University of Virginia Library

Groh Named As
First-Year Coach

Head coach George Blackburn
announced today that Al Groh,
former Virginia football player, had
been hired as Cavalier freshman
mentor.

Groh, 26, was a member of the
Virginia varsity squad from 1963 to
1965. He will replace Bill Clay who
was earlier this year moved up to
the varsity defensive staff. The
move was necessitated when
secondary coach Maury Bibent
accepted the defensive coordinator's
job at Colorado State.

After Groh's graduation in 1966
he was an assistant coach under
Ralph Harrison at Albemarle High
School. He has been at the United
States Military Academy the past
three years serving the first two as
Plebe defensive coach. Last year he
assisted the varsity staff coaching
linebackers in early fall and spring
practice. He also scouted for the
varsity and recruited heavily in the
Virginia and Western Pennsylvania
area.

Blackburn stated, "Al's most
notable football asset was his
attitude and his aggressive approach
to the game. He was a fierce
competitor. Al will definitely be an
asset to our recruiting program and
coupled with his coaching ability,
makes him a fine addition to our
staff. Since he is a graduate of the
University and coached at Army, he
has an insight as to the type of
scholar-athlete we're searching for."

Blackburn said that Groh will
report for spring football practice
which starts on March 10.