Groh tears into Tech
In an interview with the Roanoke Times, former Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh left little doubt about his feelings about his 2 ½ years coaching the Yellow Jackets.
“Just to say it briefly, this circumstance here was the most unprofessional, divisive and negative environment in which I’ve ever been,” Groh said. “To say more would be unprofessional of myself. It was just a bad cultural match.”
Tech coach Paul Johnson hired Groh in Jan. 2010 after Groh had coached at Virginia for nine seasons. He made the decision to dismiss him Oct. 8, six games into the season, after the Jackets had allowed 40-plus points in three consecutive games.
“I’m sorry to hear that Al feels that way,” Johnson said in a statement. “I’m surprised he would stay here for 2 1/2 years if he felt like that it was that bad.”
A statement released from Groh at the time of his firing was decidedly more diplomatic.
“I appreciate all the help and input from (assistant defensive coaches) Charles Kelly, Joe Speed and Andy McCollum, and the effort of all the players,” part of Groh’s statement read. “I aimed to give the best that I had every day. It’s been an honor to be a part of the legacy of Georgia Tech football.”
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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428 comments Add your comment
MiltonFan
January 3rd, 2013
10:31 am
I think Al Groh is embarrassed by how well the team is doing without him. For the record, the GT defense’s numbers in the 8 games since he left look something like (compared to FBS season stats):
129.9 Rushing Yards per Game – 28th in FBS
201.4 Passing Yards per Game – 23rd in FBS
331.3 Total Defense (YPG) – 19th in FBS
26.9 Scoring Defense – 57th in FBS
Compare these to the unit rankings at the bottom of the article on ESPN for Groh’s 6 games this season (98th, 69th, 89th, and 83rd). These are huge improvements over Groh’s numbers and include 3 opponents who were ranked in the top 5 at some point this season (versus 2 FCS opponents).
wreckbone
January 3rd, 2013
10:46 am
Groh, had so much respect for the man until he whined like a little toddler. He had good numbers on defense at UVA. Johnson hired him because he beat Johnson. But after he got here, he did nothing good. I was at games where I saw different sides of the D on different calls (especially Miami) I agree, the hurry up killed his “system” I also agree the coaches offices were not a nice and safe place like an old man needs if he can’t stop anyone’s offense.
Tech defense did look improved since he left. USC had a horrible QB. But their running game did nothing either. that was not the QBs fault. And a team with as many recruits as they have. Its your own fault for not having a backup ready. Esspecially of the starter wants to sit out instead of play his last college game in a bowl they did not want to be in.
back to Groh. What a pathetic man. Thought he had the answers when he got here. Even put him on a pedestal preseason with Ken’s articles. then he fell on his face. I agree. A defense does not need more than 50 calls and the same guys in there for 3 years and the entire defense does not have the same call? That is the coaches fault. Still trying to substitute with a hurry-up going? Miami got us 3 times with that. Our defense was like he was….old and slow when he was running it. now, they look better, more energetic. More playing less thinking. I agree with Johnson there. And these observations were from the stands. Imagine how stupid he started sounding in team meetings when he could stop nobody??? not even MTSU. Clemson, Miami. All those teams ate us up late. They never punted!!!It would be 3rd and a mile and they would convert. When you make as much $ as Groh did, you should keep your mouth shut trying to talk smack about the place that paid for at least one house. Go retire in Roanoke. Its an old dead town just like groh. Very good match. I agree with Johnson, if it was so bad why didn’t you leave? You obviously never performed here….
The Good Word
January 3rd, 2013
10:55 am
Groh = sad, sorry, sack of smelly {insert Rod Sweeting comment}
BS Patrol
January 3rd, 2013
10:57 am
Groh played a 3-4 with a 10 yard cushion for receivers. One of the worst in a 40 year string of coach-hiring blunders. CPJ is one of the best.
You want a pro style offense? What are going to do? Beat the doggies at their own game with our present material? Right.
Enochs
January 3rd, 2013
11:35 am
Never liked Groh, did a miserable job, should have been fired last year (or before), glad he is gone. WE
need a real pro as DC..Need an AD, too….
Hokie Brian
January 3rd, 2013
11:41 am
As I posted when he was hired, you’ll quicly learn to love his warm and fuzzy New Yorker personality and, as his in state rival, we were very upset when he was fired from UVA.
He’s a world class jerk and a very bitter, egotistacal man. Google the article and read the rest from this pompous jerk
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
11:49 am
Al Groh is a well-respected coach and we can not just ignore his characterization of the Tech football program as the ramblings of a disgruntled former employee. It has been two months since his firing, and to suggest that trashing a former employer would help his chances in getting another job is ludicrous. As a Tech supporter I am equally disappointed that he would voice such an opinion (regardless of the degree of accuracy) and that Coach Johnson’s program would trigger such an opinion in the first place. We need to re-examine the program, especially on the charge of “unprofessionalism,” as that runs counter to all that the Institute and the football program stands for. (The football program certainly can’t stand on its record for the past few years.)
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
11:53 am
I’m not saying I believe everything Groh said, but we shouldn’t just ignore it. And, I have to admit, Johnson had the perfect comeback to Groh’s hyperbole. If it was so god-awful bad, why did you deign to grace us with your presence for a full two and half seasons? In the meantime, the truly relevant question is who’s the next DC?
Booze Hound
January 3rd, 2013
11:53 am
Full Metal Jacket,
With any luck, Georgia Tech can endure one more year and then the Paul Johnson nightmare will be over.
Question
January 3rd, 2013
11:53 am
To me the question is WHO hired Groh? Was it Dan R or Paul J? As soon as the hire was made I thought of two things.
1) Groh runs the 3-4 which is used in the pros so that was a plus as we could attract better talent.
2) How are two head coaches going to get along? (this is the one that really worried me).
For that reason I don’t believe it was CPJ doing the hiring…
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
11:55 am
Ken, if you’re out there, what’s the latest on the DC hiring? Does Kelly get consideration?
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
11:57 am
Q, I am sure that CPJ hired Groh. While not an whole-hearted DRad fan, I do think he gave the head coaches full autonomy on the hires of assistants and coordinators.
The Anti Insta-Toot
January 3rd, 2013
11:58 am
When he said that the “circumstance here was the most unprofessional, divisive and negative environment in which I’ve ever been” I got the impression he was talking about the whole Georgia Tech program and institution, not just Paul Johnson.
Let’s face it,the school should be renamed the Georgia Institute for Borderline Personalities and Sociopaths. There is more hatred and ill will that comes out of the mouths of Tech people than anywhere that I have ever seen.
I am certainly glad that Tech is no longer a blot on the SEC and is the ACC’s problem now. Seems like they have relegated it to El Paso so they do not have to deal with it.
If Tech people ever lose their anger and hatred towards all that did not graduate for “the insta – toot” and behave like normal human beings then they will be better for it. But I doubt that will happen. They are not capable of it and that is sad.
I am not a groh fan but I think he is a normal human being who found himself in an environment of a campus with abnormal human misfits for two and one half years. He probably needs some therapy to recover and is probably suffering from post tramatic stress disorder.
At least he had the courage to stand up and state what he experienced.
GT Fan
January 3rd, 2013
11:59 am
Everybody read
MiltonFan
January 3rd, 2013
10:31 am
He made a great point.
————–
FSU & USC have as good or better offensive talent than Clemson, the only loaded offense Groh schemed against in 2012.
Not to my surprise, VT flat out stunk offensively this season. Yet with 44 seconds remaining AG’s scheme allowed the Hokies to drive & kick a game tying FG, on the way, converting a 4th & 4 (20 yd gain) where he [Groh] had his DB 9 yds off the ball. Easiest 4th down conversion the Hokies probably converted all season!
FACT … AG’s defense got worse, not better, even as he was “getting his players to run his 3-4 scheme”. That equates to FAILURE on his part.
GT Fan
January 3rd, 2013
12:06 pm
FMJ ….
You have seen the Defensive effort the past 2 games, yes? C.Kelly has got to be considered.
I have NO IDEA what clicked-on for the D the past 6 qtrs, but, IMO, I’m not sure that’s enough of a resume to get CK the job…..
And for all the funny guys who are going to say USC “didn’t want to be there” you are also the same folks who claim GT has D-II talent. Sorry, but D-II just ain’t good enough to do what GT’s D just did to USC, and the 2nd half vs. FSU.
@ The Anti Insta-Toot
January 3rd, 2013
12:19 pm
You need to worry about your own house and keeping your own coordinators from leaving. And I can tell you one thing, with your annual top five recruiting classes and Nothing to show for it, you’re going to miss your Golden Recruiter Rodney! Good luck next year retard because then you won’t have the talent or the wins.
Enjoy.
Fix my computer, Geek Squad
January 3rd, 2013
12:21 pm
LOL
Paul in NH
January 3rd, 2013
12:29 pm
gt4ever
January 3rd, 2013
10:23 am
@Wrong Sport
Groh never had to make a tackle or cover a wide receiver… His knowledge about defensive schemes is unmatched in his profession… I don’t understand the comments especially when all he can do is put his players in a position to be successful
—-
Did you watch GT’s defense against hurry-up offenses under Groh? People running in and out at the last minute as the offense was about to snap the ball? Players constantly out of position at the snap?
Rick James
January 3rd, 2013
12:30 pm
@GT Fan
Tough-guy R.James never responded to my slam of him on a recruiting blog……..where’ya at RICK!!??!!
———————
Here’s why Rick James is stupid (and you can’t fix stupid) ….
———————————-
Rick James
December 31st, 2012
10:19 pm
Hey Nick consider this..Tech has a great senior running back named Orwin Smith who averaged nearly 10 yards per carry.But in four years he’s only caried the ball 175 times.Todd Gurley at Georgia had over 130 carries this season.At Georgia you’ll get the ball.Believe in the G..
—————————————
Last I checked Orwin Smith plays A-back.
Last I checked Chubb is wanted by GT to play B-back.
Let’s check the B-back postion each year under PJ:
2008 Dwyer … 200 carries 1,395 yds
2009 Dwyer … 235 carries 1,395 yds
2010 Allen … 240 carries 1,316 yds
2011 Sims & Lyons …. 192 carries 1,038 yds
2012 Sims & Lasky …. 268 carries 1,309 yds
Seems to me that if Chubb comes to GT and wins the outright #1 spot at B-back he’ll have similar stats to Dwyer’s & Allen’s, i.e., he’ll get more than Gurley’s 130 carries.
Mr. James, your Orwin Smith “spin” has got to be one of the dumbest comments I’ve ever read on these blogs.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
You Sir obviously have a very serious thing for me..Seek help
You as always allowed your rage to prevent you from getting my point.Where in my post did I mention Dwyer,Allen,Sims,Lyons or Lasky? My point is simple,Smith averages nearly ten yards per carry and should have gotten the ball more.Todd Gurley nearly carried the ball more this season than Smith has in three.Georgia’s selling point to Chubb will be you’ll get the ball more in our system.There’s nothing stupid about that.Its the truth.Of course my point seems dumb to you its anti Tech.Let’s see where he signs.
realistic fan
January 3rd, 2013
12:30 pm
If the glove fits… Why is it you Tech fans can’t live in reality. Could it not be that CPJ’s arrogant, negative manner has rubbed off on the whole program? Just saying..
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
12:30 pm
” There is more hatred and ill will that comes out of the mouths of Tech people than anywhere that I have ever seen.”
Apparently you do not read dwagfan’s comments, do you?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:32 pm
@ The Anit Insta-tute —- Tech a blot on the SEC? You need to check your history books, bubba. When Tech left the SEC in 1964, Tech had more SEC championships than UGA did. That is hardly a blot.
Techno-le
January 3rd, 2013
12:33 pm
“A backs and B backs…Where future pros running backs hone their skills”
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:33 pm
@ GT Lee……AMEN, bro !!!
GT Fan
January 3rd, 2013
12:33 pm
Hats-off to all the UGA fans, and their Dawgs! The past 2 seasons have been pretty nice. Kind of an easy accomplishment considering how weak their schedules have been.
USC, LSU, USC, UF, and BAMA are the only good SEC teams the Dawgs played the past 2 seasons. And after watching Louisville whip the Gators last night, we might be able to remove UF from the “good team” category, IDK.
4 of the 5 teams kicked UGA’s arse, and UF had 6 TOs to aid UGA’s ONLY win vs. these 5.
Otherwise, UGA has had a heck of run through the pastry isle the past 2 seasons. KUDOS!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:34 pm
@ Techno-le…..you mean like Dwyer and Allen?
Rick James
January 3rd, 2013
12:35 pm
@Paddy
Rick James……..looks like you got schooled by some Tech folks. lol
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!
————————————————————————————————
Yes..Days later and on a different blog.Its not a knock against Tech its what Bryan McClendon is telling Chubb
Techno-le
January 3rd, 2013
12:35 pm
Supersize–Yep. Two of the greatest running backs in the pros. Both came to Tech under Gailey to play a pro style. Tell me about some CPJ has recruited.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:35 pm
If Louisville was able to smack the number 3 team in the country (HA!!!) like they did last night, what is Notre Dame going to do to Bama? One can only hope.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:36 pm
@ Techno-le…..actually Allen came to Tech AFTER Gailey. He transferred in from Louisville Johnson’s first year.
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
12:37 pm
Once again, the trolls are so dissatisfied with their under-achieving team’s underwhelming performance that they must pollute a clearly GT blog with their excretions. It seems that the last time the Jackets whipped an inferior Nebraska team in a bowl game it was for a National Championship. I admit, it has been too long for either Tech or UGA to be in contention for the crystal egg, but I think the mutts are losing a lot more sleep over it. 22 years since a NC is a long time; 32 is longer.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:38 pm
@ Techno-le….how many of UGA’s STAR running backs have done much better in the pros than Dwyer and Allen?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:39 pm
@ FMJ….their insecurity is matched only by their intelligence (or lack thereof)
Rick James
January 3rd, 2013
12:39 pm
@Techno-le
“A backs and B backs…Where future pros running backs hone their skills”
————————————————————————————————-
Amen..Roddy Jones would be on an NFL roster right now if he had been a tailback at Georgia playing in a pro style offense instead of an A-back (B-back?) in a Knute Rockne offense at Tech..
GT Fan
January 3rd, 2013
12:40 pm
Rick James,
You’re a frigin idiot, plain & simple. Chubb will b a B-BACK in GT’s offense. He will get MORE carries than any UGA back, period!
YOU posted something on a blog a few MONTHS ago when I blew one of your idiotic opinions out of the water, saying quote, “I don’t care about GT” Yet here you are AGAIN, day-after-day, GEORGIA TECH article-after-article commenting on GT! That’s the problem I have with mental midgets like yourself. Rick James is the smartest guy Rick James knows.
Techno-le
January 3rd, 2013
12:40 pm
Supersize..Actually neither starts in the pros unless the RB’s in front of them are hurt. But OK, if you’re saying you like this offense and it excites you then more power to you. It is like watching paint dry if they play against a decent defense.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:43 pm
@ Techno-le…..and how many “decent defenses” has Tech played against??? I’ll answer that one for you—-IOWA !!! You like to think that UGA has stopped us, but given any kind of defense at Tech last year and this year, Tech (win or lose) would have gained 300+ yards against the dwags.
Techno-le
January 3rd, 2013
12:44 pm
Rick James…Actually your theory is correct but Roddy Jones gets hurt to often to have stayed in the lineup and that will keep him out of the pros also
dawgfan
January 3rd, 2013
12:44 pm
“If Louisville was able to smack the number 3 team in the country (HA!!!) like they did last night, what is Notre Dame going to do to Bama?”
Who freaking cares Techie? I’ve got a question for you that you have absolutely no balls to answer: What would your joke azz football program do if it had to play Middle Tennessee State again, wet its pants? You Techies are a complete effing joke sitting here running your big fat mouths about teams losing BCS bowl games and SEC Championships. Your little pizz ant football team just went 7-7 and needed an NCAA freaking waiver to make it to a piece of crap bowl game. You clowns are simply unbelievable with you delusional arrogance. Who in the hell do you think you are? Your joke program didn’t beat Florida. Louisville did. Your piece of crap program isn’t playing Bama. Notre Dame is. You’re so busy riding everyone’s coattails that you are completely blind to what a complete effing laughing stock your own football program has become. Nobody gives a two cent crap what a Tech fan has to say about anything. Get over yourselves. We’ll let you know if we want to talk about the Sun Bowl or Independence Bowl. Otherwise, keep your traps shut and speak when spoken to.
Now go run to your mommies Techies and cry about what big fat meanies UGA fans are.
Rick James
January 3rd, 2013
12:44 pm
@GT Fan
Hats-off to all the UGA fans, and their Dawgs! The past 2 seasons have been pretty nice. Kind of an easy accomplishment considering how weak their schedules have been.
USC, LSU, USC, UF, and BAMA are the only good SEC teams the Dawgs played the past 2 seasons. And after watching Louisville whip the Gators last night, we might be able to remove UF from the “good team” category, IDK.
4 of the 5 teams kicked UGA’s arse, and UF had 6 TOs to aid UGA’s ONLY win vs. these 5.
Otherwise, UGA has had a heck of run through the pastry isle the past 2 seasons. KUDOS!
—————————————————————————————————————————
Your back handed compliment only magnifies your issues at Tech..If what you say is true Georgia only beats marginal teams.Yet Tech has won one of the last 12 games.So where does that put your program? I’ll take Georgia’s problems over Tech’s any day.
Techno-le
January 3rd, 2013
12:45 pm
Supersize.. Why bring up UGA? I watched the Sun bowl. How boring? And you are right, How many good Defenses does Tech play against? Or teams for that matter.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:46 pm
@ Rick James…..there is more to life after college than the pros. Roddy Jones is pretty much set for life and will probably end up in far better shape than he would have in the pros. He is intelligent and articulate and a great representative of what the student-athlete SHOULD be. He was successful on the football field, and he is already a success in the professional field.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:48 pm
@ Techo-le……if you think the Sun Bowl game was boring, then you are just plain stupid. I was there, and the atmosphere was electric. And the fact that probably 95% of the El Paso residents who filled the stadium were pulling for Tech made it even better.
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
12:49 pm
2013 is the defining season for Coach Paul Johnson. With 16 returning starters (his recruits), a reasonable schedule (hopefully), a new AD (presumably), and a new, soon to be named DC, Coach Johnson’s team is either going to blossom and establish itself in the upper echelon of the conference or not. I am sure we’re all hoping the bowl game is a stepping stone to next season’s success.
Techno-le
January 3rd, 2013
12:49 pm
Wow. If you thought that game was exciting then you probably need help.
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
12:50 pm
“Roddy Jones would be on an NFL roster right now if he had been a tailback at Georgia playing in a pro style offense instead of an A-back (B-back?) in a Knute Rockne offense at Tech..”
And Rick James knows this because he has a “what if” machine like the Professor on Futurama. Congrats, Rick, you have just just challenged your buddy dwagfan for the title of biggest moron.
Rick James
January 3rd, 2013
12:50 pm
@GT Fan
Rick James,
You’re a frigin idiot, plain & simple. Chubb will b a B-BACK in GT’s offense. He will get MORE carries than any UGA back, period!
YOU posted something on a blog a few MONTHS ago when I blew one of your idiotic opinions out of the water, saying quote, “I don’t care about GT” Yet here you are AGAIN, day-after-day, GEORGIA TECH article-after-article commenting on GT! That’s the problem I have with mental midgets like yourself. Rick James is the smartest guy Rick James knows.
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Wow!! You’ve been holding something against me for months? If CPJ had players with your kind of misguided passion he would have job for life.If what I say meant so little you’d ignore it..It only my opinion get over it.,Happy New Year
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:51 pm
What was so not-exciting about it? You had long runs from scrimmage, big passing plays, interceptions in the end-zone, etc, etc. You don’t find that exciting? It was certainly as exciting as either the UGA or UF games were, although not as much as the Clemson or SC games.
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
12:52 pm
If you’re a UGA fan and you are wasting your time contributing to a GT blog, then shouldn’t you re-examine your life, or at least try to get one? Of course, if you’re a GT fan wasting your time posting here, you probably need to get a life also, but at least you’re wasting time among friends. “Better a dinner of herbs….”
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
12:53 pm
LOL @ FMJ