Al Groh has had better offseasons. Already facing the loss of several players who had been building blocks of his program, Groh lost several more players who had been expected to return in 2006, as well as four assistant coaches, during the turbulent months following the 2005 season. Those losses turned what was shaping up as a transitional year in Charlottesville into an out-and-out rebuilding one. “We’ve had some losses,” Groh says. “Some pretty huge losses.”

Groh’s work was cut out anyway, with the loss of four-year fixtures like tailback Wali Lundy, the leading touchdown scorer in ACC history; left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who anchored the offensive line; and defensive end Brennan Schmidt, who started 51 straight games. Also gone: dynamic quarterback Marques Hagans, career scoring leader Connor Hughes, and offensive line stalwarts Brad Butler and Brian Barthelmes.

Then, four members of Groh’s staff, including offensive coordinator Ron Prince and defensive coordinator Al Golden, left for other coaching jobs. And inside linebacker Kai Parham, an All-ACC pick, opted to enter the NFL Draft. Parham’s loss hurt. But at least the Cavaliers still had his running mate, former Butkus Award finalist Ahmad Brooks, right? Wrong. Brooks, who led Virginia in tackles in 2003 and ’04, was booted from the team for undisclosed violations of team rules, along with safety Tony Franklin, a three-year starter, and defensive end Vince Redd.

The status of cornerback Mike Brown and offensive linemen Eddie Pinigis and Zak Stair remained uncertain after they were arrested following an incident at a fraternity house in March. A handful of other players sat out the spring to concentrate on academics.

Groh has never used the term “rebuilding.” He’s been too busy building — toward his goals of winning an ACC title and making Virginia a factor on the national scene. Those goals seemed within reach in 2004, when Virginia rose to No. 6 in the polls before fading late. The Cavaliers took a step back in 2005. With so many holes to fill, it’s hard not to envision them taking another this season.

LOWDOWN

Coach: Al Groh (6th season, 37-26)
2005 record: 7-5 (Beat Minnesota in Music City Bowl)
ACC finish: 3-5 (5th Coastal)
2005 I-A offensive rankings:
Rushing: 63rd (142.6 ypg)
Passing: 57th (223.7 ypg)
2005 I-A defensive rankings:
Rushing: 62nd (151.2 ypg)
Passing: 71st (224.6 ypg)

DEPTH CHART

Offense (5)

WR  81  *Deyon Williams  Sr.  19  Emmanuel Byers  Jr.
WR  84  *Fontel Mines  Sr.  82  Theirrien Davis  Jr.
LT  75  Eugene Monroe  So.  76  Zak Stair  So.
LG  71  *Branden Albert  So.  79  Gordie Sammis  Sr.
C  77  Ian-Yates Cunningham  Jr.  63  Jordy Lipsey  Jr.
RG  78  *Marshal Ausberry  Jr.  68  David Fairbrothers  Jr.
RT  72  Eddie Pinigis  Jr.  61  Will Barker  Fr.
TE  86  *Tom Santi  Jr.  88  Jonathan Stupar  Jr.
QB  11  Christian Olsen  Sr.  13  Kevin McCabe  Jr.
FB  40  Kevin Bradley  Jr.  43  Josh Zidenberg  Jr.
TB  38  Jason Snelling  Sr.  2  Michael Johnson  Sr.

Defense (5)

DE  91  *Chris Long  Jr.  95  Jeffrey Fitzgerald  Fr.
NT  92  Keenan Carter  Jr.  94  Allen Billyk  Jr.
DE  93  Alex Field  So.  50  Jason Fuller  Fr.
OLB  57  *Jermaine Dias  Jr.  56  Olu Hall  So.
ILB  58  Antonio Appleby  So.  31  Rashawn Jackson  Fr.
ILB  54  Jon Copper  So.  49  Darren Childs  Fr.
OLB  51  *Clint Sintim  So.  41  Aaron Clark  So.
CB  3  *Marcus Hamilton  Sr.  4  Vic Hall  Fr.
CB  39  *Chris Gorham  Jr.  28  Mike Brown  So.
S  21  Byron Glaspy  So.  27  Jamaal Jackson  Jr.
S  30  Nate Lyles  Jr.  36  Ryan Best  Jr.

Special Teams

K  9  Chris Gould  Jr.
P  16  Ryan Weigand  Jr.
KR  37  Cedric Peerman  So.
PR  19  Emmanuel Byers  Jr.

(#) Indicates number of returning starters
* Indicates returning starters

2006 SCHEDULE

Sept. 2  at Pittsburgh
Sept. 9  Wyoming
Sept. 16  Western Michigan
Sept. 21  at Georgia Tech
Sept. 30  at Duke
Oct. 7  at East Carolina
Oct. 14  Maryland
Oct. 19  North Carolina
Oct. 28  NC State
Nov. 4  at Florida State
Nov. 18  Miami
Nov. 25  at Virginia Tech

OFFENSE

Virginia’s strengths the past two years have been its veteran offensive line and the playmaking ability of dynamic quarterback Marques Hagans. The heart of the line — multi-year starters D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Brad Butler and Brian Barthelmes — is gone, as is Hagans, who accounted for 2,800 yards of offense last year.

Taking over for Hagans is fifth-year senior Christian Olsen, who has had three years in the system after transferring from Notre Dame. Olsen has the luxury of a deep group of receivers, led by seniors Deyon Williams and Fontel Mines. Virginia also has a pair of playmakers at tight end in Tom Santi and Jonathan Stupar.

The Cavaliers lose tailback Wali Lundy but return several experienced backs. Fullback Jason Snelling moves to tailback to give the Cavs the power back they’ve lacked recently. Speedy Michael Johnson provides a change of pace. Much will depend on the development of a young offensive line. Massive sophomores Eugene Monroe and Branden Albert will be counted on, but Monroe is coming off knee surgery and Albert missed spring practice to concentrate on academics.

With so many receivers available, Virginia could rely on a short passing game until the running game comes around. It’s a formula that worked well when Matt Schaub played quarterback in 2002 and 2003.

DEFENSE

Like a good baseball team, the best 3-4 defenses are strong up the middle, at nose tackle and inside linebacker.

Virginia has holes to fill at both spots, particularly at linebacker, where Kai Parham and Ahmad Brooks, who comprised one of the nation’s top tandems, have moved on. Parham entered the NFL Draft and Brooks, a former Butkus Award finalist, was dismissed from the team. Outside linebackers Clint Sintim and Jermaine Dias return, however.

The Cavaliers used a three-man rotation at nose tackle last season. Keenan Carter is the only player returning, but he’ll be challenged by junior Allen Billyk, who moves over from end. The leader of the group is junior end Chris Long, an emerging star.

The secondary, a weakness in recent years, is suddenly a strength, with seven players back, led by cornerback Marcus Hamilton, and several promising newcomers.

SPECIALISTS

Placekicker Connor Hughes was one of the nation’s best, as was kickoff specialist Kurt Smith. Chris Gould, who punted last year but was recruited as a placekicker, may have to replace both players.

Ryan Weigand, a former junior college standout, will handle the punting.

There are several experienced return men, led by sophomore Cedric Peerman, whose 25.8-yard average on kick returns was second-highest in school history.

FINAL ANALYSIS

This is coach Al Groh’s first major rebuilding job. With so many holes to fill, Virginia’s string of four straight bowl appearances could be in jeopardy. At the very least, expectations have been scaled back from when Groh arrived in 2001 talking about ACC titles and national championships.

Virginia’s also breaking in new offensive and defensive coordinators, and the second half of the schedule is unforgiving. The Cavaliers finish against Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech, teams they’ve struggled against even in better times. This season could test the quality of Groh’s recent recruiting, as well as the patience of Virginia fans.

This Virginia team preview was pulled from our 2006 National College Football preview magazine.  To order this or the 2006 ACC Regional preview magazine - with expanded team page coverage and conference features - click here