Column by Chris Graham
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Al Groh’s name is being connected to two defensive-coordinator jobs right now – the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, where he would reunite with long-time colleague Bill Parcells, and the ACC’s Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, where two-time ACC coach of the year Paul Johnson is looking to get a handle on his D after flaming out in the Orange Bowl last week.
You can guess where Groh is going to end up, can’t you?
“They’ve got that program winning in a hurry. As a fan or as an opposing coach, if winning impresses you, you have to be impressed with what Paul has done there,” Groh told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in acknowledging his interest in the Georgia Tech job.
It’s early in the process in Atlanta, to be sure, but, I mean, come on. UVa. has to make up the difference between whatever Groh gets paid and the $2.15 million a year he was supposed to get paid for the next two years in Charlottesville anyway.
Don’t you think the man who thumbed his nose at his alma mater on his way out the door – reading a poem at his final press conference to tell the world what a great guy he thinks he is – is ready to do whatever he needs to do to make sure that he can be coaching against UVa. next season?
“Never been any ego in my career,” Groh told the AJ-C. “What I like is challenges, and I like winning.”
Groh’s Virginia teams were, ahem, 59-53 in his nine years there. But he could have a positive impact on Tech, which won the ACC in 2009 despite giving up 24.8 points and 360.3 yards per game.
“I’ve got a lot of energy and a lot to prove. I love competition. Some people have said I have every reason to say enough is enough. I have every reason to say I’m looking forward to a lot more,” Groh told the AJ-C.
Yeah, he’s going to Georgia Tech.
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Chris Graham
