Groh builds career-development program

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- On Saturday, Virginia visits No. 18 Clemson for what could be the penultimate game of Al Groh's nine years coaching his alma mater. That tenure, and especially the latter portion, is likely to be considered as one of underachievement when evaluated solely by the record.

But there is another measurement that, if not impressive to the general fan, resonates with those in a Virginia uniform. Sixty-five Cavaliers have gone onto the NFL after playing for Groh, including 22 selected in the NFL draft during the past five seasons. Groh produces NFL talent at a rate uncanny for a coach who has not had a 10-win season, much less a coach who might be unemployed in two weeks.

Although the NFL talent has more to do with the players than the coach, those players benefit from an environment that is not just based on the NFL -- for instance, many inside Virginia's program don't call it a program, but rather an "organization," and freshmen sometimes aren't freshmen, bur rather "rookies" -- but also in part predicated upon sending players to the NFL.

"We like to think that we're a full-service program," Groh said. "That everything that the player needs while he's here, that we're here to provide. Whether it's academic support, academic stimulation, strength training, football coaching, personal counseling, and then certainly if the player is fortunate enough to go into the National Football League, to make sure that he's well informed of how to handle the business aspects of it as well as the difference of the game they're playing."

Groh takes many of Virginia's future professionals aside early in their careers and discusses how to work with agents. Instead of shunning agents' existence, Groh understands the reality. Fullback Rashawn Jackson and cornerback Chris Cook both said agents have contacted them, whether it's by telephone or Facebook or through family members.

In 2002, when Virginia played in the Continental Tire Bowl, a freshman whom Groh preferred not to name played well in the game and was quickly contacted by agents despite being two years away from draft eligibility. Instead of steering a player toward a particular agent, Groh said he tries to ensure a player does not cooperate with agents who have bad reputations.

Any coach who waits until players are upperclassmen to start talking to them about agents "is about two years too late," Groh said. "We try to talk with the players who might be in that circumstance long beforehand. In a lot of ways, very early at the start of their career."

Groh also boasts about the Virginia's accessibility for NFL scouts. Although practices are closed to reporters and the public, Groh maintains an open-door policy with scouts and personnel executives. They have access to the Cavaliers' video library to assess film of the players and are welcome in the press box on game days.

This is done not for heralded standouts such as Chris Long or Eugene Monroe, former Groh players who were selected among the top 10 picks in the NFL draft. Rather, it's for lesser-known prospects. Scouts can develop full reports based on the access Groh provides.

Jackson, whom ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. identifies as the No. 1 senior fullback in the nation, said before the season that he's not concerned that NFL teams have devalued fullbacks because he's confident Groh can use his NFL influence to promote Jackson's versatility.

Cook emphasized the benefit of playing in Virginia's 3-4 defense, which is more commonly used in the NFL than in college. Virginia's players who have seamlessly transitioned into the NFL because of the scheme have witnessed its benefit.

"Having played under Coach Groh, this is a blessing for all of us," Long said in an interview this past spring. "He encourages us to assume different roles. Versatility is stressed, and that's a big draw."

The NFL talent has not helped the Cavaliers win enough games, which will ultimately be a determining factor in whether Groh keeps his job. But for all of the angst about what happens on Saturdays, Groh's legacy will be seen in part by what happens on Sundays.

"We feel when those players give us everything they have and they still have dreams to go on, the least we can do is open the door and provide them as much opportunity to be evaluated," Groh said. "We'll answer their questions and they know that we're accessible to that."