Al Groh fired: Recruits 'shocked' but understand decision

Top Georgia Tech recruits were surprised by the firing of Yellow Jackets' defensive coordinator Al Groh on Monday, but also understood the move to help improve the defense.

Darius Commissiong, a three-star defensive tackle out of Maryland, was told Groh was relieved of his duties and assistants moved around to fill holes on the coaching staff. Commissiong was "shocked at first" because Groh was his recruiting coach, but the move made sense.

"But that's the business aspect of college football, especially when things aren't going as well as you would like. I think a big part of it was Clemson putting up 600 yards against them last week. I thought the defense was doing pretty well at the beginning of the season, then they got to the Miami game and lost to Middle Tennessee State. Those things piled up. You've got to make changes when they are necessary, and I understand that."

Groh, whose firing was announced Monday by head coach Paul Johnson, had been with the team since 2010. The Jackets' defense ranks 89th in points allowed (30.2) and 90th in yards allowed with 431 per game this season.

Defensive backs coach Charles Kelly will serve as the interim defensive coordinator. That news pleased recruit John Marvin, who said he is "twice as excited that Coach Kelly is the DC now."