U.Va. shake-up confirmed
By Jeff White
Published: December 9, 2008

Speculation that Al Groh would not return for a ninth season as the University of Virginia's football coach proved unfounded.

But Groh has shaken up his staff, and one of the changes involves his older son, the Cavaliers' offensive coordinator for the past three seasons.

Groh yesterday confirmed the news that broke Sunday: Mike Groh, Steve Bernstein and Levern Belin are leaving the staff.

In a statement, Al Groh said Bernstein, who's 64, will retire and that Mike Groh and Belin "will pursue career opportunities."

"These men have served Virginia football with commitment, integrity and loyalty, and I appreciate them and their efforts," Al Groh said. "There are no scapegoats here; the head coach is responsible for the team."

Also yesterday, Groh announced new roles for three other assistants: Bob Pruett, Bob Diaco and Anthony Poindexter.

Mike Groh, a former U.Va. star, was quarterbacks coach as well as offensive coordinator. Bernstein's titles were assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. Belin coached Virginia's defensive line, and his charges steadily improved over the course of the season. The Cavaliers' base defense is the 3-4, and they lost all of their starting linemen from the 2007 team, including All-America end Chris Long.

The Wahoos' season ended Nov. 29 in Blacksburg, where they lost 17-14 to Virginia Tech. U.Va. finished 5-7 for the second time in three years.

Pruett, who was hired last winter to replace Mike London as U.Va.'s defensive coordinator, will become assistant head coach for the defense.

Diaco, who has been Virginia's special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for the past three seasons, will take over as defensive coordinator. Poindexter is moving to the secondary. An All-America safety for George Welsh at U.Va. in the '90s, Poindexter has coached running backs for the past five seasons.

Diaco, 35, was co-defensive coordinator at Central Michigan in 2005. Al Groh likes his energy and passion and ability to relate to players, but Diaco's new title won't accurately reflect his role on the defense.

Al Groh has devised game plans and made most of U.Va.'s defensive calls for the past three seasons, and he'll continue to do so.

That Mike Groh wasn't retained as offensive coordinator came as no shock, his relationship to the head coach notwithstanding. Under the younger Groh, the Cavaliers' offense consistently ranked among the nation's worst.

In 2006, Virginia ranked 110th nationally in scoring offense and 113th in total offense. In 2007, the Wahoos ranked 81st in scoring offense and 101st in total offense.

This season, out of the 119 teams in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision, U.Va. is 114th in scoring offense and 104th in total offense.

Mike Groh succeeded Ron Prince as Virginia's offensive coordinator. Prince left after the 2005 regular season to become Kansas State's head coach. K-State fired him last month, however, and Prince is looking into other coaching opportunities.

In a phone interview yesterday morning, Prince said he had not talked to Al Groh about returning to U.Va.

"If Coach Groh felt that I could help him win and it would make a difference, yeah, I would listen," said Prince, who also coached U.Va.'s offensive line. "But right now I don't anticipate that happening."

Groh and Prince remain close and check in with each other regularly.

"We've talked about a lot of other things, but not about me coming there," Prince said. "I don't anticipate having that conversation."

Another possibility might be former Purdue offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ed Zaunbrecher, who worked under Groh at Wake Forest and under Pruett at Marshall.

Yesterday, Al Groh's remaining assistants scattered to meet with the players who plan to sign with U.Va. in February.

Poindexter's stops included Liberty High in Bealeton. Senior safety Corey Lillard committed to Virginia last spring. The staff shakeup hasn't changed Lillard's plans, said Liberty coach Tommy Buzzo.

"He's still true blue Cavalier," Buzzo said. "He never wavered."

Deep Run High defensive end Jake Snyder committed to the Cavaliers in June, thanks in part to the efforts of Mike Groh, who recruited the Richmond area. Virginia assistant Bob Price visited Deep Run yesterday and met with Snyder.

"He's still fully committed to U.Va.," Deep Run coach Greg Kendall said of Snyder, whose brother Matt is a receiver at Virginia. "His decision was based on the school as much as the footballl program."

Mike Groh spent eight seasons as a U.Va. assistant, Belin four and Bernstein three.

Each will receive "compensation in accordance with university policy for faculty based on their years of service," a U.Va. spokesman said.

 

Coach Al Groh fires son, 2 other aides
After two losing seasons during the past three years, heads roll on the Virginia football coaching staff.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

Virginia head football coach Al Groh announced a series of staff changes Monday that included the departure of his son, Mike, after three seasons as offensive coordinator.

Al Groh said Mike Groh and defensive line coach Levern Belin "will pursue career opportunities." A third assistant, Steve Bernstein, is retiring after 38 seasons as a college coach.

"These men have served Virginia football with commitment, integrity and loyalty and I appreciate them and their efforts," said Al Groh in a prepared statement.

"There are no scapegoats here. The head coach is responsible for the team."

Groh also announced that Anthony Poindexter, who has coached UVa running backs for the past five years, will go to the defensive side of the ball and assume Bernstein's duties as secondary coach.

Poindexter was a three-time, first-team All-ACC defensive back at UVa and was named ACC defensive player of the year in 1998.

Defensive coordinator Bob Pruett has been named assistant head coach for defense and Bob Diaco will get the coordinator's title.

Diaco has been the special teams coach and linebackers coach for the past three seasons, although Al Groh has been closely involved with the linebackers and the defense as a whole.

There had been rumors of possible staff changes even before Virginia ended the season Nov. 29 with a 17-14 loss at Virginia Tech. That dropped the Cavaliers to 5-7, their second losing season in the past three years.

Less than 36 hours after the season finale, athletic director Craig Littlepage announced that UVa would not exercise the rollover clause in Groh's contract, leaving him with three seasons.

It is unclear whether the staff realignment will put the fourth year back on the table, but the direction of the offense has been the topic of considerable discussion among fans and the media.

UVa has not finished among the top 100 Division I-A teams in total offense since Mike Groh took over for Ron Prince after the 2005 season.

Prince left Virginia for Kansas State, where he was notified with three games remaining in the regular season that he would not be returning as head coach in 2009.

Prince has been mentioned as a possible target for the UVa coordinator's job that he once held. Former Richmond head coach Dave Clawson is another possibility after one season as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee, where head coach Phillip Fulmer accepted a buyout.

UVa will need both a quarterbacks coach and a running backs coach, one of whom probably would serve as offensive coordinator.

In a news release, the UVa sports information office said that Groh would not have additional comment on the staff changes and would proceed immediately on a "national search" to complete his staff.
 

Virginia's useless little shakeup
Dave Fairbank
December 9, 2008

Show of hands. How many of you Sabre Nation types heard about the purge at Virginia's McCue Center and said, "Yup, that'll fix it?" Thought so.

Canning offensive coordinator Mike Groh and two defensive assistants is a little like shaking one of those snow globes.

Looks nice. Lots of movement for a brief period. But in the end, Santa's house and Rudolph and Co., stay put, and everything settles pretty much where it was.

Barring a sudden Auburn in the coming weeks, the Cavaliers will enter 2009 with the same head coach and therefore the same philosophy, the same direction and many of the same questions that arose in recent months.

A case can be made that the program might be worse off next season than this season. More on that in a minute.

Clearly, that isn't the path a sizable segment of the fan base wants. Not that the inmates with big checkbooks should run the college athletic asylum, though they do have a say. The present shakeup is evidence that, to some extent, their voices were heard.

Two losing records in three years ought to elicit some constructive discomfort at the very least, but again, neither of the principals distinguished themselves in this little episode.

Head man Al Groh, at 64 in the twilight of his coaching career, no more intended to fire his son — pardon me, allow his son to resign, according to company letterhead — than to sever a limb.

It's simply not in the man's DNA to acknowledge that substantive change is necessary when he sees more and knows more than the armchair types in the stands, the press and even within the administration.

The "resignation" of defensive-line coach Levern Belin and "retirement" of assistant head coach and defensive-backs coach Steve Bernstein provided additional cover so that Mike Groh didn't appear to be the scapegoat — lone or otherwise.

Neither the defensive line nor the secondary were issues for the Cavaliers last season. An offense that didn't crack the top 100 in any of the past three years under Groh the Younger's direction, however, is simply unacceptable in the world of Big Boy college football.

Granted, Mike Groh and the offense were saddled with quarterback challenges that would have tested the most seasoned coordinator, never mind a novice. Christian Olsen, Kevin McCabe, Jameel Sewell, Peter Lalich and Marc Verica didn't supply many sleepless nights for defensive coordinators.

A capable triggerman makes up for a lot of shortcomings, including those of the man in charge.

And speaking of the man in charge, athletic director Craig Littlepage takes a hit in the present melodrama.

When the aggravated, and yes, check-writing, masses look for leadership and reassurance that 5-7 is not where the program aims to be, that everything possible is being done to reach the top of the conference, that contributions aren't being tossed over a cliff, Littlepage rarely is seen or heard.

A man of grace and quiet dignity, he responds to the occasional question, usually via e-mail. He issues brief statements and rarely takes follow-ups.

Such an m.o. from the athletic director at the University of Virginia might have been understandable, even applauded, years ago, when athletics were but a small component of an academic heavyweight institution.

However, at a school that spent tens of millions expanding and upgrading its stadium, that will pay its head football coach in excess of $2 million next year, that issued an athletic department manifesto that says national championships are the goal for every program, a more visible and vocal and, yes, dynamic leader is essential.

Meanwhile, the $2 million man says he will conduct a national search for staff replacements.

Certainly, there will be takers. But how attractive is a potential one-year gig and how is that beneficial to the program?

For the second time in three years, the school declined to exercise the rollover clause in Groh's contract, meaning the deal expires in 2011.

A repeat of this season almost certainly will prompt a buyout of the final two years. Another season like 2007 likely extends Groh's legacy.

Those are topics for another day. The present ride continues for another year, with all of the primary players still in place. No matter how hard you shake.

 

Virginia makes staff changes
December 9, 2008 12:35 am
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

Virginia football coach Al Groh insists he doesn't blame others for the shortcomings of his program.

But the self-proclaimed accountability wasn't enough to save the jobs of three of his assistants, including son and offensive coordinator Mike Groh.

Al Groh confirmed reports yesterday that Mike Groh, defensive line coach Levern Belin and secondary coach Steve Bernstein won't return next season.

Al Groh said in a statement that all three stepped down following an annual review of the program.

He said Bernstein will retire, while Mike Groh and Belin will "pursue career opportunities."

The changes came a week after the university declined to add an extra year to Al Groh's contract, which has three years remaining on it.

The Cavaliers finished 5-7 this past season, their second losing campaign in three years.

However, the head coach will return for a ninth season.

"There are no scapegoats here," Groh said of his three departed assistants. "The head coach is responsible for the team."

But Mike Groh, a former Virginia quarterback, was responsible for a dismal offense in his three seasons as coordinator.

The Cavaliers started six different quarterbacks in his tenure.

They ranked 104th out of 119 teams in the nation in total offense this past season.

They were 101st in 2007 and 113th in 2006.

That's why many Virginia supporters were calling for an offensive shake-up.

"The change in systems will be made to utilize the player talent available to us from our current roster and incoming players," Al Groh said.

Three of those incoming players are from the Fredericksburg area. Chancellor senior fullback Dominique Wallace, Orange quarterback Quintin Hunter and Liberty defensive back Corey Lillard orally committed to Virginia earlier this year.

Bernstein, who worked under Al Groh for three seasons, was their lead recruiter.

Wallace said Bernstein visited him yesterday to make him aware he was leaving.

Bernstein was accompanied by Virginia assistant Anthony Poindexter, who will make the switch from running backs coach to secondary coach next year.

"I am kind of surprised that Bernstein is leaving. He's a real good guy and a real good coach from what I've seen and heard about him," Wallace said. "Everybody really enjoyed him. We were close."

Virginia's defensive backs registered just 23 interceptions in 37 games under Bernstein's tutelage.

Wallace said his former lead recruiter's departure won't affect his commitment to the Cavaliers.

"I'm still as solid as I always was," he said.

Lillard and Hunter couldn't be reached for comment.

Belin just completed his fourth season at Virginia.

The Cavaliers dropped to 75th in the nation in rushing defense after replacing all three starters from a unit that guided a 13th-place national finish in 2007.

Groh praised Belin, Bernstein and Mike Groh yesterday.

"These men have served Virginia football with commitment, integrity and loyalty," Al Groh said. "I appreciate them and their efforts."

There will be other staff changes as well.

Defensive coordinator Bob Pruett will become assistant head coach/defense, while special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Bob Diaco will take over Pruett's former post.

As for the offensive coordinator position, the university said there will be a national search for Mike Groh's replacement.

Former Virginia offensive coordinator Ron Prince is considered a possible candidate to return to his old job after he was dismissed last month as head coach at Kansas State. Prince, who coached at Virginia from 2001-05, was 17-20 in three seasons leading the Wildcats.

 

Groh makes changes official
By Jay Jenkins
Published: December 9, 2008

Having ranked among the worst offenses in the country for three years meant change was eminent.
Virginia coach Al Groh announced those changes officially Monday, less than 24 hours after The Daily Progress learned that offensive coordinator Mike Groh, defensive line coach Levern Belin and secondary coach Steve Bernstein discovered their services would not be retained for the 2009 season.
“Since the end of the season, I have done the annual review of every aspect of our program in order to make our plans to move forward to the next season,” Al Groh said through a released quote. “Part of that moving forward will involve changes in our systems and staff.”
Apparently, removing the three coaches will allow the Cavaliers to alter an offense that ranked among the nation’s worst and a defense that finished the regular season in the bottom-half of the ACC statistically.
“The change in systems will be made to utilize the player talent available to us from our current roster and incoming players, and the changes in the staff will be made to accommodate those schemes,” Groh added. “Accordingly, Michael Groh, Steve Bernstein and Levern Belin will step down from their positions.”
Bernstein, 64, has decided to retire, Groh said, and is expected to remain in Central Virginia. Mike Groh, the son of the head coach, and Belin “will pursue career opportunities” elsewhere, according to Al Groh.
All three were endeared to a majority of Virginia’s players.
The Wildcats averaged 34.9 points per game this season on offense, but were plagued by defensive woes (KSU is ranked No. 117 in total defense).
Another candidate with a history of working with Al Groh and Pruett is also available. After working as the co-offensive coordinator at Purdue the past three years, Ed Zaunbrecher was not retained by new Boilermaker coach Danny Hope after he replaced retiring coach Joe Tiller.
Purdue regressed the past three years offensively, finishing No. 13 in total offense in 2006, No. 27 in 2007 and No. 51 this season.
But Zaunbrecher was the offensive coordinator in 2000 and 2001 at Marshall under Pruett and served as the quarterback coach for collegiate star Byron Leftwich.
Zaunbrecher also served as the offensive coordinator under Groh at Wake Forest from 1980 to 1983.
A native of Louisiana, the 58-year-old coached quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Chris Leak as the offensive coordinator at Florida.
Another potential candidate has obvious ties to the Commonwealth. Former Richmond head coach Dave Clawson was not retained after serving in a one-year stint as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee.
Clawson, 41, was the head coach at Richmond from 2004 to 2007 and was twice named the Division I-AA (Football Championship Subdivision) coach of the year.

 

Saliba keeps Cavaliers on court
By Whitey Reid
Published: December 9, 2008

Ethan Saliba can be just about anywhere when — completely out of the blue — he gets a little tap on his shoulder.
That tap — which can come at a random social function, an airport nowhere near home, or a sporting event right here in Charlottesville — is one of the most gratifying parts of his job.
It can come from any one of the hundreds of former athletes that Saliba has taken care of throughout his 26-year career as a member of the University of Virginia athletic training staff.
When Saliba turns around, he always has a warm greeting awaiting him.
“They come up and give you a little handshake or hug,” Saliba said. “You smile. You lose track of the years, but you never forget the athlete.”
Clearly, they don’t forget him, either.
In three decades at Virginia, Saliba has worked — at one time or another — with male and female athletes from every varsity sport.
In 2007, Saliba — who has served as head athletics trainer at UVa since 1998 — was promoted to associate athletic director for sports medicine after serving as an assistant athletic director for four years.
“Often our fans see the finished product of the hard work the coaches put in to develop top performing student-athletes and teams,” said Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage. “Rarely do we recognize and give credit to the people behind the scenes who are equally as important to the success of our students.”
Littlepage says Saliba is precisely one of those individuals.
“He is a tireless worker who puts in 12-hour days with few days off,” Littlepage said. “Ethan is not only a resource for our student-athletes, [but] he is a leader, educator and mentor for aspiring sports medicine professionals.”
Saliba, a Kansas native, never thought he’d wind up in sports medicine. It was while he was an offensive lineman on the football team at Southeast Missouri State and majoring in business that the idea of a career in healthcare first popped into his head.
Saliba transferred to the University of Kansas for his final year of college. There, he was able to earn his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
After working for four years as a physical therapist at the University of Nebraska, Saliba came to Virginia in 1982 to get his masters. Twenty-six years later, he’s still here.
When Saliba first arrived at UVa, there were two full-time athletic trainers; now there are 11.
Saliba, who oversees all athletic training operations, has worked with the likes of former Virginia coaches George Welsh and Terry Holland. He vividly recalls funny stories from when Virginia Tech basketball coach Seth Greenberg was a graduate assistant at UVa.
“I’ve had the blessings of working with many brilliant coaches,” said Saliba, who was honored as the 2007 Division I Athletic Trainer of the Year. “Each has had certain idiosyncrasies. All in all, it’s been a privilege.”
A few games into last season, Saliba took over the duties from former basketball trainer Jeff Boyer, who appeared to have difficulty working with fiery men’s coach Dave Leitao.
Saliba says it’s been smooth sailing working with Leitao.
“Coaches really have tough jobs,” Saliba said. “The small print that nobody really ever sees is that it’s not just the team, but it’s taking care of the athletes and the kids — he becomes a surrogate parent and things of that nature.
“You have to appreciate the multiple hats that [Leitao] has to wear — and the frustrations and the demands and the expectations. Coach Leitao has really been a very easy coach to work with overall.”
Leitao is certainly glad to have Saliba on his bench.
“Our guys understand from a health standpoint that Ethan’s there and he cares for them,” Leitao said. “He’s around whenever they need him 24 hours a day.
“I think the most important thing is that he and I are on the same page. We think alike in terms of how a young man is treated and when a player gets hurt there’s a psychological component.”
Last season was a tough one for Leitao, particularly as it pertained to injuries. Virginia had seven players miss a combined 97 games.
Already this season, junior Calvin Baker has had to deal with a stress fracture in his foot. Prior to that, senior Mamadi Diane had foot woes of his own.
Diane, who hasn’t missed any games this season, can’t say enough about Saliba.
“He’s laid back, he’s funny — he always has jokes and he’s high spirited,” Diane said. “He’s always trying to go above and beyond and help everybody. He has all the qualities that you want in a trainer.”
Perhaps, one day, it will be Diane tapping Saliba on the shoulder.
“That’s what’s neat,” said Saliba, smiling. “You never know who it’s going to be.”