This column was not meant to be on the beloved topic of football. I had an interview planned with a self-proclaimed volleyball groupie named Gilbert. A story on a volleyball groupie is just screaming intriguing column material while giving much needed press to a team that does not call U-Hall or Scott Stadium its home. Alas, Gilbert did not have time to talk until later this week, so all you Gilbert fans must wait a week.
In the meantime, the Virginia football team played a game this weekend on Tobacco Road. Emphasis must be placed on the fact that this was a football game -- a game in which Roy Williams, Sean May and Ray Felton do not have any influence on the outcome.
Rather than make up for the drudging Virginia took in basketball, the Wahoos suffered a tough defeat to a very mediocre Tar Heel squad. After the game, I struggled to find the reason the outcome did not favor the Cavaliers. Finally, two days later, while sitting in a mundane interview, it dawned on me in the form of a question ...
"What do you think are essential characteristics of a leader?"
The following articulates each point that I deem to be inherent in the best leaders. These simple elements highlight the facets that I think the Virginia football program does not possess. In a sport that demands a strong leader, the Hoos come up short in each of these important leadership qualities.
Leadership Trait No. 1 -- Use the strengths of others to help the team reach its highest potential.
With Al Groh's rather impressive coaching staff, it would appear that people are in place to teach the various positions on the team. Rather than using these strengths, sources close to the team describe an image of micromanaging the coaches that bottles up the knowledge of these coaches.
When defensive coordinator Al Golden decided to stay at the University of Virginia rather than take a position at Notre Dame, many people assumed this was a confirmation that he was pleased with the Virginia program. Close team sources now refute that claim and point to Golden eyeing a potential opening in a few years at his alma-mater, Penn State.
Leadership trait No. 2 -- Understanding the subject matter that one leads.
It's fourth quarter of the UNC game, and Virginia is down by two with a minute left on the clock. While UNC has possession of the ball, there is still time for a Virginia comeback. With a choice between third and short or accepting a penalty against the Heels, Groh takes the penalty.
While I would expect my mother to make a similar decision, I screamed at the television as our "leader" allowed the clock to run for another 45 seconds as opposed to declining the penalty and giving Virginia a chance of getting the ball back.
I do not think that it is easy to be a college football coach. Yet when a contract extension places you economically in the elite of all college football coaches, I expect a well-informed decision regarding game tactics. While we may never know if Bobby Bowden or Pete Carroll would make a similar mistake, I have my doubts.
Leadership Trait No. 3 -- A leader must motivate the troops.
Motivation at any coaching level is a delicate balance that few can achieve. To motivate players to play at or close to the top of their ability is a trait that very few coaches, if any, can master. Yet a win over the No. 4 team in the country sandwiched between losses to three mediocre opponents points to a lack of concentration by the players.
Many will argue that playing on the road is tough for any team or that Boston College is not a mediocre team. While these arguments may have some validity, no one can argue that Virginia continually has played at an inconsistent level.
I hate to approach the much maligned discussion, but the FSU victory has eerie similarities to when Pete Gillen led Virginia over a No. 4 Duke basketball squad at U-Hall. Neither Gillen nor Groh had the ability to motivate his team on a weekly basis, which in my humble opinion displays a deeply rooted lack of leadership.
Diehard Groh fans will exist and argue all of the above points. Yet even diehard fans such as Gilbert must admit the leadership of the Virginia football squad must be questioned.
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