Grobe begins voyage at Wake Forest

by Bill Bender
Staff Writer

After righting the sinking ship that was the Ohio football program, Jim Grobe is taking on the task of steering another program out of troubled waters.

Wake Forest replaced Jim Caldwell with Grobe on Dec.11. Despite guiding the Bobcats to a 7-4 record this season, Grobe left Athens to begin coaching duties at Wake Forest this week. He said the decision to leave Ohio was difficult.

"In a perfect world, the move would have happened in a few years," Grobe said. "I think next year Ohio will have one of their best teams."

In Winston-Salem, N.C., the Demon Deacons floundered through a 2-9 campaign in 2000. Wake Forest managed only one victory in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Nevertheless, Grobe inherits 19 starters and 50 letterwinners from last year's squad.

Grobe takes the whole coaching staff with the exception of defensive coordinator Brian Knorr to Wake Forest. Knorr accepted the head coaching position at Ohio on Dec.12. Grobe said the changes should be good for both programs.

"It's good to accept a new challenge," Grobe said. "Ohio's in a position to compete. Both Wake Forest and Ohio will have some new enthusiasm."

Grobe leaves Ohio after six seasons with a 33-33-1 overall record. When Grobe took over, the Bobcats ranked last among all Division I programs. It did not take long for Grobe to change the fortunes of Ohio football, however.

Following a 2-8-1 season in 1995, Grobe led the Bobcats to an 8-3 record in 1996. That season Grobe was named MAC Coach of the Year. Ohio scored victories against two bowl teams in Minnesota and MAC champion Marshall including five wins in their last six games last season.

Ohio University President Robert Glidden said Wake Forest contacted Athletics Director Thomas Boeh a week before hiring Grobe.

"We knew they were serious when he took a campus visit," Glidden said. "Knowing coach Grobe's values and Wake Forest it seemed like a good fit, but we didn't think they would pull the trigger as quickly as they did."

Wake Forest's Athletics Director chose Grobe despite interviews with other candidates including former NFL coach Rich Brooks. Grobe said the hiring process at Wake Forest was similar to when he came to Ohio.

"Ohio parallels Wake Forest in several ways," Grobe said. "Wake Forest is an academic school that recruits students who play football. The program is not in as bad of shape as Ohio was."

Prior to coaching at Ohio, Grobe was an assistant at Air Force from 1984-94 under Fisher DeBerry. The Falcons appeared in seven bowl games during Grobe's stay in Colorado Springs.

Grobe also has served as an assistant at Marshall from 1978-84 and Emory & Howard in 1978. With a boatload of coaching experience, Grobe steps into a conference with an aircraft carrier full of talent.

The Demon Deacons 2001 schedule includes a home contest with Clemson and a road game at Florida State. Grobe also will coach against his alma mater Virginia next season.

Grobe said the thoughts of playing in a tough conference are not his main concern.

"We're in a conference where the top six teams are bowl-caliber teams," Grobe said. "But our approach is not to worry about who we're playing. We worry about ourselves first."

While Grobe adapts to his new surroundings, the Ohio football program must prepare for a new era. Ohio running back Chad Brinker said the players will miss Grobe's presence in the locker room.

"I wish coach Grobe and his family the best," Brinker said. "He's one of the main reasons I came here."

Grobe's departure marks a new beginning for both the Demon Deacons and Bobcats. Glidden said Grobe made a lasting impact for the Ohio football program, however.

"I think we all know how proud of the program I am," Glidden said. "We have over the past six years restored pride to Ohio football that extends beyond winning. What's important is how the football program has represented the university."

- Michael Canan contributed to this story