It's All Defense In Georgia... Grantham and Groh...

((HT: MyFoxAtlanta/Newsplex.com-WCAV Charlottesville))

The university of Georgia finally has a defensive coordinator...
Dallas Cowboys D-Line coach Todd Grantham is the man after head coach Mark Richt chased after Kirby Smart, Bud Foster, and John Chavis.

All of the above were great ideas, but the idea of having them budge from their current gigs was a little pie-in-the-sky if you ask the HQ...

Grantham's press release quote is below:
"I'm very excited about being part of a staff that will work tremendously hard to return Georgia football to one of the premier teams in the SEC," Grantham said. "To the fans and boosters of the University of Georgia, I understand the passion and standard of excellence expected. I look forward to developing an aggressive, physical, attacking style defense that offenses will not look forward to playing against."

Not to be outdone... Georgia Tech has theirs, too...
And it's one to Groh on...

Former Virginia head coach Al Groh replaces Dave Wommack. Groh says he has certain parameters that had to be met for considering a job- one of them winning championships... and he thinks Tech can do that...

Sure, Al... whatever you say...
BCS games- check... ACC Championships- check...
National Championships- not so fast...
But the HQ likes your verve, vim, and vigor for your new gig...

Carry on...

Groh Gone At UVA, Who's Next?

Al Groh is gone at Virginia.

It's was a long death watch here at the OSG HQ but we knew this day was coming when William & Mary beat up on the Wahoos in the season opener.

With a sorry season and a fan base becoming more and more apathetic, Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage had to pull the trigger and he did on Sunday.

"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 in a statement released by the University.
"We are grateful for his service and for his commitment to his players and his coaching staff."

Groh had 2 years remaining on his contract. He and UVA came to an agreement and will receive $4.33 million.

Nice way to say "Get out."

Groh released this statement Sunday night:

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.

All sorts of names will be thrown out there. I wouldn't be surprised if someone goes down I-64 to Blacksburg to see if Bud Foster is interested. Chris Petersen at Boise State might get a call. You will hear the names of Kevin Sumlin, Brian Kelly, etc.

My guess is that Virginia will find a hot shot non-BCS head coach who wants a chance at a BCS school but won't command a king's ransom, an up and coming assistant coach or someone from the lower divisions with a track record of championships.

Let the silly season begin.

Photo Courtesy: Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times

Marc Davis from the Newsplex, otherwise known as WCAV-TV in Charlottesville, caught up with Groh- who has already switched allegiances to the SEC...

TWTW: Hey, Al Groh Got Fired...

Virginia has fired Al Groh after nine seasons as football coach at his alma mater.

Groh's dismissal Sunday comes less than 24 hours after the Cavaliers finished their worst season since 1982- going 2-9...

Virginia lost its final six games and finished with a losing record for the third time in four years. Groh beat Virginia Tech just once in nine games during his tenure.

The decline was especially felt at home games, where the Cavaliers average attendance had dropped by 13,600 in the last two seasons...

But those of us at OSG HQ maintain that men who recite poems at pressers know they're done in the first place...

More when we know more...

TWTW: Al Groh Channels Walt Whitman, Still Loses

((HT: WAHU-Fox27/Charlottesville, VA))

But, from what we understand, Whitman was a better Defensive Coordinator...

Virginia had a 7-nothing lead on Virginia Tech in the Commonwealth Cup Saturday. But somewhere in between the 7-nothing lead and the end of the game, the Cavs were outscored 42-6...

The best part comes from the post-game presser for Groh, who OSG HQ has maintained should have been out of a job after the disastrous start to the season losing to Bill, Mary, and TCU...

Apparently, the poem belongs to Dale Wimbrow...


What is the color of "fired" again...???

TWTW: Al Groh Is SO Fired...

((HT: WCAV-TV/Newsplex.com))

There really isn't a whole lot left to say since we've, pretty much, has this figured out since the early part of the season...

This is just the latest affirmation of it...

Jameel Sewell comes up short on a 4th down spot with 17 seconds left and Virginia loses- again. This time to Boston College...

Matt Parsons has your highlights from indoors, thanks to the newsplex...


Guys, team unity is one thing...

That's great and all... but you're not winning games, and that is a direct indictment on two groups... your group and the group of guys who tell you what to do during the week...

And since you get to stay while you're, supposedly, pursuing a degree...
That leaves the other group... to go...

TWTW: Again... Will Groh Go...??? UVa Loses To Miami 52-17

((HT: WCAV-TV/Charlottesville))

Miami outscored Virginia 28-0 in the second half on the way to a 52-17 win over the Cavaliers. Virginia has now lost three straight games.

The Cavaliers actually kept it close in the first half. After falling behind 24-10, Bill Schautz returned a blocked punt in the closing minutes of the first half to pull Virginia within seven points.

The Hurricanes scored touchdowns on their first three drives of the second half, putting the game away for good when Graig Cooper scored on a three yard run around the right side. Cooper finished with 152 yards on 18 carries for the Canes, who are now 7-2 on the season (4-2 ACC).

Quarterback Jacory Harris also had a productive day for Miami. He was 18-31 for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Virginia left much to be desired on offense. Quarterback Marc Verica was just 11-29 for 75 yards and an interception filling in for the injured Jameel Sewell.

The Cavaliers were outgained 515-149 in total yards of offense.
The Cavaliers fall to 3-6 on the season (2-3 ACC).

Virginia will try to bounce back next week with a home game against Boston College. Matt Parsons got to sit behind a desk while Marc Davis was in Miami...
Who won that bet...??? ((HT: Newsplex.com))


So again, we ask the question...
Is the University going to spring for the moving van first, or is Da Coach gonna...
Groh gotta go...

TWTW: Duke Wins On The Road 28-17 At UVa

((HT: WCAV-TV/newsplex.com))

Just who are these Duke University football people, anyway...???
Winning...??? In the ACC...??? On the road...???

UVA had a lead, lost it, and Duke capitalized...
We can't believe we just said that...

Will Snyderwine connected with five field goals and Thaddeus Lewis connected with Conner Vernon for the go-ahead touchdown for the Blue Devils as they snatched away a 17-12 lead late in fourth quarter.

With the 28-17 loss, Virginia falls to 3-5 on the season and 2-2 in the ACC. The Cavs will try to rebound next week on the road as they travel to 19th ranked Miami.

Here's Matt Parsons from the Newsplex with your highlights...


Duke is almost bowl eligible...
What in the Wide World of Sports is going on here...???

TWTW: Who Is This Al Groh...??? Wahoos Win

((HT: Charlottesville Newsplex/WCAV))

It wasn't pretty but it got the job done. Virginia football, known for their struggling offense, managed to not turn the ball over and walked away victorious in a convincing 16-3 win over North Carolina.

Robert Randolph held the Cavs in it through three quarters, connecting on three of three field goals to head into the final quarter of play with a 9-3 lead. From there, the Cavalier defense took over and pressured UNC quarterback T.J. Yates into his first of two interceptions on the day.

Mikell Simpson then punched it in for a touchdown on the ensuing drive and wound up with 100 yards on 20 carries on the day. A desperate UNC team tried to inch closer late in the fourth, till the Cavalier defense brought the pressure once more and forced Yates to through interception number two to Chris Cook to seal the deal.

Virginia is now 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. They return home to take on non-conference foe Indiana on Oct. 10th at Scott Stadium.

Here's post-game from a fed up Butch Davis, thanks to our friends at WRAL-TV

TWTW: Al Groh Is SO Fired!!! 37-34 Southern Miss

((HT: WDAM-TV/Hattiesburg))

FOSG Heather Cook got to see what SHOULD BE Al Groh's last act in Charlottesville Here's her live shot and recap- with a live interview with Damion Fletcher even...


What color is DONE???!!!

Thanks to our friends at VirginiaSports.com, here's Coach Groh's Opening Statement:
"We made a lot of progress today. I'm really proud of the fight the players showed and the unity they showed in sticking together and continuing to grind away. We're going down a different track now than we were previously. We made a lot of progress in a lot of ways. In the long run, we didn't do quite enough. The other team did a little bit more than we did. I'm very encouraged and very positive of all the efforts of the players today."

Those of us at OSG HQ translate the quote into the following:
"We suck..."

TWTW: TCU Caps UVA In Charlottesville

((HT: CharlottesvilleNewsplex))

TCU held Virginia's new spread offense to seven first downs Saturday, and the No. 16 Horned Frogs breezed to a 30-14 victory in their season opener.

Virginia (0-2) largely avoided the turnover problems that led to their opening loss to William and Mary, but couldn't get anything going against the stout TCU defense.

Virginia escaped its first home shutout since 1984 when Jameel Sewell heaved a 56-yard touchdown pass to Javaris Brown late in the game. He added 26-yard TD to Tim Smith with 1:48 left.

Before that, it was all TCU. Joseph Turner and Jeremy Kerley had TD runs, and Andy Dalton threw a 31-yard scoring pass to Jimmy Young. Ross Evans kicked three field goals

Here's WCAV-TV's coverage of Al Groh's career dissipation in the ACC

TWTW: Bill, Mary, and Al- Will Groh Go...???

((HT: CharlottesvilleNewsPlex.TV/WCAV-TV))

The Virginia football team lost its season opener to William & Mary Saturday by a final score of 26-14. It was Virginia's first loss to an FCS opponent since 1986.

The Cavaliers turned the ball over seven times in the loss. Jameel Sewell threw three interceptions, the last of which was returned for a touchdown to seal the game for the Tribe.

It was also a lackluster debut for the new spread offense. While the Cavaliers did score on their opening drive, they were shut out for the entire second half. All three quarterbacks played, but none were effective, and all three had at least one turnover in the game.

Virginia has now lost four straight season openers. The Cavaliers will try to get back on track Saturday when they host #17 TCU.


Thanks to our friends at WCAV-TV in Charlottesville...
Here's Matt Parsons at the anchor desk tossing to highlights and post-game

Changes At Virginia But Al Groh Doesn't Go

Al Groh is skating on thin ice a the University of Virginia. The Cavaliers look horrible to start the season then caught fire at mid-season winning 3 in a row and hope was alive in Charlottesville. UVA finished the season DOA losing their last 4 games to finish 5-7 joining Duke as the only ACC schools to not go to a bowl.

This didn't bode well for head coach Al Groh. Rumors began to circulate that Groh was going to be shown the door. Instead Groh is staying but some of his assistants are out of a job this holiday season including his own son.

The following is Al Groh's statement released by UVA Sports Information:

"Since the end of the season, I have done the annual review of every aspect of our program in order to make our plans to move forward to the next season. Part of that moving forward will involve changes in our systems and staff."

"The change in systems will be made to utilize the player talent available to us from our current roster and incoming players, and the changes in the staff will be made to accommodate those schemes. Accordingly, Michael Groh, Steve Bernstein and Levern Belin will step down from their positions. Steve will retire and Mike and Levern will pursue career opportunities."

"These men have served Virginia football with commitment, integrity and loyalty and I appreciate them and their efforts. There are no scapegoats here, the head coach is responsible for the team."

Bob Pruett will move to the position of assistant head coach/defense with Bob Diaco becoming defensive coordinator. Anthony Poindexter will move from running backs to defensive secondary."

"We are excited about the options and opportunities open to our team and the positive energy they will generate."

The family gathering at the Groh household for the holidays just got really interesting. Mike Groh was UVA's offensive coordinator and fell on the sword for his dad. The Cavaliers ranked dead last in the ACC in scoring offense averaging 16.1 points per game and at the bottom of the league in rushing offense.

If Virginia has another poor season, Al Groh's head will be next to roll.

Photo Courtesy: Doug Benc/Getty Images

Groh May Goh!!!

The carousel may have another rider-on-a-horse...
Virginia Head Coach Al Groh ((pictured, thanks joecannady.com))...

Right now, the two sides ((Meaning Groh and the University of Virginia)) are at a stalemate over the coaching staff- which includes Groh's son, Mike, the Offensive Coordinator.

According to OSG sources, Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage met with Head Coach Groh Monday to discuss the future of the program. It appears from that conversation that Littlepage was looking for changes to be made in the offensive half of the staff.

Analysts close to the situation think it's a longshot for Mike Groh to be retained since, in the three years he's been the OC, the team has been ranked 100th in the country ((or worse)) in Division I offensive statistics.

You'll remember, in November, Littlepage said publicly that Al Groh would be returning in 2009. But after the Virginia Tech game, Littlepage did not add the fourth year to the contract roll-over scenario in place. He still has not to this date. Three years ago, the deal was not rolled over. Thus, the current 4-year deal with the University. If it's not rolled over again, the deal is three years in length.

Groh-the-senior could be discussing the roll over with the school in an attempt to get the fourth year returned to the contract. If Littlepage does not do that, then the buyout of the remainder of the contract is proportionally less. After 2009, it's in the neighborhood of $4-million or less. Right now, it's in the $6-million ballpark.

There was also an unconfirmed report yesterday that the Board of Visitors had approved the dollars for a buyout of the Groh contract. They just had to find the money somewhere to finalize the deal. That has not happened, either.

The Charlottesville Daily Progress newspaper reported early Thursday morning that Groh would return as coach. Jerry Ratcliffe's sources in the story relay that the above paragraph is false.

“It serves no purpose for me to get involved in any discussion other than I’m working diligently to get ready for recruiting and for next season,” Groh said in the article.

The coach’s attorney, Neil M. Cornrich, said he wasn’t aware of any official move to buy out Groh’s contract, which runs through December 31, 2011.

“If Al Groh was having those kinds of discussions, I would know it, and I don’t know that,” Cornrich said.

Safe to say the situation in Charlottesville remains fluid and somewhat unstable at present.

Watch Out ACC, Here Come The 'Hoos

3 Weeks ago, Virginia football fans were feeling really low. The Cavaliers were blown out by Duke 31-3 and the Cavs were 1-3 and a horrible football team. Starting quarterback Peter Lalich was dismissed from the team. Would UVA replace Duke as the ACC’s punching bag?

3 weeks later and the Hoo’s are hot, first rebounding nicely from the Duke debacle blowing out Maryland 31-0 then defeating East Carolina 35-20 and now taking care of 18th ranked North Carolina in overtime 16-13 in Charlottesville.

“That was an awesome win for our team and I’m tremendously proud of our players and I’m happy for them that they got a chance to celebrate the way they did.” Virginia head coach Al Groh said. “Every team throughout the course of the year has got to find its identity. We clearly think over the last three weeks we’re starting to find our identity, which is a tough-minded, stick together, purposeful team with a lot of resolve. There’s a lot of trust and unity on the team.”

I couldn’t have said it better coach Groh. Virginia could have folded the tents and waved off the 2008 season after being humiliated by Duke. Instead UVA has shown guts and moxie in rattling off 3 wins in a row.

Since taking over as starting quarterback, Marc Verica has thrown for 200 yards for 3 games in a row and has pumped life in what was an anemic Cavalier offense. In turn UVA is a confident team.

“This game does a lot for our confidence.” Verica said. “We know what we are capable of. We didn’t play our best today, but luckily we were able to get the win.”

I thought Virginia was a last place team lucky to win 3 games. Well they have won 4, 3 in a row and have taken the personality of their cantankerous head coach, Al Groh. Tough and resilient.

I never thought UVA would be in the conversation for the ACC Championship Game in late October but here are the ‘Hoos, 4-3, 2-1 in the ACC and with a good chance. Heck, 2 more wins and the Cavaliers qualify for a bowl.

Photo Courtesy: David Petkofsky/UVa Media Relations

Here's Cedric Peerman's overtime touchdown to finish off North Carolina.

Thanks to our friends at NBC29 in Charlottesville for the video of the game and the game winner along with some reaction.

Memo To You Wahoos In Ivory Towers

Remember your roots...
And what this country was founded on...
Here's President Andrew Shepherd to remind you...
Al Groh and everyone at UVa, consider yourself to be officially on notice...
((thanks: the youtube))