Mike Groh

Last updated

Mike Groh
New York Giants
Position: Wide receivers coach
Personal information
Born: (1971-12-19) December 19, 1971 (age 53)
Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school: Randolph (NJ)
College: Virginia
Undrafted: 1996
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
As coach
As player
Record  at Pro Football Reference

Albert Michael Groh III (born December 19, 1971) is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the wide receivers coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the wide receivers coach of the Indianapolis Colts and as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears and New York Jets. He is a former starting quarterback at the University of Virginia.

Contents

Playing career

High school

Groh attended Randolph High School in Randolph, New Jersey, graduating in 1991. He played football for the Randolph Rams, starting as the team's quarterback, safety, placekicker and punter.

In Groh's last game, Randolph faced off against Montclair High School on December 1, 1990, in the New Jersey North 2, Group 4 sectional state championship game, which was held at Woodman Field in Montclair in what became of significance in the history of New Jersey high school athletics. While the matchup was already highly anticipated as it was the first-time meeting between the two storied New Jersey football programs, it was also further enhanced by several notable subplots. Randolph, ranked number two in the state, had entered the game sharing a state record for consecutive victories with 48 while Montclair was the top ranked team in the state and sixth in the United States. Ironically, it was on this very same field seventeen years earlier that Montclair had ended Westfield High's then state record 48 game unbeaten streak that Randolph was seeking to overtake.

For Groh and the Rams though, the game itself had taken on greater meaning as it was seventeen days after the sudden death of Randolph head coach John Bauer Sr. The legendary New Jersey high school coach and face of the program had battled a long time illness but had not planned to retire until the winning streak was snapped so as not to burden his successor, his son, with sustaining the program's winning streak. Circumstances with the elder Bauer's death nonetheless forced his son John Jr., the team's offensive coordinator, to take over the head coaching duties streak intact as the team was headed into the playoffs. This included shutting out perennial state power Union High coached by the great Lou Rettino one week prior. But in this state championship game, Montclair was heavily favored as, despite having not lost a game in over four years, Randolph was in its first year playing Group 4 playoff competition which represented the largest schools in New Jersey. Previously the Rams had won four consecutive Group 3 state titles.

Groh's undersized Randolph team, with ten players playing both offense and defense and none weighing over two-hundred pounds, seemed at times to be outmatched during the game by the physically larger and more athletic Montclair team. But some fortunate breaks helped keep the Rams, a team especially known then for its grit and disciplined clutch play, in the game. This included an offensive fumble recovery in the end zone that resulted in an improbable Randolph touchdown.

However, the most improbable events occurred towards the end of the game with Groh's team trailing 21-19 and driving late in the game. With a little more than a minute remaining and already in field goal range, the Rams turned the ball over deep in Montclair territory and at which point many of the estimated fifteen thousand in attendance began to file out of the venue.

Montclair decided to try and run as much time off of the clock as they could. They downed the ball three times, and the idea was that they would take a delay of game penalty on fourth down, which would leave them approximately three seconds to work with, and then just throw the ball away when it hit zero, ensuring the victory. However, the clock operator forgot to stop the clock after the last kneeldown, and with time appearing to have run out, Mounties fans stormed the field to celebrate their apparent victory.

The officials, however, had whistled the play dead once the play clock ran out and the game was not over. Montclair was assessed a penalty for the delay, and the officials set the clock to seven seconds instead of three. This meant that the Mounties would have to punt the ball back to Randolph and defend against a potential winning kick from Groh. The punt, into the wind and nearly blocked, was fair caught at the Montclair 20-yard line after traveling only eleven yards. Groh then kicked the winning 37-yard field goal as time expired to give Randolph its miraculous record breaking victory and the de facto state championship in what The Star-Ledger of Newark later named the greatest New Jersey high school game ever played. [1]

College

Groh enrolled at the University of Virginia in the fall of 1991 and was redshirted as a true freshman. He served as a backup quarterback during his redshirt freshman season in 1992 and replaced struggling starter Bobby Goodman in a late season game against N.C. State. However, in the 1993 season, Groh lost the quarterback competition to fellow redshirt sophomore Symmion Willis and again served as a backup. In the first game of the 1994 season against Clemson, Groh alternated with Willis when the offense struggled during a 6–3 win. Groh and Willis continued to alternate at quarterback for the next few games until Groh emerged as the starting quarterback. The Cavaliers finished 9–3 for the 1994 season with a win over Texas Christian University in the Independence Bowl.

Groh led the Cavaliers to a 9–4 record in the 1995 season highlighted by a 33–28 win over Florida State, a share of the ACC Championship, and a win over Georgia in the Peach Bowl. In the 1995 season, UVA's only losses were by a touchdown or less to Michigan, Texas, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech. Groh's father Al Groh was hired as the head football coach at Virginia starting five years after Mike graduated.

NFL Combine

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump
6 ft 2+34 in
(1.90 m)
204 lb
(93 kg)
31+58 in
(0.80 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
5.17 s1.78 s3.00 s4.41 s31.0 in
(0.79 m)
All values from NFL Combine [2]

Coaching career

New York Jets

Groh was hired as an assistant for his father Al, who was head coach of the New York Jets in 2000. [3]

Virginia

Groh was hired on the Virginia staff in 2001 as the wide receivers coach before he took on the task of coaching the Cavalier quarterbacks in 2003 along with the receivers. In 2006, he was named the team's offensive coordinator. He was relieved of the offensive coordinator position at the University of Virginia in December 2008. [4]

Alabama

Groh spent the 2009 season at Alabama as an offensive graduate assistant as the Crimson Tide recorded a 14–0 record en route to the National Championship.

Louisville

Louisville Cardinals head coach Charlie Strong announced, on January 13, 2010, that he has hired Mike Groh to coach the quarterbacks at University of Louisville.

Return to Alabama

On February 7, 2011, it was announced he had been given the job of wide receivers coach at the University of Alabama. [5]

Chicago Bears

On February 21, 2013, it was announced that Groh was hired by the Chicago Bears as wide receivers coach. [6]

Los Angeles Rams

On January 25, 2016, the Los Angeles Rams announced they had hired Groh as their new passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach.

Philadelphia Eagles

On January 21, 2017, Groh was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as their wide receivers coach under head coach Doug Pederson. [7] After the 2017 season when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots, Frank Reich was hired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, and Groh was promoted to offensive coordinator to Pederson. [8] Groh was fired from the Eagles on January 9, 2020, after they fell to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts

On February 1, 2020, Groh was hired by the Indianapolis Colts as their wide receivers coach, reuniting with former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator and current Colts head coach Frank Reich.

New York Giants

On February 10, 2022, Groh was hired by the New York Giants as their wide receivers coach under head coach Brian Daboll. [9]

Personal life

Groh is the son of former American football coach Al Groh and his brother, Matt, is the director of player personnel for the New England Patriots. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Reich</span> American football player and coach (born 1961)

Frank Michael Reich is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played 14 seasons as a quarterback in the NFL. He became a coach afterwards, including head coaching stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers.

Michael Martz is an American football coach. Best known for his coaching tenure with the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL), he served as the offensive coordinator for the Rams' Greatest Show on Turf offense in 1999 that led the franchise to its first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXIV. Martz subsequently served as the head coach of the Rams from 2000 to 2005, where his teams reached the playoffs four times, won two division titles, and achieved a franchise-best 14–2 record in 2001 en route to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Groh</span> American football coach

Albert Michael Groh II is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Wake Forest University from 1981 to 1986 and at the University of Virginia from 2001 to 2009, compiling a career college football coaching record of 85–92. Groh was also the head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) for one season, in 2000, tallying a mark of 9–7. He last coached as the defensive coordinator for Georgia Tech in 2012.

The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League (NFL). The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34–7, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Ragone</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

David Patrick Ragone is an American football coach and former quarterback who currently serves as quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was previously the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and also served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Curry</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Ronald Antonio Curry is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the quarterbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh McDaniels</span> American football coach (born 1976)

Joshua Thomas McDaniels is an American former professional football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He began his NFL career in 2001 with the New England Patriots, where he served as the offensive coordinator for 14 non-consecutive seasons. During McDaniels' first stint as offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2008, New England set the season record for points scored and won 16 of their 16 regular season games in 2007. In his second stint from 2012 to 2021, the Patriots won three Super Bowl titles. McDaniels was also among the Patriots personnel to be present for all six of their titles during the Brady–Belichick era.

William Scott Musgrave is an American football coach and former player who is the senior offensive assistant for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He is a former quarterback, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for multiple NFL teams. He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, earning all-conference honors in the Pac-10. He is also the uncle of Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Brady</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1979)

Marcus Brady is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts from 2021 to 2022 and also served as an assistant coach for the Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pep Hamilton</span> American football player and coach (born 1974)

Alfonza "Pep" Hamilton is an American football coach. He was previously the head coach and general manager of the DC Defenders of the XFL, and the quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Chargers, and was most recently the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 San Francisco 49ers season</span> NFL team season

The 2009 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 64th season, 60th in the National Football League (NFL), and the first and only full year with Mike Singletary as head coach after being named interim head coach in 2008. It is the seventh year in which the 49ers have their seventh offensive coordinator. They were looking to improve upon their 7–9 record from 2008 with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

John Morgan Garrett is an American football coach and former wide receiver. He is the former head football coach at Lafayette College, a position he assumed December 21, 2016 after spending one season as the offensive coordinator for the University of Richmond. He was also a professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals and in the World League of American Football (WLAF) for the San Antonio Riders. He played college football at Columbia University and Princeton University.

Sanjay Lal is an American football coach who is the wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Miami Dolphins season</span> 47th season in franchise history

The 2012 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 43rd season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 47th overall in the American Football Conference Eastern Division. The season concluded with the Dolphins finishing second in the AFC Eastern Division with a 7–9 record, and no postseason play for the fourth consecutive season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jedd Fisch</span> American football coach (born 1976)

Jedd Ari Fisch is an American football coach, currently the head coach at the University of Washington. He was previously the head coach at the University of Arizona for three seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John DeFilippo</span> American football player and coach (born 1978)

John Eugene DeFilippo is an American football coach who recently served as the Head Coach the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football as a quarterback at James Madison University, and has served as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Sirianni</span> American football coach (born 1981)

Nicholas John Sirianni is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2020 and as a coach of the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers from 2013 to 2017 and the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009 to 2012.

Phil Longo is an American football coach who is the current head football coach of Sam Houston State University. He previously served as the offensive coordinator of the Wisconsin Badgers. A practitioner of the air raid offense, he was also the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for North Carolina, Ole Miss and Sam Houston.

Kevin Alan Patullo is an American football coach who is the pass game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Los Angeles Rams season</span> 87th season in franchise history

The 2023 season was the Los Angeles Rams' 86th in the National Football League (NFL), their 87th overall, their 57th in the Greater Los Angeles Area, the fourth playing their home games at SoFi Stadium and their seventh under head coach Sean McVay. Despite struggling in the first half of the season, dealing with injuries and a 3–6 record, the Rams went 7–1 in their final eight games, which was 5 wins more than their injury-plagued season they had the year before after a Week 13 win against the Cleveland Browns. After a close win against the Giants on New Years Eve, Los Angeles clinched its fifth winning season in six years. A loss from the Seattle Seahawks later that day helped the Rams clinch their return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. In the Wild Card Round, the Rams lost to the Detroit Lions, led by their former quarterback Jared Goff.

References

  1. "25 years ago Randolph experienced a miracle".
  2. "Mike Groh, Combine Results, QB - Virginia". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  3. Mayer, Larry (July 11, 2013). "Groh looking to build upon recent success". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  4. Goldsmith, Will. "Mike Groh ousted as offensive coordinator". C-VILLE Weekly. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2008.
  5. Goodbread, Chase (February 7, 2011). "Groh named to replace Cignetti on Alabama staff". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved February 7, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. Biggs, Brad (February 21, 2013). "Bears add Mike Groh to complete Marc Trestman's staff". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  7. Kerr, Jeff (January 21, 2017). "Report: Eagles hire Mike Groh as wide receivers coach". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  8. Jones, Lindsay H. (February 4, 2018). "Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots for first Super Bowl title in stunner". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  9. Dunleavy, Ryan (February 10, 2022). "Giants add Andre Patterson, Tony Sparano Jr., Mike Groh, John Egorugwu to coaching staff". Nypost.com.
  10. Princiotti, Nora (November 17, 2019). "Matt (Patriots) and Mike (Eagles) Groh on opposite sides of the ball". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 30, 2022.