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.
♦
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! Click here for details and then here to enter.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
284 comments Add your comment
Yellow Fuzz
September 28th, 2010
5:39 pm
Bust Poll:
(georgia 2009 Shreveport Bowl National Champions)
Yellow Fuzz
September 28th, 2010
5:40 pm
Bust Poll:
(georgia’s 2009, 2008, 2007 & 2006 top 10 national recruiting classes) hahahahahahahahahaha
Yellow Fuzz
September 28th, 2010
5:41 pm
Bust Poll:
(every season after 1980 for georgia) hahahahahahahahahaha
Yellow Fuzz
September 28th, 2010
5:42 pm
Bust Poll:
(The Dog Nation) hahahawoofwoofhahahahwoof
mdr
September 28th, 2010
5:42 pm
dNice: The problem is not the lack of out of state talent at UGA, the problem is the amount of GA talent on OTHER TEAMS ROSTERS! I could build an all-star team out of recruits that have left the state the last 4 years.
Ted Striker: The product on the field is hurting recruiting a lot more than fan reactions on the internet.
Uugh...
September 28th, 2010
5:42 pm
Bobo…easily.
He has had many years in the program. Groh has had half of one. Bobo has been coaching long enough that a good trait he has, would be instilled into his team…smae with a bad trait…smame with a terrible trait too! Groh has not had enough time for his personality to show in his defense. It was mentioned above and is very true. Groh came into what he has player-wise. Bobo had a lot of input on the recruitment of many if not every one of his offensive players.
Bobo should be embarassed. Groh should be given more time.
mdr
September 28th, 2010
5:43 pm
Yellow Fuzz: We get it. You hate UGA. Don’t worry, we hate you too.
Uugh...
September 28th, 2010
5:44 pm
wow…mis-spelled same…twice, different ways. awful. apologies!
Yellow Fuzz
September 28th, 2010
5:50 pm
mdr
September 28th, 2010
5:43 pm
Yellow Fuzz: We get it. You hate UGA. Don’t worry, we hate you too.
mdr: little man I have nothing against the university itself (other than the fact that it offers chump degrees to people that could NEVER pass tech’s entrance standards). It’s the arragance of the dog fans that I can’t stand.
Eagle
September 28th, 2010
5:52 pm
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU COACHES RICHT AND BOOBOO FOR CAM “BAM” NEWTON!!!!!! He went to school 50 miles from your campus and in your stupid ARROGANCE let us have him. What a couple of buffoons. Thanks for JEFF WHITAKER from Warner Robins, and the two studs from Banneker! We look forward to signing the Carver mauler Gabe Wright as well. Ya’ll are the laughunstock of the south!!!!!!!
dawghater
September 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
Jeff,
There is a huge difference between BoBo the clown and Al Groh. Can you say “body of work”! Yes, Al Groh’s defense this year is not performing but that’s not on Al Groh. It’s year #1 for Groh. He doesn’t even have his athletes to run his scheme. Bobo’s body of work is weak at best and it’s not his first year running the offense. Groh is a victim of average kids playing on the field.
Yellow Fuzz
September 28th, 2010
5:54 pm
mdr:
That’s why I thouroughly enjoy pointing out all of your short comings. REALLY enjoyed seeing you AH’s free fall from 2008 preseason national champions to 2010 0-3 SEC bottom feeder. What’s your record since the 45-42 game? LOL.
Yellow Fuzz
September 28th, 2010
5:55 pm
And does anyone here know what DawgInLace does between 5pm and midnight? Hahahahaha
James
September 28th, 2010
5:57 pm
Man, it’s kind of funny that both programs are struggling right now, and that both fanbases are much more sympathetic towards each other in times like these. Nobody likes to watch crappy football, rivalries aside! Tech fan here, and I hope both our seasons get better before the big game in November. Otherwise, it won’t be for bragging rights this year–more like a consolation prize. Geez.
papadawg
September 28th, 2010
6:05 pm
It’s GY fans like yellow fuzz who make me more of a anti Tech fan. I don’t care if the Jakets never win another game
lhop75
September 28th, 2010
6:06 pm
Has any body looked at Ga.’s record–stats ect. before Bobo took over the play calling compared to Richt? I’m no expert, but it seems to me Ga. never looks comfortable like they are in any kind of rhythm on offense.
Trey
September 28th, 2010
6:07 pm
James, best comment made so far and I totally agree!!
Trey
September 28th, 2010
6:10 pm
Georgia should go back to the no huddle offense in my opinion. I mean how much worse could they do at this point?
Please ignore Yellow Fuzz – his mommy didn’t bring him his grilled cheese sandwich down to his basement lair so he’s upset.
the real Old Gold
September 28th, 2010
6:11 pm
GT’s D is bad. I think it’s a lack of talent. GA’s O is bad. I think it’s a lack of a QB and OC.
lifedog
September 28th, 2010
6:13 pm
When Ga had Stafford and Moreno running and catching, and finished #2 (three short years ago) no one was complaining about Bobo. When Richt was calling the plays, fans were calling for
Bobo to start calling them. Then in ‘05 it comes out that Bob had been calling the two minute drill plays and called the Tech game plays and everyone was happy. You think the playcalling ineffectiveness has anything to do with the lack of O line play? Lack of q.b. experience? Bobo can’t open holes for the running backs, he can’t make the correct cuts and he can’t hold on to the ball for the rb’s. He can’t catch the ball for the wr’s and he can’t stop a play and run out and tell the qb to throw it away before he gets sacked. Inexperience at qb and lackluster O line play is killing the UGA offense, not Bobo.
James
September 28th, 2010
6:24 pm
Thanks Trey. Also, sorry to ‘james’ lowercase ‘j’. I didn’t notice you posted here earlier, not trying to hijack your name.
gt
September 28th, 2010
6:26 pm
Until Bobo has beaten anybody, and I mean anybody he is having by far the worst year. Paul Johnson knows how to fire an assistant, that doesn’t produce, Richt has yet to show any leadership in that direction. Bobo may be safer than Al Groh job wise and still may be under producing Groh as a assistant. One thing about these old coaches they don’t need the jobs, so there is a strong tentancy to mail it in unlike the younger ones that have to have that paycheck. It will be interesting to see how Johnson handles Groh if he continues to coach poorly. My guess is Johnson won’t sugar coat it, and Groh ain’t feelng much love right now. Bobo or Todd Grantham probably aren’t feeling it as much, but are doing a much worse job. We kind of expected them to didn’t we.
Wreckmaniac
September 28th, 2010
6:29 pm
If no one on Tech defense knows how to play Groh’s scheme, he should put only freshmen on the field and train them. At least he will have an experienced group in 2 years. If your squad is as dysfunctional as Tech’s defense why play juniors and seniors who soon will be gone ? No one on Techs defense who played last Saturday except perhaps Tarrant should be allowed to play this Saturday.
They should be forced to go to Winston-Salem and watch.
dawgfan38
September 28th, 2010
6:31 pm
I grew up a UVA fan and still root for them. I couldn’t believe Paul Johnson hired Groh. His defenses were awful at Virginia. He is a poor leader and cannot relate to young kids. His 3-4 defense just does not work. He is an idiot. I think Georgia Fans knew Bobo sucked from last year.
Wreckmaniac
September 28th, 2010
6:31 pm
The benefit of Tech playing out of town this week is that their defense won’t be booed off the field.
Wreckmaniac
September 28th, 2010
6:36 pm
Apparently PJ didn’t put much effort into finding a DC. At least Richt went all over the country last year to find Grantham. No one really knew what was going on at Tech until Wommack was out and Groh was in.
Techs only chance will be to create long sustained offensive drives and run up all of the clock if possible along with having great special teams play.
collegeballfan
September 28th, 2010
6:38 pm
I realize I am late into the discussion, but let me get my two cents worth into the fray.
Please recall that Al Groh said just before, or after, the first Tech game that it normally takes him two years to install his 3 – 4 defense.
So far he has had 4 games. Ask me 20 games from now how he is doing.
Bobo is a creature of Mark Richt. This is Richt’s offense. So the problem is in Richt’s hands to resolve. No one has yet come up with an explanation as to why the, on paper invincible, UGA offensive line cannot yet block. There lies the problem at Georgia.
Tweets that mention Bust poll: Bobo (Georgia offense) vs. Groh (Tech defense) | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
September 28th, 2010
6:46 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by kj, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Bust poll: Bobo (Georgia offense) vs. Groh (Tech defense) http://bit.ly/cgbByQ [...]
GT GRAD
September 28th, 2010
7:21 pm
Give Groh some time to teach and install his system……..if his defense is just as bad as the seem to be right now (or there is no significant improvement) half way through next season; then I say it would be reasonable to call him a bust.
Bobo has had more than enough time to determine he is in over his head.
RichieRich86
September 28th, 2010
7:52 pm
Being a DAwgs fan You can’t really say you can blame the D-Coordinator on his first season. Hell the DAwgs Defense hasn’t been great either. However Mike Bobo has had his position for a few season calling plays and he is horrible. His playing-calling makes no sense. 3rd and 4 huge drive against the Razorbacks and he sends all the recievers 20+ yards down the field for a freshman Quarterback. However on 3rd and LONG he’ll call a draw play? His play-calling makes no sense whatso ever I’m pretty sick of it to be honest with ya.
Hit A Single
September 28th, 2010
7:56 pm
Texas should fire Muschamp! His defense gave up all that yardage and they lost to 1 and 2 UCLA.
And anyone that compares Coach Richt to Coach Zook shows their ignorance. If Zook had of won 90 games at Fla. then maybe.
Black Toenail
September 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
Let’s look at Bobo’s qualifications. Aside from playing at UGA and being a position coach at UGA, he doesn’t have much of a resume. Most OC in the SEC have paid their dues and climbed the mountain. If the position were open today, do you think they would offer it to someone with his qualifications? No slam on him, but I think he is in over his head.
Groh and Grantham have a track record full of accomplishments. Given the change in schemes and their minimal input in recruiting, me thinks they are deserving of some patience.
virginiafan
September 28th, 2010
8:25 pm
I am not a Groh hater … far from it. He’s a good man who got into a nasty snit with UVA and GT is a bit of a pawn in all of this.
I am frankly amazed that GT brought him on board, even though he does have some pedigree and accomplishments as a DC. For sure he can game plan as good as it gets with enough time and is a great LB teacher.
But …
His version of a 3-4 in college ball is actually a 5-2, with 2 gap responsibility (which is very hard to learn). He has a very firm template of 3 ginormous DTs and 2 6′5/250 DEs/”OLBs” who have run responsibility but who must also be good in pass coverage. Because it’s so hard to find the personnel for his version (UVA fans understood his “there isn’t a supermarket where you can go get other players” … i.e. no free agency), he won’t ever run an attacking, versatile 3-4 that people like. Instead you’re going to see an influx of “jumbo athletes” who will largely make the D slower.
Time will tell, of course, but if it’s going to take 3-4 years for him to recruit and coach up “his guys”, you’ve got a 70 year old coordinator. I dunno, maybe that will work.
Nobody thought that NCState is much of a dangerous team, so watching that game was very familiar to a UVA fan, as were the negative comments about the players afterward from AG. In this instance you get what you pay for, and that is 1/2 of the going rate of an ACC coordinator, the better for him to stick it to UVA’s severance pay clause. That’s what this is all about. He’ll probably be gone after 2 years, and then you’ll have to over-recruit the jumbos he brought in.
Frankly, I’m a little surprised that PJ got sucked into this mess. But, we’ll see I suppose.
Mel
September 28th, 2010
8:26 pm
I think it’s too early to make the call on Groh just yet. He hasn’t been there long enough and I’m hopeful that things will start to turn around soon. Bobo, on the other hand, has been at UGA for awhile.
I will say, at least you recognize Tech’s issue is not necessarily lack of talent. Mark Bradley was off base with that accusation.
Yellow Fuzz
September 28th, 2010
8:34 pm
You know THAT the dog nation is scrambling when I call out 15 of their faithful in this thread and ZERO respond. Hahahahaah. And I don’t hear many of them touting Muschamp like they did last week and last year. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
GTOldSchool21
September 28th, 2010
8:47 pm
Tech’s lack of offensive production is killing their defense. I agree that the defense needs to improve but when they are on the field for 81 plays against a very good NC St. QB it’s hard to make stops. Our special teams are terrible too. I think Groh has done a decent job thus far…we have a young defense and have shown the ability to get some pressure on the QB with 3 sacks last weekend. The passing is terrible.
Furman Bishop
September 28th, 2010
8:54 pm
Bobo by far is the worst of the two. Groh at least has some credentials. Bobo was the bench-warmer to Zeier(sp?) and nothing special at quarterback. As I understand it, his father was a high school coach and he has been around football all his life. You would think he might know something by now. At any rate it won’t make any difference whether Richt keeps him on or not because Richt is not going to be able to get a first rate offensive coordinator at this point anyway. Who would want to come into a situation like the one at UGA now?
some sense
September 28th, 2010
8:56 pm
A typical Jeff column…who is worse???
This is the same guy who gave us the “Tennessee Vowels”.
You/We can do better than this.
Freddie G
September 28th, 2010
8:59 pm
Jeff,
This is a stupid question, or I should ask if Groh denied you an interview at some time in your career? Groh and Grantham are installing new systems and neither have feared well so far, so why would Groh be considered a bust and Granthan not on your list?
KBoren
September 28th, 2010
9:10 pm
The one thing you need to properly run a 3-4 defense is a space eating nose tackle. Tech does not have that. Also, Tech has not seen the level of LB play in the last few years but that will return with Jabari Hunt Days from Hillgrove HS next year. Bobo is pathetic. I can tell you more times than not exactly what play they are going to run just by watching the alignment on TV. Pathetic. Lets give Groh a few years before we hang him out to dry for now….
jojatek
September 28th, 2010
9:19 pm
Groh.
bob
September 28th, 2010
9:25 pm
I like honest reporting thats objective whether negative or positive. Question for you Mr. Shultz, How do you know that Groh designs the defense without his head coach in mind but bobo designs the offense with his head coach in mind. And why you emphasise the speculative point with special color ink? You either despise Ga or you despise Richt. Me I am going to do what Bobby Cox did years ago, I’m going to quit reading and listening to all the negative stupid stuff you self styled experts put out. Have you ever reported or blogged anything positive?
Rob
September 28th, 2010
9:30 pm
Schultz is a fool.
Old Gold
September 28th, 2010
9:36 pm
Al Gore or Al Groh..both lousy! Johnson should be fired!!
Buck Belue wears a toupee
September 28th, 2010
9:42 pm
They are both worthless
Rodney Dangerfield
September 28th, 2010
10:16 pm
This poll is lame. You give a guy four games and call him the biggest bust? And from a defense that lost two underclassman to the NFL and were pretty much terrible as a unit last year? What does it tell you when two underclassman are drafted and playing on NFL teams today and the defense was that bad last year? Either coaching was terrible or the other 9 players were not all that good.
fayncdawg
September 28th, 2010
10:32 pm
We forgot to add the DC who thinks 285 lb. NGs and less than 235 lb LBs can play in a 3-4 defense. Guess he won’t realizes you need 315 lb+ NGs and a couple of LBs that weigh at least 250! OF course it would be nice if they could bench-press 400! They all play like they can’t BP 300!
AJC Junk
September 28th, 2010
10:46 pm
Schultz…What a tool you are! If you are going to continue to write your garbage make sure you do the proper research. Todd Grantham was the D-Line coach not the “Linebacker” coach when UGA hired him. As far as your negativity it gets old no matter who it is directed towards (Bobo or Groh). As a UGA fan I only can trust that leadership within the organization is going to do what is best. Groh and Grantham are teaching a new system to kids who are also attending school (Hopefully). Why don’t you do something more productive like research how each coach progresses throughout the season. AJC readers can only hope that the AJC has the guts to clean out some of the “Garbage” that you produce.
fayncdawg
September 28th, 2010
10:48 pm
I guess neither DC realizes that SIZE MATTERS in a 3-4 defense (I wasn’t even aware GT played a 3-4; obviously they are playing it just as pathetically as the Dawgs).
DamntheButcher
September 28th, 2010
11:30 pm
I hope Cala rado wins and puts more clothes in mark richts suitcase on sat night