Virginia won't add year to coach's deal

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia will not exercise an option to extend the contract of football coach Al Groh, leaving him with four years left on his deal.


Groh, whose team finished 5-7 and failed to qualify for a bowl for the first time in five years, received a five-year contract last summer that boosted his pay by nearly $1 million. The deal runs through 2010 and included a December deadline for the school to decide whether to add another year.


"The expectations for our program are higher than a 5-7 season," athletic director Craig Littlepage said in a statement Thursday. "I understand many young players gained their first significant experience during the 2006 season. I believe Coach Groh and his staff have positioned the team for success on the field in 2007 and beyond."


In e-mails to several reporters, Littlepage declined to elaborate. It was not immediately clear if Virginia will have the rollover option again next season.


Littlepage was preparing for Atlantic Coast Conference meetings and not immediately available, his office said. A message left on his cell phone was not returned.


Groh was out recruiting and did not wish to comment, the school said.


Groh is scheduled to receive about $1.87 million in compensation in 2007 and receive a 5 percent cost-of-living increase in each subsequent year of the package.


Groh, who left after one year as head coach of the New York Jets to replace the retiring George Welsh at Virginia in 2001, has a 42-33 record in six seasons.

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