More from Johnson on Groh
Some notes from Paul Johnson’s news conference regarding the dismissal of defensive coordinator Al Groh:
1. On Groh: “Nobody worked harder than Al. Nobody put in more time and I certainly appreciate everything he did while he was here.”
2. Johnson said he arrived at his decision Monday morning after taking time to mull it over and watch game video. He saw errors in communication and alignment that kept repeating themselves. As he said multiple times, Groh’s game plans were sound and he didn’t lack for knowledge. Rather, the communication of his plan wasn’t getting onto the field, in Johnson’s opinion.
3. Johnson’s involvement will be setting parameters and framework and from there will be provided as necessary. As is his wont, he said he prefers to give the assistants the leeway to do what they feel is best. One parameter he’ll stress is to keep the defense simple enough to be played without error.
“Certainly, we want to be multiple enough that we can play, but we want to be sound,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to come in Monday and have 40 missed assignments. It’s not going to do you any good.”
3. The scheme won’t completely change, although he said the line won’t play as much “two-gap” as it had, although the defense had been doing less of that. (In a two-gap scheme, linemen line up directly across from an offensive linemen and is responsible for the gap on either side of the offensive lineman. The idea is to “build a wall,” a phrase Groh often used, to force running backs to run laterally.)
In a one-gap scheme, a lineman sets up between two offensive linemen and is responsible for that one gap. It typically requires more players to commit to run-stopping, since the linemen are responsible for one gap each instead of two, but Tech’s personnel is probably better suited for it.
That said, Johnson has never been married to one defensive scheme or another.
“I don’t think you’ve got to trick people,” he said. “I think you line up and know what you’re doing and play fast.”
4. Johnson said the decision was based on a body of work and his conclusion that the problems weren’t going to go away. He acknowledged that Tech’s issues go beyond defense, but he felt the defense’s problems could be addressed with a change.
“It’s a chance to move forward and see how we can do,” he said. “I think that we can play better than we’ve played. So we’ll see.”
5. Johnson on player reaction: “I’m sure that you have mixed emotions. I’m sure that a lot of the players are disappointed. I’m sure Coach Groh was very well-liked. They also understand that we haven’t played as well as we’ve needed. … They’re fairly resilient. You’ll know in a week or two what their reaction is, I guess.”
6. Johnson said the defense will practice at a higher tempo moving forward with more live-hitting and full-speed drills. He acknowledged it being philosophically different from Groh.
“It’s not like we didn’t tackle in practice, but the pace of practice is a little bit different than what it will be,” he said.
He wants the team to spend more time on tackling and pursuit, “some of those things that we haven’t been as good at.”
7. Johnson said he was encouraged by the team’s play in the first couple games of the season, but “it became apparent that it was short-lived.” Notably, the third-down defense was worse despite attempts to address it long before the season began. Tech’s defensive conversion rate was 42.4 percent last year and is now 47.8 percent and 67.4 percent in the past three games.
“There was some recurring themes that we weren’t getting better,” he said.
8. Johnson said he didn’t think Groh’s firing will impact recruiting. He said he planned to call committed defensive players that night, which he evidently did. Michael Carvell has a post with reaction from Tech commits, including Darius Commissiong, a defensive tackle from Maryland who called Groh “like a father figure.”
9. Johnson on the difficulty of the decision: “It’s really disappointing and frustrating. You never want to do these things. You never want to have to, but to me, that’s part of being a leader. Sometimes you have to do hard things. I have a great deal of respect for Al. He’s, in my mind, had a very good career and may still coach. I don’t know what his future holds, but it just wasn’t working here. It doesn’t mean that it won’t work the next place or whatever, but it just wasn’t working right now.”
10. Johnson on the talent level: “I’m not sold that we don’t have good players. I’m confident in our players’ abilities. We’ll see.”
11. On possible replacements: “There’ll be plenty of time to worry about that and to evaluate that as the next six games play out.”
12. Johnson said he was hopeful that giving the remaining defensive coaches more responsibility will energize them. He said that Groh’s philosophy was that he often coached the defense as a whole, giving the position coaches less responsibility.
Johnson’s plan is to have players spend more time with their position groups.
Meeting with the entire offensive unit, he said, “I can’t get into the details and into the weeds like if I only met with the quarterbacks. I can get way more in-depth with them or way more in-depth with the receivers if I’ve just got the receivers in there because they don’t have to worry about what the offensive line’s looking at or doing. It’s just a different philosophy.”
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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111 comments Add your comment
Jmonty
October 9th, 2012
12:57 pm
@ ToeMeetsLeather… Groh had how long to get the “D” in order? He seen how many games of pro type offenses? I really don’t think him commenting will say much. I think he will say any excuse in the book. Point is… The basics of the 3-4 is gap assignments… Doesn’t matter what offense you play.. It’s gap control and gap assignment. None of that was ever done. So… I really don’t think it mattered what offense they played vs practiced against. Groh was not aggressive when he needed to be and looked clueless in many games.
Born2Buzz
October 9th, 2012
1:05 pm
CPJ – “you line up and know what you’re doing and play fast.”
CAG – “We want to build a wall and make the RB’s go laterally.”
See the difference? Attack, Attack, Attack!!! That is the way to play great D.
And this was as much a PR move as a football move. Don’t kid yourselves otherwise.
1 4 GT
October 9th, 2012
1:17 pm
The PR part was in pulling the trigger now instead of after the season. It was inevitable.
SuperJacket
October 9th, 2012
1:21 pm
GT fan–I said GT was dominating not the other way around. And I’m pretty sure CPJ will agree with me on being handily beaten in that ATL game. Can’t remember the spread but I knew lots of folks who lost money. Groh countered all of CPJs adjustments and then some. Now back to work…
If do right, no can defense
October 9th, 2012
1:30 pm
Brave decision, on balance. I think CPJ is a great coach, and our continuing defensive problems may have to do with him staying “aloof” from the defensive side of the ball for the 5 years he’s been here. He needs to take control, and get involved… not easy to do when an older and highly respected guy reports to you. He may not be a defensive scheming genius like Groh, but he understands the philosophy of defense: attack full speed, play hard and 100% on every down, know what you’re supposed to do.
I sincerely hope our D takes the message, because I have no doubt that we would improve by a lot if our players took that to heart.
*P.S. did anyone notice more pressure on the QB in the Clemson game? We definitely blitzed more, though it meant 1-on-1 coverage in the secondary and missed assignments/open guys on the left half of the downfield.
Tech Troll 13
October 9th, 2012
1:30 pm
GT Joe must be related to Vad Lee.
Promethius
October 9th, 2012
1:38 pm
We still have UNC on the road. How does UNC compare to Clempson? Any takers?
Promethius
October 9th, 2012
1:40 pm
…..or Clemson?
SansWorld
October 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
“the D ever seeing a decent pro style offensive set in the spring, fall camp or scout team sessions during the season, to practice against?”
Doesn’t the GT the D typically practice against the scout team running a conventional offence?
Do other schools have their first string going against scout teams in practice, or do they match up against their first string counterparts? Or does GT only do this because having the D practice against the option does not prep them for most defenses they see.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 9th, 2012
1:51 pm
@ SansWorld….I think all schools use their scout teams in practice
Supersize that order, mutt
October 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
@ If do right……did you know that when Erk Russell first hired CPJ at GA Southern, he hired him as defensive coordinator. Some were said to have asked why hire an offensive man as your DC, and Erk said because nobody understands the needs of the defense more than an offensive-minded man. I only heard that 2 weeks ago from somebody very familiar with GA Southern football. And yes, I was at the Clemson game and I DID see us applying (or attempting to apply) MUCH MORE pressure on the QB
Supersize that order, mutt
October 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
@ Prometheus…..historically, Tech always struggles at UNC. Remember that awful come from behind tie in 1990??? I said at the beginning of the season that that game scared me. It still does, although I don’t think the Heels are as good as the Tigers
1 4 GT
October 9th, 2012
2:11 pm
Question? Anybody know how a goat came to be the mascot of a “tar heel”? And how did they get to be “tar heels”?
SansWorld
October 9th, 2012
2:14 pm
Haven’t we only lost to UNC two or three times in the last 15 years. I know in 2010 we went down there and validated ourselves after the Kansas loss. Probably the highlight of the season.
Promethius
October 9th, 2012
2:15 pm
I believe their mascot is a ram, and the nickname was given to keep pace with some of the more vicious mascots and nicknames, such as bulldogs.
SansWorld
October 9th, 2012
2:19 pm
I recall tar heals was from the civil war. A NC brigade would not retreat, and an a general comment that they were stuck in place like they had tar on their heals.
Promethius
October 9th, 2012
2:21 pm
I believe Tech “validated” itself by 6 pts in 2010 against a U N C team playing w/12 players suspend.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 9th, 2012
2:22 pm
From Wkipedia —- Tar Heel (or Tarheel) is a nickname applied to the state and inhabitants of North Carolina as well as the nickname of the University of North Carolina athletic teams, students, alumni, and fans.
The exact etymology of the nickname is unknown, but most experts believe its roots come from the fact that tar, pitch, and turpentine created from the vast pine forests were one of North Carolina’s most important exports early in the state’s history.
Because the exact history of the term is unknown, a number of legends have developed to explain it. One such legend claims it to be a nickname given during the U.S. Civil War, because of the state’s importance on the Confederate side, and the fact that the troops “stuck to their ranks like they had tar on their heels”.
Deep South
October 9th, 2012
2:24 pm
I believe UNC equals Clemson on offense and bests them on defense.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 9th, 2012
2:26 pm
@ Deep South…..I disagree. They may be better on defense than Clemson, but not on offense
Deep South
October 9th, 2012
2:28 pm
UNC in top 20 in almost all major O and D stats.
Deep South
October 9th, 2012
2:30 pm
They are both pretty darn good on offense.
SansWorld
October 9th, 2012
2:33 pm
I think UNC was ranked at the time in 2010 and they were a touchdown favorite, They had just lost a close game to LSU. They were probably the best team we beat that year. It was a good tough win.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 9th, 2012
2:38 pm
I wasn’t aware that UNC was ranked highly in either O or D
1 4 GT
October 9th, 2012
2:39 pm
Thanks for the info. Interesting! While I do not like the reality of the Civil War, I respect the history of it & the strengthening of the nation (over the long haul) that it brought about. Sounds like they were good, proud folks from the South.
SansWorld
October 9th, 2012
2:46 pm
UNC look bad against Wake w/o Bernard. but have looked good since. They almost rallied to beat a good Louisville team.
GT needs to bring there A game, or at least our B game.
Bernard may be the best back in the league.
SansWorld
October 9th, 2012
2:46 pm
…their..
Born2Buzz
October 9th, 2012
2:46 pm
let’s worry about beating BC first. Worry about UNC when the time comes. They do have a new HC and CPJ normally gets the advantage in the first go around.
Of course if our D doesn’t ever stop anyone we can’t beat anyone. But AG is gone, so it has to get better…right? Right??? Anybody???
old school
October 9th, 2012
2:55 pm
How about bringing back Ted Roof? He would at least have the heart and be able to recruit the area?
yeller bug
October 9th, 2012
4:05 pm
As a born and raised “Tarheel” the above provided by Sans and SS is correct. Tar, pitch and turpentine (not all that pleasant a work to extract and manufacture) were the major products made in NC at the start of our nation. One of the Civil War (better known as the War of Northern Aggression) incidents was that another Confederate regiment was giving an NC regiment a hard time about that line of work and telling them to go fetch them some tar in which members of the NC regiment replied, “Y’all do need some tar to put to your heels so that you don’t run so easily.” The verbal exchange was overheard by an officer on Lee’s staff who reported it to Gen. Lee in which Lee supposedly replied, “God bless those Tarheel boys.”
UNC has a new coach from So. Miss who is good, they have a potential big academic scandal brewing [Several "No attendance required" classes that many athletes have taken] that they’ve successfully managed to keep quiet (GT needed their lawyers for our deal) and their offense is solid but nowhere near the talent of Clemson, but their D is much better. They have money, but they’ve always been a B-ball school since Dean Smith. Mac Brown coached there a few years and got them to the Top 10, but he left for Texas and the program has never been a top tier contender since. The hope was that Butch Davis would bring them to top level contention, but he proved to be so corrupt, he had to be fired. So they are rebuilding and they will be a force to reckon with in the near future. This year even though we play at their place, we can take them if we solve our defensive woes.
old dog
October 9th, 2012
4:31 pm
At least y’all adjust to your problems. You were trying to run a defense you did not have the personel to run. We, on the other hand, refuse to realize that in the SEC, you MUST have a line! Here is a free tip………..crowd our o-line….man up on them and smash them in the mouth, and gues what? You will beat us this year be cause WE, unlike y’all, have STILL not addressed our worst issue. It ain’t defense, skill players, etc., although we can take a look there. It is pure and simple; we ain’t got the trench-monsters to make it happen against the big boys. Sure, we can beat the patsies, but S.C exposed us, as will Florida. Pack it in on us boys, don’t get fancy. Just man-up and see what we ain’t got!…..then maybe our staff will do what should have been done years ago.bring in some frickin’ linemen! Congrats again on addressing your issues……….
Deep South
October 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
Yeller Bug – UNC expert. CBD proved to be so corrupt….where is the proof? Did the NCAA accuse him of wrongdoing? Did the Chancellor who fired him. Or was it simply the bogus “it happened on his watch”? Better pay close attention unless you have some proof no one else has.
If do right, no can defense
October 9th, 2012
5:01 pm
@Supersize: I honestly did not know that CPJ was once a defensive guy… learn something new everyday.
Now I hope the Jackets come out in force on 10/20. I will be there to support them. We will RISE ABOVE THIS.
If do right, no can defense
October 9th, 2012
5:06 pm
Thanks old dog, classy comment. Though respectfully, I disagree with your analysis of the dawgs failure against SoCar. You guys have the players… in terms of recruiting, it’s as good as it gets.
I just think it was a mental/attitude thing with your players. Took it easy, expecting a walkover, and got soundly beaten by a team that wanted it more. Just weren’t ready…
ignition
October 9th, 2012
5:19 pm
Lets move forward and grab someone from Bama’s coaching staff ..
I like all those names but I would like to add Chris Rumph to this list..
Lance Thompson has coached at Tech before..
The secondary coach at Bama is good too..
Supersize that order, mutt
October 9th, 2012
5:26 pm
@ If do right……..that was news to me too about CPJ coaching the D at Ga Southern. But it IS true. That’s why Erk Russell was the genius that everyone knows he was. He knew at that particular point in time that CPJ’s offensive knowledge would make him a good, if not great, DC. Imagine what UGA would have been over the years if they had hired Erk when Dooley retired. Thank God they didn’t. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
October 9th, 2012
5:47 pm
Has anybody seen superDawg on the blogs this week? He said he would come tailgate with us if USC beat UGA, and I need to find out if he’s going to live up to his end of the bargain, so I will have time to try to buy a crow for yeller bug to cook for him next week. LOL
yeller bug
October 9th, 2012
5:51 pm
Deep South—why did UNC fire Davis—wasn’t performance. He had a secretary/tutor/baby sitter doing papers for players—-this scandal runs deep. Recently the Chancellor just resigned: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8390950/north-carolina-tar-heels-chancellor-holden-thorp-resigns-latest-athletic-scandal
There’s significant evidence of collusion between academia and athletes going back to the Juluis Pepper days and even some of UNC champoinship B-ball players may be involved. One sportswriter called it the worst scandal in NCAA history. I’m not following it in detail—have a few family members who went to NCSU who rant about it, but definitely Butch Davis was let go due to this scandal of which he was a part—if you’re saying he just got caught up in it innocently—from the evidence that’s a big stretch.
Deep South
October 9th, 2012
6:14 pm
Butch Davis did not have anyone doing papers for players. He employed a tutor for his son that had been recommended by the university. Said tutor overstepped the bounds by providing more help on a bibliography for a FB player than was allowable. The bibliography with suggested changes was made public. Hell, i bet half of all FB players have their entire papers written by their girlfriends. Are you saying CBD was complicit in the tutor’s misdeeds? I believe you have an agenda.
Deep South
October 9th, 2012
6:23 pm
If you examined the courses taken by FB players at Tech or at UGa, would you not find that there were certain courses populated in large degree by the most at risk athletes. And were the grades given out in these courses much higher than those given in other courses? Did such courses not keep athletes eligible. You can spin the facts, but in the end UNC is no more corrupt than the 2 Ga schools.
1 4 GT
October 9th, 2012
6:26 pm
WOW!! Milton HS basketville put on probation by GHSA today. What the heck is going on when hs teams are put on probation? Illegally recruiting players. The evil is drifting down to hs level,
Prometheus
October 9th, 2012
6:31 pm
Yellar Bug shud follow the details of the UNC case if he wants to join the dbate.
1 4 GT
October 9th, 2012
6:34 pm
I’ve been catching up on the blogs & thinking. A comment caused me to think about the defensive troubles GT has been having. What if we were to switch over to the 5-2 alignment. It would create some problems for opposing team coaches & players. It would create a complete change in everyone’s blocking scheme’s. Would have to get the suggestion to our coaches. Opinions???
1 4 GT
October 9th, 2012
6:43 pm
Guys, all I know about what went on @ UNC is what I see in the news. But I think it is highly improbable that the academia & administrators @ UNC did this without the knowledge and/or involvement of the coaches. I mean really, the players had to be informed of this somehow. Remember, this also involves the basketball program and goes back to Julius Peppers days on campus. I don’t believe Roy Williams has been there long enough to get caught up in this, IMO. Like I said, all I know is from reports in the news. Just saying.
Prometheus
October 9th, 2012
7:00 pm
Just like coaches and their staffs at Tech and UGa know where to direct at risk players. Let’s be real!
JD
October 9th, 2012
7:06 pm
After watching the last three games when the other teams offense was ready to go and our defense was not even set because Groh was still trying to decide what to do, I knew that every team would go “hurry up” on us. Let’s hope that we can at least get some third down stops by being lined up to play.
yeller bug
October 9th, 2012
7:40 pm
No agenda here, heck I bled Carolina blue until I went to Tech. You’ve got coaches, chancellors and presidents resigning over this and you think it’s nothing? I think it’s sad because UNC was (and still is) a great school. They’ve certainly turned hard left over the last two decades—they’re becoming the Berkley of the east. As for the scandal and the blame, I guess we’ll see how it unfolds.
JetBuzz
October 9th, 2012
8:00 pm
It’s obvious the accelerated and dynamic CFB of today has passed-by CAG. Perhaps his intricate scheming and combos would still work in NFL camps w/ pros, but as the old adage goes – you’ve got to know your audience.
He was well intentioned but ineffective on the Flats. His successor has the advantage of knowing what DOESN’T work on Game Day.
Priority One: Recruit. Priority Two: See Priority One. Priority Three: Simplify, and enable recruits to be playmakers. Lou Holtz said football isn’t complicated.
TechApp fan
October 9th, 2012
8:41 pm
1 4, are you a cracker?
Some up here callem tarholes….saw a new name recently…airheads. Wow. Tech needs to get that
Navy weapons class…no test, no attendance…just a final report. (just kidding)
1 4 GT
October 9th, 2012
9:35 pm
Last time I looked I was a cracker->than a yankee!