Amidst 3-9 Record, Virginia Head Coach Al Groh Fired After Nine Years

In the least exciting or intriguing firing of the hatchet season, Al Groh was dismissed as head coach of the UVA Cavaliers today after three losing seasons in the last four and the worst of his coaching career this season, a 3-9 2009 season more boring than even your usual UVA season. Groh capped his 59-53 career by reading a poem called "The Man In The Glass" at his press conference, and even that is far less interesting than it sounds on paper. In case you can’t tell, I think Al Groh was the most boring coach in the history of all boring coaches, and that is a special kind of boring.

But beyond his mundane exterior, Groh was actually a pretty serviceable coach during his time at UVA. He leaves as the school's second-winningest coach, having won ACC Coach of the Year twice. All things considered, and this year's loss to (gasp) William and Mary notwithstanding, that's a pretty solid legacy. On Sunday, he released a brief statement:

"I feel very fortunate," Groh said in a statement. "I am an ordinary guy who has been lucky to have been around some extraordinary players and coaches who put me in a position to enjoy many fulfilling games and seasons -- and that's the truth. I gave everything I had to the position and to each game."

Now, UVA turns its attention to a coaching search. Of the search, we go again to Spencer Hall:

Likely suspects with UVA ties include Richmond coach Mike London, Temple coach Al Golden, and Louisiana Tech’s Derek Dooley. Boise State’s Chris Petersen and former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville are also in the shuffle, but you wanted a pony for Christmas and never got one, right?

We'll keep you updated on the search as it takes shape.