Here is this weeks Washington Post column, this one focusing on the football programs at Maryland and Virginia -----
Football fans aren't restless at Maryland and Virginia; they're relentless. And that means both Ralph Friedgen and Al Groh are spending this week preparing to coach games that could very well be their lasts in charge of their alma maters.
The Post has reported that Maryland is prepared to swallow a considerable financial burden if it decides a change is necessary. That would entail about $4.5 million to buy out the remaining two years on Friedgen's contract and another $1 million if it wants to get rid of designated successor James Franklin as well. That's before spending a penny to hire a new coach and, presumably a new and better-paid staff.
At Virginia, Al Groh is in his ninth year (like Friedgen) and apparently on his ninth life because Cavaliers fans have been calling for his dismissal since a 5-7 season in 2006 ended a run of four straight bowl games. Groh saved himself by going 9-4 and getting to the Gator Bowl in 2007, but last year's 5-7 record followed by this year's 3-8 will probably mean the end.
Life as a major college football coach is very simple: Win and you're the toast of the town; lose and everyone wants you out of it.
Click here for the rest of the column: In College Park and Charlottesville, football fans lack a sense of place
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6 comments:
John,
Considering how easily Obama won the Nobel Peace prize, it's not hard to understand why Virginia, Maryland and NC State fans expect winning football teams on an annual basis, bowls games every year, with at least a conference title and a BCS appearance. Like Obama, we've all spent a lot of money so therefore we should win!
Hope you and your family have a nice Thanksgiving!
Jim Pomeranz
John,
Considering how easily Obama won the Nobel Peace prize, it's not hard to understand why Virginia, Maryland and NC State fans expect winning football teams on an annual basis, bowls games every year, with at least a conference title and a BCS appearance every now and then. As Obama has with little to show, we've all spent a lot of money so therefore we should win!
Hope you and your family have a nice Thanksgiving!
Jim Pomeranz
Mr. Feinstein - Excellent column in Tuesday's Washington Post.
Picking out a piece of your article, I have never understood the 'coach in waiting' argument. For any coach or any institution. If assistant coaches are so important to not be able to lose them, fire the head coach and replace them with your choice. Otherwise, its ridiculous.
There is no way Jimbo Fisher (sp?) is in the top 10 on a full-out search if FSU were to make a change today. MD - you are complete idiots. Texas, with Muschamp, what if his luster wears off when Mack retires in 8 years.
No one ever accused ADs of being smart businessmen. They seem to be led by the same heard mentality and passion as most fans.
So weak to make a political argument in this context, and a lame one at that.
The president did not seek the Peace Prize, but he gets hammered for it.
Re: UVA...Groh
AD Craig Littlepage & Terry Holland
are near-one of the same; inseparable decades-on. Littlepage's athletics coaching &
administration career have been
primarily propelled and sustained
by Holland & his potent inner circle.
Littlepage did, in fact, extend
Al Groh's contract and at the time, the so-so coach's compensation package placed him
in the top five (5) nationally
amongst highest paid NCAA head
football coaches!?!
As an alumnus of both The Ohio State University and University
of Virginia, I for one would not
consider a "jury" in the case:
UVA vs Groh, et al., Littlepage.
This judge says: "Al Groh & Staff,
Craig Littlepage--you are terminated, effective 31 December 2009."
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