Virginia has already burned through two defensive coordinators in the 2009 offseason. (What's your chump school been up to?) The first time was somewhat surprising, but understandable. The 65-year-old Bob Pruett had been at the helm for one very inconsistent season, but his age and concerns over allegations of academic fraud and player overpayment by local businesses while serving as the head coach at Marshall could've played a huge role in his decision to voluntarily step down. Having to replace pretty much the entire linebacking crew in a pressure-packed season last year didn't help either. Even with Al Groh's uncertain future, I doubt he's jockeying for another head-coaching spot.
So, the promotion went to Bob Diaco, and a scant number of days later, he bolted to take the same exact job at Cincinnati. That move wasn't terribly surprising. Diaco reunited with Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, whom he had worked with at Central Michigan, while Cincinnati is currently a more successful team, earning an Orange Bowl bid last year.Losing Diaco or Pruett would have the same effect on Virginia in most eyes as, say, the Steelers losing Dick LeBeau. Al Groh, after all is the de-facto defensive coordinator, and, in these belt-tightening times, maybe it makes sense to remove the "de facto" part of the equation. Miami, after all, had no problem doing that with head coach and now defensive coordinator as well, Randy Shannon.
In the meantime, you have to wonder how this will effect recruiting. Pruett was making inroads in the Tidewater region where Virginia was getting housed by Virginia Tech. If anything, this move will just make the "Mike London in 2010" echoes even louder.
