AD: Virginia won't add a year to Groh's contract

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia has decided not to exercise an option to extend the contract of football coach Al Groh by a year, athletic director Craig Littlepage said Thursday, giving Groh four years left on his package.<br> <br> Groh, whose team finished 5-7 this year 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. It extends through Dec. 31, 2010, and included a December deadline for the school to decide whether or not to add another year onto the end.<br> <br> ``The expectations for our program are higher than a 5-7 season,&#39;&#39; Littlepage said in a statement released by the university. ``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.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> Groh was out recruiting and did not wish to comment, the school said.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> Groh, who left after one year as head coach of the NFL&#39;s New York Jets to replace the retiring George Welsh at Virginia in 2001, has a 42-33 record in six seasons.<br> <br> Virginia went into its final game this season with a chance to become bowl eligible, but lost 17-0 at Virginia Tech, it&#39;s fifth loss to Tech in six meetings under Groh.<br> <br> During the season, Groh said more than once that the young Cavaliers were playing the 2006 season with the 2007 team an indication that he expects marked improvement next season. Virginia returns 18 starters next year and should get a boost from this year&#39;s freshmen, all but one of whom were redshirted.

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