If Al Groh leaves UVa, who’s next in line?

If this is Al Groh’s final week as Virginia’s head football coach, don’t expect him to talk about it.

If this is the end, he’s going to battle to the final moment.

Asked during his weekly press conference on Monday to talk about his job status, Groh did exactly what those who have covered him for his nine years at UVa expected.

“No,” Groh said politely. “It’s really not about me. It’s about the team and it’s about the players. You know, that’s all I’m really thinking about, so I don’t really have any thoughts on it.”

So, if UVa athletic director Craig Littlepage pulls the plug on Groh after this weekend’s finale against Virginia Tech, just who might be among the candidates to become the Cavaliers’ next head coach?

Here’s a list of potential head coaches, some of whom we’re certain on UVa’s mind and some others that should be:

- Mike London, age 49, head coach, University of Richmond. A native of Hampton, London certainly knows the UVa culture having coached here for two stints during the Groh regime. He has NFL experience and played at UR from 1979-82. He led the Spiders to the FCS national title last year and has them back in the playoffs this season. He won numerous national coach of the year awards last season and has a reputation for being a solid recruiter. London’s salary has not been disclosed, even though his contract runs through 2014 at UR.

- Charlie Strong, age 49, defensive coordinator, University of Florida. Like London, Strong has been around the block, but mostly at the FBS level (Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Florida). He’s been with the Gators since 2002. He became the first African-American coordinator in SEC history. Is known as one of the nation’s top defensive coaches. Salary: $290,000 per year.

- Gus Malzahn, 43, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, Auburn. In his first year at Auburn after an eye-popping stint at Tulsa, where his 2007 offense led the nation in total offense, and finished second in 2008. In ’08, the Golden Hurricane averaged 565 yards and 47 points per game. He is credited with introducing the “wildcat” offense to major college football, having done so at Arkansas as offensive coordinator in 2006. Salary unknown.

- Troy Calhoun, 44, head coach, Air Force. Played for Fisher DeBerry and replaced the legendary coach in 2006. Has done a solid job. Served as Jim Grobe’s offensive coordinator at Ohio U. from 1995-2001 and followed Grobe to Wake Forest, where he was coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2001-03. Calhoun moved on to coach with the Denver Broncos for two years, then the Houston Texans before taking over at Air Force. Current salary is $860,000 per year, contract runs through 2013.

- Chris Petersen, 45, head coach, Boise State. Has been the Broncos’ head coach since 2006 and directs one of college football’s most exciting offenses. His record coming into this season was 46-4 and he was national coach of the year in 2006. Some say that Petersen isn’t “gettable” because of his love of the Boise area and family considerations. Current salary is $850,000.

- Al Golden, 40, head coach, Temple. Was a grad assistant under George Welsh at Virginia and left as an assistant at Penn State to become Al Groh’s defensive coordinator at Virginia in 2001. Golden, considered an up-and-comer in the coaching world, has been head coach at Temple since 2006 and led the Owls’ transition from the Big East to the Mid-America Conference. His team is 9-2 and he’s a shoo-in for MAC coach of the year honors. Golden interviewed for the UCLA head coaching job in December 2007 but withdrew his name. Salary unknown.

- Derek Dooley, 40, head coach, Louisiana Tech. Is the only head football coach and athletic director at a major college football program in the nation. Great bloodlines — son of Georgia legend Vince Dooley and nephew of former North Carolina coach Bill Dooley. Derek Dooley was a wide receiver for Virginia on some of the Cavaliers’ greatest teams. He graduating in 1990, having played with Shawn Moore and Herman Moore. Was an All-ACC academic selection. Earned a law degree from Georgia. Coached under Nick Saban at LSU and the Miami Dolphins. Salary unknown.

- Tim Murphy, 53, head coach, Harvard. If its football knowledge and academics that Virginia wants, Murphy has to be considered. Has a 97-52 record with the Ivy League school, making him the second-winningest coach in Crimson history. His ’04 squad went unbeaten. Coached at Maine, where he won, and at Cincinnati, where he did not. Known as one of the top teachers and motivators in the game. Salary unknown.

- Tommy Tuberville, 55, not coaching. Served as head coach at Auburn from 1999-2008 and was head coach at Ole Miss prior to moving to Auburn. Was the 2004 national coach of the year. The only football coach in Auburn history to beat Alabama six times in a row. Considered a top-notch coach and gentleman. Big in the community. Said recently that he wanted to return to a BCS school. Last salary: $2.8 million per year.