I've wondered if Groh is heading back to the pros. Seems there is talk about him being Dolphins DC.
Groh interested in Dolphins. blogs.palmbeachpost.com
Al Groh could be interested in Dolphins’ opening, but says “Any speculation would be very premature.”
by Edgar Thompson
Friends and coaching peers since the 1960s, Al Groh and Bill Parcells talk all the time.
But Groh claims Parcells has yet to reach out to him about becoming the Miami Dolphins next defensive coordinator, replacing Paul Pasqualoni, who was fired Monday.
“I just actually found out about this 30 minutes ago,” Groh told The Palm Beach Post tonight.
But Groh said it’s not difficult for anyone to “put 2 and 2 together” and see Groh and Parcells together for a sixth time.
In 1968, Groh worked with Parcells as the defensive line coach of the plebe squad at Army. Groh was Parcells’ defensive coordinator in 1978 at Air Force.
Later, Groh coached linebackers for Parcells with the Giants in 1989-90 and the Jets in 1997-99. He also was the Patriots defensive coordinator under Parcells in 1993-96 and the Jets head coach in 2000 when Parcells was the team’s general manager.
Groh said no two men have impacted his coaching career like Parcells and Bill Belichick.
“I’m been fortunate enough to be associated with two guys who are going into the NFL Hall of Fame,” Groh said. “Great ties to those guys. Great appreciation for what they would do for me.”
Parcells might soon be asking Groh to do something for him and turn around a Dolphins’ defense that may have cost the team a spot in the playoffs.
In the last three weeks with a playoff spot on the line, Miami fell behind by double digits during the first half of losses to Tennessee, Houston and Pittsburgh.
The Dolphins defense allowed 390 points, third-most in the AFC, an NFL-high 140 points during the fourth quarter. Miami ranked 15th in the AFC in passing yards per play (13.3 yards) and forced just 21 turnovers.
The next time Groh’s cell phone rang, it could have been the Big Tuna himself.
“To say that we haven’t spoken would be untruthful because he and I speak over the course of the year,” Groh said. “Have I spoken with Bill? Sure I have.
“But about a number of things over a period of time.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Groh is close to becoming the new defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech. Groh recently was fired after nine seasons as head coach at his alma mater, the University of Virginia.
Groh’s interest in Georgia Tech could have played a part in the timing of Pasqualoni’s departure on Monday.
“Any speculation to that possibility would be very premature at this point,” Groh said. “I have a certain criteria in place for which I’m interested. It starts with the people that are involved. I’m open to anything that would fit that criteria.
“That doesn’t mean anything or everything.”
It clearly would mean coaching for Parcells.
Groh, 65, said he will be coaching somewhere in 2010.
“I’m very much looking forward to the next season and a number of seasons after that,” he said.