When they learned the University hired Al Groh to replace George Welsh as coach of the Virginia football team, the Cavalier players' reactions ranged from "somewhat surprised" to "shocked." After hearing of Groh's hiring - either while watching the Dolphins-Colts NFL playoff game or ESPN - several players said they did not realize Groh was strongly being considered for the position.
"I had been following everything," junior placekicker David Greene said. "I had heard his name mentioned, but I never thought he was a serious candidate."
Although the players said Tuesday they had not yet met with Groh and his new assistants, they are anxious about the upcoming year, which begins with off-season workouts.
"The spirits of the guys are up," redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Schaub said. "When I went into the weight room and saw some of the guys, everyone was upbeat and looking forward to winter workouts."
Although the players said they will miss Welsh, they said the general consensus among the players was that a change was needed. Even though players are not yet familiar with any new offensive and defensive systems Groh might install, they are looking forward to working with younger assistant coaches familiar with fresh schemes.
"I think we were starting to get tired of the old system," junior defensive end Ljubomir Stamenich said. "We've heard they're bringing in a lot of young, energetic guys, so it's exciting."
Although universities are used to losing good coaches to the NFL, the players are excited about having an NFL coach choose to come back to the college game. They are especially impressed with Groh's assertion that the Virginia job was the only position that would have enticed him to leave the New York Jets.
"It's pretty neat with someone coming from the NFL, and I'm guessing you would say stepping down a level," Greene said. "He's said that [coaching at Virginia] is his dream job, and so you know he's going to be in it all the way."
The new coaching staff should revitalize the players' attitudes, as everyone will be out to prove themselves to the newcomers.
"It's kind of like being a first year again," Stamenich said. "There is going to be more competition with everything up in the air and players trying to show themselves to the new coaches."
Just as the players will have to re-prove their worth, the incoming coaches and their team will have to prove themselves on the field when the leaves begin to change this autumn. Only time will tell how well they have adjusted.
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