Groh has won players' praise if nothing else

CHARLOTTESVILLE

Approaching his final game in a Virginia football uniform, Nate Collins spoke warmly of Al Groh, who undoubtedly is concluding his U.Va. career, too.

"At the end of the day," the Cavaliers defensive lineman, said, "Coach Groh always tells you the truth and what you need to hear."

Good to know. But Groh took a different approach with the media Monday afternoon.

"No, it's really not about me," he said when I asked him to comment on his job situation. "It's about the team, and it's about the players. You know, that's all I'm really thinking about, so I don't really have any thoughts on it."

That's not what I needed to hear. But while I expected him to sidestep the question, I sort of respected Groh's answer, too.

U.Va. is 3-8 and a decided underdog against 15th-ranked Virginia Tech on Saturday at Scott Stadium. After another losing season, soured boosters are eagerly awaiting the expected announcement that the school has bought out the final two years of Groh's contract.

If form holds - and it usually does in the U.Va.-VT series - the Cavaliers will finish the season on a six-game losing streak. Still, it doesn't appear as if Groh has lost his players. Maybe that's because he's hasn't made U.Va.'s troubles all about him.

More than one senior who walked into the press room Monday at John Paul Jones Arena used the word "mentor" to describe their embattled coach.

"I love listening to him," Collins said. "He has a million different stories for any situation."

Sounds as if Groh is a players' coach (he's clearly not a fans' coach), but there's no question that the seniors who support him were badly served by the program's unsettled environment.

Instability has marked Groh's sunset years at U.Va. Academic casualties combined with the departure of key assistants has disrupted the continuity of a program that went to four consecutive bowl games heading into the 2006 season.

A surprising nine-win season in 2007 was followed by a trip to the Gator Bowl, but starting quarterback Jameel Sewell was lost the next year to academic suspension, then his replacement, Peter Lalich, was dismissed for other off-field issues. How many programs prosper with chaos at quarterback,

These and other academic suspensions in recent years might have created the impression among recruits that U.Va. was making life too hard for football players. It seems to have made life harder for Groh.

But it's difficult not to think that the most damaging development of all in recent years has been the talent drain among top assistants.

Look at a partial list of coaches who have left U.Va.: Mike London could win his second FCS national title at Richmond this year, and Al Golden has led Temple (Temple!) to nine consecutive victories, while Danny Rocco's Liberty team tied for first in the Big South Conference. Ron Prince didn't work out at Kansas State - he's back at U.Va. as special teams coach - but he was considered good enough to jump from Virginia to a Big 12 head coaching position.

Wondering about the erosion of U.Va.'s program? Look no further than those four guys. Without these familiar faces representing the Cavaliers in the living rooms of top high school talent, is it any wonder recruiting has suffered?

Through it all, Groh keeps up a good front.

Someone asked if he had any surprises for Virginia Tech.

"Well," he said, a smile creasing his face, "we don't mind relating a little bit before the game that we've made a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, and Brett Favre will be here."

Groh is on his way out. He might as well exit laughing.

Bob Molinaro, (757) 446-2373, bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com