Al Groh's Body Count, Part I: Chuck Amato

Though most teams probably didn't take UVA seriously enough to merit their meetings a "life and death game," there's a good chance some head coaches might still have their jobs if they realize what was at stake. The recent weeks have brought the unceremonious departures of John Bunting, Chuck Amato and Larry Coker...who just happened to be a part of UVA's last three conference wins. That can't be a coincidence. In the upcoming days, I'll look back at the times UVA shared with these guys, as well as projecting whether other victims of Al Groh's rebuilding year (Duke, Wyoming) can expect changes at the top. First, we'll start with Ol' Chesty himself, Chuck "The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes" Amato.
Record against Al Groh: 2-2

Team in a nutshell: Philip Rivers was their Michael Hutchence. Chuck was their rest of INXS. Despite a strong recruiting presence in Florida, a bevy of first round picks on defense and almost no serious in-state competitors, after consecutive ten-win seasons under Rivers, Amato baffled fans and analysts by trotting out teams that managed to amplify FSU's worst tendencies; penalties, horrible mental mistakes, and an overall air of carelessness. As the years went on, Amato ended up getting overshadowed by Al Groh for some reason on typical "ACC coaches on the hot seat" articles, but watching three of his defensive linemen get picked in the first round sealed the deal. He was blowing far more talent than Groh ever did, and he ended his final season in the weakest ACC ever with an embarrassing loss to a heretofore atrocious UNC team with a lame duck coach.

High point against Virginia: In 2003, Philip Rivers outgunned Matt Schaub in a 51-37 battle royale that is a cruel reminder to both schools that their teams were capable of scoring that many points a mere three years ago.

Low point against Virginia: Though a more successful team suffered a 14-9 defeat in 2002, it was a matter of two defenses slogging it out in terrible weather conditions. However, in 2006, perhaps the least talented Virginia team of the past two decades shame NC State on both sides of the ball by holding them scoreless for nearly the game's entirety, and marching down the field with ease to score the winning touchdown.

Future Prospects: Ever see that episode of "Arrested Development" where Martin Short plays this character named "Bullet"? Squeaky voice, inordinately strong upper body? Not that the show was a money pit, but maybe he can sue for appropriation of likeness. Otherwise, he's right in how this isn't a "stepping stone" so much as a gig that pegged him as a coordinator for life. Tough break that the top coordinator jobs in Florida are on the offensive side of the ball.