Groh acknowledges talks; three juniors leaving?

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Al Groh said he has had preliminary conversations with Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson about becoming the Yellow Jackets’ next defensive coordinator. However, he said that a report that a deal is close to being completed isn’t accurate because talks are still in the early stages.

Out of respect for Johnson, as well as some other opportunities he's exploring, Groh declined to provide any more details.

While there's a chance Groh could be joining the Yellow Jackets, three juniors could be leaving.

Derrick Morgan, Jonathan Dwyer and Morgan Burnett are holding a news conference on Monday. It is not known if they are going to say that they are leaving for the NFL, but when Demaryius Thomas held a news conference on Friday, he announced that he was leaving.

Groh praised the success that Johnson, with the help of those four players, has had in two seasons at Tech, which has included 20 wins,  an ACC championship and an Orange Bowl appearance.

“They’ve got that program winning in a hurry,” Groh said. “As a fan or as an opposing coach,  if winning impresses you, you have to be impressed with what Paul has done there.”

Groh, 65, said he would have no problem becoming a defensive coordinator after spending the last 10 seasons as a head coach, including the last nine at Virginia, where he went 59-53.

“Never been any ego in my career,” Groh said. ” What I like is challenges and I like winning.”

Tech’s previous defensive coordinator, Dave Wommack, was let go after just two seasons because Johnson said he didn’t see the improvement he had hoped to see in the last 11/2 years.

The Jackets gave up an average of 24.8 points and 360.3 yards per game last season.

Groh said he has no timetable for his next position, other than he looks forward to coaching somewhere in the 2010 season.

As for concerns that he doesn’t need to coach because of his age and the $4-plus-million-dollar buyout he received from Virginia, Groh quickly said, “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.”

Wherever he coaches next, Groh said he would use a 3-4 defensive scheme, which he learned from Bill Parcells.

If he is hired, he may have to put in that package without Morgan, the ACC's defensive player of the year after posting 12 1/2 sacks as a defensive end this season.  He is projected to be a top 10 pick in April's NFL draft.