Posts tagged Al Groh
On the next football coach
Oct 29th
I guess there’s no guarantee that UVa will have a new football coach next season, and I’m not going to get drawn into an argument about whether Al Groh should return in 2010. Groh is an alum and a hard worker, and I kinda like the guy…even if he’s sorta run the ship aground over the last nine years.
But … From Old Virginia has been looking at some potential candidates to take over the program. Nothing wrong with being prepared, right?
Right now, FOV is looking at Charlie Strong, Florida’s defensive coordinator. It’s good stuff, as usual; go check it out.
Anyway, my favorite options for the next coach have always been Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly and Richmond’s Mike London. I would be thrilled with either coach. After thinking more about Charlie Strong, however, I’m nearly convinced to rate him on the same level as Kelly and Richmond. Any of the three would be very strong choices to lead the UVa football program going forward.
Hoos lay an egg
Oct 25th
Well, that was ugly. The offense looked terrible, just terrible. The defense ultimately wore down because they were on the field so much, thanks to UVa’s patented “Three And Out” offense.
It added up to a miserable afternoon for the Hoos.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t miserable for as many fans as usual:
As the lead expanded into the fourth quarter, the already sparse crowd of 43,616 – a season-low and the worst attendance since 40,100 fans showed up in a 1999 game against Buffalo – began to file out. An announcement in the fourth quarter with UVa trailing 27-9 said that fans may leave due to sever weather in the area and use their ticket for re-entry, but few fans likely took advantage. Rather than watch Virginia unravel at game’s end, the few students that remained on the grassy hill behind the UVa end zone instead slid down a man-made mudslide, to the biggest Virginia cheers of the fourth quarter.
Wow, tiny crowd. I watched the game on television, and didn’t notice the crowd being so small. Then again, when Raycom broadcasts a game, there’s a lot that we miss (Raycom is a joke).
I guess the fans are voting on Al Groh’s program with their wallets. It’s a bad situation, especially for the players, who deserve support.
I’m as much to blame as others who didn’t show up. I was a long-time season ticket holder until this season. I didn’t renew because it’s a 4.5 hour drive each way for me (with two young children), and that’s too difficult a trip to make only to watch a football program that seems unprepared too often.
Okay, time to get ready for Duke. Anyone else worried about that game?
Next question, please
Oct 23rd
From the Daily Press, under the headline, “So, Virginia fans, do you want Al Groh to win or lose?”:
That brings me to the Commonwealth. Are Virginia fans thinking the same way about Al Groh?
Do they want him to win or lose?
Since the 0-3 start (including an embarrassing loss at home to I-AA William and Mary), the Cavaliers have pulled out wins over North Carolina, Indiana and Maryland (a heck of a win streak in basketball, not so much football).
On Saturday, the Cavaliers face No. 11 Georgia Tech, which just knocked Virginia Tech out of the national title picture last week.
A statement game. A chance for the Cavaliers to get above .500 and make some national noise. A chance to further improve their head coach’s still shaky job status.
Groh is 59-47 in nine years at his alma mater. That’s three losing seasons (including last year’s 5-7 record) and a 1-7 mark against the real football powerhouse in the state.
Now, how big is this game for Groh? Difficult to say. It wouldn’t be a bad loss at all, but it certainly would be a huge win.
So, Virginia fans: Do you want the Cavaliers to win or lose?
A legitimate question many fans, I’m sure, are asking.
Ummm…no, that isn’t a legitimate question. I can’t cheer for Virginia to lose, even if it will hasten Groh’s departure.
Yes, I think replacing Groh would likely be a good thing for the football program. He is an alum, he is a hard worker, and Groh really cares about football at the University of Virginia, but he just isn’t getting the job done, unfortunately.
Still, I’m a Hoo. I want them to win. Period.
One Simple Request for Al Groh
Oct 21st
Please, for the love of all that is good and pure, no more quarterback draws this weekend. Please??!!?!?!?!
Has that play worked a single time this season? Then why does Groh and company continue to run it in every single short yardage situation?
