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
life long fan
October 8th, 2012
5:28 pm
Now let those High School uniforms go !!!
Worst I’ve ever seen.
What would Kim King think.
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:28 pm
And why is that OldSchoolTechFan? Is it because I don’t believe the same thing you do therefore I should be banned? A few posters and I have had discussions in the past about god and not one called for me to be banned. Its Christians like you that ruin the world. If they don’t believe and agree with you, then they should be banished right?
USMC Dawg
October 8th, 2012
5:29 pm
Folks, PAUL JOHNSON is going nowhere soon! So, don’t think he is going to get fired. And on that note, be careful what you wish for.
You have a great offense that moves the ball on anyone, but you are temporarily lacking a decent Defense. Clempson was having fits with Tech’s offense last Saturday until a couple of lucky breaks went in Clempson’s favor.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:30 pm
@Voyceofreason U R a voice of reason
Jacket Man
October 8th, 2012
5:31 pm
Giff Smith is with the Buffalo Bills, which is one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Why in the world would GA Tech want him to come be their defensive coordinator? Randy Shannon and Tyrone Nix both have Defensive Coordinator experience at the collegiate level, have been extremely successful, and are great recruiters here in the southeast. They should be on your shortlist, in my opinion.
Tech Forever
October 8th, 2012
5:32 pm
IL Jacket,
My guess is Johnsongot a call from Rad and the “something has to change” conversation ensued. The immediate and glaring ineptitude is our defense so that is where the change needed to take place. Groh was probably asked to resign and when he refused he was fired with DRad’s blessing. I think over the next two weeks a short list will be compiled but I’d be surprised if anyone was hired before the end of the season. I think McCollum will be promoted on an interim basis. I don’t know who will take over as Recruiting Coordinator.
I also think there are other staff changes that are certain…one of which will involve McCollum’s departure unless Tech’s defense takes a HUGE turn for the better. Bottom line, we hired the guy because we had an immediate need and he was available….no other reason. Unfortunately he’s the only one on the staff qualified to take over as interim.
Having said that, nothing CPJ does surprises me so a hire this week wouldn’t either
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
5:32 pm
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
——————————————————————————-
No disrespect to you, so please do not take it wrong. But GT is not near the talent level it was when Coach Johnson arrived. Go to any BIG Time program that competes for National Championships year in and year out and their 2nd and 3rd teamers are much bigger, better, stronger , faster athletes on both sides of the ball. I will use what Meyer did with Tebow at Florida, he had a system that worked well, until coaches like Saban came along and got players, and dissected the system and found out how to beat them and others took that game plan and were able to beat the system. The Triple option is the same, you see it enough and without true elite athletes to run the offense those elite defensive players will beat you. My biggest complaint is the fact that Coach Johnson shifted the blame to the defense early when HIS offense was not doing anything but 3 or 4 and outs.
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:33 pm
@USMC Dawg Thank you. There is nothing wrong with the o that Tech fields. The points per game proves nothing is wrong with that part of the team. The d is the problem and hopefully this is the correct step to solving that issue.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:33 pm
@MaconGTan No, I did not say to banish you. Its amazing how all liberals go to the extremes when someone calls them out. I just can’t believe Ken is letting you get by saying what you said.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:34 pm
Enter your comments here
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:36 pm
@OldSchoolTechFanatic ……
BYU has played Wash St, Weber St, Utah, @Boise ST, Hawaii, Utah St
The most pts put on the board were by Utah – 24, 7 of those by the Utes’ D. The other 5 opponents have scored the remaining 29, for 53 total pts through six games. Pts by opponent:
Wash St – 6… 30-6
Weber St – 13 … 45-13
Utah – 24 …. 21-24 (the nation saw that crazy ending)
Boise St – 7 …. 6-7 (BYU HC pulled a PJ … scored TD LATE in game, and went for 2 to win)
Hawaii – 0 … 47-0
Utah St – 3 …. 6-3 (I’ve posted on another blog about GT covetting USU’s HC, Gary Anderson, he’s probably the best college coach here in Utah).
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:36 pm
So I should be censored then for not believing what you do is what you’re saying right? Just like a conservative to try and censor something be doesn’t agree with. I’m not cussing people out or personally attacking them. I said one word and was attacked by two different people, you being one of them. All because I have a different view than you do. And by the way, I’m not a liberal at all.
North Ave Killer Beez
October 8th, 2012
5:36 pm
@MaconGT ?? Really, did Gailey show us the pro-set does not work at GT? I think you meant no offense works at GT when Reggie Ball is your QB, he actually would have been great for what we run now.
USMC Dawg
October 8th, 2012
5:36 pm
I remember when AL GROH and Todd Grantham were both hired at their respective schools.
I looked at Al Groh and said “WHAT?” That old man is obviously past his prime. WHY would you hire an old guy like that?
(no disrespect to AG, I will be an Old Man past my prime one day IF I am lucky)
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
5:37 pm
Who has not scored 38 or more points on Clemson? Even weak offensive Auburn scored 19 points on Clemson. Everyone is scoring against VT, Everyone is scoring against Miami……the numbers do not lie.
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:37 pm
Thanks, Tech Forever. That sounds plausible to me and reflective of my own thinking. It really begs the question at the end of the year as to who we get as DC if CPJ is part of going forward.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:37 pm
@ GT Fan Thanks for the info
Deborah
October 8th, 2012
5:37 pm
FINALLY!!!!
Jamal
October 8th, 2012
5:38 pm
Paul Johnson needs to flush that janky old 1978 offense and get into the 21st century!
Buzzman
October 8th, 2012
5:38 pm
Thank you CPJ, I have been saying for one and half years to fire him. Granted he knows defense, but he does not know players. Our players are not good for his type of defense. You need bigger players which we don’t have. I don’t care if we don’t win anymore games this year. I would like for us to start rebuilding now. Redo the defense, then next year we need to recruit some good defense players along with a quarterback that can throw the ball. There is nothing wrong with the triple option but you also need a quarterback and receivers to change the pace one in a while. Just about all the teams we play anymore know how to defend the triple option. CPJ needs to recruit not only defense but quarterbacks that can run and throw and then to receivers. If you need help in the receiver department call Chan Gaily. He recruited Calvin Johnson, Thomas and a few more.
Jamal
October 8th, 2012
5:39 pm
PJ, look in the damn mirror!
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:40 pm
The only QB Tech had that the proset even remotely worked with was Godsey. Remind again how well it worked with Suggs at QB and agree with Ball. Would love to see him running this offense.
macrotech
October 8th, 2012
5:40 pm
CPJ isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. I trust his judgement regarding WHO starts for Tech…TW has looked pretty good this season….with the exception of that mental fart he tossed up in OT vs. vt. Vad will get his chance when CPJ deems it the wiser choice. Short of TW having scandalous photos of CPJ….WHY would CPJ sit the better option? Now is the time to get behind our team….while they’re down….GO TECH!!!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 8th, 2012
5:41 pm
@MaconGTFan I got to go and I have not attacked you and most important I will be praying for you.
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:41 pm
I think we have to be honest with ourselves, Under The Bleachers has a point. CPJ’s offense can be effective and can win playing “big time” teams, but you have to be able to throw the ball better. When we line up against the best opponents, their ability to stack the box takes away the space we need to run the ball.
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
5:42 pm
Look around, there are not Many Top Athletes left who have not verbally committed to a school. It is too late for hoping for some great recruits to change their minds who are already running away from an offense that will not get them in the NFL. Outside of Running Back very very few of these players will be on any NFL roster in the coming years and that falls on Coach Johnson.
Jabarr
October 8th, 2012
5:42 pm
@USMC Dawg, you’re spot on!
If Tech had the Gators D, they would be unbeatable me thinks.
yellowjacket
October 8th, 2012
5:43 pm
1. Fire the QB. He looks lost and when the game is close he makes the worst decisions.
2. Go no huddle. Speed the offense up. There were times when I saw that GTech had the momentum but couldn’t maintain it because of their tempo.
3. Beat BYU.
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:44 pm
Although I do agree we need to pass more, we have to recruit the lineman who can pass protect good enough to have time to throw the ball. Hell mtsu ran by and through our line everytime we tried to pass.
PLAYMAKER
October 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
Wo, thankful for CAG for being a Class act but in CPJ own words this wasn’t working and was becoming a public relations NIGHTMARE. Thank God CAG has money due him from Virginia which will make it easy for someone else tohire him as an Assistant. But I also wonder about other Staff moves. Timing is everything and I think Giff Smith would excite the Bee nation if brought back. It ould be a HOME RUN if the Bee’s couldalso put together $$$$$$ and lure Lance Thompson from Ala. to Be D. Coor.with Giff. Bring Joe Hamilton back for the O side and CPJ just open up the offense a little more and then GT can compete TOP 20 in recruiting and W-L!
BUZZ Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
hahaha—–johnson is feeling the heat!
if this jerk doesn’t right the ship– let the GT “power alumni” pound this d-bag till he taps out!!!!
ole yeller
October 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
@jamal, that janky offense you referred to is 11th in the country in offensive yards per game. Avg scoring is 38 points per game. What are you talking about? Want to look up some stats on Gaily?
Under The Bleachers
October 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
Even if Coach Johnson came out in a “Pro Look”, Shotgun, or something that makes others prepare for anything but the option would help. Think about, teams are limited on how much practice time they have, if you just throw in a wrinkle every week for the first 3 weeks then you would see that others would have more time spent on worrying about that type set. The problem with the option is a good team with strong NT, and or DT/DE will shut you down on the read if that is all they have to worry about. It is about Good athletes going against Great Athletes.
IL Jacket
October 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
MaconGTFan, that goes without saying. Interesting how in the USC-UGA game, Spurrier used his defensive line to alter how his DBs played. Knowing UGA’s OL couldn’t block his DL he had the DBs jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage. Just another case of taking away the time for the offense.
USMC Dawg
October 8th, 2012
5:48 pm
“If Tech had the Gators D, they would be unbeatable me thinks.”
Not even that. Tech just needs a serviceable Defense (okay may be a little better than that) and a Defensive coordinator with a little fire in his belly.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:48 pm
310.8
286.3
288.7
256.2
These are the passing avgs for, from top to bottom, BC,UNC,DUKE,UGA, 4 of GT’s final 6 opps.
T-TIme
October 8th, 2012
5:49 pm
Just wish CPJ would recognize that the Offense is greatly contributing to the problem. The losses are not all on the D. Got to capitalize on the turnovers and stop stalling in the red zone. Missed FG, blocked FG, and safety were ugly. Not to mention the D was worn out having to defend 100 plays from scrimmage…. not pretty.
T-TIme
October 8th, 2012
5:51 pm
I remember the last time CPJ had us run a simplier defense. It was not pretty either. If the secondary cannot pickup their assignments or tackle we are still going to suffer.
Jim
October 8th, 2012
5:51 pm
Johnson needs to change his entire offensive scheme.
LakeDawg
October 8th, 2012
5:51 pm
If GT can fire Groh, why can’t UGA fire Richt?
BTW I see that CPJ has put all of the blame on the defense. GT’s problems have nothing to do with his Offense, right?LMAO Maybe CPJ SHOULD FIRE THE oFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AS WELL.
MaconGTFan
October 8th, 2012
5:51 pm
@Il Jacket I’m saying we won’t have a decent passing game until we recruit bigger and better lineman. PJ knows this also, which is why he’s bringing in Hall and Devine (I thing that’s there names) to help in that aspect of the game. A few more recruits like those two on the o-line and I’d be arguing with y’all about more passing attempts a game.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:52 pm
Is this a Columbus Day Joke? Or did Al Groh really get fired???
GT1990
October 8th, 2012
5:52 pm
Fire CPJ and im happy! The program needs an entire new coaching staff! If anyone that post on here has any inside pull PLEASE HIRE KEN W. AWAY FROM THE ARIZONA CARDINALS!
Wait wait wait...
October 8th, 2012
5:52 pm
Fire Groh good, but then you hand the defence to the SECONDARY coach??????
Should have let Groh stay in that case, the secondary is more pathetic than the defense as a whole. If anything he should be leaving with Groh.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:53 pm
LakeDawg ….
PJ fired his OC a loooong time ago.
GJ
October 8th, 2012
5:53 pm
Tech would have won every game this year IF, they didn’t give up so many yards, points, third down conversions, had better recruits, better coaches, Joe Hamilton was still at quarterback, Eddie Lee Ivory was still at tailback, Curry was still coach and had ESPN not forced Tech to play on Labor Day. You all sound like a bunch of Democrats….I’m sure George Bush had something to do with the losses too!
Rock_Eagle
October 8th, 2012
5:53 pm
I nominate this guy. He’s from Atlanta, grew up a GT fan, was an integral part of GT for years, and can recruit like nobody’s business. He played a big role in recruiting Tech’s 1990 NC defense.
http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011812aac.html
Jo
October 8th, 2012
5:53 pm
If Tech had a poor defense they would be undeafeated right now with the way the offense scores. Instead they had NO defense and you cannot win games like that. I think Groh was just tired and needed to move on to retirement.
G.P. Burdell
October 8th, 2012
5:53 pm
How about ND’s DC? He’s built a great defense with similar talent that we have in just three years. Maybe he would like to come down to the South where it’s much warmer and has the ability to attract some got talent.
USMC Dawg
October 8th, 2012
5:54 pm
“Johnson needs to change his entire offensive scheme.”
Wake Up! You are Dreaming! That stuff you are smoking isn’t legal.