CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -Virginia exercised an option to add a year onto the contract of coach Al Groh, who guided the Cavaliers to a 9-3 record this season.

Groh's deal will now run through the 2011 season.

``This is an indication of confidence on my part and the university's part on the work that Al and his staff have done,'' Cavaliers athletic director Craig Littlepage said. ``I think it's also a good indication of the confidence that we have in the future direction of the football program, both in the short term, that is, in the upcoming bowl game, as well as in the long-term future. I'm very pleased we're at this point.''

A year ago, the Cavaliers finished 5-7 and the school declined to exercise its right add another year to Groh's contract then.