Bio

Wilbur Grooms, 1970-72, had an excellent career at UT that led to a sixth round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a Division I all-South Independent team selection as a defensive end and the 1972 leading tackler. Chosen as the Most Valuable Defensive Player in 1972, Grooms started on UT’s Tangerine Bowl championship team that finished the season with a 10-1 record. After transferring to UT after one year at Lenoir-Rhyne, Grooms graduated with a degree in Biology and was also the team MVP as a senior. Upon graduation, Grooms earned a Master’s degree from the University of South Carolina in 1977 while serving as an assistant coach for the Gamecocks. Grooms’ coaching career included eight collegiate years at South Carolina and The Citadel. He went on to a teaching career and also worked in the insurance industry. Grooms currently resides in Jacksonville with his wife Patricia. They have three daughters.