Vikings QB coach Kevin Rogers OC candidate at Virginia

One day after finishing a season where he helped the Minnesota Vikings get to the NFC championship game, while acting as overseer for future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, Kevin Rogers hadn’t had much time to consider his future. He certainly hasn’t thought much about Virginia’s vacant offensive-coordinator position — mainly because U.Va. hasn’t contacted him about the job. Rogers, 58, is content to take his time after wrapping up his fourth season as Minnesota’s quarterbacks coach. “I haven’t heard anything from U.Va.,” Rogers said Monday afternoon. Still, the question remains — if U.Va. coach Mike London, a Bethel High graduate, reached out to Rogers, would he listen? “I don’t know,” said Rogers, who has also been a speculative candidate for Syracuse’s vacant offensive-coordinator job, but he added he hasn’t heard anything from Orange coach Doug Marrone either. “It’s all hypothetical.” – Daily Press

Al Groh to Miami Doplhins?

The defections of linebackers coaches Jim Reid and George Edwards would open the door for Bill Parcells to hire Al Groh once again. The idea of a Groh-Parcells’ reunion has been floating around ever since he the University of Virginia fired him. But now there are a couple of openings that would be a good fit for him. Groh coached linebackers for Parcells with the Giants in 1989-90 and the Jets in 1997-99. He also was the Patriots defensive coordinator under Parcells in 1993-96 and the Jets head coach in 2000 when Parcells was the team’s general manager. Longtime Parcells assistant Romeo Crennel also is available, but reportedly has discussed joining the Giants as defensive coordinator. – Palm Beach Post

Mike London gets five year deal at Virginia

Virginia coach Mike London received a five-year contract worth $1.7 million per season and will receive a $2 million allotment to pay assistant coaches. London, a former Cavaliers assistant who spent two seasons coaching Richmond, was assured that the resources for a successful program were in place during conversations Sunday, the day after the Spiders’ season concluded with a division I-AA quarterfinal loss to Appalachian State. – Washington Post

Virginia Considering Skip Holtz?

Louisville and UVa could target East Carolina’s Skip Holtz. Virginia has long been rumored as a destination for Holtz, and considering the relationship between Virginia Athletic Director Craig Littlepage and ECU athletic director Terry Holland, it’s not that far-fetched. – Charleston Daily Mail

Charlie Strong a candidate at Louisville, Virginia

With some head coaching jobs coming open around the country, defensive coordinator Charlie Strong’s name is popping up again as a possible candidate. There are rumors coming out of Louisville that Strong is the leading candidate to become the Cardinals’ new head coach after the SEC Championship Game. There is also speculation that Virginia might come calling. Some UF defensive players said Monday they will not be surprised if Strong is gone after the season. “He’s a great coach, a great person,” junior safety Major Wright said. “He’s more than just a coach. He helps on and off the field. I wouldn’t be surprised. I’m sure somebody is looking at him. He has to do the best thing for him family.” Strong has been passed over for several jobs in recent years. But the job he’s done with UF’s defense is going to be hard to overlook now. – Gainesville Sun

Who will Virginia hire?

Virginia Athletic Director Craig Littlepage said a national search for Al Groh’s replacement would begin immediately, and that he would not comment on the coaching search until it is completed. Possible replacements include two former Groh assistants: Richmond Coach Mike London and Temple Coach Al Golden. Virginia reportedly also is interested in Boise State Coach Chris Petersen. Former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville’s name also has come up in speculation, as have Louisiana Tech Coach Derek Dooley, who played wide receiver at Virginia from 1987 to 1990; Harvard Coach Tim Murphy and Air Force Coach Troy Calhoun. – Washington Post

Virginia fires all but two of Al Groh’s assistants

Before Virginia coach Al Groh was allowed to meet with his assistant coaches on Sunday, the school announced that the coach was fired. He was not alone. Virginia also fired offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon, special teams coordinator Ron Prince, offensive line coach Dave Borbely, running backs coach Wayne Lineburg, wide receivers coach Latrell Scott, linebackers coach Bob Trott and defensive line coach Chad Wilt. All were told that they had 48 hours to remove their belongings from the McCue Center, sources confirmed. It left secondary coach Anthony Poindexter, a six-year coach at UVa, and recruiting coordinator Bob Price as the only coaches under contract. – News Advance

BREAKING NEWS: Virginia Fires Al Groh

Craig Littlepage, University of Virginia director of athletics, today announced that Al Groh would not be retained as head football coach, effective immediately. Littlepage met with Groh, who just concluded his ninth season, earlier today to inform the coach of his decision. “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. “We are grateful for his service and for his commitment to his players and his coaching staff.” Groh, a UVa alumnus, was named Virginia¹s head coach on Dec. 30, 2000. His nine Virginia teams compiled an overall record of 59-53 and participated in five bowl games, winning three of them. Groh was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2007, and the American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year in 2004. The Cavaliers have had losing records three of the last four seasons and were 3-9 in 2009. A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately. An assistant coaching staff will be assembled by the new head coach and it will be the choice of the new coach to determine if any current staff members are retained. – Daily Press

Al Groh Era Likely Over at Virginia

Virginia coach Al Groh probably coached his last game with the Cavs on Saturday. And after his weekly trip to the woodshed, he recited the poem “The Guy in the Glass” for the media. He then, according to the Daily Press, offered these words of his own: “When I visited the guy in the glass, I saw that he’s a guy of commitment, of integrity, of dependability and accountability. He’s loyal. His spirit is indomitable. And he is caring and loving. I’m sure I will always call the guy in the glass a friend.” Groh then left the news conference. – Sporting News

Al Groh not talking about possible exit at Virginia

Virginia coach Al Groh finds the end of the football season to almost always be something of a downer. Suddenly, the coach who works into the wee hours has no next game to prepare for, no reason to spend hours analyzing film and scheming. The Cavaliers’ season finale against No. 14 Virginia Tech maybe doubly tough for the 65-year-old Groh; it will likely be the last at his alma mater after nine up-and-down seasons. Athletic director Craig Littlepage has said that Groh’s situation will be evaluated at season’s end, allowing the administration to consider his whole body of work. He also said it’s important to the school that fans support the program, and attendance is down significantly. Groh, however, isn’t interested in discussing his job status just yet. – SI.com

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