It was no doubt a tense meeting when Al Groh and Craig Littlepage met this afternoon and the UVA Athletic Director did the only thing he could do after Groh’s miserable season and yesterday’s humiliating loss to Virginia Tech at home in Scott Stadium: He fired him, effective immediately.
"There is not a coach in the college game who has worked harder than Al Groh
in trying to build a football program. Football is his life and he
dedicated himself to the University and to our football team," Littlepage
said, in a news release from UVA Athletics. "We are grateful for his service and for his commitment to his players and his coaching staff."
The search for a new coach begins immediately—if it hasn’t been underway already.
Groh, whose record for the season is 3-9, released a statement late this afternoon.
"I have coached Hall of Fame players, worked alongside Hall of Fame coaches, and coached in two Super Bowls, but my time as the Head Coach of the Virginia Cavaliers has been my most memorable coaching experience. What I will remember the most are the players’ faces in the locker room after some of the great wins we had over legendary programs like Penn State, Florida State, and Miami; rivals North Carolina and Maryland; and in bowl games. I sincerely appreciate the efforts of all the coaches and players who have been a part of our program – I am indebted to you. I hope the players feel that one of their most positive college experiences was playing for Al Groh."
Relive the agonizing season, game by game, on C-VILLE’s Hoo Ya! blog by clicking here.