Ousted Belin looks to set record straight

By: Jay Jenkins | The Daily Progress
Published: December 11, 2008

In the eyes of Levern Belin, there was failure to communicate.
According to a released statement from Virginia coach Al Groh on Monday, Belin was one of three assistant coaches that “stepped down” from his post.
Groh also stated that Belin, the program’s defensive line coach, and former offensive coordinator Mike Groh would “pursue career opportunities.”
Belin balked at those claims and stopped short of saying that Al Groh was forced to make the staff changes.
“Just get the record straight ... I did not step down, nor was I seeking other opportunities,” Belin said. “I love Charlottesville and UVa.”
Belin, who was recruited to play football at Wake Forest by Al Groh, joined the Cavaliers’ coaching staff in 2005 after a one-year stint at Northern Illinois.
Yet after Virginia finished 5-7 this season and in fifth place in the ACC’s Coastal Division — ahead of only Duke, a team that beat the Cavaliers 31-3 — staff changes were unavoidable.
That led to Belin receiving his walking papers with “compensation” based on his time with the university.
The news for Belin was just another chapter in a heart-wrenching patch in his life. While an assistant coach at Virginia, Belin’s father was killed in an automobile crash in North Carolina. In 2007, one of his twin sons died at birth, keeping the coach from the season-opening contest at Wyoming.
“My dad died while I was here and my firstborn son died while I was here,” Belin said. “Never once did I not think about how much I loved my players at UVa.
“While I disagree with the situation, I know the truth. God will
always take care of his children.”
As tumultuous as the times may have been for Belin, former nose tackle Allen Billyk said he always placed his players first.
“He has had some unfortunate things in the past couple of years and I think that really shows his character since he is able to push that stuff aside for a while and concentrate on football, however small that is at times,” Billyk said. “He had family stuff going on and he never lost focus trying to make us a better team.”
A devout Christian, Belin said he would press on and wanted his former players to know his admiration for them.
“Understand this ... the joy I have, no man can take away, much less a job,” he said. “To the players: I love you all and best wishes.”

Ousted Belin looks to set record straight

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