Jets set to promote Groh

Posted: Monday, January 24, 2000

NEW YORK (AP) - Al Groh, one of the more nondescript assistant coaches in the NFL, is about to take over a high-profile job.

The New York Jets are set to announce Groh as their new head coach today. Although he will replace one of the coaching icons of pro football, Bill Parcells, Groh doesn't seem concerned.

"I feel very ready for this if it were to happen," he told the New York Post. "I don't minimize the size of the job. I'm not trying to make it sound as if I would be taking over at some small high school, but I don't see this as that big a deal."

But it will bring to an end three weeks of uncertainty for the franchise.

Since the season ended on Jan. 3, the Jets saw:

Parcells step down as coach, saying that while he could still do the job, the total commitment to it was lacking.

Bill Belichick, the defensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting, elevated to the position upon Parcells' announcement.

Belichick stunning the team and everyone else by quitting the next day, citing the unsure ownership situation.

Representatives of Belichick filing a grievance with the NFL, claiming the team was not allowing him to seek employment elsewhere.

The estate of the late Leon Hess agree to sell the team to Robert Wood (Woody) Johnson IV for $635 million.

Parcells tell Johnson he did not want to return to the sidelines.

The league rule in the Jets' favor in Belichick's grievance.