State of the Program, Part 1: The Big Picture

By: TheSabre.com |

Al Groh has a 30-21 record in four years as UVa’s coach.

We’re about to enter the fifth season of the Al Groh era in Virginia football. What better time to take a close look at the program and analyze what happened the past four years, where things stand now and the outlook for the future?

For one thing, 2005 will mark the first season that the Cavaliers play with a roster full of Groh’s recruits. In that sense, it’s the first team that is all his. But already he’s put his stamp on the program in numerous ways – offense, defense, special teams, attitude, discipline, recruiting, etc. We’ll examine all of those things and also look at how the fan base and the culture of UVa football have changed. Most importantly, we’ll try to show the challenges that still need to be met in order to fulfill Groh’s championship aspirations.

To be sure, now is an interesting time for Groh and his program. Hired on Dec. 30, 2000, after resigning as head coach of the New York Jets, Groh made a big splash when he came to UVa, talking about competing at the highest level, winning championships and doing it the right way (no cheating, respecting academics, etc.)

That was exactly what Wahoo fans had longed to hear. While any sensible fan appreciated George Welsh’s accomplishments in his 19 years on the job, many were frustrated at a program that had stagnated, if not stumbled, at the end of the century. In Al Groh, here was a coach who wasn’t reticent about striving for greatness, who promised to take the Cavaliers to the next level, and whose confidence made others believe that such success was not only possible but probable.

Four years later, have those lofty goals been reached? Well, yes and no. To be sure, there have been some major accomplishments in Groh’s tenure.

  • His second recruiting class was among the highest rated in the country and the most acclaimed in school history.
  • The 2002 team, picked to finish near the bottom of the ACC, instead tied for second and won nine games.
  • The Cavaliers have won at least eight games for three straight seasons, a feat matched just twice (1950-52 and 1989-91) in school history.
  • Seven UVa players were picked in the 2005 NFL Draft, a school record.

    At the same time, the 2004 season, despite eight lopsided wins, was a letdown in some respects. The Cavs lost all three of their games against ranked opponents (FSU, Miami and Virginia Tech) as well as the MPC Computers Bowl to Fresno State. A 5-0 start and No. 6 ranking unraveled during a 3-4 finish and plunge in the polls.

    It was the first poor November-December stretch by the ‘Hoos under Groh and it undeniably affected the perception of Virginia as an up-and-coming program. The same pundits who praised Groh for getting the most out of little talent in 2002 and 2003 now criticize him for underachieving with considerable talent.

    Even many UVa fans have ended the honeymoon. Just check out the Sabre message boards over the past nine months. More fans have been skeptical or critical of Groh’s schemes, coaching style and recruiting strategy. Fewer seem as certain that the Cavs are destined for championships, especially in the expanded ACC. Virginia Tech’s title in its inaugural ACC campaign only caused more frustration and grumbling in Hooville. The natives are restless, or at least a bit anxious, and who can blame them?

    No doubt about it: The 2005 season represents something of a crossroads.

    Groh has established lofty goals for Virginia’s program.

    After all, Groh and his “tribe” may be in charge here for many more years, but the end isn’t out of sight. Groh turned 61 last Thursday, and though he still seems to have boundless energy, enthusiasm and fire, he isn’t a 40-something coach looking to build a respectable program and advance his career. As Groh says, this is his last stop. He intends to win big here. And he wants to do it now.

    So, given that reality, it’s imperative that Groh regain the good vibes that surrounded his program for three years. Much of that momentum was lost at the end of last season. Another year without a big win, more disappointing road trips, a loss at home to Virginia Tech…those could send the program into a downward spiral, or at least create the perception of stagnation. Once that happens, it’s hard to recover, it’s hard to recruit and it’s just about impossible to win championships in the near future.

    Then again, if the Cavaliers can surpass expectations, win a few big games (especially vs. the Hokies) and contend for the ACC crown this year, that will go a long way toward restoring the faith of the fan base and the attention of marquee recruits. Results on the field are of paramount importance this season, perhaps more so than at any time in Groh’s tenure at UVa.

    Which, once again, makes this a good time to explore all facets of the Virginia football operation over the next seven weeks in this “State of the Program” series. Among the topics we’ll discuss:

    The Offense

  • Virginia’s transition from a west-coast passing team to a power-running scheme. Is there enough balance and diversity in the attack?
  • Play-calling. How it’s changed over the years, particularly with the switch from Bill Musgrave to Ron Prince as offensive coordinator. Were the Cavs too predictable and less daring last season?
  • The decreasing production of the wideouts. What’s going on?
  • Is this Tight End U.?
  • Is Marques Hagans too short? Can he win big games? Is he being utilized effectively? Is there a championship quarterback on the depth chart?

    The Defense

  • The 3-4 – is it the right scheme for any college team? Is Groh getting the personnel he needs for it? How effective has it been and how much better can it be?
  • Is the secondary good enough to play more aggressively? Why do the DBs play so much zone? How are their techniques taught?
  • The importance of linebackers. Is Ahmad Brooks being utilized effectively? Are there enough excellent LBs waiting in the wings, or are the ‘Hoos in trouble at this pivotal position?
  • With Darryl Blackstock gone, will the pass rush be a problem? Is it too hard for defensive ends to generate pressure in the base 3-4?
  • Why aren’t the Cavs creating more turnovers and big plays? What will it take to make this a dominant defense?

    The Special Teams

  • Did having a full-time special teams coach make a difference?
  • Why have the kicking and return games been so solid while the punting game has been such a problem?
  • Should the ‘Hoos be blocking more kicks? In this respect, why can’t they be more like the Hokies?

    The Intangibles

  • Discipline. Have the Cavs been a disciplined team on the field, avoiding penalties and missed assignments? Have they been disciplined off the field, doing their homework and exhibiting good behavior in the community?
  • Attitude. Do the Wahoos play with energy, passion, excitement and swagger? Has that changed over the years? Do they play better when expectations are lower? Why haven’t they fared well on the road or in “big” games?
  • Leadership. How much do Groh and his assistants command respect from their players? How effectively do players assume leadership roles?
  • The Tribe. Is Virginia’s coaching hierarchy effective? Does Groh delegate enough to his assistants? Why won’t he let them speak to reporters? Is it better to have young, ambitious assistants than experienced ones?

    Recruiting

  • In-state recruiting. How is Virginia faring against Virginia Tech? In which parts of the state have the Cavs been successful (or not)?
  • Out-of-state recruiting. UVa has done well north of the Commonwealth (in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland) but not as well in the south. Is this regional strategy paying off?
  • Overall philosophy. Is it important to get early commitments? Do the Cavaliers aim to fill needs or simply go after good players, regardless of need? Should they pursue prospects based on measurables (size and speed) or ones that best fit UVa’s style and schemes?
  • Has the 2002 class lived up to its hype? Were some of the other classes (like 2001) underrated?
  • Is Virginia’s staff having trouble attracting recruits at certain positions (like WR) and excelling at other positions (like TE)? Is the Waffle House still a bustling business?

    The Fans

  • From ties and sundresses to a “Sea of Orange,” from a pep band to a marching band – how the environment has changed at Scott Stadium.
  • Expectations. Did Groh’s early words and success create expectations that were too high? Are eight-win seasons no longer good enough? Will Groh be deemed a failure if he doesn’t win a championship?
  • The Price of Fandom. Expectations aren’t the only thing that have been raised. So has the cost of being a season-ticket holder, a VAF member, etc. It costs money to have a championship program. Guess where that money comes from.
  • The Internet. How have sites like TheSabre.com changed the fan experience? What’s better and what’s worse?
  • Are all of you people just nuts? Should we all get a life?

    Your input is also welcome. Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] and offer your thoughts, feedback and ideas for any part of this series.

    What’s the point? I’m not arrogant enough to think I know better than Coach Groh and his staff when it comes to pinpointing problems and finding answers. This stuff is his job and his life. But if nothing else, I hope that this series of articles makes for interesting reading and stimulates some good discussions on the message boards. At the very least, it will make the offseason go by a little faster, no?

    (This article is free, but subsequent “State of the Program” stories will be exclusively for Edge subscribers. To join, please click this link to learn more or sign up for Sabre Edge.)