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
Ghost
January 3rd, 2013
4:09 pm
Georgia will beat tech in Atlanta by at least 17 points, it would be more but like the past 2 games Georgia will stop trying to score sometime near the end of the 3rd quarter. Techs talent level is dropping to historic lows.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
4:13 pm
@ Ghost….hate to break it to you, but Richt NEVER stops trying to score. They may lose some of the initial fire, but they do keep trying, and the scrubs seldom come in. As far as Tech’s talent level goes, it may not be what you like, or even as high as we would hope for, but, aside from depth, the talent level is still good, and certainly not at any kind of historic low.
Booze Hound
January 3rd, 2013
4:16 pm
Tech was a better team with Johnson coaching Gailey’s players, but not great. The 2009 team had an 11-3 record but lost to 6-5 Georgia, lost the Orange Bowl, and was simply not sound. The defense was generally poor but would make some semblance of adjustments in the second-half, the kicking game was average at very best, and the passing game basically consisted of throwing jump balls to Demaryius Thomas.
What Tech did have was a novel rushing attack that most opponents hadn’t really seen and a cadre of playmakers that could bail the team out in tight spots…most of the time. Since those playes left, well, you can see for yourself what’s happened.
Ghost
January 3rd, 2013
4:18 pm
Super, Georgia was leading 42-3 at the end of the 3rd quarter, all offensive starters were out of the game . If Richt had wanted too Georgia could’ve put up 2 -3 more scores easily. How many all acc players did pJ have in year 5?. 1 , Chan had seven 1st and 2nd team all ACC in year 5.(2006)
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
4:24 pm
@ Ghost…..I think you’d better check to see just how many starters were actually out of the game. As far as Chan’s all ACC players, other than Calvin and PJ (depending on the year), most of his all ACC players were on defense, and that’s only because Tenuta was obviously a better DC than Groh. You had best not be too big on the mutts’ chances next year. With all that you are losing, plus your most valuable coach jumping ship for Auburn, the mutts may have some lean years ahead.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
4:26 pm
@ Ghost……since Tech only had 3 starters each on O and D this year who were seniors, it’s not that unusual to only have one all ACC pick from the team, and that, of course, was Uzzi.
GT TN
January 3rd, 2013
4:27 pm
@dry dirt road..I can do the same thing you just did with GT getting beat by MTSU and MTSU getting beat by McNeese..
LSU got beat by UF who got beat by Louisville who got beat by a 5-7 UConn team that lost to a 4-8 Western Michigan team that lost to a 4-8 Buffalo
Kansas State loses to Baylor who lost to West Virginia who lost to OK State who lost to Arizona who lost to Arizona State who lost USC who lost to GEORGIA TECH..that means GT is as good as Kansas State..how do like them apples!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
4:29 pm
LOL @ GT TN
GT TN
January 3rd, 2013
4:31 pm
@ Supersize..thank you
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
4:35 pm
@ GT TN…..you are very welcome. I thought that was a really cool sequence of wins/losses, and it definitely makes as much sense as the majority of what the trolls and haters post on here.
Booze Hound
January 3rd, 2013
4:42 pm
Uzzi will get drafted and be the third of Johnson’s players to go to the pros. At this rate, Johnson should equal the number of players that Gailey put into the NFL by 2030 or so.
GT TN
January 3rd, 2013
4:52 pm
@Booze Hound..you have to compare apples to apples..you to compare Johnson 4 classes to CG first 4 classes
Booze Hound
January 3rd, 2013
5:02 pm
GT TN,
I’m sure there will be more of PJ’s players drafted in following years but I doubt it will be many – at least based on the past few years’ results. I really wish Tech could turn it around but I just don’t see Johnson as the man to do it.
GTJohn2
January 3rd, 2013
5:07 pm
“Everthing anti Tech is moronic Lee.Its just my opinion and that of a couple of pro scout friends.”
And I’m personal friends with Tiger Woods. He gives me tips on my short game. Hell, he coaches me about golf every Thursday.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:08 pm
@ Booze Hound…..get back with us this time next year and see if you think the same. I doubt that you do, because I think some big things are about to happen on the Flats. With Vad or Justin at QB and a DC (ANY DC) who knows how to coach and relate to his players, the future looks very good.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:09 pm
LOL @ GTJohn2
GTJohn2
January 3rd, 2013
5:12 pm
“If you’ve never met him how do you now what he thinks? FYI I know his entire family very well..”
Good Lord, I hope they get over it.
juvenal
January 3rd, 2013
5:14 pm
JB, CPJ has stubbornly refused to include the Spread O with the TO-there are signs this is changing…..with 35 footballers on the honor roll, & all the ‘08 class on schedule to graduate, the kids can handle a more complex offense…….2 years out of the nfl, how many of the players going there from the factories can even pay their child support?….many nfl teams use the SO….whatever excuse usc uses, they are a factory with a ton more * playas………………..
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:14 pm
It’s amazing how people can claim anything on here and really be naive enough to think we believe it.
GTJohn2
January 3rd, 2013
5:18 pm
“Now go run to your mommies Techies and cry about what big fat meanies UGA fans are.”
No need to cry to mommy, I just cry about those big, fat, ignorant, trailer rat UGA fans. Then I feel pity, then I read your crap and I don’t feel so bad for them. Thanks
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:18 pm
@ juvenal…..I think the bowl game showed clearly for all to see that Johnson’s offense is far more varied with Vad in there (and, I am sure, with Justin also) than the so-called triple options. In the bowl game, USC pretty much covered the outside game all day long, so Johnson went to the inside game with great success, and the pistol with Vad, also with great success. He’s smart enough to know what works and what doesn’t work, and when one thing doesn’t work, he has plenty of other options now to choose from. Hell, we even threw a screen pass (and completed it) against FSU and a couple of short passes against the Trojans. Who’d a thunk that?
juvenal
January 3rd, 2013
5:19 pm
a school that gives all it’s students a real education is a school-a $kules that uses bodies to make money is really more like a strip joint……….
GTJohn2
January 3rd, 2013
5:21 pm
“I’ll take Georgia’s problems over Tech’s any day.”
Translation:
UGA will take as many special admits and JUCO transfer as possible.
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
5:22 pm
@GTJohn2,
Maybe you could move your golf outing with Tiger to Saturday. I know a dwag who could really use the help…….
dawgfan
August 23rd, 2012
10:22 am
I probably won’t even watch the Buffalo game. I’ll be on the golf course.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:23 pm
@ GT Lee….you are assuming dwagfan is actually playing golf. I thought he was out there looking for squirrel poo
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:25 pm
Or maybe trolling the johns for golfer poo, to see how it compares to Richt poo
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
5:29 pm
Actually Super, I think he was trying to catch a gopher…….
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
5:38 pm
Here’s a clip of dwagfan in action……….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5yCwN7wymc
GTJohn2
January 3rd, 2013
5:43 pm
“This is the Georgie football schedule for 2013.
Draw your own conclusions. Try to be objective.”
Will the number of suspended players factor into that conclusion?
I’d rather not speculate because many players will not qualify academically (and that’s a big WOW), and of course how many will transfer?
Too many variables to make an educated guess.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:46 pm
@ Lee…..that comparison is an insult to Bill Murray
GTJohn2
January 3rd, 2013
5:50 pm
I’ll check GT Lee, but usually I’m playing tennis with John McEnroe at Wimbleton on Saturdays. He’s getting old but still is very competitive.
After that we have tea with the Queen of England. She really loves those scones.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:50 pm
LMAO @ GTJohn2
5150 UOAD
January 3rd, 2013
5:52 pm
Wow didn’t see this coming…..wink wink……..Of course the Grade was miss posted.
http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2013/01/03/uga-gets-some-unexpected-good-news/?cp=1#comment-310235
GTRay
January 3rd, 2013
5:53 pm
I have to admit that I was really pleased to see us beat USC, especially considering the level of individual talent they have. Having said that, I don’t think anyone should read too much re: next year from the victory. Did everyone see the same game that I watched? I saw a USC team that probably would have won had their QB been merely adequate. There were too many missed receivers that an average QB would have hit. I know, one can make the argument that Tech’s defense had him rattled, and I’ll admit that may have been the case later in the game, but it seemed his passing was pretty bad from the get go.
And what about next year? I see two definite positives. (1) The number of returning starters (if everyone returns as scheduled) and (2) what appears to be an improved defense. Of course, Uzzi’s A+ level performance will be missed. However, to state the obvious, any offensive success will hinge on the QB’s performance (whoever the QB will be). As physically gifted as both Lee and Thomas are, if they can’t execute the offense well, then the offense will struggle.
Having said all that, I’m pretty optimistic about next year. In the meantime, here’s hoping for success for BG and his cagers (does anyone say “cagers” anymore?).
jeffjacket
January 3rd, 2013
5:57 pm
Congrats to CPJ , the glue that held this team together when it mattered the most!
All of you haters take note of what this quality coach pulled off this year:
1- Had the balls to rid himself of a terrible DC , mid-season.
2- Had and AD run for an orange coat to the East of us. (some place called Clemson)
3- Inspired his team to come within 44 yards (the point of Tevins interception) of his 2nd ACC championship.
4- Carried our team nearly to Mexico to play a #1 ranked team (1st 6 wks of season).
5- Endured being dissrespected at dinner function.
6- Inspired young men to stick it to the arogant left costers and their program killing coach. (1st tenn. now USC).
7- Actually graduates young men and does it without criminal records ( Dawgs= 28 arrests in past 30 months)
If this is not enough to prove his worth , you do not understand or appreciate what college football is all about!
GO JACKETS!!! TO HELL WITH GA!!! TO HELL WITH CPJ HATERS!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:58 pm
@ GTRay……one thing you need to remember is that Barclay doesn’t play defense or O-line, and Tech pretty much controlled both of them the entire game. He would definitely have made a difference, but he couldn’t have stopped Sims and Laskey up the middle, nor Vad out of the pistol.
HighTech
January 3rd, 2013
5:58 pm
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
5:14 pm
It’s amazing how people can claim anything on here and really be naive enough to think we believe it.
————————————
Some of those are really hilarious, too. Like the troll that wants us to believe he owns a Bentley but won’t drive it to Nashville because it gets poor mileage.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
6:00 pm
@ HT……yeah. He can afford to buy a Bentley, but he can’t afford to buy the gas. RIGHT !!!!
Tech93
January 3rd, 2013
6:01 pm
What a joke! If it was that bad he should have resigned. Furthermore, he should pay Tech back for his failure to do his job. It’s funny that the same D that he coached performed the way they did against USC under Kelly. It speaks volumes.
JB
January 3rd, 2013
6:03 pm
I remember all the Tech comments about Groh when Johnson hired him…………Brilliant….great move….blah blah…..all hires don’t work…….See Willie Martinez…..See Derek Dooley……I’m thinking they had words……And one man is still employed at 2+ mil per year…….One is hanging out at the SSI office…..really no news here. Tech’s defense stunk with him….and just a little better without out. Tech needs some D1 players.
HighTech
January 3rd, 2013
6:03 pm
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
6:00 pm
@ HT……yeah. He can afford to buy a Bentley, but he can’t afford to buy the gas. RIGHT !!!!
——————————————
Or another troll that likes to take clients out wineing and dineing. lol.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
6:05 pm
@ HT……I am assuming that was his spelling, and not yours. LOL
HighTech
January 3rd, 2013
6:05 pm
I’m looking forward to seeing The International Wrecking Crew on the defensive line next season. A quarterback’s nightmare.
jeffjacket
January 3rd, 2013
6:05 pm
@JB
ASK USC IF WE HAVE D1 PLAYERS!!!!
HighTech
January 3rd, 2013
6:06 pm
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
6:05 pm
@ HT……I am assuming that was his spelling, and not yours. LOL
————————-
That’s what made it so funny.
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
6:12 pm
There’s MORE good news in Athens…with Rodney leaving, the Dwags will save a ton of money on their annual Watermelon Day next summer…..
http://www.twylah.com/ajcuga/tweets/217276040085635075
JB
January 3rd, 2013
6:13 pm
jeffjacket……I watched more Tech games that that I’m afraid…
superDawg
January 3rd, 2013
6:17 pm
Groh tearing into tek is not news,hell everybody else does.
superDawg
January 3rd, 2013
6:18 pm
and supersize if you don’t like my post go cry to Ken like you always do.
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
6:19 pm
HighTech, do you still have the photo of a certain troll after he went to see his tailor?