With an NFL coaching style and attitude to match it, Virginia coach Al Groh is looking to change the school's appearance on the field and in the stands. All that remains in Groh's way is a tradition-laden school and years of mediocrity.
Prior to George Welsh's tenure at Virginia, the football team was a disgrace; the Cavaliers were the equivalent of present day Duke in the ACC. Welsh's efforts at the helm of the Virginia program forced teams to take the Cavaliers seriously. For this, Welsh will always be credited as a great coach in Virginia's history.
Yet the Cavaliers' reputation evolved even more when Welsh handed the reins over to Al Groh. Three years after leaving the NFL, Groh has amassed 19 wins and given the school its first bowl victory in eight years. But, Groh has a vision for the school's football program that extends beyond what happens on the gridiron and in to the stands.
Perhaps Groh's most daunting task is to rid the University of the belief that football is merely a social event designed to bridge the gap between summer and basketball season. In essence, he wants to make Virginia a football school.
Traditionally, the ACC has been a basketball conference. Yet with the recent expansion of the conference to welcome two football powerhouses in Miami and Virginia Tech, it is clear that the ACC's reputation is being reshaped.
There is no debate that Groh shares in the responsibility for these changes in refocusing the conference on football, but now he's looking to reorient the Virginia community.
Since Groh decided to leave his post in the NFL to return to his alma mater ascoach, he has taken it upon himself to change that. Under his administration, Virginia football has been born and this has not been lost on Groh's players.
"I feel that games are so much more exciting now," said junior linebacker Jon Thompson. "The games were always exciting, but it seems like there's a new environment. It's no longer time to wait for basketball season."
Groh has certainly done his part in creating this metamorphosis. With the school's first nine-win season in five years, Groh put Virginia football back on the track that George Welsh had laid out. Groh and his staff are working on their third consecutive highly ranked recruiting class, ensuring that the talent level will be strong for years to come.
But, for Groh's dream to come true, all must be involved. Enter the "Wear Orange" campaign. As is tradition at the University, fans are supposed to look the part of a Virginia student in all facets of life, including football games.
Despite the overwhelming history involved, Groh is affecting the Cavalier fans' mindset. With his successful campaign to transform the wine-and-cheese crowd into a sea of orange, Groh is not only changing school attire at football games, but he is molding his own tradition.
As more fans, and students in particular, have liberated themselves from their coats and ties, Groh's sea of orange has become a reality. And according to the coach, the effects are not merely visual pleasing.
"The team loves it. They come and tell me about what a difference it makes," said Groh. "One of the things we love is that it's so distinguishing. You know where the student section is now, there's no doubt about it. And when we go on the road, you know where the Virginia section is."
As the new big man on campus, Groh has taken on a big battle in his fight against a Virginia tradition. Wearing orange is one of Groh's steps to becoming the football school he envisions. It is apparent in the stands of recent games that Groh is winning the battle and soon Virginia's tradition will be a Sea of Orange.
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