No extension for Groh
By Jay Jenkins
Published: December 1, 2008

The first domino has fallen.
The next, should there even be one, has been delayed momentarily.
Just over 24 hours after Virginia was eliminated from the postseason discussion with a 17-14 setback at Virginia Tech, the school informed media outlets that football coach Al Groh would not have an additional year added to his existing contract. The move leaves Groh with a multimillion-dollar deal that runs through Dec. 31, 2011.
“In accordance with a specific clause in Virginia head football coach Al Groh’s contract, I have informed him that his contract will not be extended for an additional year,” Virginia director of athletics Craig Littlepage said through a released statement. “Coach Groh has three years remaining on his current contract.”
It marks the second time in three years that Virginia elected not to exercise its option of rolling an additional year into Groh’s deal. The previous snub came after the Cavaliers finished 5-7 and missed the postseason in 2006.
The Cavaliers matched the 2006 mark Saturday with their fourth consecutive loss. In the process, Virginia joined Duke as the lone teams in the ACC to fail to become bowl eligible.
While Groh has received a vote of confidence from Littlepage to be retained next season saving Virginia a would-be buyout of six million, it remains to be seen if the school’s athletic administration will ask for changes on the coach’s staff.
“I will be meeting with [Groh] in the next 48 hours to conduct a year end review of the football program,” Littlepage added. “I will have no further comment about coach Groh’s contract or the review process of the program.”
A large faction of Virginia’s disgruntled fan base has asked for a move to be made in regards to Groh’s son, Mike, the team’s offensive coordinator. It is easy to see why Mike Groh could become the sacrificial lamb and be demoted into another position.
Virginia currently ranks last in the ACC in rushing offense, scoring offense and total offense. Nationally, the Cavaliers rank 109th in rushing offense, 115th in scoring offense and 106th in passing offense.
A logical and more experienced candidate to replace Mike Groh is available. Former Virginia offensive coordinator Ron Prince was terminated after three seasons as the head coach at Kansas State.
Al Groh refused comment after Virginia’s loss to Clemson when asked if his son would be retained and failed to indicate if he would be interested in bring Prince back onto his staff last month.
Having missed the postseason for the second time in three seasons, Virginia’s coach was asked Saturday how he would compensate for the practice time that younger players would miss without bowl preparation. His answer was simple.
“You just make the most out of your 15 days in the spring,” Al Groh said.

 

No contract extension for Groh
By Jeff White
Published: December 1, 2008

For the second time in three years, the University of Virginia has declined to extend the contract of football coach Al Groh.

Athletic Director Craig Littlepage issued a statement last night in which he said he has informed Groh "that his contract will not be extended for an additional year."

Littlepage also said he'll meet with Groh "in the next 48 hours to conduct a year-end review of the football program. I will have no further comment about Coach Groh's contract or the review process of the program."

Groh, whose eighth season as Virginia's coach ended Saturday with a 17-14 loss to Virginia Tech, has three years left on a contract that pays him about $2 million annually.

U.Va. finished 5-7 for the second time in three years. As the Wahoos' coach, Groh is 1-7 against the Hokies. His overall record as coach at his alma mater is 56-44.

At the end of each season, U.Va. has the option of adding a year to Groh's contract to keep its length the same. In December 2006, after Virginia went 5-7, the university elected not to do so, which left Groh with four years on his contract.

Last December, after guiding U.Va. to nine regular-season victories, Groh was awarded another year, which extended his deal through Dec. 31, 2011.

Littlepage said that Groh would be back as U.Va.'s coach in 2009, even if the team lost its final four regular-season games, which is what happened. To fire Groh, 64, before next season would cost the school about $6 million.

Groh typically holds a teleconference with reporters the night after a U.Va. game. But he was out of the office recruiting yesterday, a university spokesman said.

Also yesterday, U.Va. offensive tackle Eugene Monroe received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. The Jacobs is awarded annually to the ACC's best blocker, as selected by the league's head coaches and defensive coordinators.

Monroe, a 6-6, 315-pound senior, is from Plainfield, N.J.

This marks the 11th time a Cavalier has won the Jacobs. Monroe, a three-year starter at left tackle, is the first since guard Elton Brown, a two-time recipient (2003 and '04).

The award reflects "not only my work, but my coaches who helped guide me, teammates who push me every day, and family back home who has been a supporting cast through my journey," Monroe said in a statement.

U.Va. allowed only 16 sacks during the regular season, the fewest of any ACC team.

As a true freshman in 2005, Monroe backed up All-American D'Brickashaw Ferguson. A knee injury slowed Monroe in 2006, and he wasn't healthy for all of the 2007 season, either.

Monroe was among the seniors whose U.Va. careers ended Saturday in Blacksburg. Virginia needed to beat Tech to become bowl-eligible.

Other senior starters for the Cavaliers this season: tailback Cedric Peerman, tight end John Phillips, wide receiver Maurice Covington, defensive end Alex Field, linebackers Antonio Appleby, Jon Copper and Clint Sintim and safety Byron Glaspy.

Groh opened his news conference at Lane Stadium by thanking his seniors "for the toughness, the attitude, the leadership they gave today, this year and for four years. There are some great kids in that class, kids that'll always have a special place in our heart and a special place in the history of Virginia football."

 

No extra year for Groh, says Virginia AD
Virginia doesn't roll over another year on coach Al Groh's contract.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

One day after a 17-14 loss to Virginia Tech that saddled Virginia with its second losing season in three years, UVa athletic director Craig Littlepage said Sunday that he has not exercised the rollover clause in head football coach Al Groh's contract.

Groh is left with three years on his contract for the first time since his second contract with UVa in 2005.

"I will be meeting with him in the next 48 hours to conduct a year-end review of the football program," Littlepage said in a statement released by UVa's sports information office.

According to Groh's contract, UVa is required to inform him by Dec. 1 if his contract is going to be extended by a year.

The most recent loss to Virginia Tech left Groh with a 1-7 record against UVa's archrival, including four straight losses. The Cavaliers lost their final four games this season to finish 5-7.

Attendance at UVa home games dropped from a six-game average of 59,824 in 2007 to a seven-game average of 53,815 this year.

Groh was the ACC coach of the year in 2007, when the Cavaliers were 9-4. His eight-year record at UVa is 56-44.

Groh's contract originally called for total compensation of $1.7 million per year, with yearly cost-of-living increases that have taken him close to $2 million per year.

The contract does not contain a buyout provision.
 

U.Va. tackle garners first honor
By Jeff White
Published: December 1, 2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE Aday after his college football career ended, University of Virginia senior Eugene Monroe collected a major award. It's not likely to be the last honor he receives in the coming weeks.

A 6-6, 315-pound offensive tackle, Monroe yesterday received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. The Jacobs is awarded annually to the ACC's best blocker, as selected by the league's head coaches and defensive coordinators.

This marks the 11th time a Cavalier has won the Jacobs. Monroe, a three-year starter at left tackle, is the first since guard Elton Brown, a two-time recipient (2003 and '04).

The award reflects "not only my work, but my coaches who helped guide me, teammates who push me every day, and family back home who has been a supporting cast through my journey," Monroe, who's from Plainfield, N.J., said in a statement.

Led by Monroe, U.Va.'s offensive line allowed 16 sacks during the regular season, the fewest in the ACC.

As a true freshman in 2005, Monroe backed up All-American D'Brickashaw Ferguson. A knee injury slowed Monroe in 2006, and he wasn't healthy for all of the 2007 season, either.

"We are absolutely thrilled for Eugene and very proud of him not just because he won, but because of how he won," U.Va. coach Al Groh said in a statement. "Eugene's early career was not easy for him. But it was his personality, determination to be great, and the work ethic that he developed that enabled him to raise his performance level, which led those he played against to recognize him as the best."

Monroe was among the seniors whose U.Va. careers ended Saturday in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech rallied for a 17-14 victory in a game Virginia needed to win to become bowl-eligible.

Other senior starters this season: tailback Cedric Peerman, tight end John Phillips, wide receiver Maurice Covington, defensive end Alex Field, linebackers Antonio Appleby, Jon Copper and Clint Sintim and safety Byron Glaspy.

Groh opened his postgame news conference at Lane Stadium by thanking his seniors "for the toughness, the attitude, the leadership they gave today, this year and for four years. There are some great kids in that class, kids that'll always have a special place in our heart and a special place in the history of Virginia football."

U.Va. finished 5-7 overall after losing to Tech for the seventh time in Groh's eight seasons as coach. Today is the deadline for Cavaliers athletic director Craig Littlepage to decide if he'll add a year to Groh's contract.

An attempt to reach Littlepage for comment yesterday was unsuccessful. If Littlepage doesn't extend the deal, Groh will have three years left on a contract that pays him about $2 million annually.

Also today, the all-ACC football team will be announced.
 

U.Va. gimmick worked early, then fizzled
Posted to: Bob Molinaro College Football Sports
Bob Molinaro
Virginian-Pilot columnist
Read Articles
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 30, 2008
BLACKSBURG

A gimmick on the part of Virginia's offense helped set the stage for a taut, intriguing game that probably shouldn't have been as close as it was.

Credit Al Groh for tossing out the playbook and throwing in a surprise at Virginia Tech, enlivening a game that otherwise might have been as leaden as the gray November sky.

Trivia buffs might find it amusing that the annual renewal of the U.Va.-Virginia Tech rivalry featured the appearances of five players at quarterback.

It was Vic Hall's presence in the shotgun, though, that created the greatest stir.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Desperation, too. With quarterback Marc Verica playing his way out of the starting job turnover by turnover, U.Va.'s offense has been as colorful as oatmeal. What did Groh have to lose with Hall?

Gimmicks, though, only take a team so far. The more snaps the cornerback-turned-quarterback took Saturday, the easier it became for Tech's defense to put the starch into U.Va.'s wrinkle.

"I thought they might do that with Hall," defensive coordinator Bud Foster said after Tech's 17-14 victory, "but I didn't know they'd do it to that extent."

Hall stunned Tech with a first-quarter 40-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, he used his legs again to reach the end zone from 16 yards out. Eventually, though, Tech's defense clamped down on U.Va.'s secret weapon.

"Once we zeroed in, I thought we handled it pretty well," Foster said.

All power to Hall for adding a different dimension to the game. Unfortunately for U.Va. hopes, it was a single dimension. The junior making his first appearance at quarterback since high school had orders to stay on the ground. He was credited with one pass attempt - an incompletion. Another pass drew an interference call on Tech. On a third attempt, Hall was sacked.

Asked if he feared Hall's passing, Foster said, "Not really. What's he going to do when he hasn't thrown the ball all year?"

Hall is no Tim Tebow, but his effort was inspiring. Seeing limited action at cornerback, he even blitzed off the edge for a sack of Sean Glennon.

"He's something," Groh said.

As a quarterback, though, he isn't Tyrod Taylor, who chose Saturday to play his most complete game of the season. Taylor was 1 of 3 Tech quarterbacks who saw action, but using both his arm and legs, he made it his game.

U.Va. led 14-7 when Taylor broke off a 73-yard run early in the third quarter, reaching the 4 and setting up a touchdown plunge by tight end Greg Boone on one of his plays out of the QB spot. It was Hall, by the way, who brought Taylor down from behind. No. 4 was everywhere for U.Va.

"Outside of that play," Groh said of Taylor's breakaway, "we had pretty good control."

Controlling Taylor is more difficult when he integrates accurate passing into his running game. Before Saturday, that hadn't happened often.

"This was the best game I've seen him have," said Glennon, who made his final appearance at Lane Stadium. "In other games, I didn't see him read defenses and throw to the right guy like he did today, or hang in the pocket as long as he did."

Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, a punching bag for disgruntled Hokie fans, noted that Tech's "ebbs and flows" on offense are "well-documented." Victory aside, his critics may not overlook the red zone fizzles that prevented the Hokies from building a comfortable lead against U.Va.

In advancing to next Saturday's ACC championship game in Tampa, Tech had just enough offense. Taylor saw to that.

As for Hall, he earned his scholarship Saturday.

Rumor has it he drove the Cavaliers' bus back to Charlottesville.