Dec. 11, 2000

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Jim Grobe, who built a struggling Ohio University program into a perennial conference contender, was named head football coach at Wake Forest University today.

Grobe, a 1973 University of Virginia graduate, coached at Ohio for six seasons, from 1995 through 2000. After inheriting a program that went 0-11 and was ranked last among Division I-A programs in 1994, Grobe led the Bobcats to a cumulative six-year record of 33-33-1. Ohio finished with a winning record in Mid-American Conference play for five consecutive seasons.

The Bobcats were 2-8-1 in 1995, 6-6 in 1996, 8-3 in 1997, 5-6 in 1998, 5-6 in 1999 and 7-4 in 2000. Grobe was named the MAC Coach of the Year in 1996 and he was a finalist for The Sporting News Division I-A Coach of the Year in 1997.

This past season Ohio posted impressive victories over Minnesota (23-17), Bowling Green (23-21) and Marshall (38-28) and closed the season by winning five of its last six games. Statistically, the Bobcats ranked in the top 30 nationally in eight different team categories. Ohio ranked second nationally in 2000 in rushing offense (323.0 ypg), 18th nationally in fewest turnovers lost (18), 20th in scoring defense (18.9 ppg), 25th in total offense (418.1 ypg) and 30th in scoring offense (31.18 ppg). The Bobcats also ranked high nationally in two special teams categories -- fourth nationally in net punting (39.7 ypp) and 29th in punt returns (11.95 ypr). Grobe's team produced the best fourth-down conversion numbers (8-of-12) in the MAC.

Prior to working at Ohio, Grobe worked under coach Fisher DeBerry at the Air Force Academy from 1984 through 1994, where he served as linebackers coach and national recruiting coordinator. The Falcons produced a record of 84-50 and appeared in seven bowl games during Grobe's tenure in Colorado Springs.

Grobe also worked previously as an assistant coach at Marshall (1978-84) and Emory & Henry (1978). He began his coaching career as head coach at Liberty High School in Bedford (Va.) from 1976-79 after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia in 1975-76.

As a player at Virginia in 1973 and 1974, Grobe played middle guard (1973) and linebacker (1974). He was a two-year starter for the Cavaliers and earned academic All-ACC honors.

Before enrolling at Virginia, Grobe played two seasons at Ferrum Junior College, where he played linebacker on the undefeated Coastal Conference championship team. Grobe earned the Catlin Citizenship Award and the Big Green Award.

A native of Huntington (WV), Grobe earned his undergraduate degree (B.S.) in education from Virginia in 1975 and earned a Master's degree in guidance and counseling from UVa in 1978.

Grobe, 49, and his wife Holly have two sons, Matt and Ben. Matt is a 1995 Marshall University graduate who currently works as the head golf professional at Rhodes Ranch Country Club in Las Vegas. Ben is a senior at Ohio University, where he was a medical redshirt on the Bobcat football team last fall.

Grobe replaces Jim Caldwell, who produced a record of 26-63 in eight seasons at Wake Forest. He becomes the 31st head coach in Wake Forest history, the 19th Demon Deacon head coach since 1920. Wake Forest first fielded a football team in 1888.

At Wake Forest, Grobe will inherit a team that will return 50 letterwinners, including 19 starters, from a team that went 2-9 last season.

WFU FOOTBALL

Year GROBE YEAR-BY-YEAR Overall Conference
2000 Ohio University head coach 7-4 5-3
1999 Ohio University head coach 5-6 5-3
1998 Ohio University head coach 5-6 5-3
1997 Ohio University head coach 8-3 6-2
1996 Ohio University head coach 6-6 5-3
1995 Ohio University head coach 2-8-1 1-6-1

HEAD COACHING TOTALS 33-33-1 27-20-1
1994 Air Force assistant coach 8-4 6-2
1993 Air Force assistant coach 4-8 1-7
1992 Air Force assistant coach 7-5 4-4
1991 Air Force assistant coach 10-3 6-2
1990 Air Force assistant coach 7-5 3-4
1989 Air Force assistant coach 8-4-1 5-1-1
1988 Air Force assistant coach 5-7 3-6
1987 Air Force assistant coach 9-4 6-2
1986 Air Force assistant coach 6-5 6-2
1985 Air Force assistant coach 12-1 7-1
1984 Air Force assistant coach 8-4 4-3
1983 Marshall assistant coach 4-7 3-4
1982 Marshall assistant coach 3-8 1-6
1981 Marshall assistant coach 2-9 1-5
1980 Marshall assistant coach 2-8-1 0-5-1
1979 Marshall assistant coach 1-10 0-6
1978 Emory & Henry assistant coach