Jets' Al Groh Leaving NFL for Virginia

N E W   Y O R K, Dec. 30 -- Al Groh is leaving the New York Jets after onedisappointing season to return to his alma mater and succeed GeorgeWelsh as the coach at Virginia.

Groh, who took over from Bill Parcells, announced his suddenresignation six days after the Jets were eliminated from theplayoff race.

“I realize there will be some criticism of this, but only Iknow my heart,” Groh said Saturday in a statement released by theJets. “Too, this provides the type of long-term security andstability not commonly found in the NFL nowadays.”

Welsh retired at Virginia on Dec. 11 because of health reasons.The Cavaliers lost to Georgia 37-14 on Dec. 24 in the Oahu Bowl,the last game for the 67-year-old coach.

Reported $5 Million Deal

Groh’s deal is believed to be worth $5 million over seven years,The Boston Globe reported on its Web site.

The Jets said they would defer all comments about their nextcoach until Tuesday. There was no comment from Parcells in the teamstatement.

The Jets began the season with four straight victories butfinished 9-7 and missed the playoffs. The Jets lost their lastthree games, needing to win just once to make the postseason.

Virginia athletic director Terry Holland had said the schoolwould not announce a new coach until after Jan. 1. A universityspokesman said the school would have an announcement later in theday.

The Jets completed their season with a 34-20 defeat atBaltimore. Quarterback Vinny Testaverde threw three interceptionsand lost two fumbles in that game.

But two days after the final loss, Groh announced thatTestaverde, the hero of the 1998 run to the AFC title game underParcells, would go into summer training camp as the starter.

Jets Struggle For Stability

Groh’s departure guarantees further instability for a franchisethat has had little success since winning its only Super Bowl inprobably the biggest upset in NFL history.

Groh became the 12th head coach of the Jets last Jan. 24,following the retirement of Parcells and the sudden resignation ofhis designated replacement, Bill Belichick.