High school football: Region 7 — With Groth at the wheel, Buffs seek 4A respect

TOOELE — For coach Ray Groth, it may be a little bit of redemption. For the Tooele Buffaloes, it was finding the right man for the job.

In the summer of 2006, Groth was let go as head coach of the Highland High football team for alleged repeated violations of UHSAA rules regarding undue influence. It was a mighty blow for a man who had spent more than three decades each summer readying for football.

"I never really agreed with what happened to me," said Groth. "I knew it wasn't right, but I was bound and determined not to let that be the last of me."

Groth caught on for the 2006 season as an assistant at Park City. He spent last year as an assistant at Judge. Now, he is back at the helm of a program after being hired at Tooele in June.

"I am really enjoying the process again," he said. "I came in at kind of a late date, but the kids have been pretty good. I am happy to be able to coach again, and I have really enjoyed working with a great group of administrators at Tooele. They really seem to be committed and we have had a great relationship so far."

The stability of Groth — with 37 years in coaching and 23 as a head coach — may be just what the Buffaloes have been searching for. Besides making the very difficult jump from 3A to 4A last season, Tooele has had a constant changing of the guard. Groth is the fourth coach in six years.

"I hope to show these guys about commitment and dedication" said Groth. "I am 100 percent committed to these kids and I hope they can see that and buy in to what we are trying to do.

"I think they got a little bit of a baptism by fire last year in 4A. I have a great deal of respect for 3A, but 4A just has so much more depth and talent overall. I think our guys should be a little bit more adjusted and are ready to compete. They will not shy away from anyone."

Groth brings with him offensive and defensive systems that he's used successfully for most of his career. He doesn't plan on changing things now.

"You try to stay up on all of the new things, but one thing I have learned is you need to have your own system and believe in it," he added. "Then, you get your assistants to believe in it, and once they believe in it, you get the kids to buy in. It has been a little bit of a rocky summer, but I can see the kids starting to get it. I call it, 'the light bulb scenario.' And just lately, it is sinking in."

While the wins and losses are an uncertainty, Groth knows he will continue to do what he loves as a coach.