Oct. 8, 2012: Groh is fired as Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator after the Yellow Jackets gave up more than 500 yards and 40 points in three consecutive games.
Oct. 6, 2012: The Yellow Jackets give up 47 points and 601 yards in a loss at Clemson. After the game, coach Paul Johnson said: "It's been a struggle. … I think we played O.K. in spurts. We did get a couple of turnovers. I don't know, after the opening series, if they ever punted."
Sept. 29, 2012: The Yellow Jackets give up 49 points and 510 yards to Middle Tennessee State in one of the worst losses in program history. Three days later Johnson said: "I don't think the man [Groh] forgot everything he knew in the last two weeks. But ultimately, we're responsible. We've got to get it on the field. It doesn't matter what you know, it's what happens."
Sept. 22, 2012: The Yellow Jackets give up 42 points and 609 yards in an overtime loss to Miami. The Hurricanes tied the game with a 91-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes of regulation. After the game, Tech linebacker Brandon Watts said he didn't think the defense was prepared.
Sept. 3, 2012: Leading 17-14 with 44 seconds remaining, the Yellow Jackets allow Virginia Tech to drive 51 yards for a game-tying field goal. The Hokies win in overtime.
Dec. 31, 2011: Trailing 24-10, Utah scores 14 points in the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter to force overtime and goes on to win 30-27 in the Sun Bowl. The Yellow Jackets finish the year giving up an average of 26.1 points and 359.2 yards per game.
Oct. 15, 2011: After starting the season with six consecutive wins, Tech is upset 24-21 by Virginia. The Cavaliers rush for 272 yards. Tech would lose four of its next six games.
Nov. 27, 2010: Georgia Tech gives up 425 yards in a 42-34 loss to Georgia in Athens. The defense yields an average of 8.9 yards per play. The Jackets would also lose to Air Force in the Independence Bowl and finish the year giving up an average of 25.2 points and 371.6 yards.
Sept. 11, 2010: In Groh's first road game at Kansas, which had lost 6-3 the week before to an FCS team, the Yellow Jackets surrender 28 points in what was then considered the worst loss in the Johnson era. Asked afterwards if a team like Kansas should score that many points, Groh responds: "That's fantasy football. I just deal with what happened today."
Jan. 15, 2010: Groh, 65, is hired as Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator. At the formal announcement, Groh said, "I have a lot of ambition to do more things and a lot to prove." He also references a sign that he said hangs in his office: "Coaches with schemes but without talent become coaches of unimportant teams."
Groh signs a two-year contract with an annual salary of $150,000. The contract includes an option for a third year for $344,000.
Jan. 2010: Dave Wommack is fired as defensive coordinator following Tech's 24-14 loss to Iowa in the Orange Bowl. The Yellow Jackets finish the year giving up an average of 24.8 points and 360.3 yards.
Nov. 29, 2009: Groh is fired as Virginia's head coach with reportedly two years remaining on his contract. The Cavaliers went 3-9 and were 59-53 during Groh's nine years at his alma mater.
Nov. 28, 2009: Groh surprises his players and the media following the Cavaliers' 42-13 loss to Virginia Tech by reading a poem, "The Guy in the Glass," by Dale Wimbrow.
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