U. of Virginia wastes no time in firing football coach Groh

By Doug Doughty

RICHMOND

Connoisseurs of football coaching trivia might have suspected Saturday that the end of Al Groh’s Virginia coaching tenure was near.

The poem that Groh read to his players and then to the media, “The Guy in the Glass,” was the same poem that Groh mentor Bill Parcells read to his players upon his exit as New York Jets coach in 1999.

As soon as he stopped reading, Parcells stepped away without saying a word, just as Groh did Saturday following a 42-13 loss to Virginia Tech.

Less than 24 hours later, director of athletics Craig Littlepage informed Groh that he “would not be retained,” according to a news release.

Groh, who compiled a 59-53 record in nine seasons as U.Va.  coach, had two years remaining on his contract and will receive a $4.33 million settlement.

“There was not a coach in the college game who has worked harder than Al Groh in trying to build a football program,” Littlepage said in a statement.   “Football is his life and he dedicated himself to the university and to our football program.”

Littlepage let it be known that he would not be taking any questions until a later date.

Groh, who turned 65 this summer, played football at Virginia and later served as an assistant at U.Va., North Carolina, Air Force and Wake Forest before serving as Wake’s head coach from 1980-86.

He later spent 12 seasons in the National Football League, mostly as an assistant to Parcells. Indeed, Groh was the Jets’ linebackers  coach in 1999 and was in the room when Parcells read “The Guy in the Glass,” to his players.

Groh succeeded Parcells as the Jets’ coach and frequently referred to Parcells during his Virginia tenure. They had matching deskplates with the mantra, “Just coach the team.”

And, apparently, that’s how it was till the end.

Fourth-year Liberty coach Danny Rocco was an assistant on Groh’s first U.Va. staff in 2001 and was on the sidelines Saturday at Scott Stadium.

“I called Al on Wednesday night to wish him good luck,” Rocco said. “I was thinking about asking him for some tickets or passes but I never got around to it.

“Then, the next day, there was an article in the local paper that left the impression that 'this thing’s probably over,’ not that I didn’t know that. But, when I read the article, I just had the feeling of, 'Know what, I’ve got to be up there,’ just out of respect for coach Groh.” Rocco said the subject of Groh’s job security was never addressed.

“We never, ever, ever went there,” said Rocco, who also communicates regularly with other members of the U.Va. staff. “There was never a meeting (with the staff) to indicate it was anything but business as usual.”

But, nobody was surprised by the move. Virginia (3-9 overall, 2-6 ACC) ended the season with six straight losses and its first nine-loss season since 1982, when the Cavaliers were 2-9 in their first season under Groh’s hall-of-fame predecessor, George Welsh.

When Virginia opened the season with three consecutive losses this year, there was talk that Groh might not last the season.

“I think they did the right thing in letting it play out,” said Shawn Moore, a star quarterback at Virginia from 1988-1991 and an analyst on U.Va.’s pre-game radio show.

''It’s unfortunate that we’re in this state, but I think everyone who is affiliated with the program is excited about the future.

“This is a huge decision for Littlepage and I hope he gets it right. A lot of people were caught off guard with Tony Bennett (as men’s basketball coach), but I think everyone’s been pleased with that decision so far.”

Bennett was hired to replace Dave Leitao, who was fired two years after being named ACC Coach of the Year. Groh’s firing came two years after his selection as 2007 ACC football Coach of the Year, the second time he had been so honored.

In between meetings with players and assistant coaches, Groh referred to Leitao in a brief conversation about his desire to make a statement.

“I thought it was kind of strange last year with Leitao,” Groh said. “He was here one day and gone the next, and he never had the opportunity to say anything.

“I think it would be strange if I didn’t say something.”

Three hours later, a six-paragraph statement from Groh appeared in reporters’ in-boxes.

“I feel very fortunate,” Groh said. “I am an ordinary guy who has been lucky to have been around some extraordinary players and coaches who put me in a position to enjoy many fulfilling games and seasons – and that’s the truth. I gave everything I had to the position and to each game.

“My coaching philosophy and method of building teams has trust and teamwork as bedrocks. We were poised to solidify our position as a top team. Instead, as that trust and collaboration deteriorated, I could see this day coming.”

Groh was seen wearing a University of Alabama baseball-style cap in his office Sunday. His older son, Mike, is a graduate assistant for the Crimson Tide after serving as the Cavaliers’ offensive coordinator from 2006-2008.

“I had the same feeling as I did last year,” U.Va. wide receiver Jared Green said. “Last year, we lost (three coaches). You just got the feeling that some sort of change was going to occur, (but) I wasn’t expecting it this fast.”

It was clear that Groh’s popularity with Virginia fans had waned. Attendance at 61,500-seat Scott Stadium had dropped into the low 40,000s until a crowd swelled by Virginia Tech fans pushed Saturday’s total to 58,555.

Many believed that Groh’s inability to persuade top in-state players to come to Virginia was his downfall.

“Today was no shock,” said Fork Union coach John Shuman, who has had two sons make scholarship commitments to Tech, the second after the Cavaliers failed to make an offer to the first. “The record speaks for itself.

“I think (Hampton High School coach and Groh critic) Mike Smith is happy. I think a lot of people are happy. We’re sad on one end because we’ve grown close to the coaches.”

One of Groh’s assistants, Latrell Scott, played and coached under Shuman. The staff was told that only recruiting coordinator Bob Price and secondary coach Anthony Poindexter, the longest-tenured coaches, would work during the transition to a new  coach.

“The ones I really feel badly for are the other coaches and their families,” television analyst Sonny Randle said.

“He’ll (Groh) clip coupons for a little while, then he’ll move on to something for sure, maybe in the NFL.”

Randle, who is also a  Virginia alumnus, was fired in 1975 after only two seasons as the Cavaliers’ head coach.

“To be honest with you, I feel badly for Al,” Randle said. “I  was in that position before. Whenever you’ve been fired or they run you off, boy, it hurts big time. But, when you’re an alumnus, it hurts even more.”