Bust poll: Bobo (Georgia offense) vs. Groh (Tech defense)
Mike Bobo (Georgia offense).
Al Groh (Georgia Tech defense).
In the interest of full disclosure, here goes: When Georgia and Georgia Tech both hired new defensive coordinators in January, I had more confidence in Paul Johnson’s decision to bring in Al Groh than I did Mark Richt’s decision to hire Todd Grantham.
The reason was simple: While Groh was a disappointment as a head coach at Virginia, he was a proven commodity as a defensive coach in the NFL and college, working with the likes of Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. I also believed that taking a college coordinator’s job at 66 indicated that he must be truly motivated to win again. Conversely, while Grantham came highly recommended, most recently as the linebackers coach of the Dallas Cowboys, he had been a coordinator only once before: with the Cleveland Browns, where he had mixed results (2005-07). Grantham was closer to an unknown commodity.
Loading ...Now, while Grantham hasn’t beeen stellar in Athens, Tech’s defense has been a disaster. That has to be a reflection on Groh. I’m not saying the guy forgot how to coach defense, but neither do I buy into the notion that the Jackets are completely devoid of any talent.
In fact, I will now pose a question that before this season would’ve seemed unfathomable: Who has been worse — Groh as Tech’s defensive coordinator or Mike Bobo as Georgia’s offensive coordinator. (Vote in our poll. This should be interesting.)
My view: Groh is the bigger bust because he is in complete control of the defense at Tech. Bobo works for an offensive coach (Mark Richt) and designs the game plan with his boss in mind.
The Jackets were smoked by North Carolina State, 45-28. They have allowed 12 offensive touchdowns in the last three games.They have an ACC low two interceptions, rank eighth in the conference in total defense (367.8), ninth against the pass (212.5) and 10th in scoring (26.8).
They didn’t have to be great defensively this season — they just had to be better than in the last two years under Dave Wommack. That hasn’t happened.
Johnson is trying to temper the criticism of Groh. Quoting from Tuesday’s news conference: “As I said when [Wommack was fired], I don’t want to put all that on Dave Wommack. Guys have to make plays, too. You can’t change coaches every time you don’t tackle somebody.
“We’ve got guys who have played for two or three years here that are doing things there’s no explanation for.”
Johnson is equally upset about the Jackets’ play on both sides of the ball. He counted 85 missed assignments against N.C. State — 43 on one side of the ball and 42 on the other (he didn’t remember the breakdown). He believes the team is playing with a lack of urgency, saying, “We need to go to Winston-Salem and play like our hair’s on fire.”
As for this excuse by some that Tech just doesn’t have enough talent, he said: “It’s like anything. The more talented you are, the more mistakes you can make. Do we have guys as talented as Derrick Morgan? No. But that doesn’t mean we can’t play better defense if everybody didn’t do what they’re supposed to.”
That’s mental, not physical. That’s where coaching comes in.
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284 comments Add your comment
Hit A Single
September 28th, 2010
1:54 pm
Murphy – Yea most bloggers would get out of the Kitchen and you would lead the way!
boog
September 28th, 2010
1:56 pm
Grantham coached the DL with the Cowboys genius… you would think you would get your facts straight since that is supposed to be your business
Dontavius Supremo
September 28th, 2010
1:56 pm
In his nine years as a coach at UGA, Richt has taken the Bulldogs to nine bowl games, including three Sugar Bowls, and you knuckleheads are already set to fire him. As I wrote earlier, the AD needs to set specific goals for Coach Richt (mainly in bringing in new staff and disciplining players) and give him the balance of this year and next year to fix things. If not progress is made, then he should leave. But fire him now? That is NUTS!
Bad D
September 28th, 2010
1:57 pm
Who in the college game runs the 3 – 4 D scheme effectively? I don’t know just asking the question to anyone who might? With all the gimmick offenses out there today and GA’s lack of pressure on the QB and poor edge contain even if they score points will it be enough to offset what teams that can pass and run will put up on them? Doubtful, if they can’t get it together this week could be a 2-10 season.
Charlie Dalton
September 28th, 2010
1:57 pm
I’d say Bobo is more of a dissappointment. Just like Willie Martinez, he appears to have worn out his welcome and grown stale. He’s been at UGA for several seasons and worked with many of the players for several seasons. They oughta be clicking on all cylinders despite not having A.J. Green. They still have Orson Charles and many other talented weapons. Although I think Richt is a great coach, I think he holds on the assistants too long. Dave Wommack didn’t get the job done and Coach Johnson sent him packing quickly. Groh just took over the Tech D earlier in 2010 and will need some time to get his players adjusted to the new scheme and recruit future players that fit his system. The same goes for Grantham.
MURPHY
September 28th, 2010
1:57 pm
OldFan,
I dont believe Bobo has a system. Im pretty sure he inherited it from Richt.He doesnt need special players to run this dinasour offense.Its not like the Fun n gun or the spread. Im pretty sure is coaching talent is the issue
Hayseed Dixie
September 28th, 2010
1:58 pm
Richt’s first couple of offenses at UGA were scary, creative and had swagger.
What happened?
Hit A Single
September 28th, 2010
1:58 pm
Coach Richt will turn this thing around.
2HLLWGA
September 28th, 2010
1:59 pm
Jeff, this is an apples to oranges comparison. Bobo has been at UGA for how long?
If you wanted to compare Grantham to Groh, that would be valid. This is much like the first year of Johnson and you need to give him a little (more) time. Groh needs to groom the players to be able to play the positions, much like Johnson did. Do you remember the game at BC – GT was very lucky to win. So far, Groh has not been that lucky. I think you should ask this same question of Grantham and Groh at the end of 2011 (provided Richt survives to that point).
dawgfacedboy
September 28th, 2010
2:00 pm
YOu are comparing a 1st year coach in Groh who is implementing a new scheme and Mike Bobo who has been underperforming and over his head since day 1. Bobo has never shown he is/was qualified to be an SEC play caller. Every OC calls the plays according to the gameplan set forth by the HC.
Gordon
September 28th, 2010
2:00 pm
The answer is Bobo. The problem at UGA is coaching, and the problem at Tech is talent. Plus there is a longer track record of failure with Bobo. Groh hasn’t had a fair chance yet.
amg
September 28th, 2010
2:00 pm
Tech has NO talent on the D line and that causes all the problems. As sad as this may seem, the defense is slightly better than last year, you may have forgotten last year when Tech HAD to score on every possession to win. This year is slightly better on D and worse on the Offense. So I would not blame Al Groh just yet, give him a year or two , then we shall see. The main thing Tech needs is a 350 lbs + nose guard to disrupt things on every play.
Gerald Prather
September 28th, 2010
2:01 pm
Out of all the excuses I’ve heard about the state of Georgia football rather GA or GT. We need to face the fact that the teams are just PIE! Both teams going to a 3-4 scheme, give me a break! We can’t cover nobody, or stop the run. This is college football not nfl! So, get Bobo up out of here, get GT’s one formation football up out of here, and finally get that 3-4 scheme defense up out of here! Because right now, I can’t see a bowl game for either team! Maybe one of them might play in the Cereal Bowl or the Pie Bowl!
That Guy
September 28th, 2010
2:02 pm
The disparity in the overall talent level would generally indicate that UGA is the bigger bust. Any GT fan that is delusional enough to think that the talent level at both schools are equitable is crazy. UGA will ALMOST ALWAYS get the pick of the litter so to speak, when it comes to recruits, so GT has to do a better job of coaching to stay on par with the them. However, some schemes need specific types of players in order to be successful. That is where UGA has a definite advantage over GT, so that is why they are the bigger fail on the defensive side of the ball.
mj
September 28th, 2010
2:03 pm
Richt is so far removed from FSU it’s not even funny. Even so, you’d be referencing a very successful Richt that had an offense that led the nation year after year, several Heismans and multiple National Champions. So if want to convey how successful he was at FSU, be my guest.
The fact that he hasn’t repeated at UGA has nothing to do with where he was in the late 80’s and ’90’s. It’s been 10 years so enough already with the reference.
MURPHY
September 28th, 2010
2:03 pm
Hit a single,
Are you an idiot and just want to keep paying people for a poor job performance? What would your boss or company say to this kind of poor performance? I hope Richt does turn it around,but he needs to change somethings starting today and get this prgram back on track.
bob
September 28th, 2010
2:04 pm
Boo Boo has been there many years and still can’t find the picnic basket Yogi. Grol is a proven DC and will have this D turned around soon. Of course, name a proven recruit at Tech that Johnson brought in. Groh will have to find them, recruit them, sign them, coach them up, then build a defense.
All the NFL caliber Gailey players are gone folks.
wake up DAWGS
September 28th, 2010
2:05 pm
It’s like trying to compare a Tsunami and a Tidal wave…. which is worse? They both are devastating.
cattledawg
September 28th, 2010
2:05 pm
My Georgia Southern friends always claimed that cpj defense always stunk at southern and that his dc are never any good. It seems to be a trend. Why didnt cmr just clean bobo out last year with everyone else?
gdawginkalamazoo
September 28th, 2010
2:07 pm
I kept up with the game on ESPN’s gamecast. We didn’t even looked inspired on gamecast.
Paul in RDU
September 28th, 2010
2:07 pm
I have to go with Bobo as the bigger bust – he has been at UGA a long time and the offense is getting worse. No TDs against SC and a garbage time TD against MSU speak to the problem.
Groh has been a big disappointment so far this year but he is a huge improvement over Wommack. Giving him a failing grade right now is kind of like flunking someone because of the 1st semester mid-term – there is a long way to go.
Does anyone remember GT’s first few games last year? They changed their defensive alignments from game to game and looked absolutely clueless in some of them. Opponent’s WRs were running wide open through the secondary. The D has been bad but not as bad as at the beginning of last year.
A newsflash – Russell Wilson is pretty good.
GTJeff
September 28th, 2010
2:08 pm
GT MORONS: QUIT CARPING ABOUT THE PLAYERS! They are playing lost & THAT my friends falls SOLELY on the coaches. Period. End of discussion. These are the same folks that thought we were going to the NC this season. I’m praying Groh retires at the end of this year before he does any more damage. Doubt that though since he is practically retired now. Folks, if Groh were any type of defensive genius, he would still be at UVA.
suwaneedawg
September 28th, 2010
2:10 pm
I hate tech but, lets be real here. Groh is in the same situation as Grantham. You have to have the right players in key positions or your scheme will not work properly. Both d coordinators are new and may take a couple of years to build the defense with the right players. Bobo, on the other hand, is not new and needs to be demoted. Play calling sucks! Plain and simple.
dlmod
September 28th, 2010
2:14 pm
From the outside that defense seems as bad as it gets, 500+ yards? Obviously, the defense is too complicated. Pour a whole lot of vanilla in the defensive batter and keep it simple. How can they be this bad…
Jim007
September 28th, 2010
2:14 pm
Both are Not getting the job done
JB
September 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
Bobo hands down…I’m a Dawg and Bobo can’t hold Groh’s Jock with football knowledge and experience. Coach Groh’s problem, he’s been ask to make lemonade without lemons.
joe
September 28th, 2010
2:17 pm
Hands down…Bozo, I mean Bobo.
Paul in RDU
September 28th, 2010
2:18 pm
GTJeff – being an unsuccessful HC does not mean that you can’t be a successful coordinator.
Ever hear of Mike Martz, Buddy Ryan, Galen Hall, …?
JoePA
September 28th, 2010
2:21 pm
You know that Al Groh will be 70 years old by the time he “gets his players” to fit his system. That makes him a whipper snapper in my book. The kid a break this year.
gdawginkalamazoo
September 28th, 2010
2:24 pm
My seasonal anxiety disorder is in complete and total remission for this year. Damn it ain’t even October yet.
Ace Frehley
September 28th, 2010
2:25 pm
Its a tossup. Both suck.
kevin
September 28th, 2010
2:26 pm
Mark Richt was hired as head coach b/c of his record as an offensive coordinator. Since handing the duties over to Bobo a few years back, UGA’s offense has steadily declined. I do think Bobo is a good QB coach, but he is not an offensive coordinator. However, Richt has said repeatedly that he likes the free time he has not having to worry about calling plays. Guess what Richt, after this season, you might have a lot more free time on your hands.
Ace Frehley
September 28th, 2010
2:27 pm
Because if you had Techs offense with UGA’s defense they would be undefeated.
Ace Frehley
September 28th, 2010
2:28 pm
I told Paul that I wanted to get back with the band but I guess some things can’t be forgotten or forgiven…
Hollywould
September 28th, 2010
2:32 pm
Wally Butts, thanks for the link. That is the cheapest and dirtiest play I can remember seeing. Jones should be suspended. Punk
Coach bobo
September 28th, 2010
2:37 pm
How’d you guys like that 4th & 1 bomb I called at AK. Dang, I thought I had’em on that call… knew they’d be looking for my patented up the middle failure run.
Hey dawgs, don’t get down about Miss St., Imma make a come back this week. Been working on a new play… all month, but I got one ready. You’ll see…
Funtime
September 28th, 2010
2:38 pm
I would have to say Bobo simply because of the time he has been on the job. That game in November may turn out to be really ugly for both sides.
GT Fan since 1951
September 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
Jeff: An apple vs orange comparison between BoBo and Groh. The question should be which is worse, the GT offense or the GT defense. The offense cannot use the pass effectively and the defense cannot stop the opponent`s offense. I think GT will be lucky to win 6 games this year.
As for UGA, they have a better chance to go at least 8-4 or 7-5 with only
Florida and Auburn to worry about. BoBo may not be what the UGA fans
want but at least this team has more talent and can do better with some
adjustments in its offensive scheme.
Funtime
September 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
What Jones did is typical. I remember a UGA player flattening Tim Tebow long after the play was overin a GA-FLA game. Thugs off the field. Thugs on the field.
Vixzilla
September 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
Jeff…..perhaps “Hack” should tell you how he feels?
War Eagle!!!!!!
September 28th, 2010
2:51 pm
“SACK SCHULTZ: Making a little comeback. Went 12-3 last week. Note to all competitors: You’re going down. It’s not to late to lose to me!”
Schultz is big in his own mind.
Fleabitten
September 28th, 2010
2:51 pm
The expectations are higher at UGA than at GT and therefore is not really a fair comparison. Slightly better than mediocre is good at GT, but is definitely not acceptable at UGA.
lawzoo
September 28th, 2010
2:56 pm
They both will win Saturday despite BooBoo and Growl. Both ga. and tech will win because they both HAVE to win.
Fleabitten
September 28th, 2010
2:56 pm
If either of these teams make a bowl, they’ll be playing in it long before Christmas.
XXXLDawg
September 28th, 2010
2:58 pm
What a poor excuse for a blog. 1st – the Headline – Which one has been a bigger bust? Bust represents that you had certain expectations that were not achieved. 2nd – Bust is not mentioned in the poll question. 3rd – Most of the blog compares Groh to Grantham. Where is the background on Bobo? Going back to the headline…what were the expectations of Bobo? The 66 year old Groh came in with all the experience, but has failed to produce quality results…so far. What experience does Bobo have outside of Athens? Bobo is not a bust because he has never been deemed an offensive genius. This blog entry appears to have been written on toilet paper in the middle of better executed performances.
UGA REALLY STANDS FOR JOE DIRT
September 28th, 2010
2:58 pm
We stink this year plain and simple. I agree that uga would beat us for sure. We couldn’t stop a bowl of jelly rolling toward our d-line. Some of you tech fans are drinking kool aid. There is no excuse for our defense to play so pathetic and clueless out there on just about every play. Groh was hired as a replacement to FIX the defense and CPJ didn’t say ” well give us 2 or 3 years because it will take a little while for the kids to learn the system”? That’s bs because GT ran a good bit of the 3-4 last year under wommack and several kids are back who played last year! What’s the legit excuse here? How about not enough talent and slow linebackers who can’t tackle along with the fact that groh is not effective. If your watching these guys, the linebackers are worse than nesbitts passing ratio. It’s an all-around stinker for us this season and uga is not much better but at least they did lose 2 games to ranked teams. We did lose to kansas and did anyone see how bad kansas was destroyed by southern miss? They lost to ND STATE at home as well! It’s fair to put groh in as a disappointment because he has been just that. Enough said
juice sourcer
September 28th, 2010
3:02 pm
The difference between being good and bad is very slim. Tech’s defense was not good last year and they lost 2 top level players early to the NFL…come on…anyone expecting them to be better this year is delusional….as for Georgia…they have been without their best playmaker and diference maker and they have a 1st year starter at quarterback…come on…more delusion.
coach
September 28th, 2010
3:02 pm
As a DAWG fan, I say Bobo has had ample time and talent to get it done…Time for him to go. Groh, hasn’t had enough time with the tech players to get his kids in there. As for the dawg fans that say Kirby Smart, give me a break, He’ s not ready to be a head coach, don’t get it twisted Saban calls the crucial defensive plays at Alabama…plus you can’t take that frat boy haircut serious
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
3:08 pm
I thought Richt had UGA turned around, but then I realized it was Russ’ painted butt I was looking at.
Steve O
September 28th, 2010
3:11 pm
When you sign 30 (seemingly) QB’s and RB’s you don’t have the scholarships needed to be good defensively. Johnson recruits for his offense first. Thus, the defense is suffering. The D, and O for that matter, were good when he had Gailey recruits. Groh and Johnson both know how to coach. But, I do question the talent that is being recruited, and Johnson’s recruiting philosophy as a whole. If things are bad this year, how are they going to be next year with Joshua Nesbitt gone?