Mike Groh out as offensive coordinator

Now, the first — and second and third — dominoes have fallen.
Several recruits that have verbally committed to play football at Virginia for the Class of 2009 were contacted Sunday evening and told that three assistant football coaches, including offensive coordinator Mike Groh, will not be retained on the Cavaliers’ coaching staff.
In addition to Groh, defensive line coach Levern Belin and secondary coach Steve Bernstein were told that they would not be returning.
A high-ranking Virginia official could not confirm the news, and sources indicated that current players have not been informed of the departures. But the coaching staff is planning to intensify recruiting efforts today with several of the committed players with visits.
“I talked to [recruiting coordinator Bob] Price and he filled me in and I am glad that he did,” said Sherando quarterback Ross Metheny, a verbal commitment in the class. “I was really looking forward to being coached by Coach Mike [Groh] and that was one of the reasons why I committed — he was the OC and the quarterback’s coach — but I understand the cruelty of coaching college football. That’s just part of reality.”
The move comes on the heels of Virginia’s second 5-7 season in three years, which kept the Cavaliers out of the postseason. The development also ends speculation in regards to the ultimate fate of head coach Al Groh.
Al Groh, boasting only a three-year contract after the school failed to add an additional year following the season, plans to be back for the 2009 campaign barring new developments, according sources. However, Al Groh will have a new staff member calling plays on offense.
Loved by most players and an easy target for the fan base, Mike Groh’s departure ends a three-year run that provided limited success. Over the past three seasons, the Cavaliers’ offense failed to crack the top 100 in total offense, finishing No. 104 in 2008, No. 101 in 2007 and No. 113 in 2006.
Mike Groh, a former Virginia quarterback and the son of head coach Al Groh, joined the staff in 2001 as the wide receivers coach. In 2003, the 36-year-old also coached the quarterbacks, a position he has manned solely since 2004.
Mike Groh was named the program’s offensive coordinator following the 2005 season after former offensive coordinator Ron Prince was named the head coach at Kansas State. His time as the offensive coordinator included a revolving door at quarterback as six different players started a game under center.
Metheny remains committed to play at Virginia despite the announcement and is excited to learn of the new hire.
“The head guy, Coach [Al] Groh, is the main guy and that’s the main thing,” Metheny said. “I think as long as we are under his watch that everything will keep ticking and UVa football will keep getting better. We all trust Coach Groh to bring in an excellent guy who will do a great job as the OC.
“We just have to sit back and wait and find out who the next guy is. Hopefully it is a guy that is easy to communicate with and all of us quarterbacks can get along with and spend a couple years of our lives with. I am sure Coach Groh will find the right guy.”
Prince, having since left his post at Kansas State, could ultimately be the hire. Attempts to reach Prince were unsuccessful Sunday night.
Belin, 39, had worked with the Cavaliers’ defensive linemen since his hire in 2005. His pupils included former All-American Chris Long and the unit showed promise at times this season despite lacking experience.
“It’s a shame. It was never just about football with Coach Belin — it was about making you a better person, as well,” said former nose tackle Allen Billyk. “He never lost focus of trying to make us a better team, and even this year I think he did a great job. He had three guys who had never really had that much playing time and by the end of the year that defensive line was playing pretty well.
“In those first couple of games it was not pretty and by the end of the year they had a pretty solid front wall built. He was just a stand-up guy. He was always there for you. He always wanted to have a personal relationship with you. He was always asking about your family and he was a real down-to-earth guy.”
Bernstein, who doubled as the assistant head coach, joined the staff prior to the 2006 season. Working directly with the cornerbacks this season, the 64-year-old was one of the most experienced coaches on the staff.
“He was a good coach,” said former Virginia safety Byron Glaspy. “He definitely knew a lot of stuff. I definitely wasn’t expecting that for sure.”
Bernstein’s departure will allow other changes on the staff. Defensive coordinator Bob Pruett is expected to become the associate head coach, allowing running backs coach Anthony Poindexter to move to the secondary, where he starred at Virginia. It also paves the way for linebackers coach Bob Diaco to become the defensive coordinator.
The move will allow Pruett, who has landed several promising targets in the Tidewater region, added time in recruiting efforts.