Even I could not have dreamed of Georgia Tech firing Al Groh

Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech had no choice.  They had to fire Al Groh, and they did so this afternoon.

It had become clear to me after the Yellow Jackets had given up more than 500 yards a game and more than 40 points per game in their current three game losing streak, something had to happen.

It wasn't just Georgia Tech losing three straight games.  It was the way Georgia Tech had lost those last three games. 

Let's start with the Miami game at home on September 22nd.  Tech had a 36-19 lead midway through the 4th quarter, and then it all fell apart.  Miami came back to tie the game at 36 to end regulation play and then Tech gave up the winning TD run to the Hurricanes.  Surely there would be a redemption game at home against Middle Tennessee State the following weekend.

The next week, on September 29th, Georgia Tech hosted Middle Tennessee State and the Yellow Jackets did not bounce back against this team from the Sun Belt Conference.  Tech lost 49-28 in more humiliating fashion.  No offense to my friend Bob Parker's alma mater in Middle Tennessee State.  MTSU was simply the better team that day.

Fast forward, and look back, to two days ago.  Georgia Tech had another shot at redemption, albeit against a superior #15 Clemson team on the road.  I don't know if there were any inspirational speeches or didn't get a chance to witness any hard work and preparation on the practice field leading up to the game. 

Whatever it was, it didn't work.

Clemson rolled up 601 yards of offense and 47 points (45 on offense) in a 47-31 beating of Georgia Tech.

In the last three games, Georgia Tech gave up 609 yards to Miami, only 510 yards to Middle Tennessee State, and 601 yards to Clemson.  Clearly those totals don't endear you to a fan base or a coaching staff.

In an afternoon news conference on Monday, Head Coach Paul Johnson says the remaining six games on the schedule will serve as an audition for the remaining defensive coaches on staff.  Let's hope the rest of this season and 2013 will not serve as an audition for Head Coach Paul Johnson himself.

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