Groh happy with first week — updated
Al Groh said he’s had a fun first week as Georgia Tech’s defensive coordinator.
From parachuting in as a recruiter, to watching lots of film from last year’s games, to getting to know the other assistants and players personally, Groh said he’s been keeping busy.
The real work, however, will start as soon as Signing Day passes on Feb. 3. After that, Groh will be begin to teach the assistant coaches the techniques and schemes for the 3-4 defense that Tech will install for the 2010 season.
“It’s up to the people who are installing, more so than the people who are listening, to create buy in,” Groh said. “There will be change in this. Our job is to sell value of that change.
“[We want to] get this thing looking the way we want to look as fast as possible. It’s a real process. Buy-in is the first part of it. We’re impatient to make it look good. How fast we can do it, we’ll have to see.”
Most of his time has been spent with a spiral notebook on his lap and a pencil in his hand evaluating last year’s games. Groh declined to discuss specific players at a press conference on Friday because he said he doesn’t want to be an “instant evaluator.” He said he prefers to talk to the players individually about what he’s noted before they read anything in the newspaper.
Groh said there will be two changes on staff compared to last year. Charles Kelly will coach the entire secondary, rather than the cornerbacks like he did the last two years. Dave Wommack, the team’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, coached the safeties as well. Also, Groh will coach the linebackers as a unit, with Brian Jean-Mary assisting him. Jean-Mary was that position coach the past two seasons.
The reason for the changes is that Groh believes those two units need cohesion. He said that’s developed by being in the same meeting rooms and participating in the same drills.
“Games are won up front but lost in the back end,” Groh said. “Big plays happen in the back end through miscommunication.”
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71 comments Add your comment
AlabamaRamblinwreck
January 22nd, 2010
12:57 pm
Thanks for the update, Doug. We are craving anything you can provide us about GT football!!
nickj0321
January 22nd, 2010
1:11 pm
Go Jackets!! Glad to have Groh!
collegeballfan
January 22nd, 2010
1:14 pm
Nice interview & article. I was wondering how he was going to handle the splits in coaching responsibilities.
Now my question. Groh is not listed on the roster as a coach. Has he signed a contract? Since he gave an interview as a GT coach I would assume he is fully on board.
Buzzed Driving
January 22nd, 2010
1:17 pm
Okay, so no comments on recruiting. That’s cool but would love to get another commitment.
Burdell
January 22nd, 2010
1:32 pm
Excited to see the new brand of defense at the spring game.
Does anyone know if the date for that has been announced yet?
bone
January 22nd, 2010
1:36 pm
The real question is can Groh develop talent on the defensive side of the ball the way Paul does on the offensive side.
http://dawgsvsjackets.blogspot.com/
C
January 22nd, 2010
1:44 pm
I find it rather ironic that both GT and UGA hired new defensive coordinators that run a 3-4 defense.
GT
January 22nd, 2010
1:47 pm
Groh ain’t like the fifth choice he was the first and only choice so he must have something PJ wants. PJ has had time to figure out what he wants so the choice should not reflect what he did the first time around when he thought the offense could carry both sides. If Groh puts some starch in the defense this is going to be a very interesting season.
techie
January 22nd, 2010
1:52 pm
Groh has been very productive already. He has 3 fillups and 2 car washes at the local BP therefore securing Tech tickets to 5 home games.
With 3 more washes, he gets the gold level tickets which is in the unoccupied 50 yard line seats!
NativeAtlantan
January 22nd, 2010
1:54 pm
and there it is…the dawg lurkers surface…
ATLdawg, ya dig?
January 22nd, 2010
1:55 pm
Can Groh develop talent? Are you kidding? He put together some of the best defenses in the ACC year-in and year-out with Vanderbilt-level recruits. Hell, UVa is harder to get into than Vanderbilt. So Duke- level recruits. Groh is one of the best X’s and O’s in college football, period. Listen up Techies- and this is coming from a Georgia fan- yall are so damn lucky to get this hire, you guys need to thank your lucky stars.
JW
January 22nd, 2010
1:58 pm
ATLdawg, ya dig?
I certainly hope you are right – I’m sure the loss of JD, BT, DM, and MB will hurt, but I’m hoping that CPJ has accounted for this in his recruiting/development of talent last year and that he has accounted for it on the defensive side of the ball with Groh
Good Luck with Grantham and thanks for keeping it classy
GT in Gold Town
January 22nd, 2010
1:59 pm
Anyone on defense going to transfer out because of the higher?
Vince Dooley
January 22nd, 2010
2:02 pm
wish we had 4 National Championship like our big brother Tech……dead gum it !!!
Too Easy
January 22nd, 2010
2:04 pm
“Higher” what? Oh, you meant ‘hire’ and just couldn’t spell it.
Cuttysark
January 22nd, 2010
2:08 pm
Old school. That is exactly what we need to get the defense going!
For more articles on Georgia Tech Football go to http://isportsweb.com. Go Jackets!
Yazoo
January 22nd, 2010
2:12 pm
To the guy that asked about the spring game – I’ve heard practice starts late March and the spring game will be April 24th.
Tech will win a National Championship
January 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
We are going to be dominant! 14-0, National Champions!
SOOHSO
January 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
17nd
Technophobia
January 22nd, 2010
2:45 pm
Great to see Groh hit the ground running and his enthusiasm is obvious.
Atl dawg, I totally agree, we were VERY fortunate. We got a bargain at a time when the budget is strained but, more importantly, we got an experienced and accomplished guy that is only coaching because of his love of the game. He doesn’t NEED a paycheck but he needs to coach. Most successful people really love what they do and I’m glad he’s excited about what is going on at Tech. Go Jackets!
tape worm
January 22nd, 2010
2:48 pm
Hey, thats pretty good if he can dominate in the ACC!
Grantham
January 22nd, 2010
2:54 pm
What do you mean I have to live in Athens (cesspool)? $700K ain’t enough.
Ramblin'Wreck
January 22nd, 2010
2:56 pm
Groh already making improvements to the coaching structure.
If you look @ his resume, you will notice that Al loves coaching up LB’s.
Grantham,
There is always the big town of Winder.
blackprix
January 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Who give a crap about Georgia … we got our man that’s all that matters!
Bama2010
January 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
Johnson is Grohhhhhhhhhhing on me bwahahahah
VT blanks sheep
January 22nd, 2010
3:31 pm
the only thing bad about this whole thing is that we have to wait 8 months until football season starts..
Coach Groh
January 22nd, 2010
3:44 pm
I had no idea it was 11 miles to Picadilly using side roads
JB
January 22nd, 2010
3:45 pm
Good hire for you guys. You need someone for him to coach though.
Poindexter Jugdish
January 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
Mr. Dooley, I have read that the Institute was established by people at the University of Georgia. That would make them our Mama and Daddy.
Tweets that mention Groh happy with first week — updated | Tech -- Topsy.com
January 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by dougroberson, ON Recruitment. ON Recruitment said: OpenNetworkers.info: Groh happy with first week — updated: Al Groh said he’s had a fun first week as Georgia Tech’s def http://url4.eu/1CAxl [...]
Dawgie Bowser
January 22nd, 2010
4:29 pm
I’m happy too that he’s spent the 1st week looking for a good strip club. What’s up with that weird last name which is Hog spelled backward with an extra letter. Welcome to the Gayest City in America.
Corch Irvin Maya
January 22nd, 2010
4:37 pm
As a recent graduate of UVA, all I have to say to Tech fans is: be careful what you ask for, you just might get him.
Pete
January 22nd, 2010
5:02 pm
Coach Groh is starting to “Groh” on us.
superDawg
January 22nd, 2010
5:25 pm
Good luck your going to need it.HBTD!
tape worm
January 22nd, 2010
5:35 pm
Where are all the Tech fans? We win the ACC and you don’t see very many hats, shirts or license plates! People should realize we are only going to get better.
Tron Carter
January 22nd, 2010
5:44 pm
Groh is also happy with Metamucil
Tron Carter
January 22nd, 2010
5:47 pm
No T shirts or license plates? – How about no fan support. Even though you are located in the biggest city in the State you can’t fill a 55,000 seat stadium .
It takes free hotdogs and cokes to get the tens of Georgia Trek fans to watch the triple joke.
Tron Carter
January 22nd, 2010
5:49 pm
Coach Groh had sucess with defenses in the past, but Trek doesn’t have the caliber linebackers he is used to like Moses and Methuselah.
Paddy
January 22nd, 2010
6:06 pm
Bone…..Of course he can develop talent! He has done it for years at the highest levels. Don’t worry about CG.
Zzzzzzzzzzz
January 22nd, 2010
6:30 pm
I got a chance to listen to the audio of the entire interview. Groh seemed very comfortable answering all the questions. There’s no doubt he understands where he fits in the grand scheme of things. There’s also no doubt he is looking forward to UVA coming to Atlanta next year.
I only say this because of the UGA’s infatuation with the GT blogs…if Groh and Grantham were on the same staff, Groh would be Grantham’s boss.
GT Anchorage
January 22nd, 2010
6:30 pm
I did rather live in the gayest city in America then a place that smells like someone took a slam. I mean really, they don’t call it the cesspool of the south for no reason. Athens smells terrible as soon as you pass the loop on 78. I can still smell the place all the way in Anchorage. You dogs may think that it doesn’t smell that bad though since your trailer smells worse.
GIVE ME A BREAK
January 22nd, 2010
6:43 pm
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? GO JACKETS!!!!
Okeefe/Bob
January 22nd, 2010
6:59 pm
I’m ready for the season to begin.When is our next game ?????Saturday??Can you tell I’m a football fan?Gooooo Jackets.
Tron Carter
January 22nd, 2010
7:02 pm
Dawgs got the bette coach and everyone feels that way… http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=ncf&pollId=84764
Right?
Tron Carter
January 22nd, 2010
7:04 pm
ESPN Sports Nation Poll:
Which team in Georgia made a better hire at defensive coordinator?
Georgia (Todd Grantham) in blue
Georgia Tech (Al Groh) in red
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=ncf&pollId=84764
Obvious
January 22nd, 2010
7:06 pm
Thanks Tron! We feel the same way as everyone else – Groh is the better hire! Go Jackets!
Biddly Biddington the III
January 22nd, 2010
7:09 pm
We just made our Johnson Groh. Doesn’t that deserve a bid?
Who is relevant?
January 22nd, 2010
7:13 pm
Groh = 47 comments
Grantham= 250 comments
Supersize that order, mutt
January 22nd, 2010
7:24 pm
Tron, thanks for posting that link. If it’s correct, that is very very good for Tech. Go Jackets !!!
Bobbi Dud
January 22nd, 2010
7:24 pm
Hope there are no banana peels on the sidelines because Groh has already one foot in the grave!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 22nd, 2010
7:25 pm
Who is relevant? I guess that ESPN Nation poll proves that UGAG is relevant only in the eyes of mutt fans within the state of Georgia.
Relevant?
January 22nd, 2010
7:29 pm
Yeah, Shreveport is relevant!
GTfan
January 22nd, 2010
7:37 pm
Tech got the better DC and their FIRST choice for a small fraction of the cost that uga paid for their at least 4th choice. Who is relevant and who has the unattractive job prospects?? There is a reason uga was turned down so many times and it is similar to the reason Richt’s name does NOT come up in coaching vacancies. That ride has ended abruptly.
Go get em Jackets
January 22nd, 2010
7:46 pm
no so much worried about Groh’s desire to play VA but rather VT who will be waiting on us with vengeance not to mention Clemson, UNC, and UGA. Geez, has he seen our road game schedule, lol.
GTfan
January 22nd, 2010
7:52 pm
I feel bad for the teams we play later in the season. Neither Groh nor the triple option get going until October. September games could be interesting though.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 22nd, 2010
7:56 pm
Go get em, don’t forget in CPJ’s first year at Tech, the Jackets came damn close to beating the Hokies AT Blacksburg—if not for a back-to-back phantom helmet-to-helmet call and a stupid (but correctly called) personal foul. Also, the vengeance factor quite often backfires on the team seeking vengeance. However, you are right, the road game schedule next season is ROUGH!!!
messin with sasquatch
January 22nd, 2010
8:21 pm
do we still have to play doggs next year? they are going to be awesome. we can’t possibly beat them. they are so ready to get started again and prove who they are.
they’ll play no other game in atlanta but the one against tech, but thats all they want. they will even sacrifice a win in the kentucky game if they can prove themselves worthy at bobby dodd.
Bill
January 22nd, 2010
9:15 pm
Thanks Tron…I agree with every State except Ga that GT won on DC’s. But look at it this way, UGA got their 4th pick and they are happy. GT got their man 1st and they ‘re happy. Both schools happy…thats good. Now the problem is UGA get 28 recruites and GT only gets 16. That sucks.
Tokyo jacket
January 22nd, 2010
9:15 pm
ATL Dawg, way to show some class man. Personally, I don’t go on UGA blogs, but we owe it to fans like you to be a little classier. I think both UGA and Tech have come out with probably A- and A+ hires, respectively. UGA’s new DC is only an A- because he’s unproven. His results are A+ so far.
Groh on the other hand is at Tech for three or four years tops I think. But, with the exception of Foster, Andrews and Muschamp, what coordinator is at the top of his game for 4 years and not onto another school? CPJ and CAG haven’t really discussed why CAG is at Tech (vs Miami or New England). My opinion is to start a legacy and try to impart his defensive genius on someone who is an up and comer in the coaching ranks. I’ll bet a dollar that Coach BJ is gonna be Tech’s next DC in 2013/14.
Doug, I think you might have missed the boat in not writing about Tech’s lack of firings after the DC left. Can you remember the last coordinator swap in a BCS conference that didn’t include multiple if not total staff turnover? That’s why I suggested what I did about CBJ.
GT Fan
January 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
Thanks Atl Dawg for info. I do thank my lucky Stars for Groh and good people like you. I also pull for UGA when we are not playing each other and think the world of Coach Richt.
ignition
January 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
I think Tech got the much more accomplished hire. Its gonna be tough for Tech next year however..
Tokyo jacket
January 22nd, 2010
9:38 pm
Ignition and GT fan, I disagree. I will agree we lost HUGE talent. But let’s not forget we lost three defensive starters last year effectively for the year. We also had one of, if not THE, deepest backfield in the country last year. The cupboard ain’t barren! I’m not saying that next year is going to be a cakewalk, but ESPN’s Mark Schlaback says that the Groh hiring cancels out the departing juniors.
IF (big IF) UGA’s and GT’s DCs live up to their potential next year, the state of Georgia could have the nation’s best duo of college football teams in one state (competing w/ Alabama, Oregon, and California most likely). I still say that next year’s COFH will have major BCS implications.
Buckhead Bulldog
January 23rd, 2010
9:40 am
Tokyo jacket: For what’s worth, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach is an UGA Grad, too. If y’all shore up that D, and let CPJ let his O system roll, you guys will be alright.
Do you all play VT in the reg. season? If not you will see them in the ACCCG….they look tough for next year.
Why doesn’t the ACC have their schedules out, yet?
wahoomark
January 23rd, 2010
11:57 am
groh talks a good game, gt fans dont get your hopes up too soon
Stinger Envy
January 23rd, 2010
11:58 am
((((30-24))))
tomkat1
January 23rd, 2010
4:55 pm
At 65 Groh is happy every day he wakes up above ground.
BobinBuford
January 23rd, 2010
5:10 pm
Buckhead Bulldog:
GT plays VT every season – they are in the Coastal Division.
Tron Carter – Tech hasn’t done the hot dogs and cokes bit for at least 3 years now. They have actually passed that on to the UGA basketball team so that they can get some fans into that building.
killerJ
January 23rd, 2010
6:57 pm
The Nads Are Going Man! To Improve In This Area Is Awsome.Make It So Groh!!Make Sure to End It With “TO HELL WITH GEORGIA”
GT is lame
January 23rd, 2010
10:05 pm
UGA 30 – gt 24!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!
ONLY 11 MONTHS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE RUN THIS STATE!!!!!!!!!!!
old hoo
January 24th, 2010
8:23 pm
al groh ruined every thing george welsh did at Virginia and GT is glad to have him? and it’s hilarious he now talks to the media since he never allowed his assistants to do so at Viginia. good luck with the arrogant blowhard.
CJramblinrecluse
January 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
Tech should have gone to a 5-3 or 6-3, not a 3-5. The 5 lbs of a 3-5 cannot do too much traditionally at Tech, covering receivers poorly and tackling only, never for sacks, only for short gains. It’s the dls who sack, and the dbs who blitz causing incomplete passes. A 5-3 or 6-3 would have one or two of the 5 or 6 as dls for blitzing. That really does rattle qbs. Linebackers have always been the weakest point for Tech, and it looks like they will now be under scrutiny with 5 of them on defense. This does not look good for Tech’s defense.