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
Supersize that order, mutt
October 8th, 2012
3:26 pm
I doubt any good DC is available mid-season, so I feel sure an assistant will take over for the rest of the year. Groh failed, but he DID have credentials, and even now, I think it was a decent (not best, but decent) choice. But it should have been obvious last year, that it was not going to work
Dewayne
October 8th, 2012
3:26 pm
Can you fire the players? They took the field and couldn’t do their jobs!!! Send them with him!!!
GTPhenom
October 8th, 2012
3:26 pm
Hate to say I called the season going this way after the Miami game, but I knew this was where this season was heading. Too much emphasis with the players was put on that VT game, and then the team just started falling flat. The unfortunate reality with Groh is that he couldn’t get the type of D-Line athletes you need to run a 3-4, and I don’t know that any coach really could here at GT. Those guys have to be 6′3″+ and at least 280+ as a general rule, but they also have to be able to play ball and eat up blocks. Not sure who we go with now at DC, but this needs to be a bang up find if we want any chance at having a good season next year. Next move will be to start Vad Lee. No better time than now with the bye week coming up and a lot of time to prepare for another bad opponent. Get him as much as experience as possible so that next year, when we return 19 of 24 starters we can have a shot at being great. Consider that fact for a second. We only lose Uzzi, Orwin (who has been pretty poor this season), Tevin (not exactly a loss), Cross (invisible this year), Barnes (invisible this year), and Sweeting (and I could probably cover better than him). With a somewhat experienced QB, and even a MARGINALLY better defense, I like our chances. Time to rebuild for next year and have a shot at something great in the future.
Nix in Flowery Branch
October 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
Agree with GTJoe… Firing Groh now is the right call. Nothing to lose and everything to gain. Benching Tevin Washington would be the best all time coaching move EVER.
Nathan "Lurch" Gaunt
October 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
Rumor has it that Brian Billick is taking a two-week leave of absence from Fox to help implement the 4-3…you heard it here first.
OldGold1964
October 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
I have to oncur, a move was necessary and the b;ame / responsibility has to rest with coaches. But, be forwarned, people: one man does not a difference make. More blame to go around and no excuses of Burnett’s career ending injury or absence of other players was going to smooth things over. GT needs healthy defensive players and more of them — not a star at every position, but a few adequate back-ups would do wonders.
Defense: stand up. Show pride. Give it your best and try to assist your offensive brothers in coming together as a TEAM. Good Things can still be achived, one game at a time, with togetherness and committment.
GT Joe
October 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
Giff smith would be awesome. He’s ready for the job, and he’s the best recruiter we’ve had ever.
All the credit Gailey gets for Dwyer, Nesbitt, Burnett, etc.? It was Giff, not Chan.
USMC Dawg
October 8th, 2012
3:28 pm
“why would any of the top DC’s come to Tech?”
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
NEXT QUESTION!
5150 UOAD
October 8th, 2012
3:28 pm
Jemea Thomas……sorry they made you delete your Facebook post…..But YES some of Us wanted Coach Groh to do well and backed you no matter what. It just became evident it was not working. I’m sorry you liked Coach Groh and he had to leave. Now it is time you and you Mates pull together and work through the pain of your loss.
ElectBuzz
October 8th, 2012
3:28 pm
‘When somebody doesn’t do the job, you gotta let ‘em go” – Clint Eastwood
JR
October 8th, 2012
3:28 pm
Technically Correct, you clearly know nothing about Al Groh. You can describe him many ways, but ‘classy’ is not one of them. He’s about as un-classy as they come.
juvenal
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
ignition, Bama 1 of the few college teams that can get the players for the 3-4…..have said from day 1 we would not get those players..uga not to lucky with their 3-4, with 4 nfl calibre thugs…..
mcdonough jacket
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
Several games too late, but it had to be done. We can’t recruit guys big and athletic enough for the 3-4 consistently. I never understood how a ‘defensive genius’ had such a hard time against what should be the easiest to defend situation in football, 3rd and long. But we consistently failed to defend it. I would find myself rooting for teams to gain at least 7 yards in the first 2 downs just so that I wouldn’t have to watch a third and long pass to a wide open receiver, or a running back break 15 tackles to get a first down.
Good luck Mr. Groh. Perhaps Mr. Gailey can find a spot for you, I hear the Bills are in need of a “defensive genius”.
Dawg Fud
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
Mark Richt is next…….
5150 UOAD
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
“A MAN has to Know His Limitations.”
Ramblin Man
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
so is the D gonna stick with the 3-4 or switch to a basic 4-3? Interesting times
Dewayne
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
Money will not fix that problem!! The players on defense are the problem!!
GTBEE
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
Fired the only decent head coach on the team!
How can Grogh be to blame when there is no way humanly possible that Tech’s offensive practice squad can replicate a “REAL” college offense??
Two DC’s fired in the last 4 years at Tech, it’s about time for Johnson to quit being so stubborn and open up our H.S. offense quite a bit to help out the defensive players at practice.
I also want to know why everyone keeps giving CPJ a pass?
CPJ wasted 2:00 + minutes just before the half when we deparately needed to score, pitching the ball 5 yards deep into your own endzone always ends bad….SAFETY, the play calling for the offense was absolutley terrible. The sorry play calls on 1st and 2nd down lead to 3rd and long situations that Tech can never reach using this offense.
Look at how crappy the ACC is this year and think of the teams that have kicked our tails. Now look at the SEC teams that are 100 times better than Tech, and how they lost this weekend.
Now think of Oregon and how they are 500 times better than Tech….and lastly compare Alabama to Tech and you will come to realize that we are not even a blip on the radar! This team has been destroyed and we won’t get any better until 3-4 years after a new head coach is hired!
GA Southern wouldn’t even take Tech’s players, nor Navy, Army, Airforce or evem Middle Tennessee State.
We are a “Train Wreck”, the wheels are completely off of the truck, we are a bicycle with two warped rims and no chain!
ACC Championship = not attainable with CPJ’s recruiting and with his system (Gailey gets the one from a couple of years ago).
National Championship = those days are long gone and we should probably hand in our old trophies since we are no longer a real college football team.
My kid just finished the Tech application for admission…….I hate to say it, but right now I’m wishing anywhere but Tech!
macrotech
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
I wish Al Groh the best. With that said, I LOVE that our coach is willing to pull the plug! The numbers speak for themselves….our D is offensive! Now, we are in a position to match up a decent D to go with our O! GO TECH!!!
GTVegas
October 8th, 2012
3:30 pm
The next couple of moves wil be interesting. Who is going to be the interim DC? When does Lee replace TW? Who is the next actual DC?
I agree with the assessment that this is CPJ’s last chance at hiring the right guy? The new guy’s chance to prove himself matches up petty well with the remaining term of CPJ’s contract. Now, we need to find a way to get Giff Smith to come back.
As far as TW goes, my biggest problem with him has been his recent monumental bad decisions, changing plays at critical times that have casued us numerous serious problems. You could tell that CPJ was very frustrated with TW over the last few games and for a reason.
Bill Lewis
October 8th, 2012
3:30 pm
You Rang?
GT Joe
October 8th, 2012
3:31 pm
Where can I hear the press conference? starting right now…
Mark in ATL
October 8th, 2012
3:31 pm
Al Groh isn’t the problem here…the lack of talent of this team is……CPJ is 4-9 is his last 13 games…..that’s on him as well…..he can’t scapegoat forever
BuzzBecause
October 8th, 2012
3:31 pm
CPJ just moving the blame to someone to make himself look better. The problem is the top! But if this make him feel better that’s all that matters, he should fire that new special teams coach as well.
CPJ still will never be able to recruit decent players using that stupid no name offense, not to mention his terrible personal attitude towards the media and people in general.
WAKE UP D.R.
Clay
October 8th, 2012
3:31 pm
I think the Tech offense is part of the problem…the defense spends the week practicing against the Tech spread offense then goes up against a pro-style offense on Saturday. It’s similar to the problem Tech’s opponents have.
Mark in ATL
October 8th, 2012
3:31 pm
Agreed BuzzBecause…..he’s simply trying to shift blame
ignition
October 8th, 2012
3:32 pm
Giff Smith is a good choice but Rumph would be better..
He currently works under Saban and was a great recruiter for Clemson..
Everywhere he has been his defenses have performed ..
He knows both the 3-4 and the 4-3 and is currently coaching on the Best defensive staff in college football .. It’s a No Brainer.. Get Him to Tech !!!
GTVegas
October 8th, 2012
3:32 pm
Forgot one question. How long does it take the new guy to scrap the 3-4? I do not think it will be much of a problem to switch to a 4-3 with our present personnel.
Tom
October 8th, 2012
3:32 pm
don’t care who it is you cant coach a good or great team if you don’t have the talent and it is obvious that GT doesn’t have the talent on defense!!!!!!
Al Groh Fired! | We Talk All Things ACC
October 8th, 2012
3:32 pm
[...] 15 Al Groh Fired! Posted in Football – 8 October 2012 – No comment Sources from Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Journal Constitution have confirmed that Al Groh has been let go by Georgia Tech. You can read more about it here: http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/10/08/al-groh-fired-at-tech/ [...]
Concerned
October 8th, 2012
3:32 pm
It doesn’t matter what coach is hired. As long as the TO is the offense, the defense will stink. You recruit offensive to fit the system. Even when you run the other team’s offense during scout team, you are playing against players that are recruited to run the TO. Consequently, the defense will never get a good look to prepare for the better teams.
Also, when recruiting, other schools will mention the above fact and that you will be getting cut blocked in every practice. It is tough to get great defensive players when they feel that will not be as well prepared for the next level even if they don’t get their knees injured when practicing against the TO.
Kris Medlen
October 8th, 2012
3:33 pm
Fire CPJ
carl
October 8th, 2012
3:33 pm
roll tide
The Grinch
October 8th, 2012
3:33 pm
Ramblin Man
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
If Johnson thinks a 4-3 is better then he needs to make the switch now. He has an off week and, face it, this season is lost. He can get the 4-3 up and running and he can also start tuning the offense for next year by switching QBs.
Think about it for a second – will it be easier for Johnson to find a good college DC who has experience with the 4-3 or the 3-4?
GT
October 8th, 2012
3:33 pm
Got my attention, the game won’t wait for you to catch up anymore. Opponents are playing 80 plays on offense in some games; you have got to be thinking three plays ahead. There were times the offense started plays before the defense was even set up. I think you have got to play with four down, stop the run make em pass or at least get someone in there that can tackle.
The offense is functioning; any defense would put a winner on the field. Good job CPJ, way to make a decision.
USMC Dawg
October 8th, 2012
3:34 pm
“why would any of the top DC’s come to Tech?”
You don’t need a TOP Dc. All Tech needs is a decent and serviceable Defensive Coordinator with a pulse. ANd please CPJ, don’t go near the Old Folks Home again when looking for a new DC.
Answer This
October 8th, 2012
3:34 pm
You waited that long? Thats why Tech is what it is!
TechFanPlus
October 8th, 2012
3:34 pm
I think Coach Groh is an honorable man and I appreciate his willingness to come to Tech to coach our defense. If you look at the talent on our defensive line, the man had very little talent to work with. I think he gave it his best shot and I feel very badly it didn’t work out. He repressented us well. I wish him and his family the very best
eddy
October 8th, 2012
3:34 pm
Even the smartest man in college football, CPJ, according to CPJ has a firm grasp of the obvious.
ZAD
October 8th, 2012
3:35 pm
Tech’s QB can run “that” offence without CPJ. Cut him loose too!
collegeballfan
October 8th, 2012
3:36 pm
There is nothing wrong with the offense.
The problem under Johnson has been the defense and the people he has hired to coach the defense. A major contributor to the poor defense is Johnson’s proclivity to go for it on 4th down on his own side of the 50. He really needs to save that for the end of the game. At times it appears that Johnson is coaching “scared”. He does not trust his own offense.
Finding an excellent, proven, DC will be tough. Tech is a proven .500 football program. Who is going to leave a winning program to come to GT?
Harvey D. Pooka
October 8th, 2012
3:36 pm
Good luck, Coach. Take some time off and re-charge yourself. Use some of that UVA money to ease see you through this adjustment period.
Now, AD Rad, put your foot forward and get rid of those crazy uniform changes. Bar the door wheen you see those “Herbert R Tarlick Jr” sales types approaching. The ocassional white helmet would be acceptible, but without the honeycomb graphics. Gold jerseys, pants, and or trim should be just that – Gold or Old Gold, and not mustard. And don’t you ever propose, vote for, or approve names or logos printed across back of pants.
should have kept Dave Wommack
October 8th, 2012
3:37 pm
Dave Wommack
9-4 and 11-3 seasons.
Same Old Tech
October 8th, 2012
3:37 pm
Now, if Paul Johnson will fire Paul Johnson, the Ga Yech program might improve… or at least run a college offense.
Cathy Hunnicutt
October 8th, 2012
3:37 pm
I did and if Coach Johnson doesn’t start playing Vad Lee as quarterback he probably won’t last either.
Coach Johnson has got to see that Tevin Washington does not have the talent to play against this league of players he is a good player he just does not have the talent. Vad Lee should have started
at least the second game of the season.With our record what do we have to lose.
james
October 8th, 2012
3:38 pm
Start Lee,switch from the triple option to the spread option and get ready for next year.
DawgNole
October 8th, 2012
3:38 pm
GTBEE
October 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
Fired the only decent head coach on the team! . . . (Blah blah blah blah, rest of post, blah blah blah blah)
__________________
Geez, this guy makes me look like an optimist.
Go Jackets
October 8th, 2012
3:39 pm
As devils advocate, how do we fire Tevin and his inability to get a 4th an 1……thats a pretty bad percentage too.
Big Crimson 75
October 8th, 2012
3:39 pm
Tricky move by Johnson.
What happens if theTeam keeps losing & the Defense doesn’t get better?
macrotech
October 8th, 2012
3:39 pm
USMC Dawg…I agree with you…COMPLETELY!!!