is not a bad one.

Former coach Pete Gillen was never so popular as he was following a 1998-99 season in which a team with six able-bodied scholarship players finished 14-16.

The Cavaliers were picked last in the ACC going into that season and finished last, but fans and UVa administrators were a lot more understanding than they were when the last of Gillen's seven Cavaliers teams tied for last in 2004-05.

Gillen accepted a buyout on the final six years of his contract and Virginia brought in 45-year-old Dave Leitao, the head coach at DePaul for the past three seasons and previously a longtime assistant at Connecticut.

There are other similarities to 1998-99, including an absence of depth. The Cavaliers enter the season with nine scholarship players, two of them recruits. The NCAA scholarship limit for men's basketball is 13.

The staff already has taken commitments from four promising recruits and, with a new arena scheduled to open next year, there has been an aura of goodwill around the program that should continue "as long as we don't start the season," Leitao said.

The Cavaliers welcome back one of the nation's best backcourts in junior shooting guard J.R. Reynolds and sophomore point guard Sean Singletary, but nobody else who averaged more than 4.3 points or 3.0 rebounds per game.

"I think what happens in sports is that every team is optimistic going into the year," Leitao said. "Even the team that goes 2-and-whatever is optimistic this time of year.

"People are going to be upset, as will I, when we lose on a particular night. The same people are going to be happy when we win. So that we do not have an emotional roller coaster, we need to control what we can control and that's to send a team out there that will compete."

Gillen's first team might have been his closest.

"If there's a silver lining to this dilemma, it's that decisions won't be as complicated as to who's going to be out on the floor," Leitao said. "Most everybody will be out there. If you read body language, it makes a guy feel a little more comfortable to know he can play through his mistakes."

When he took the job, Leitao was under the impression that he would have three proven perimeter players, including 6-foot-6 small forward Gary Forbes. However, Forbes transferred to Massachusetts when it looked as if he would be academically ineligible this season.

Forbes was the team's top returning rebounder, so it's no surprise that Virginia's first practice of the season had a heavy emphasis on blocking out. The Cavaliers lost the top four rebounders from a team that finished ninth out of 11 ACC teams in rebounding margin.

UVa is not lacking for height and, in 6-foot-11, 212-pound sophomore Tunji Soroye, has a bona fide shot-blocker. Both Soroye and 6-10, 212-pound junior Jason Cain, who started seven games last year, should benefit from the hiring of former Toronto Raptors strength coach Shaun Brown.

Neither Soroye nor Cain has been a prolific scorer. None of the UVa big men has, although junior Donte Minter (6-8, 250) scored in double figures six times in his first 16 games as a freshman in 2003-04.

"He's probably the most gifted post player, offensively, that we have," Leitao said.

Since his promising debut, Minter has scored in double figures once in 33 games. He has been dogged by knee problems and played only 83 minutes all of last season.

"I stay on him," said Reynolds, who was Minter's first-year roommate. "He's the guy I stay on the most because I've seen his potential, but he's been banged up."

Ideally, Virginia will play two post players from a group of Soroye, Cain, Minter, and Laurynas Mikalauskas, a 6-8, 241-pound Lithuanian who played at the nearby Blue Ridge School. Another recruit, 6-10, 230-pound Sam Warren, was viewed as a "project" before leaving the program earlier this week.

In all likelihood, 6-7 sophomore Adrian Joseph and 6-5 freshman Mamadi Diane will share time at the spot that some had reserved for Forbes on the wing.

"Mamadi was a pleasant surprise," said Leitao, who arrived at Virginia after recruiting had been completed, "and Adrian was right there with him in terms of a player who hadn't been talked about. I underestimated his athleticism."

There is no question who the leaders of this team are, as opposed to 2004-05, when one co-captain (Jason Clark) flunked out of school and another (Elton Brown) was known for his volatility.

Even last year, Singletary was not opposed to saying what he thought to an upperclassmen, and nobody will work harder than he or Reynolds.

Against a schedule that includes early road games at Arizona and Gonzaga, both of whom come to Charlottesville in 2006-07 for the opening of the new building, the Cavaliers know they might take some lumps early.

"By us getting a new coach, that doesn't mean things will be fixed right away," Reynolds said, "but I don't want to lose any more. Two years is long enough. I think we might surprise some people."

 

Leitao stressing discipline, toughness to revive U.Va.
By ED MILLER, The Virginian-Pilot
© November 10, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Something was missing as Virginia convened its first basketball practice under Dave Leitao.

Basketballs.

“Everybody expected us to have some balls and work on some plays,” guard J.R. Reynolds said.

Instead, Leitao, 6-foot-6 and broad-shouldered, with close-cropped salt and pepper hair, towered at midcourt, looking more like a drill instructor than a college coach.

Basketball boot camp was about to commence.

“We did defensive slides; follow the leader,” Reynolds said. “Coach pointed us in the direction he wanted us to slide. It was a real challenge.”

Virginia started running that day and has yet to stop . Since Oct. 15, the thundering of feet and squeaking of shoes have been the predominant sounds emanating from behind the locked doors of University Hall.

The bouncing of balls has been heard, too. Leitao even broke them out during the opening workout. But with that first practice and every one since, the coach has worked to burn discipline and toughness into his players, who, to be charitable, haven’t displayed those qualities often in recent seasons.

“We’ve got to defend and we’ve got to rebound and both of those things are a byproduct of how hard we play,” Leitao said. “We’ve got to compete at a much higher level than we’ve ever done in the past.”

Sounds simple enough. Former coach Pete Gillen talked often of the need for his team to play with more toughness but was never able to instill it. Leitao’s track record at DePaul, where his teams gained a reputation for fierce, physical play, suggests he might have more success.

He’d better, because talent alone won’t take Virginia far this year. Gillen left Leitao a team that’s thin up front. The departure of swing man Gary Forbes, who transferred to the University of Massachusetts, left the Cavaliers even thinner, with just nine scholarship players.

The lack of depth has Leitao, 45, easing off the gas a bit, trying to find the proper balance between pushing his new players and preserving their legs for the long season ahead.

But even Leitao-lite has been an eye-opening experience for the team, Reynolds said.

“Guys wanted discipline,” he said. “But once it hit them, it was kind of a shock to them.”

After two years of deferring to players such as Elton Brown and Devin Smith, Reynolds, who came to Virginia with a reputation as a shooter, should get more than his share of looks this year. He and point guard Sean Singletary are the only proven scorers on the team.

Like many Virginia players, Reynolds seemed adrift at times last season. The one Cavalier whose effort never waned was Singletary, a hard-nosed sophomore from Philadelphia who emerged as the team’s leader by year’s end.

“He’s already self-motivated,” Leitao said. “That’s the great thing about him.”

In Singletary, Leitao’s found a kindred spirit, and a potential All-ACC point guard. In Reynolds, he’s got a player capable of scoring in bunches, as the junior did in a 32-point outburst against Miami in last year’s ACC tournament.

Everywhere else, there are question marks. But the way Leitao sees it, effort is something Virginia can bring every night, even if it can’t bring tremendous talent.

Players appear to have bought in, saying they are a better team already. Leitao knows it’s not that easy, but if his players believe that, he’s not going to argue.

“In their minds, and all players are like this, they’re optimistic that we’re going to have a tremendous year and turn this thing around,” he said. “I’ve got to let them ride that wave and see how far that will take us.”

 

Several players may face suspensions at U.Va.
Off-field issues could keep some unnamed Cavaliers on the sidelines for Saturday's game.
BY DARRYL SLATER
247-4641
November 10, 2005

Virginia football coach Al Groh said Wednesday that off-the-field issues might sideline some players for Saturday's game against Georgia Tech.

"There are some internal issues that we're doing a little investigation on," Groh said on the Atlantic Coast Conference coaches' teleconference.

He said that when finishes that investigation, he'll decide whether the players will play.

Groh did not elaborate on the issues but said U.Va. would probably issue a press release after his investigation ends.

"Or maybe not," he said. "Maybe there's nothing to put a release out on."

Players were not available for comment.

Groh closes all practices to the public, and players do media interviews only on Tuesdays.

The Cavaliers (5-3, 2-3 ACC) play Georgia Tech (6-2, 4-2) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Scott Stadium. They need just one win to become eligible for a bowl game.
 

Groh, Gailey bring NFL experience to sideline
No. 23 Georgia Tech's coach spent 16 seasons in pro ranks, will face off against Groh's Cavs Saturday
Chris Marsh, Cavalier Daily Senior Writer

It's not often that Virginia coach Al Groh matches wits against a head coach with as much college and NFL experience as himself.

Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey brings a wealth of experience from both the pro and college game. In his 31 years of coaching, Gailey has spent 16 seasons in the professional ranks and 15 seasons in college. Gailey has been head coach at Georgia Tech since 2001.

Like Groh, Gailey's NFL experience has resulted in championship expectations that, like Groh, have not yet been fulfilled. The intricacies of the college game, Groh notes, present different challenges than the NFL.

"[In college] it's probably not good business in your preparation to assume too much," Groh said. "You can go into a lot of situations in the NFL with the expectation that players are working from a much deeper background in football."

Despite a need to re-acclimate to the college game, both coaches have benefited greatly from their professional experiences, especially on the recruiting trail. Gailey's teams have improved steadily in his tenure as he attracts more and more talented players to Atlanta. He has led Georgia Tech to bowl games in each of his three years there, including a 51-14 thumping of Syracuse in last year's Champs Sports Bowl. This year's Yellow Jacket squad currently stands at No. 23 with a 6-2 record.

Groh also has enjoyed success at the helm of Virginia, and his NFL roots do not go unnoticed with recruits. Groh has helped many players reach the NFL, including Heath Miller, a first-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in last year's NFL Draft, and Elton Brown, a two-time All-ACC selection now with the Arizona Cardinals. Seven Cavaliers were selected in last year's NFL Draft, a school record.

"Obviously you can kind of figure that out yourself a little bit as a kid coming up through the recruiting process," sophomore Chris Long said about playing for a coach with NFL experience. "You are trying to get to the next level, so that's something you look at."

The two coaches, however, came to their jobs for very different reasons. Groh returned to Virginia, his alma mater, after a 9-7 season with the New York Jets. Gailey, on the other hand, came to Georgia Tech after a mediocre tenure with the Dallas Cowboys that resulted in his dismissal following the 1999 season.

"In terms of my interest in coming here, my coming here was all about coming to the University of Virginia," Groh said. "Had you taken this exact situation and attached it to another university, I really don't believe I would've been interested in making the change."

The two coaches have assembled teams that follow a similar blueprint. Both squads are led by athletic, undersized quarterbacks in Marques Hagans and Reggie Ball. Both emphasize a power running attack –- Virginia has Wali Lundy; Georgia Tech answers with PJ Daniels. And both teams hang their hats on tough defensive units designed to frustrate opposing offenses.

With players on both sides amounting to a mirror image of each other, winning this game will likely come down to coaching. Groh will have to call upon his coaching knowledge gained at all levels if the Cavaliers hope to come out of the weekend with a win and a chance for a fourth straight bowl trip.

 

U.Va. players to be punished?
Groh says possible violations of team rules being examined
Richmond Times-Dispatch Nov 10, 2005

Several University of Virginia football players may face disciplinary actions for breaking team rules.

On yesterday's ACC coaches' teleconference, U.Va.'s Al Groh was asked if off-the-field matters could affect some of his players.

"Well, there are some internal issues that we're doing a little investigation on," said Groh, who didn't elaborate on who or what was under review.

"When we've culminated that process and finalized what that means, I'll make a determination on some people's status."

Would U.Va. then issue a release?

"Probably," Groh said. "Or maybe not. Maybe there's nothing to put a release out on."

Virginia (2-3, 5-3) plays ACC foe Georgia Tech (4-2, 6-2) on Saturday at Scott Stadium.

Athletic Director Craig Littlepage told The Times-Dispatch yesterday that his "guess" is the matter will be settled before Saturday's game.

"We just can't push it along faster than information can be gathered in order to respond to all questions," Littlepage wrote in an e-mail.

Littlepage, citing confidentiality laws, declined to disclose what's being investigated. He's not involved in the internal review, he said yesterday, but that's not unusual.

- Jeff White