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Photo by Pete Emerson |
| Al Groh |
August
22, 2005 -- Al Groh, University of Virginia head football
coach since 2001, has signed a five-year contract
that will
boost his
total annual compensation to $1.7 million, University officials
announced Friday.
“Coach
Groh has provided strong leadership for the University’s
football program, and we want to ensure continuity in its
future academic and athletic successes,” said Craig
K. Littlepage, U.Va. athletics director.
The contract, which includes an annual base salary of
$240,000 and $1.46 million annual compensation for
services that
include fundraising responsibilities, radio and television
appearances,
and product endorsements, is meant to keep Groh’s
compensation in line with an increasingly competitive market
among college
football coaches. It also includes opportunities for Groh
to receive additional compensation from bonuses for postseason
bowl participation.
When Groh joined the University, he agreed to a seven-year
contract with an annual base salary of $200,000 and
a total annual compensation package of $765,000.
“There
have been dramatic changes in the collegiate athletics
arena since we first recruited Al to the University, and
his new contract reflects those changes,” Littlepage
said. “In part, this contract also is driven by the
view that our program is emerging as a top-20 program under
his guidance and has been in contention for the Atlantic
Coast Conference title. This move recognizes Al as a coach
who is among the best football coaches in the nation.”
Littlepage credits Groh’s tenure with being responsible
for consistent record-breaking attendance and for season
ticket sellouts. “Al has created a buzz about Cavalier
football that is unprecedented.”
Prior
to joining the New York Jets, Groh was defensive
coordinator and/or linebackers’ coach for
the New England Patriots (1993-96), the Cleveland
Browns
(1992), and the New York Giants (1989-91). He also
was the special teams and tight ends coach for
the Atlanta Falcons (1987).
His
collegiate coaching experience includes three years
at Virginia, where he was the head
freshman coach from 1970 to 1972 and defensive
line coach for the latter two seasons. He also has coached at
Army,
North Carolina, Air Force, Texas Tech, Wake Forest and South
Carolina.
At Wake Forest, where he was head coach from
1981 to 1986, he was known as a dedicated
mentor to his players, sending 14 on
to careers
in the NFL. |
The
61-year-old Groh is a 1967 graduate of U.Va.’s
McIntire School of Commerce. He was a member of Virginia’s
varsity football team for three years and returned
to his alma mater after a career as a respected
veteran coach
in the National Football League. He previously
had been with
the New York Jets for four years, the last
year as head coach, and was recruited to U.Va.
to fill the role left
by the then-retiring
George Welsh.
“My
ties to the University of Virginia run deep,” said
Al Groh, noting that son Michael, one of his father’s
assistant coaches, received his undergraduate degree from
U.Va., and son Matthew will be attending U.Va. Law School
this semester. “I am thrilled that this agreement
will maintain that relationship for a long time. I am grateful
for the support and confidence of University leadership.
And I especially appreciate the great efforts of our coaching
staff, players and fans who have infused such energy into
Cavalier football.”
When Groh rejoined the University community
five years ago, University President John
T. Casteen
III said
that he believed
Groh was a good fit for the University. “Al was a proven
coach who was well-known for emphasizing sportsmanship, academic
success, and a strong work ethic,” Casteen said this
week. “Al’s job at the University is not yet
done. Our hope is that over the next five years he will
continue to build the quality and reputation of Virginia
football.”
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