Every healthy program has to deal with rebuilding years now and then. These seasons involve inexperienced players, deflated expectations, and hope for the future. Conventional wisdom smiles on the rebuilding years, believing that future success is often built upon this foundation.

On the other side of the spectrum, coaches are enticed by the desire to win as much as possible along the way. To field the most talented players now, regardless of experience. To sacrifice measured long term preparation in order to squeeze out every last victorious drop. To make rebuilding a secondary concern, rather than the primary objective.

Coach Al Groh has generally steered away from rebuilding years. Describing his philosophy, Groh has explained that “our mentality is that we’re only going to play the players that give us the best chance to win, whether they are a first game freshman or a fifth-year senior. That’s on a week-to-week basis and a season-to-season basis.”

So far, he’s stuck to that season-to-season basis. And while fans could quibble here or there about certain redshirt calls or starting decisions, Groh’s recent teams have had a mix of talent and experience requiring a head-on attack for each season – to win as much as possible each year. With talented and experienced QBs, NFL-caliber linemen and linebackers, and a record-breaking running back, recent seasons could not be relegated to a “wait and see” mentality. While the team has had its holes and question marks, Groh pushed his players and staff to three upset bowl victories in four seasons.

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