Grobe happy with progress, now hopes for more victories

By

Posted 5:03PM on Saturday, August 20, 2005

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) By all accounts, Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe is quite a motivator, a reputation that might not be expected since he doesn't spend much time screaming or yelling. No, Grobe prefers a more subtle style, ones that his players clearly appreciate. ``If he sees me and he thinks I'm down, he'll call me 'Sunshine,''' free safety Josh Gattis said. ``He tells me to get my head up and enjoy the day.'' It gets better. ``He asks me before practice, 'Are you going to do something special today?''' tailback Micah Andrews said. ``So when I see him later, I'll ask him if I did.'' Linebacker Jon Abbate enjoys another. ``I like, 'If you think you did something good yesterday, then you haven't done anything today,''' Abbate said. ``He's a father-figure, a great guy, a standup guy. That's probably the best way to describe him.'' Looking at Grobe's history of success where it matters most on the field it also might not be expected that the coach has a reputation for success. His four-year record at Wake Forest is a mediocre at best 22-25, but the fact that he's done this for the Demon Deacons speaks volume about his ability. Grobe has posted two winning seasons at Wake. But since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in the league's inaugural season of 1953, the school has finished with a winning mark in the league only five times. None have come since 1988; their lone title came in 1970. Grobe calls this year's team the most talented of his tenure, but it will be tough to get the Deacons above .500 in the ACC. With expansion complete, the league now has 12 teams, including seven that reached bowl games a year ago. ``When Florida State came in the league, everyone else raised the bar,'' Grobe said. ``Now that we have even more additions, the bar has once again been raised. It is a little bit harder now, but it has helped with recruiting, and we are continually working to make ourselves better.'' The Deacons need to improve in close games. In 2004, they had six losses by a total of 36 points and finished 4-7, with only one victory in the conference. The season started with a double overtime loss at Clemson and featured only one by more than a touchdown. ``Nobody wants to keep getting pats on the back for being competitive,'' Abbate said. ``We don't want to do that this year. We want to win those games.'' Having Grobe should help. When a job opens around the country, his name often comes up as a possible replacement, even though he signed a 10-year contract extension after the 2002 season. It's the ultimate sign of respect for the job he's done at Wake Forest, and he hears the same from fans and alumni around the state. Of course, when the team enjoy a bit of success, everyone begins to expect more. ``It's funny how expectations change,'' Grobe said. ``I think people appreciate what we've done, but it's time to start winning our share. We've been very, very competitive, but I think just like the players and the coaches. Everyone thinks it's time to win.'' The Deacons will try to get there behind their running offense, as they have during most of Grobe's time in Winston-Salem. Wake Forest was second behind Virginia in the ACC in rushing last season, and tailback Chris Barclay finished second with 1,010 yards. That was his second consecutive year with at least 1,000 yards, making him the first player in school history to reach that milestone. He is going to miss the first game due to a suspension for violating unspecified team policies, but he can return the next week against Nebraska. Just who will be handing the ball to Barclay is the question. For now, Ben Mauk is listed as the starter, but he's being pushed by Cory Randolph. The duo split playing time last season, with Randolph opening at the top of the depth chart and Mauk taking over the final three games. ``Ben Mauk is having an absolutely great August, but I am most impressed right now with the attitude and work ethic that Cory Randolph has shown,'' Grobe said. ``I am not telling you that Cory walks around with a smile on his face all the time, but I could not ask for any better effort than he is putting in right now.'' When Randolph isn't taking snaps, he's getting work at wide receiver, giving the Deacons another talented athlete on the field. It's the first time since middle school that he has played a position other than quarterback. ``Right now, I am just like 10 other guys fighting to get a spot on the field,'' Randolph said. ``Receiver is a great way for me to continue what I have already done at quarterback get the ball and make plays.'' (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)