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

Seven Up...? Vick "Expects" To Be Reinstated

The bankruptcy lawyers for "7," aka Michael Vick, fully anticipate their client's return to the National Football League after his 23-month sentence is up at Leavenworth.

Dave Forster's article in the Virginian-Pilot newspaper relays information from papers filed with the US Bankruptcy Court Wednesday. Those papers detail the progress 7's attorneys are having getting to the proposed bottom of his legal and financial matters.

From the article... ahem... quote...

"In a disclosure statement filed Wednesday, lawyers for Vick said the Newport News native still has a contract with the Atlanta Falcons but needs to be reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to satisfy his contractual obligations and play again.

“The Debtor has every reason to believe that upon his release, he will be reinstated into the NFL, resume his career and be able to earn a substantial living,” they wrote."

7 is scheduled to show up for a hearing in Virginia on November 25th and plead guilty to state charges of animal cruelty and dog fighting in Surry County. But there is no immediate thought that the pleas will add to his sentence.

The sentence is supposed to end in July, but 7's attorneys are wrangling to get their charge in to a half-way house and cut the time even further. There are two other dates to be concerned with after the November hearing- January 15 and 16 of 2009. At that time, 7 is supposed to have his plan of action for reimbursing creditors in place and he is also going to be appointed a trustee to arrange his finances in a sound manner.

Sources close to the three-letter network HQ here are still wondering when the RICO statutes are going to be addressed for trafficking dogs across state lines for the purpose of fighting as well as the international charges around his debt to the Royal Bank of Canada.

Just axin'...