WOODY COLUMN: U.Va. needs to be on the mark with next hire
RICHMOND, Va. -- The University of Virginia wasted no time in doing what needed to be done yesterday, relieving Al Groh of his duties as the Cavaliers' football coach.
The Cavaliers' program practically is in freefall. No one questions the players' desire, tenacity or determination. The coaching staff never gave up.
But the talent level has fallen to an embarrassingly low level, even by the mediocre standards of the ACC. Fans stay away from home games by the thousands.
Groh, who will forever be remembered for his recital of "The Guy in the Glass" poem following Saturday's loss to Virginia Tech, will receive $4.33 million in a contract buyout.
No one should take pleasure in a firing. Losing a job is a difficult, humbling experience. But everyone who gets fired should be so fortunate to have Groh's severance package.
As the press release announcing Groh's dismissal stated, the athletic department receives no state funds. While that is a relief for taxpayers, it also is a shame the cash reserves of the athletic department and the checkbooks of well-heeled boosters must be tapped to cover another of these egregious coaching contracts.
A "national" search for Groh's successor will begin immediately. Athletic Director Craig Littlepage, who did not hire Groh, must make the correct selection.
Three of Groh's past four seasons ended with losing records. Without the proper leadership and direction, the program will fall into a hopeless downward spiral.
The Virginia administration also has to avoid saddling the athletic department with another outrageous contract. A four-year deal, with an option for a fifth year, is reasonable. And even if the new coach wins the national championship in his first season -- OK, that's the ultimate in hyperbole -- the contract should not be reworked.
The new coach does not have to be a "Virginia" man. He does not have to be someone with head coaching experience. He does not have to come from a BCS school.
He has to be someone who puts fans in the seats, not by talking a good game, but by coaching a good game. Fans will fill Scott Stadium again if the Cavaliers are winning.
"There are a number of excellent coaches whose backgrounds and styles align with our goals andvalues," Littlepage said in the release announcing Groh's dismissal. "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."
Agreed.
Virginia can have a consistent Top 25 program.
College football is not rocket science, and the ACC is not the SEC. Winning eight games each season, with occasional nine and 10-victory seasons thrown into the mix, is not an outrageous idea.
Virginia has everything in place for success. The campus is beautiful. The football facilities are excellent. The university is one of the best academic institutions in the nation. The best and brightest players in the country should be intrigued by the prospect of playing big-time college football while earning one of the most prestigious degrees in the country.
Some Virginia supporters argue that the school's admission and academic standards inhibit the recruiting and retention of gifted athletes who are not intellectually inclined.
That is nothing more than an excuse for losing.
Virginia makes exceptions in its entrance requirements for athletes, just as it does for writers, artists and others with exceptional talents.
If a football player who is an underachieving student occasionally has to go to go elsewhere, it does not mean the program is doomed.
And every university the size of Virginia has programs where academically-challenged athletes can earn a degree, provided they are diligent students and take advantage of the myriad support services available.
Virginia can be a success in football again.
Littlepage took the first step yesterday. There is no margin for error in the next step.
Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444 or . Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/World_of_Woody.
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Reader Reactions
Groh should have never been granted an extension on his contract. That was a costly mistake A.D. Littlepage made. Maybe he should be responsible for paying the $ 4.3 million contract buyout, and not alumni or other UVA boosters? I think Virginia not only needs to look for a new head football coach, but a new A.D. as well. I think they ought to go to “London” to find a new head coach.
Granted Littlepage did not hire groh but he did give him and extension which should not have been given, and he has hired two, gillen, latieo (sp) as BB coaches and they bombed. Sure he has some success with the minor sports coaches but the coaches and teams that generate big revenue for the athletic department, have been littlepages mistakes. Lets not have a love fest for someone who should have been let go right after groh was fired.
The report says “Some Virginia supporters argue that the school’s admission and academic standards inhibit the recruiting and retention of gifted athletes who are not intellectually inclined.“
This may well be true, and if so, it is as it should be. UVA’s mission, like that of every college and university is education and academic achievement - not serving as an NFL training camp for those who lack the necessary academic credentials, interest, and work ethic necessary to EARN a meaningful degree.
It is highly probable that if the starting players’ academic credentials, GPA’s and major curricula at UVA were compared to those of starting, “star players” at peer institutions deemed to be “championship football schools”, one would find that UVA’s players achieve at higher academic levels.
UVA, and any university worth its existence, shamefully fails to achieve its primary mission when it allows wealthy sports contributors, interested primarily in their own egocentric entertainment, to dictate lowering academic qualifications and installing sham degree programs in order to attract and retain football players who, except for playing football, have no other interest in their institutions.
The academic standards excuse is just that. The athletes have tutors, advisors and supervised study halls available to meet the needs of the best and the worst students. They also have a cafeteria in the same location as the tutors and study halls to minimize their travel time between practice, the classroom and these academic support assets.
UVa recruited Michael Vick and would have signed him if it weren’t for the whole Ronald Curry fiasco. How strict can their standards be?
I have heard the same arguments about supporters and outsiders arguing that the school’s admission and academic standards inhibit the recruiting and retention of gifted athletes who are not intellectually inclined.
It is true that the alumni,donors,teachers and administration don’t really want to relax the admissions standards.
We don’t want to be some of the other schools that can do, as I put it ,sacrifice their principles to gain in athletic competitions.However let me ask you this.
How did George Welsh and Terry Holland win at UVA if that was the case?
They won when their facilities were average at best.
The problem has been we just dont have the right coaches in place.
I’m not so sure that Bennett is the right man for the job.However we must give him time to develop and recruit.
Littlepage has to get this hire and the football coach’s hire right or he may be looking for employment elsewhere
in the next several years himself
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