By now, most of you know the message that started it all: "$1.7 Million: Groh Must Go!" That simple phrase painted on Beta Bridge almost two weeks ago has created a buzz around Grounds that continues this week. At the time, the quote pretty much summed up the feeling of many Wahoo fans following Virginia's 23-3 loss to Wyoming and I'm not sure much has changed since then.
For the past two weeks, there has been a war of words via slogans questioning many University students' admiration for their school ("Have pride or transfer!"), supporting the beleaguered coach ("Groh stuck with us; stick with him") and insulting Virginia football supporters in general ("Hoo would want to play for fans like you?").
Though that last message was answered on the bridge a night later ("Hoo would want to play for a coach like you?"), I felt like I needed to address the ones that have not yet had responses.
Let's start with the bombshell "Have pride or transfer!" This one really got to me. First off, whoever wrote this is certainly entitled to his or her free speech, but so is someone who doesn't believe Al Groh should be the football coach anymore. That, in essence, is what I am trying to say: There is a difference between our right as fans to criticize those directing our team and blatantly attacking those with another opinion. If you like Groh, defend him, but don't scold others for speaking their minds and hide behind the veil of "being a good fan."
For a peer to say you don't have the right to root for your team just because you believe the team would have better success with another coach is out of line. But to tell a classmate he does not belong within the University community for the same reason is outrageous, unfounded and ignorant.
If you were in a class with a professor who was treating students unfairly, would you transfer from the University? Or would you send some anonymous feedback, speak to your dean or talk to the department chair about what is bothering you?
If you didn't like the food in the cafeteria, would you write a comment to U.Va. Dining? Or would you get a Corner meal plan or make food at home? Or would you transfer?
There are tons of examples. In each of these situations, transferring makes little sense. You would be throwing away the 999 wonderful things you have at the University for the one that maybe ticks you off a little bit.
Sure, I am taking the quote a little too literally to make a point. I'm sure the "super fan" who wrote it doesn't really expect everyone who dislikes Groh to transfer, but the pretension of his or her comments is no doubt apparent in what was written.
Maybe whoever wrote it was just trying to rally support for our outstanding football team, but the fact that someone would call into question our right as fans to criticize a person who is getting a lot of money from our school and to voice our opinion about an underachieving football team really got to me this past weekend.
I don't even know what to say about "Groh stuck with us, stick with him." When exactly did Groh stick with us? Was it when we were throwing piles of money at him despite not winning any ACC titles or earning any BCS bowl bids? Was it when we handed him the keys to his dream job right after upgrading Scott Stadium? Was it when tons of students abandoned traditional gameday attire (at his request) or when hordes of fans continued to pack the stands to watch his team march to prestigious Continental Tire Bowl wins?
You're right -- we really need to thank Groh for sticking with us. It's not every day that one of the top public universities and overall athletic programs in the nation has the privilege of employing a coach with a career 63-66 record at all levels and only has to give him $1.7 million annually.
The fact of the matter is I don't think Groh is a terrible coach, but I can't honestly say he's helping players reach their potential anymore.
The reason to replace a coach is not always about wins and losses. A coach with little to work with cannot be expected to develop a competitive college football team. But that is just not the case here. Groh has the talent and the resources to put a better product on the field and generate better results. Such a situation is definitely grounds for change.
Despite the last few paragraphs, this column is less about whether Al Groh should remain coach and more about the argument itself. If you like Groh, support him. But refrain from bashing people who don't share your opinion. And stop acting like you are a superior fan because you're "defending" the coach; other diehard fans want him out because it will, in their minds, make the team better.
There were two other quotes still featured on Beta Bridge as of Tuesday: "Support your team!!!" and "We believe [in] Virginia football." Just because someone wants a new coach for the 'Hoos doesn't mean he or she isn't abiding by those two maxims. Hopefully there will soon be peace talks and everyone can get back to being a Wahoo football fan again despite their differences.
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