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
Stinger
October 8th, 2012
5:01 pm
I have been a GT alum for over 15 years and GT fan for over 20 years…
I predicated what happened about the year that we hired Coach Paul Johnson. He will have early success with his “tricky” offense. But once everyone in Div I figures it out with enough prep time, his offense won’t work anymore. The biggest issue with his offense is the fact that it depends on a superb defense. If he EVER fall behind by 2 TDs, his Offsense won’t catch up. Sure, having a great defense will help any offense. But with GT’s recruiting requirement and type of players that we get, it is hard to get the type of defense that we required to have triple options. Also, PJ is NOT known to be a big recruiters. Now after Chan Gailey (great recruiter)’s players are all gone, we can see the lack of depth and talent at ALL positions…
It is just a matter of time before Paul Johnson gets fired. After winless bowl seasons and a 3 game losing strick to UGA, it will only take one more “losing” season to get him fired…
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:01 pm
Thank you IL Jacket. You are one of the only Tech fans I’ve ever heard agree with me on that. I think it’s more of a nostalgic thing with Tenuta. It seems better now, but it never really was that great.
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:03 pm
Stinger, do you think this is his last year?
ignition
October 8th, 2012
5:03 pm
Well Tenuta defenses were consistently ranked in the top 25..
ColumbiaBill
October 8th, 2012
5:03 pm
The basic problem at GT is recruiting. With their offense, they do not need top recruits but just good football players to be good – same as Johnson did at Navy. That is the reason GT hired him. At Navy, it is not possible to get top recruits-almost the same as GT. At the same time GT is not getting top defensive recruits. It is a talent issue more than a coaching issue on defense. Until GT can consistently get top 15-20 recruiting classes, they will never return to their former glory years. Hate to see it but they have a storied past.
Dum-Bass
October 8th, 2012
5:04 pm
I’m amazed the AJC would allow the “gd” word to be used period. Maybe they are not paying attention. It is not only offensive, it is repulsive and revolting, and only shows the user’s IQ and sensitivities. I can guarantee you if it was something offensive to a Muslim it would be considered a travesty and disappear rapidly. There is a double standard these days, and that’s proof.
...Take The Wheel
October 8th, 2012
5:04 pm
@OldSchoolTechFanatic and @GTJoe – I want you to have what you’re asking for!! So that your eyes can see that this problem is MUCH BIGGER THAN YOUR QB!! I agree that its a good idea to get Lee more snaps. But Vad and every other potential GT recruit should take notice of how you’re trashing a guy who has been committed to this team and given the best that he could to win for his team only to come home to this! You deserve to lose until the mentality changes! What you’re doing doesn’t motivate anyone (including Vad). Because even in disappointment you dont expect your FANS to make demoralizing comments! Even if you were to somehow attract decent recruits, the type of behavior I see on here would break any players spirit.
You keep talking about Nesbitt… and not to take anything away from him… but he had a totally different supporting cast! So wake up from your dream land.
rlm
October 8th, 2012
5:04 pm
My sister just told me Ga Tech was too classy to fire people for football like that. Well I hope UGA will be as classy as Tech and fire BoBo.
Al Bundy
October 8th, 2012
5:05 pm
@Take The Wheel
Get a grip and quit crying for Tevin! Tevin is a big boy and he can handle it! I think Tevin is a great young man and gives 100 percent effort every game! But he is the quarterback and when he makes huge mistakes people are going to jump on him! It just goes with the territory! I hope you don’t mind but I’m following your example and using exclamation points after every sentence!
gt34backer
October 8th, 2012
5:05 pm
I wish Groh well, he’s a great defensive mind with the right players, Tech just didn’t have the players he needed to get the job done. Hope that the remaining guys can come up with the right players and defense to improve. All the offense in the world won’t win ballgames if the defense can’t stop the other team. Let’s go Jackets and turn things around!
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:05 pm
And we were a consistent 7-5 or 8-4 team at best with Tenuta. Also when we played Teams with real talent, minus Auburn, we were exploited with constant blitzes by having a receiver running wide open down the field.
ignition
October 8th, 2012
5:06 pm
Tenuta’s defenses were consistently ranked in the top 30.
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:06 pm
Yeah, MaconGTFan, I’m old enough to wax about the good old days, but some of the good old days weren’t too good. You are spot on about Tenuta though. I think a lot of Tech fans liked him because he was fiery.
GT
October 8th, 2012
5:06 pm
Ok GT… Please listen. Please pay a well known big time D-Cordinator the bucks and have a good D…… Plus recruit better players that actually have the ability to play against the best. Ty
Statement
October 8th, 2012
5:07 pm
AL come to State, we’re only giving up 35 pts per game
GT
October 8th, 2012
5:07 pm
Talent means the world
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:07 pm
@Take The Wheel, I dont believe CPJ should just give him the job !!! But, he should give VAD a chance to earn the number 1 QB spot.
North Ave Killer Beez
October 8th, 2012
5:08 pm
Platoon Day’s and Vad, see what could have been and never will be for the 2012 season. Nothing to lose what so ever. Run some shotgun which looked pretty good in the spring. Do something coach, Al is gone, what will be the next excuse. Grown men worried about they’re head coming off should watch the cheer-leaders instead of the game.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:08 pm
North Ave Killer Beez
October 8th, 2012
4:37 pm
Hilarious, BYU’S Defense better than UGA’S “Get for real dude” UGA played a really good team Saturday night. One that would possibly put a hundred up on GT with the defense scoring maybe half of it.
Also BYU usually has a bunch of 25-30 year old mormons with eligibility running around the field. They should be a bit stronger than most Ncaa teams fielding kids fresh out of H.S.
—————————————-
You darn skippy BYU’s D is better, NAKBeez! And you helped prove the pt with your 25-30 year olds playing comment. Of course 25-30 are going to be better/more mature than 18-22 yr olds, hence a factor in BYU’s D being better. But another factor … BYU’s 6 opponents have posted just 53 pts on the board, and 7 of those were a Utah DEFENSIVE TD. So that’s 46 pts that 6 teams have scored on BYU, less than 8 pts / game.
tech fan
October 8th, 2012
5:10 pm
All of u screaming for Vad Lee, once/if he starts strugglung u will be giving him the tevin treatment too. i always say winning cures all!
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:11 pm
As I said last week, let’s open it all up and see what we have in the cupboard. Play Vad and Days have a real competition. What are we worried about finishing with a losing record?
THESE TWO
October 8th, 2012
5:11 pm
T E N U TA AND G I F F S M I T H bring them back!!!
Tech Guy
October 8th, 2012
5:11 pm
Coach Groh, thanks for giving Tech your effort. Good luck to you.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:12 pm
Since you’re back NAKBeez ……
BYU, b/c of an injury, has realized that their FRESHMAM QB is better than their SENIOR QB. Senior QB is healthy (missed just one game), but BYU’s coaches have their Lou Gehrig now.
PJ needs to use the OFF week to prepare Vad, mentally & physically, for his 1st start. BC’s got the perfect D, and it’s a HOME game. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. IMO, Vad’s ready to lead!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:12 pm
@GT Fan I dont know how great the talent level is that BYU has been playing but I have been watching them a lot this year and their D has been very impressive !
Ken Sugiura
October 8th, 2012
5:13 pm
story updated.
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:14 pm
@Dum-Bass I find it revolting and sickening how suck a god that people believes exist would allow people to fight wars, kill, and try to exterminate entire races in his name, even though the bible (also known as the word of god) says though shall not kill. Also kinda funny remark about the IQ when you use a handle like Dum-Bass. Now leave the god talk for a more appropriate blog.
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:17 pm
Thanks for the update, Ken. Didn’t realize the D has slipped that far. Two out of 3 third cown conversion successful. At that rate, no need to ever punt.
Tech Forever
October 8th, 2012
5:17 pm
ignition,
Tenuta was always open about his dislike of the recruiting process….hated it. Rumph leaving is a HUGE factor that has to be considered. Thompson has been mentored by Saban and O’Leary in defense, he is consistently one of the 3 or 4 best recruiters in the country, and if he’d stay because of a shot at being the GT HC then that kind of continuity is priceless….especially at a place like Tech where a coaching change sets us back twice as far as the normal athletic department.
That’s it in a nutshell. Tech’s problems are big and I think Thompson addresses more of them than any other potential candidate…plua he has one thing no one else on the list does; a love for Georgia Tech.
dawgma
October 8th, 2012
5:18 pm
AL GROH HE MUST GO!
PAUL JO BETTER LEARN TO THROW!
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:18 pm
The worst part about the d so far this year has been how they give up all the third and longs like they have. A couple more stops here and there, and we wouldn’t even be reading and commenting on a blog like this.
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:20 pm
Thanks for the insight, Tech Forever. Do you have an opinion on whether this is CPJ’s handiwork or DRad’s?
5150 UOAD
October 8th, 2012
5:20 pm
Too Tired to FIGHT with you guys……..I will just keep going to the games and supporting the TECH PLAYERS.
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
5:20 pm
Paul Johnson is covering his own fannie. Everyone associated with GT should be ready to rid themselves of Johnson and his year by year, worse and worse program rapid descent into the bottom half of the ACC which is by far one of the weaker BCS Conferences.
Getting Rid of Groh only takes temporary heat off the inevitable…..Firing of Paul Johnson and any good Tech Alumni should be ready to make the change.
crackbaby
October 8th, 2012
5:21 pm
Thanks for the write-up Ken.
Coach Groh is a gentleman but he simply didn’t get the job done. With the exception of interior D-line, Tech has enough talent on D to wreak some havoc on opponents.
Hopefully coach Kelly will employ much more aggression in his defensive calls. Just look at what Mike Nolan has down for the Falcons.
BTW – has anybody noticed how well Vance Walker is playing this year?
GO JACKETS!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:22 pm
I can’t believe KEN is allowing the talk form @MaconGTFAN !!!
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:23 pm
Has anyone else read the idiot Heather Dinich’s latest blog regarding AG’s firing?
“Paul Johnson finds his scapegoat”
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:23 pm
From Heather ….
Firing defensive coordinator Al Groh wasn’t a surprise. Georgia Tech’s defense has been terrible. Doing it midseason, though? That was harsh. It was the kind of knee-jerk reaction fans make, not coaches. After an ugly 2-4 start, including just one ACC win (ironically against Groh’s old Virginia team), Paul Johnson needed a scapegoat. Groh was it.
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:24 pm
I don’t think firing Paul Johnson is the answer. Its been the d that has been our downfall not the o. And who do you people think Tech can hire that will be any better? Gailey showed that the proset doesn’t work here. So who I ask do y’all fire PJ fans think should replace him? And don’t say Mike Leach either, he’s one in the same as PJ.
#1 Foxy Lady
October 8th, 2012
5:24 pm
Enter your comments here
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
5:24 pm
One has to wonder what is worse: The fan expectations of UGA that have become an annual dissappointment with fans throwing Richt/Bobo to the curb. Or…..The fan base at GT expecting not being able to compete with teams they were beating regularly or at least played well against a few short years ago….??????????
#1 Foxy Lady
October 8th, 2012
5:24 pm
because of his movie on global warming?
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:25 pm
@5150 UOAD you are 100 percent correct we need to support the players !
Skitty Fritty
October 8th, 2012
5:25 pm
CPJ is trying to save his job and using Groh as the scapegoat.
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:25 pm
I don’t know crackbaby, every time I watch seems like the defensive backs are getting beat on a pass route, committing pass interference or missing a tackle. I think we have a way to go in that department.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:25 pm
Heather:
How many coordinators out there want to coach a defense that has to practice against the triple option every day, only to face an offense like Clemson one week and Virginia Tech the next?
—————
Uh, she does realize that GT’s D practices vs. scout teams that run the opp’s O? And unless GT is facing the TO every week, I don’t think the D practices against as much as she implies.
...Take The Wheel
October 8th, 2012
5:26 pm
No crying here! I just think GT has pathetic fans period! I dont condone trashing any of your own players. Even in discontent there should be certain boundaries that arent crossed! When you do, it not only brings down that player, but those players around him! Clearly the team respects him – He was voted captain by his peers!
So again!! I want Lee to play more. But I also dont want to see him suffer the same course as your previous QB’s (excluding Nesbitt). I think he has and continues to have a chance to earn the #1 spot. But who would want it staring down this loaded double barrell we know as GT?? I think its high time he was introduced to the real world of GT FB as well!
He will get more playing time against BC! I’m almost certain of it
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:26 pm
And she finishes with……
Not to worry — Georgia Tech already found its scapegoat.
Paul in NH
October 8th, 2012
5:27 pm
I thought Groh would be gone on the Sunday after Thanksgiving but it is never too early to do the right thing.
Randy Shannon would look good in white and gold.
Voyceofreason
October 8th, 2012
5:27 pm
I am still trying to figure out what kind of moe-ron complains about an offense that scores 38 points a game? And the crazy part is, they do it with Tevin Washington at quarterback! Washington lacks passion, thinks WAY too much and doesn’t even approach matching Vad Lee’s explosiveness. With Groh (finally) gone, it’s time for Johnson to weed out the other big problem … the one under center. Washington has some talent but he’s nowhere near being the kind of sudden, creative and emotional leader/quarterback this kinds of offense absolutely requires. I’ll take Lee’s growing pains over another missed read or 3-yard run by Washington every single day.