Ted Roof hired as Tech coordinator
Ted Roof, once a Georgia Tech star linebacker and later an accomplished assistant, is returning to Tech once more.
Roof has been hired as the Yellow Jackets’ new defensive coordinator as the full-time replacement for Al Groh, fired in October. Roof leaves Penn State, where he had coached one season, for his alma mater.
In his only season at Penn State, the Nittany Lions ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (19.1 points per game), fourth in total defense (356.3 yards per game) and first in sacks (34).
“I’ve known Ted for a long time and I’m excited that he has decided to come back to Georgia Tech,” coach Paul Johnson said in a statement. “He’s one of the most respected football coaches in the nation.”
Roof served as linebackers coach for former Tech coach George O’Leary for one season (1998) and then defensive coordinator for three. He left to become defensive coordinator at Duke in 2002 with the changeover in head coaches. During that time at Tech, he worked with Bill O’Brien, now Penn State’s head coach.
He later became Duke’s head coach 2004-07, getting fired after a 1-11 season. He was coordinator at Minnesota for one season, then coordinated the defense at Auburn 2009-11, helping the Tigers to the 2010 national championship. He left Auburn to become coordinator at Central Florida for O’Leary, but left shortly after for Penn State.
Roof used a 4-3 defense at Penn State. He said last August that “the main core is I want us to be aggressive. I want us to play fast. I want us to be physical.”
In 2009, while at Auburn, he described his philosophy as using 4-3 some of the time.
“We’re pretty multiple in what we do,” he said. “You have to have a system that’s adaptable to different types of people — especially if you’re coming into a new situation. It’s one thing if you’ve been at a place several years and you recruit to a specific system. It’s another thing when you come in, you’re new and you have a system that’s broad enough and diverse enough to handle whatever personnel. This league, you don’t trick people. You have to out-hit people. There won’t be much tricking going on.”
With the departure of interim coordinator/secondary coach Charles Kelly for Florida State, Johnson still has one more opening on his staff to fill.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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355 comments Add your comment
BirminghamJacket
January 9th, 2013
10:29 pm
If you want to read something positive into what I and others believe is a bad hire; then perhaps what Roof refers to as “hard-hitting” rather than “tricks” might mean he is committed to signing better players.
We shall see.
I don’t think any coordinator would have success with our current players.
BirminghamJacket
January 9th, 2013
10:30 pm
Enter your comments here
GT-UT
January 9th, 2013
10:31 pm
Wow! I’ve never seen GT people so united. I can’t remember when 31 of 32 tech people enthusiastically agreed on ANYTHING! I was too young to remember him playing, but welcome Coach. We are all over the country pulling for you…and donating…even with higher taxes!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 9th, 2013
10:31 pm
@ BJ……I wasn’t one of those lobbying for Kelly to get the job, but he sure seemed to be able to do something with our current players against FSU and SC. All ANY DC has got to do to be successful is to teach them how to TACKLE, and Kelly appeared to have done that in those two games.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 9th, 2013
10:32 pm
I think Kelly proved that we have far more talent on D than anybody realized when Groh was still in charge
Ignition
January 9th, 2013
10:32 pm
NC State has four freshman as well. I’m tired of excuses.
When this guy was hired Dayton fans said good riddance and that his offenses stunk and I’ve seen nothing to refute that. I didn’t like the hire then, it seemed like well this is what we can afford hire whether than the best for the job hire just like this TR hire. But the difference is that with coach TR we already have seen the results multiple times .. I’m not a negative Nelly but the hire stinks to high heaven.
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:34 pm
Dawg trolls.
I know u are unhappy that Bama gets 3 out of 4 NCs while u weren’t even born for Herchel’s days of fame.
Doesn’t seem fair they get three to your zero.
And now u have a basketball team that stinks with an empty Stegesaurus.
So I understand why u have to put down Tech but that won’t make your programs as good as Bama in football or Florida and Kentucky in basketball.
They have better coaches and u r unlikely to ever be better them.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 9th, 2013
10:35 pm
NC State was also the 20th ranked team in the country, and I doubt that all four of their freshmen were on the court at one time, although I wasn’t able to see the complete game to know for sure. For Tech to have the lead with 4 minutes left, even if we did blow it in the end, speaks pretty damn highly of Gregory’s coaching in my book.
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:36 pm
@Ignition.
Well when r u going to fix it by contributing a few mil to Tech athletics?
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:38 pm
@Ignition.
Dude, u r flat out too negative.
What’s your real problem?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 9th, 2013
10:38 pm
@ JD……RIGHT !!! If these people want change, then they should get off their lazy butts and CONTRIBUTE instead of just whining all the time.
Gt joke
January 9th, 2013
10:39 pm
Ok, 6 loss season. Total joke of a program.
49-28 middle tennessee bwahahaha
Supersize that order, mutt
January 9th, 2013
10:41 pm
Somebody asked earlier why there was no live blog from the game tonight. It should be obvious that the AJC is not going to spend any money to send somebody to all the away games to cover Tech. And Ken DOES have a life to live and a family to spend time with. I don’t expect him to be online during every game trying to keep us entertained. When ANY blog is open, it becomes by default a live blog, even if there is not an AJC rep there to add his thoughts.
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:42 pm
I bought the Tulane/Uga package and midgame vs Uga, I made a pledge (that I kept) that if we beat Uga, I would get the ACC package.
Our whiners need to grow a pair.
And buy some tickets.
Taco
January 9th, 2013
10:42 pm
I thinks this is a good hire and I went to Tech with this guy. He is a baller and a coach. I can still remember seeing him the dorm with his damn nose busted all to hell from a collision at the goal line with Stacey Driver from Clemson (Griffin Ga.). This guys has fire and I believe he can recruit talent. I also like the 4-3 and so do most high school boys.Welcome home Ted.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 9th, 2013
10:43 pm
By the middle of September next Fall, UGA will be 0 – 2. By the end of September, they will be 1 – 3. So much for jokes.
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:46 pm
@GT joke.
Bama has three national championships with no end in sight to their dominance of college football.
Uga missed the best shot they will ever have to win it all.
Close just counts in horseshoes.
Bama has the best coach in football.
Kentucky and Florida have much better coaches for basketball than your dawgs.
Go enjoy your winter beatdowns at the Stegesaurus.
Florida 77 Dawgs 44.
Pathetic.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 9th, 2013
10:48 pm
@ JD……I heard a commentator today on ESPN Radio say that he thinks Saban is the best coach in the history of college football. I don’t know that I would go that far, but he IS good, and certainly the best around today.
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:49 pm
Thanks Taco for contributing.
Ignition
January 9th, 2013
10:52 pm
Ted Roof’s results
I know some other posters have listed the stats, but I figured I’d look up as many stats as I could to try to make me feel better about this hire and compile them all together. These numbers are going to be from his time as a DC only.
2012- Penn State
23rd Rush – 128 yards/game
50th Pass – 255 yards/game
29th Total – 353 yards/game
16th Scoring – 19 pts/game
2011- Auburn (was only at UCF 33 days)
94th Rush- 189 yards/game
51st Pass – 218 yards/game
81st Total – 408 yards/game
79 Scoring – 29 pts/game
2010 – Auburn
9th Rush – 109 yards/game
108th Pass – 259 yards/game
60th Total – 369 yards/game
53rd Scoring – 24 pts/game
2009 – Auburn
78th Rush – 156 yards/game
57th Pass – 218 yards/game
68th Total – 374 yards/game
79th Scoring – 28 pts/game
2008 – Minn
68 Rush – 143 yards/game
93rd Pass – 240 yards/game
80th total – 383 yards/game
61st Scoring – 25 pts/game
2003- Duke
63rd Rush – 158 yards/game
53rd Pass – 217 yards/game
57th total – 375 yards/game
76th Scoring – 29 pts/game
2002 – Duke
28th Rush – 120 yards/game
102nd Pass – 254 yards/game
65th total – 375 yards/game
83rd Scoring – 29 pts/game
2001 – GT
23rd Rush – 117 yards/game
53rd Pass – 216 yards/game
32nd Total – 333 yards/game
37 Scoring – 22 pts/game
2000 – GT
12th Rush – 94 yards/game
114th Pass- 285 yards/game
70th Total – 379 yards/game
21st Scoring – 19 pts/game
1999- GT
89th Rush – 189 yards/game
100 total – 413 – yards/game
93rd Scoring – 30.3 pts/game
You know what all this shows me ?? Crap Coach
OKNOW
January 9th, 2013
10:52 pm
I like the pick – I think Roof will be great, Welcome home, Ted.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 9th, 2013
10:52 pm
I’m outta here. Got a bad cold, and I don’t feel like putting up with the crap being posted on here tonight. Have a good one, JD.
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:53 pm
@Super.
This year (5 yards) will be as close as the Dawgs ever get to a football NC.
Their schedule gets tougher.
They lost a lot on defense.
Has Richt made some serious cash (20 to 25 million) never to produce the NC for them?
What a shame.
Not.
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:55 pm
U too Super.
Paul in NH
January 9th, 2013
10:55 pm
Ignition
January 9th, 2013
10:32 pm
NC State has four freshman as well
—
Only 3 of them played (one started) and one of them (Lewis) had 5 minutes.
GT started 2 FRs, and had 3 others play. Out of the players with the top 5 minutes 3 were FRs
Jacket Detective
January 9th, 2013
10:58 pm
@Ignition.
That’s better.
Paul in NH
January 9th, 2013
11:01 pm
GT freshman minutes – 100 (50%)
NCSU freshman minutes – 59 (29.5%)
1 4 GT
January 9th, 2013
11:07 pm
IGGIES stats may show somewhat middle of the pack defenses, but how manr more games (realistically) could GT maybe have won with that good of a defense……VT maybe…just needed 1 tackle with about 20 seconds left on 4th down (or a pass knocked down)….UM…..just one 3 & out without 1 minute left…that’s 2 more wins right there…..MTSU….maybe the guys are so down on themselves & show up & play better….that’s 3 more wins (maybe, but surely possible) & we’re 6 & 0… speculation I know, but we’re not talking about Bammer style defense….just about a defense that would be considered average to good at it’s best……but nooooooooooo, y’all gotta be all wussies and all negative…..HELL, the man ain’t even been fully vetted & y’all are bitchin’
Ignition
January 9th, 2013
11:12 pm
I’d take unknown potential over proven mediocrity ..
I’d venture to say less than mediocre results.
This is bad real bad …
Mike Geigerman
January 9th, 2013
11:14 pm
Welcome .. Welcome Welcome back home…. Great news on the flats
What a superb hire.
GaPigskin
January 9th, 2013
11:26 pm
The real upside to this is recruiting. Ted Roof knows Georgia High School Football and has deep rooted relations with high school coaches in the state. Until now, GT’s recruiting on the defensive side of the ball under Johnson has been lacking. Roof will make an impact.
Great hire for Johnson and the Jackets.
Topp Dogg
January 9th, 2013
11:27 pm
You mean with all the firings pro and college this is the best GT can get, no wonder why you continue to suck.WTF over.
Option Bee
January 9th, 2013
11:31 pm
If Paul is smart, he will let Ted hire the remaining coach needed on defense. Ted has better connections in the coaching community, and knows the good young defensive coaches and recruiters. Paul, turn the D over to Ted, and put your focus back to where it has been completely….the offense! P.S. pass the ball more, so the D sees enough reps in practice! They need it!
GT TN
January 9th, 2013
11:32 pm
@Ignition..2 things for you
1) Look at where the defense was before the coach took over and then while he was there..did the coach show improvements in defense..I think you will see that he did improve
2) who would you have hired??
Dacusville Bill
January 9th, 2013
11:43 pm
I gotta give Pitiful Paul credit—He hit a home run with Ted Roof—Wish Cotton was a monkey–
5150 UOAD
January 9th, 2013
11:45 pm
WHO?
Why?
For how much?
Who?
WHY?
WHO?
5150 UOAD
January 9th, 2013
11:48 pm
I would rather have Suzanne Yonculan. She is an Ex-Dwag and she has more Ballz than any UGa coach and she wouldn’t take CPJ’s crap either.
5150 UOAD
January 9th, 2013
11:49 pm
Being PART of the Black Watch is different than Coaching a New Black Watch.
5150 UOAD
January 9th, 2013
11:54 pm
I am as impressed as I would be if the Stripper at my party was Marilyn Chambers. That would be GREAT in 1978 but in 2013 not so much.
Steve
January 10th, 2013
12:02 am
Sorry GT fans, I see most of you excited for this hire but as the DC at Auburn, our defense was the worst in our history. We lost the fundamentals of tackling on defense. Lots of arm tackles. Defense wasn’t aggressive at all. His Def at Minnesota was dead last in the conf. PSU had a good defense before Roof got there so thankfully he didn’t have more time to tear down their defense too. You’ll be very disappointed.
GT TN
January 10th, 2013
12:13 am
@Steve..funny you should say that because you gave up the same number of points this year as he did last year..defense gave up less yards under Roof last year than you did this year..he gave up 3 more points at PSU than the year before..not bad for what they went thru
Vulture
January 10th, 2013
12:19 am
Auburn finished 2012 @ 79th – GT @ 43rd – Penn State 29th – UGA 32nd
http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/1042/p1
Ted Roof Hired as Defensive Coordinator for Georgia Tech – Promises to Tank Defense and Deliver National Champsionsip Like He Did At Auburn | Run Lindsay Run
January 10th, 2013
12:34 am
[...] AP Wire – Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Tech, the smartest college in the Universe, except the schools taught by vulcans or elves, has hired the only man known to have slowed down the Georgia offense. The collective brain trust at Georgia Tech hired the invincible Ted Roof. [...]
nobowl
January 10th, 2013
12:40 am
why did tech hire this retread again??? it will be more of the next year—bad defense. Why not spend some money and hire a big time D coordinator/?? hello???
pcb mike
January 10th, 2013
1:11 am
I’m excited. Played and coached at Tech, and has an excellent record as a DC. Welcome back, Ted.
5150 UOAD
January 10th, 2013
1:32 am
I would still F a few of my EX’s but I wouldn’t keep them around to keep paying and providing them a living. They were a FUN RIDE ONCE but not for the LONG Roller Coaster Ride at the price. T don’t think Teddie is an answer.
dagnabit
January 10th, 2013
1:50 am
I look to the season ticket sales to go up.
black bee
January 10th, 2013
2:14 am
You put Giff with this and you can recruit and play with the Dawgs. Just don’t know if CPJ will do it!
macrotech
January 10th, 2013
4:29 am
I look forward to seeing him do something with our D….ANY improvement adds a few wins!!! REALLY pumped about next season! Groh was TOO committed to the 3-4 D…I HOPED we’d be able to recruit the players to pull it off, but time proved that wouldn’t play out with favorable results. Roof has proven to be flexible…here’s to the LONG count down to next season! GO TECH!!!
danny
January 10th, 2013
6:25 am
Supersize, and at the end of the year we all know what Georgia will do to tech. When Auburn crushed Geogia in its championship year Roofs vaunted “D” allowed the Dogs 31 points.