Al Groh doesn't dread the end of summer. He yearns for it. While the students who form the "Sea of Orange" will spend this week reminiscing about summer jobs and internships that have come to a close, Groh is preparing to go to work.
With four seasons in Charlottesville under his belt, this is now unequivocally Groh's team. His predecessor, longtime head coach George Welsh, has been officially relegated to the history books after being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame two weeks ago. Groh's contract, recently extended by five years at $1.7 million per season, now has him locked in for the long haul.
Since coming back home in 2001, Groh has led the charge to re-energize the student body about football -- and he has succeeded, transforming Virginia from a "basketball school" to a "football school" in the blink of an eye.
But with the dawn of the new ACC -- complete with divisional play and a conference championship game -- many hope Groh will pick this season to re-invigorate the dimming national spotlight on Virginia football.
Many thought 2004 was the year Virginia would reach the top of the mountain. On paper, last year's 8-4 record was an improvement over an 8-5 finish in 2003. But in reality, 8-4 was nothing short of a disappointment. From a 5-0 start that had Cavalier fans thinking "B-C-S" in October, to an overtime loss to Fresno State in the MPC Computers Bowl, the 2004 campaign was the tale of two halves.
To Groh, last year is water under the bridge.
"I feel the same way about every season no matter how it ends," Groh said. "The next season coming up, I feel as a coach and I feel as a team that we've got to prove ourselves all over again."
Helping to prove themselves all over again is a returning cadre of experienced Cavaliers.
First team All-American linebacker Ahmad Brooks will be the star of the team. Now in his third year playing under Groh, Brooks returned to Charlottesville in lieu of guaranteed millions had he entered the NFL Draft.
Quarterback Marques Hagans has heard the critiques of his game -- he's too short, he's not a "real" quarterback -- but Hagans is a leader. Now possessing an entire season of experience behind center, Hagans is poised to prove his doubters wrong in his final season.
Preseason first team All-American tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson will lay the foundation for the Virginia running attack -- the brightest point from last year's team after leading the ACC with 242.8 yards per game. Ferguson, like Brooks, will almost certainly be wearing an NFL uniform next fall.
But of all the Cavaliers set to start the opener against Western Michigan, senior tailback Wali Lundy may prove the most crucial to the team's success. Virginia's receiving corps is hurting with the loss of All-American tight end Heath Miller. With no standout receivers commanding early season attention, Virginia could struggle to put points on the board unless Lundy comes through.
After splitting time last year with now-departed Alvin Pearman, Lundy finds himself competing for his spot once again. This time, he will have to fend off younger talent in Cedric Peerman and Michael Johnson. But to Lundy's teammates, his success is almost a foregone conclusion.
"[Lundy's] work ethic has always been really strong," junior fullback Jason Snelling said. "He's been a leader. As a captain this year, he has really fit into that role well. It's his last year, and he's doing all the things he needs to do to make himself better. And it shows, every day."
The summer is over. For members of the football world, the new year begins soon. As one of the few teams in the new ACC slated to play all three ACC heavyweights -- Virginia Tech, Miami and Florida State -- it is time for everyone involved with Virginia football to go to work.
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