Groh not ‘retained,’ given $4.33M buyout
November 29, 2009 by afp
Filed under *ACCVirginia.com
National search begins for new UVa. coach
Story by Chris Graham
Al Groh’s tenure as head football coach at the University of Virginia has come to an end, with an announcement from athletics director Craig Littlepage that Groh, 59-53 in nine seasons at his alma mater, would not be retained.
In a statement released by the UVa. sports information office this afternoon, it was reported that Littlepage had met with Groh earlier today to inform him of the decision.
The statement stopped short of saying that Groh had been fired, and did not indicate either that Groh had resigned.
The statement did offer that Groh and the UVa. athletics department had come to a financial agreement regarding payment for the final two years of his contract that will pay Groh $4.33 million.
“There is not a coach in the college game who has worked harder than Al Groh in trying to build a football program. Football is his life and he dedicated himself to the University and to our football team,” Littlepage said. “We are grateful for his service and for his commitment to his players and his coaching staff.”
The statement from UVa. said that a national search for a new coach will begin immediately. Littlepage did not specify a time frame for concluding the search because it is likely that at least some of the candidates will be involved in postseason play.
Among the names being thrown about in the media the past few days are Boise State’s Chris Petersen and the University of Richmond’s Mike London, a former Groh assistant before leading Richmond to a I-AA national title in 2008.
“Our goals for the UVa football program will remain the same. We will pursue winning and excellence in all facets of the University experience for our student-athletes, both on the field and in the classroom. There are a number of excellent coaches whose backgrounds and styles align with our goals and values,” Littlepage said. “When you combine our aspirations with the institutional commitment to athletic facilities and resources, I believe that the job of head football coach at UVa. will be attractive to some outstanding candidates.”
chrisgraham on Sun, 29th Nov 2009 7:15 pm
Statement from Al Groh:
I am privileged to have represented this fine University – a school from which my two sons and I have earned degrees. I hope I have represented it well.
I feel very fortunate. 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.
I have coached Hall of Fame players, worked alongside Hall of Fame coaches, and coached in two Super Bowls, but my time as the Head Coach of the Virginia Cavaliers has been my most memorable coaching experience. What I will remember the most are the players’ faces in the locker room after some of the great wins we had over legendary programs like Penn State, Florida State, and Miami; rivals North Carolina and Maryland; and in bowl games. I sincerely appreciate the efforts of all the coaches and players who have been a part of our program – I am indebted to you. I hope the players feel that one of their most positive college experiences was playing for Al Groh.
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. We arrived with a set of principles that we have tried to remain faithful to and we leave with those principles intact.
Change can make things better or worse. I have every confidence that this will be a positive change for the Groh family and I look forward to my next game.
To all the members of the Virginia football family: I love you and God bless you.
Al Groh
Brian Rostron on Sun, 29th Nov 2009 10:11 pm
Groh really annoys me when he won’t take responsibility for anything.
“My coaching philosophy and method of building teams {sic} 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.”
What insidious forces destroyed Al’s great plan? Was it his failure to recruit quality quarterbacks or his inability to install an effective offensive game plan?
chrisgraham on Mon, 30th Nov 2009 11:55 am
I saw that in there, too, Brian, and thought the same thing.
It’s the school’s fault, the athletics department’s fault, the alums’ fault, the media’s fault, the players’ fault. Not Al’s fault.
So-o-o glad he wasn’t retained.