www.roanoke.com

Being a University of Virginia season ticket holder since 1990, I read with interest the letters printed a few weeks ago concerning Al Groh's current situation with the Cavaliers. I must agree that since he has assumed control of the football program, it has regressed in stature.

Part of this can be blamed on success. Several of his assistants have gone on to be coaches in their own programs and this speaks to his ability in choosing members of his staff.

More recently though there are troubling tendencies appearing in the program, mainly in the area of recruiting and yes, the naming of his son Mike offensive coordinator.

Too high a number of recent recruits either couldn't meet the academic standards, had off-field problems, or had some other reason not to make UVa their college football home and this showed, especially last season.

There was some improvement later in the season with Jameel Sewell showing he can excel on the field and several other young players have shown they too will make positive contributions to the program in the future.

However, Groh won't and shouldn't get another pass next year. Unless he shows real progress on the field and improvement in the standings next season, it will be time for the university to look elsewhere for future leadership on the sidelines.

Two letters recently from a Harry Daughtry and John Wright, both obviously Virginia Tech supporters, show the difference between the two in-state rivals.

Virginia Tech went to a bowl game and no doubt had a much better season than UVa, but these two individuals seem only to have UVa's misfortune on their minds.

Of course, Tech has its football program and not much else on the playing field to boast about while the University of Virginia has had national success in lacrosse, soccer, baseball and swimming, along with an improving basketball program.

If I were either of these two people, I would enjoy the success of the one thing Tech is known for, both good and bad, their football team instead of running down their more successful and overall better known rival.

Tim Austin

Roanoke

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