Al Groh to lead Georgia Tech defense

ATLANTA, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Former University of Virginia football Coach Al Groh has been hired to be Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator, the Atlanta school said Friday.

Groh, 65, was fired in November following a 3-9 season, Virginia's worst overall record since 1982. His record in Charlottesville was 59-53 in nine seasons with five bowl games and ACC Coach of the Year nods in 2002 and 2007.

The former New York Jets coach is a longtime friend of Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson.

"I think any time you can get a coach the caliber of an Al Groh, it is a tremendous plus for your program," Johnson said on Tech's Web site. "Al has a great deal of expertise. He is considered one of the top defensive minds in the country and has a record to support it."

Johnson also hired graduate assistant and former Navy quarterback Lamar Owens to be a full-time assistant coach.