Updated: Al Groh fired at Tech
Al Groh will receive an unwanted respite from his 100-hour work weeks and his intricate game plans. After a 32-game term, the Georgia Tech defensive coordinator was relieved of his duties Monday.
In coach Paul Johnson’s analysis, Groh did not fall short in his effort or smarts.
“What’s inside his head, he’s very knowledgeable,” Johnson said. “There’s no questioning that. The problem was becoming, what’s in there, we weren’t seeing on the field.”
Groh’s tenure concluded in a blizzard of points, yards and missed tackles. In Tech’s past three games, losses to Miami, Middle Tennessee State and Clemson, the Yellow Jackets gave up an average of 46 points and 573.3 yards. Opponents converted 31 of 46 third downs into first downs. Improbably, Tech fared slightly worse when opponents faced 3rd-and-7 or longer than 3rd-and-6 or less.
Tech gave up more than 40 points in the three consecutive games, the first time that has happened in school history.
“I think it’s a call to everybody, the coaches, the players, myself, everybody, that we need to do better, that we’re not giving up on the season and the way we’ve played is not acceptable,” Johnson said.
Hired following the 2009 season as a replacement for Dave Wommack because of his ability to teach his scheme and adjust, Groh came to Tech after nine seasons as head coach at Virginia and boasting an NFL pedigree. A longtime friend and colleague of NFL coaching legends Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells, Groh brought a 3-4 scheme and a confident, professorial manner.
“We’re impatient to make it look good,” he said shortly after his hire. “How fast we can do it, we’ll have to see.”
Instead, the Jackets were bogged by problems with communication and alignment and had trouble tackling. Poor finishes also began to plague the team. After Tech’s 6-0 start last season, the Jackets were outscored 48-14 in the fourth quarter of the final seven games of the season and finished 8-5. Particularly devastating was a 30-27 overtime loss to Utah in the Sun Bowl, a game that Tech led 27-13 with less than seven minutes to go.
This season, Tech has been outscored 71-48 in the fourth quarter, its worst quarter on offense and defense and the only period (besides overtime) in which it has been outscored. In losses to Virginia Tech, Miami and Clemson, Tech has held fourth-quarter leads in each only to lose.
Wommack was fired after the defense ranked 54th in yards allowed and 56th in scoring in FBS. Under Groh, Tech finished roughly the same in his first two seasons before plunging to 90th in yards and 89th in scoring this season.
“It was inevitable, at least to me, that it wasn’t getting better,” Johnson said.
Groh will be replaced on an interim basis by secondary coach Charles Kelly, who has been on staff since 2006. Kelly has previously served as a defensive coordinator at Nicholls State and Jacksonville State, two FCS teams. Andy McCollum will move from coaching the defensive line to inside linebackers and Joe Speed will shift from inside linebackers to outside linebackers. Special-teams coordinator David Walkosky will coach the defensive line. Walkosky and McCollum also have experience as defensive coordinators. Johnson said he will provide assistance, as well.
Johnson said he wants to simplify the defense, have players spend more time with their position coaches and conduct more live-hitting drills in practice.
“To me, defense is energy and playing fast and enthusiasm and all those things,” Johnson said. “I think it’s hard to get that if you don’t go live some.”
Johnson made the decision Monday morning. He met with Groh later, and told the team at a meeting in the afternoon. In a statement, Groh said he respected the decision and thanked the defensive assistants and the team. Groh’s contract, a two-year deal with a school option for a third, called for him to make “a minimum of $344,000” this season in his option year.
“I aimed to give the best that I had every day,” he said in the statement. “It’s been an honor to be a part of the legacy of Georgia Tech. I feel positive that this is a good time in life to move on to a new situation.”
Former linebacker and team captain Steven Sylvester said Monday that he enjoyed playing for Groh, citing his knowledge base and his ability to explain difficult concepts easily. Despite the age difference, players related well with the 68-year-old Groh, often stopping in to his office to find him listening to anything from Jay-Z to Maroon 5 to Bruce Springsteen.
“He was a friend and he was a coach,” Sylvester said. “I know a lot of the guys down there are really going to miss him.”
With Tech in its bye week, the team had Monday off and will resume practicing Tuesday. The Jackets’ next game will be Oct. 20 at home against Boston College.
“I didn’t want to give up the rest of the season,” Johnson said. “I still think we can come back and have a good season. That’s why I did it now.”
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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863 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:07 pm
I think that it would do this team a major disservice to start playing for next year. Any coach that isn’t focused on winning the next game doesn’t belong in college football.
fuzzybee78
October 8th, 2012
10:08 pm
@GT1990
I think that depends on what plays CPJ wants to call. He isnt playing now because as PJ says “he still has a lot of work to do” meaning he cant run the TO as efficiently as TW. If PJ is going to call plays that Vad can’t handle it could be ugly. If there is a package big enough for Vad to run and use his athleticism Im all for it.CPJ is a stubborn man about his offense.
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
10:08 pm
GT will not do well in football until they decide that they want to be competitive in college football at the same level as those who win titles. At this point in time we see teams like Boise St and UCF investing more into their football programs than Tech
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:09 pm
1990, you keep coming back to scoring more points. You and others amaze me. Tell me in your infinite wisdom of all your 22 years just how many points do you wish to score every game? Got any wisdom you wish to share about how to get the defense working? This year not next or the next. As Romney would say, I have coached or been involved in football for the better part of 40 years and I have no idea what you are talking about.
GT-UT
October 8th, 2012
10:10 pm
Whoa! Just read the news. I just want to say that Groh is a fine man. One of the very best from what I can tell. I’m sad to see him dismissed, but he’s bigger than football. I wish him the best and am proud to have a man of his stature and experience part of the GT history.
I’m proud of CPJ. The D has been terrible.
Same with TW. He’s a great guy. Proud to have him at GT. Time to play Vad and or Justin. That’s what happens…it’s just the way it is. Time to build the future.
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:11 pm
The kid just can’t stand high scoring offense. I’ll change my recommendation; pick LSU as your substitute favorite team.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:12 pm
@under the bleachers, for once I agree with you. I am all for that thought.
T-TIme
October 8th, 2012
10:14 pm
@super – have to agree. Love the TO when it is clicking. We just cannot seem to put together a complete game against a good team. Lots of reasons…. blocking, perimeter blocking, and a lot of bad reads and timing problems. My main complaint has been with changing the game plan when it is working. We need that smash them in the mouth attitude, and Tevin (as nice of a kid as he is) plays timid at the wrong times during the game. I know Vad has timing problems too, but he does show better mechanics. I would like to see the play time split so we can get Vad up to speed with the first offense in real game situations.
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:15 pm
Boise St and UCF have very flexible standards for admission.
Carlson
October 8th, 2012
10:15 pm
Enter your comments here
George Stein
October 8th, 2012
10:16 pm
Most teams don’t put together complete games against good defenses. That’s why those defenses are good. The question is whether it puts together a more complete game than alternatives, and I think the answer is yes.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:17 pm
T-Time want to talk about the lack of defense a little? I’ll ask you the same question. How many points do you think this offense needs to rack up every game and not loose. Wake up, the offense is not the problem.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:18 pm
That’s lose, but loose on the defense is appropriate.
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:18 pm
Benching a permanent team captain to start a RS freshman would certainly lose the team.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:20 pm
@1990 want to answer my last question?
fuzzybee78
October 8th, 2012
10:20 pm
Hey Delbert and Ole yeller, whats your point here? Run off a 22 year old life long Tech fan because he disagrees with you? Suggest he pick another team. Age and manners should go together, I have both.
GT-UT
October 8th, 2012
10:21 pm
DD…I don’t think so. I think the team understands he’s a talent. Won’t be surprised if TW is bench or is phased out.
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
10:22 pm
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:15 pm
Boise St and UCF have very flexible standards for admission.
Delbert, Explain Stanford, Northwestern, TCU, …on and on…..Tech is not spending money on football, but we all know The ACC is a basketball conference,,,,new basketball arena…..
Bobo
October 8th, 2012
10:24 pm
The more I have time to look at the whole situation, the more I’m convinced that Washington or the offense is not really the big problem. Statistically, Washington is passing close to 70% and has run for 13 rushing TDs. Yes, he makes some bone-headed decisions, but our offense is still averaging 39 PPG. 39 PPG should be enough to beat ANY normal ACC team. Our defense is just shockingly bad and I don’t think it goes any further than that. A lot of the stupid things Tevin has done on offense are probably a direct result of feeling the need to keep scoring, because no matter what, what they’ve scored wasn’t enough.
With that said, I think Groh is a class act and a great guy. It’s too bad that things have to end for him, but he shouldn’t hang his head. He’s had a great career and now it’s just time for him to enjoy himself in retirement.
JMatt
October 8th, 2012
10:25 pm
P Johnson blames assistant. Kinda like Wisconsin coach who gassed O coordinator after 2 games. Looks like time for total change/Johnson to go after this season. Tech going backwards fast.
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:25 pm
fuzzybee78 – The young man is frustrated. I suggest that he find something that doesn’t frustrate him. It’s fine with me, either way.
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
10:26 pm
In 2014 Every NCAA school will be on the same admission standards…some a little tougher and more selective but he core classes and SAT/ACT / GPA will eliminate an estimated 17% of current high school seniors from eligibility into college athletics.
DawgNole
October 8th, 2012
10:26 pm
George Stein
October 8th, 2012
8:42 pm
It would help recruiting if all the people complaining actually got their backsides down to the stadium and got loud and made that place a pain in the ass to play in. I’ll provide the Maker’s if y’all do.
____________________
If you don’t get any takers on that offer, then they really don’t care.
Platinum Jacket Booster
October 8th, 2012
10:26 pm
Paul Johnson is the only coach that needs firing. The buck stops with him, and bottom line is Tech is not getting the job done. Is there any wonder why they have 25,000 empty seats every home game?
BS Patrol
October 8th, 2012
10:27 pm
At least 12 games overdue IMHO. I seems a good DC would want to come to Tech because he knows the O will cover him for 30 pts. Clemson was the only game I can remember with a pass rush. I don’t think the 3-4 will ever cut it here. Also, who taught the D to wait until the ball carrier comes to you?
And for you doggies clamoring for Petrino, wouldn’t that tend to tarnish your squeaky-clean image?
fuzzybee78
October 8th, 2012
10:27 pm
@Bobo
You make a good argument but Im worried about the slow bleed on the talent. Agree about Groh completely!
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:28 pm
Under the Bleachers – TCU took Joe Don Looney. I believe his quote was something to the effect, “Sooner or later, you go to TCU.” I’ll look it up in my files.
Jorge O'leary
October 8th, 2012
10:29 pm
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:15 pm
Boise St and UCF have very flexible standards for admission.
So Delbert D, do you think that Ga Tech can turn “student athletes” into national championship material? Your recruiting is on par with mtsu and ucf, south florida and fiu. Johnson just threw an experienced d coordinator to the wolves because tech cant recruit above 3 stars. Get used to this with any coach you hire. You know why O’leary left? Unreasonable expectations by Tech fans and alumni. You guys are going to be pillow biters for a long time!!
T-TIme
October 8th, 2012
10:29 pm
@ole – no excuse for that defense we have. Just making the point that we have been up and down on both sides of the ball. Secondary was lost and confused Saturday. Not sure it showed it on TV but they were pointing fingers at each other on several plays.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:31 pm
Fuzzy, I have a right to disagree with anyone. If 1990 is convinced that this offense is not competitive than that’s his right. I must however disagree when I see something that is illogical. His views are not with logic when it comes to offensive changes as this time. Hell we need every fan we can get. So I will back off, just to save a fan. By the way I never said go find another team to anyone.
fuzzybee78
October 8th, 2012
10:37 pm
@ole yeller
Disagree all you want, just show a fellow Tech man some class, I have 3 sons in there 20’s and they are all Tech fans. Need all we can get from what I can see from my seats.
Go tech
October 8th, 2012
10:39 pm
Enter your comments here
mansup
October 8th, 2012
10:39 pm
Coach Groh is a fine coach, and I’m not sure exactly why his term was such a failure. But, it was, and CPJ did what was inevitable. What a shame. The Jackets have many problems, however, and I don’t see much hope for the rest of the season. One thing seems evident, though…there are not nearly enough good football players for them to compete. And one has only to look at the rosters of other schools, in nearby states, to see that Tech is not doing a good job recruiting in Georgia. I wonder if the CPJ experiment is coming to a dismal end.
fuzzybee78
October 8th, 2012
10:42 pm
Jorge—
Oleary left because his dream job ND called. We all wish he hadn’t. Cept dawg fans.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:44 pm
Fuzzybee, I have seen some disrespectful crap come from 1990. So don’t go there.
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:45 pm
Check this out on Joe Don Looney. I found a new (to me) source of escapades by a player I used to watch on TV, from a TCU site.
http://www.spitbloodtcu.com/2012/05/what-dick-joe-don-looney-edition.html
BS Patrol
October 8th, 2012
10:46 pm
I can’t help but wonder if Vad has fumblitis. Strictly speculation but you don’t want that, especially with this offense.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:48 pm
By the way Fuzzy. I am probably looking across from you and your empty seats from the West stands. Yes it is bad.
fan
October 8th, 2012
10:48 pm
Another half million paid out, when will those knotheads at Tech ever learn.
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
10:49 pm
@jorge “So Delbert D, do you think that Ga Tech can turn “student athletes” into national championship material?”
Very few schools do, but then we haven’t seen an actual Div.1 national championship won by any school yet, have we? I don’t think that college football is the meaning of life.
Go tech
October 8th, 2012
10:52 pm
Get Ralph back——had the greatest show on grass——Tanuda on D—-can’t be any worse!
1 4 GT
October 8th, 2012
10:53 pm
GT1990 just made a mistake. I bought season tickets this year for the 1st time in many a year. Early in the season, I tried to buy a ticket thru the right channels for the GT/Georgie game at BDS @ HGF (knowing I would not spend the money an outside source would demand). The GT ticket told me I had to be a season ticket holder to buy a single game ticket for the Georgie game. They told me no one could buy just that ticket thru the ticket office.
1 4 GT
October 8th, 2012
10:55 pm
Plus gt1990 is the dweeb that said (yelled=all caps) my Mama is garbage.
crap old same
October 8th, 2012
10:57 pm
too late.
PCH
October 8th, 2012
10:57 pm
good decision, good time to make the move, congrats on that…. Now can the offense give a standing ovation every time the defense stops them on 3rd down, and ga tech is not just about offense… CJ is the head coach…. lets see what happens when …. if Tech was known for their defense, then we have a winner. If CJ was to spend 50 % of his time with the defense, it would make me feel very comfortable.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
10:59 pm
Fuzzy, 1990 is not a Tech fan. Wake up to the previous venom he has spewed against this program.
fuzzybee78
October 8th, 2012
11:01 pm
no ole yeller, Ive had a west stand seat for 50+ years, now lets passionately agree we love GT and disagree as if we were talking while tailgating.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
11:03 pm
Hey pal, we are on. I love GT as you do.
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
11:05 pm
I yield to your age. I thought I was older than you but you must be past 70. You threw me with the 78.
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2012
11:06 pm
I found it. Seriously, everyone needs to know about Joe Don Looney. He was the most talented athlete I’ve ever seen, but what a strange mind.
From “The Looney legend” by Mike Shropshire
“In his first semester at Texas, Looney made four F’s and a D in psychology, and he did what everybody used to do under those circumstances. He enrolled at TCU.”