What Groh Firing Means for Georgia Tech

By Ryan McCart
Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Georgia Tech’s defense hasn’t exactly been stellar this season. In fact the Yellow Jackets defense is ranked 91st in the country in scoring defense, giving up an average of 30.2 points per game. The defense has fared worse than that in their last three losses, giving up an average of 46 points per game. Those statistics coupled with the team’s 2-4 start led to Monday’s announcement that defensive coordinator Al Groh had been fired.

Groh has had his fair share of issues coaching in the ACC. He spent nine years as the head coach at his alma mater, Virginia, before being let go. After leaving Charlottesville he was hired by Tech head coach Paul Johnson as the defensive coordinator three years ago.

The knock on Groh during his tenure in the ACC has been his team’s execution on the field. No one will deny the fact that he is a very good recruiter and good when it comes to the X’s and O’s of the game. The problem Groh has had is simply that his players don’t execute.

Groh’s defense, much like Paul Johnson’s offense, is rare in FBS football. Groh coaches the 3-4 (3 down lineman, 4 linebackers) defensive scheme, while most of the rest of collegiate football runs the 4-3 (4 down lineman, 3 linebackers). Chances are that Georgia Tech will revert back to the 4-3 next year with a new coordinator.

Groh’s departure now leaves the door open for an interim coordinator to step in. Right now it is expected that either Charles Kelly or Andy McCollum (both were Groh assistants) will step in to fill the position.

The biggest drawback to firing Groh will be a probable drop off in recruiting. Groh’s name still carries a lot of weight and he is able to sell himself to 17 and 18 year olds. Losing him means that Tech will lose some recruits, but that is something that can be turned around. There is plenty of young talent in the state of Georgia ripe for the picking, and Groh’s replacement should still be able to bring in some very good players. Georgia Tech and Al Groh still will have bright futures to look forward to.

He may not have worked out at Georgia Tech, but Groh will be able to find another job as a defensive coordinator somewhere. He has the resume for it.

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