UVA's Al Groh an involved manager

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Al Groh gets his inspiration from the business world as well as the sports one.

In the past two weeks, the Virginia football coach has cited as inspiration Joe Torre and Bill Parcells, as well as the business style known as "management by walking around."

He'll recommend a book to the media - Monday it was Phil Simms' "Sunday Morning Quarterback" - then explain its relevance in the current discussion. He's not afraid to give credit elsewhere, as when he discussed the origin of his "next man up" philosophy on injuries.

"Like so many of the things we do that are positive for the team, very few of them are internally created," he said. "We've learned all these things from somebody else who has exposed them to us or been willing to share them."

It all adds up to his approach when it comes to managing his team. College football is one of the toughest sports to coach, as the roster - more than 100 players - is bigger than any other team sport.

Groh doesn't do as much delegating as other coaches, though. He's the only member of the staff who speaks with reporters, and involves himself in every aspect of the game.

"I just make it my business to get around and be where the players are," he said. "Whatever your line of work is, whether it's a military commander or a line supervisor or a football coach, there's value in having the ongoing support of people."

His support at Virginia is wavering as he carries a 3-4 record in his ninth season, but his players still respect him as a game planner and organizer.

Linebacker Steve Greer said that between series, Groh collects feedback from the different units, discussing what they saw on the field then drawing up the necessary changes.

"Coach is pretty good at coming up with stuff on the run," Greer said. "Even on the sidelines, he'll get the dry-erase board out and come up with some pretty good stuff."

Inspiration also comes to the coach from elsewhere, as it did this year during the National League Division Series between the Dodgers and the Cardinals. Groh patterned his philosophy toward Maryland kick returner Torrey Smith after Torre's approach.

"It didn't matter what the trade-off was, Albert Pujols wasn't going to take the series over," Groh said. "You always have to determine who and what could cause a game to go the wrong way."

Virginia didn't kick the ball to Smith during the game, keeping the ACC's leading kick returner from doing damage.

Groh's most recent thoughts on the topic of management came when he was quoting from the Simms book. Groh was asked how much coaches make changes at halftime and dispelled the myth that it was a time for teams to change their whole game plan. He said that instead the changes were incremental throughout the game.

For the Cavs this year, change has been a constant. Now as they enter the final weeks of the season, they'll look to change the fate of their season, and perhaps the coach as well.

Contact Michael Phillips at (804) 649-6546 or mphillips@timesdispatch.com