Spartan Profiles: Roger Groves

INSIDE THE RED ZONE

            Four years ago, when MSU fired head football coach Bobby Williams—then one of only four African American Division I college football coaches in America—some wondered whether race played a factor.  The question seemed unwarranted, given MSU’s history of national leadership in advancing blacks, especially in athletics.  Nonetheless, Roger M. Groves, ’74, a law professor at Lewis & Clark University, set out to fully explore the question.  The result is Innocence In The Red Zone (available at Amazon.com). 

            Groves, who served as William’s settlement lawyer, lauds MSU for opening doors to African Americans, but believes the firing stemmed not simply from Williams being black but from a mix of circumstances.  “In general, it seems harder for decision-makers to have faith in African Americans in thinking positions because of the latent presumption and stigma of lesser intelligence,” he says.  “After two years, Bobby had a better record than either of the two past coaches.  Part of it too is the lack of positive experience with black coaches in the past.  And then you have the cultural disconnect.  You don’t have to live in an igloo to understand Eskimos, but it would help. Without the faith, a bump in the road is confirmation of future failure instead of only a blimp on the screen of a successful career.” 

            A native of Lansing, Roger came to MSU to study music, but realized he had broader talents.  So he obtained a J.D. from Wayne State, served as a tax tribunal judge and later practiced tax, corporate and sports law as an equity partner with private firms in Lansing, Bloomfield Hills and Washington DC.  His clients have included celebrities like Aretha Franklin and Jerome Bettis. 

            An accomplished pianist, he authored a book on playing by ear and performed at Magic Johnson’s wedding in Lansing.  “Some factors are based not on race but lack of football acumen,” says Roger.  “They unwittingly did not set him up to succeed by requiring, for example, that he retain Nick Saban’s staff. They ignored the many positive things he accomplished.” 

            How can we get more African American coaches in college football?  “First you have to have the institutional will to make hiring decisions on proper criteria, not the good ole boy system,” says Roger.  “Then you have to allow African Americans to enter the sea from which you select head coaches—the coordinator positions.  To say we can’t find any is like saying we can’t find more lobsters in Lake Michigan.”