Hokies, Cavaliers lean on stability

Frank Beamer is preparing for his 22nd season as Virginia Tech's head football coach, Al Groh for his eighth at Virginia. The other four ACC Coastal Division big whistles have a combined two years' of experience at their schools. That tenure gap should serve the commonwealth well in 2008. And yes, ACC rookies Paul Johnson and David Cutcliffe bring sterling reputations to Georgia Tech and Duke, respectively. But leadership changes — sports is no different than politics or pipefitting — require time and nurturing. Moreover, in a season where the difference between second and fifth place figures to be minimal, familiarity could prove critical. "No shorter than three years (of transition)," Groh said Monday at the ACC's preseason media gathering. "It takes awhile for the culture of the team to become ingrained. 'This is who we... [read full story]