Paul Johnson retiring at Ga Tech

[JasonEvans]

We can merge this into the coaching changes thread in a bit, but it probably needs to stand on its own for the moment.

Wow...

This comes only days after Kirby Smart complained about the way Ga Tech run blocks (lots of cut blocks) and said the best way to end it was to just beat Ga Tech like a drum again and again in the hope that Johnson would just go away.

What Kirby wants, it seems that Kirby gets.

[chrishoke]

is apparently retiring - announcement at 2:30.

[devildeac]

No tears here.

[Indoor66]

No tears here.

Just glad we did not get him, way back when!

[PackMan97]

I'll always remember when he hung 68 on Carolina. So long and thanks for all the fish.

It's worth noting that he is 6 years young than Carolina's recently newly unretired coach.

[jimsumner]

David Cutcliffe now has the longest uninterrupted tenure at any ACC school.

Johnson has recruited players designed for a very specific kind of offense. Assuming his successor does not want to run that offense, there may be a difficult adjustment period.

[OldPhiKap]

And suddenly, the world is a sunnier place.

So long and thanks for all the fish.

I'll buy you a beer next time we are both in the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

Don't panic.

[devilseven]

I happen to know one of his family members from Avery County, NC. It seems that all the criticisms from fans and foes were weighing on Paul. He told this family member that any time Ga. Tech wanted to pay him what he was due, He would go quietly. I guess they worked out some satisfactory agreement. All he did was win, but winning is not enough these days, I guess.

[OldPhiKap]

I happen to know one of his family members from Avery County, NC. It seems that all the criticisms from fans and foes were weighing on Paul. He told this family member that any time Ga. Tech wanted to pay him what he was due, He would go quietly. I guess they worked out some satisfactory agreement. All he did was win, but winning is not enough these days, I guess.

Well, his winning was fairly modest by the standards of a school with four national championships, and fans that hate getting embarrassed by UGA almost every year.

You can ask Dave Odom and Herb Sendek -- winning while boring can only carry you so far with a fan base. And the fact that PJ was a Grumpy Gus with boosters, alum, and the press is poor politics for a coach with mid-level results.

I am sure he has a wonderful family, and perhaps away from the game he is a swell guy. I hope that to be the case. But EVERY Tech alum I know has wanted him gone for a long time.

FWIW. I have no stake in it one way or the other. My only criticism was the cut blocks which are dirty IMHO and should be outlawed.

[devilseven]

Just two points, and I'm out: Johnson is Ga. Tech's winningest coach in over 50 years. I would not call that mediocre. He was named ACC coach of the year three times.
So called cut blocks are LEGAL. All those complaining about them should get them outlawed and should have done so long ago if they are so "dirty".

[OldPhiKap]

Just two points, and I'm out: Johnson is Ga. Tech's winningest coach in over 50 years. I would not call that mediocre. He was named ACC coach of the year three times.
So called cut blocks are LEGAL. All those complaining about them should get them outlawed and should have done so long ago if they are so "dirty".

I respect those opinions, even though I do not really agree. No worries, and glad you posted them. Conversations are more enlightening with a variety of viewpoints, and mine are not any more valid than yours.

-- OPK

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Just two points, and I'm out: Johnson is Ga. Tech's winningest coach in over 50 years. I would not call that mediocre. He was named ACC coach of the year three times.
So called cut blocks are LEGAL. All those complaining about them should get them outlawed and should have done so long ago if they are so "dirty".

Johnson is winningest in total wins, but NOT in winning percentage. He also won 19 games with Chan Gailey's players his first two seasons. They were two of his best three seasons.
Meanwhile, Bobby Ross inherited a mess, took two years to turn it around, then went 26-9 over three years including a Natty. All things considered, you would have to consider the tenures of Gailey, Ross and O'Leary as more successful....

And few people like Johnson. Unlikeable coaches who run boring offenses had better average 9 wins a year.

[devilseven]

Quoting from the Georgia Tech website: "With a 82-59 record in 11 seasons at Georgia Tech, Johnson is the fourth winningest coach in school history in terms of victories and winning percentage (582). The only coaches that have have ever won more games at Georgia Tech are John Heisman, William Alexander, and Bobby Dodd, all members of the Football Hall of Fame."

[budwom]

I pity Mrs. Johnson if there is one. Get him interested in stamps or something.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Quoting from the Georgia Tech website: "With a 82-59 record in 11 seasons at Georgia Tech, Johnson is the fourth winningest coach in school history in terms of victories and winning percentage (582). The only coaches that have have ever won more games at Georgia Tech are John Heisman, William Alexander, and Bobby Dodd, all members of the Football Hall of Fame."

So what is your point? Should he have stayed? Should Tech name the field after him? Should they try and get another coach from the academies and run this little high school offense some more? Is his misanthropic image all a misunderstanding? Like I said, you gonna throw off that kind of personality, and run a controversial offensive system, you gotta win big. Nice guys with exciting offenses can get by with fewer wins.

[OldPhiKap]

PJ's regular season record the last four years:

3-9
8-4
5-6
7-5

So, 23-24 regular season over that span.

Per AJC:

The Bulldogs beat the Jackets 45-21 on Saturday at Sanford Stadium after they beat them by 31 last year at The Flats. The combined margin of 55 points is the most for the Bulldogs in back-to-back victories over Tech since the gap of 61 total points in 2002 and 2003.

The Bulldogs have won eight of the past 10 and 15 of 18 against Tech.

https://www.ajc.com/blog/mike-check/...EmZccXPERIYsK/

I'm not saying he is lousy, and if mediocre is too strong I'll concede that point. But is this a program headed in the right direction? Is the triple option offense the future of football? Does his style of play put butts in the seats? Has he earned the loyalty of the donors? Tech fans tell me "no" to all of these -- constantly.

The Duke game this year was their homecoming. I was at the game. The crowd was underwhelming, and the majority left after the third quarter with Duke up 28-14. And again, I don't have a dog in the fight but I have yet to talk to (or get a text from) a GT alum in the last two hours that is not glad his is going. And I have talked to or gotten texts from at least a dozen.

[Bob Green]

Who replaces Johnson?

https://athlonsports.com/college-foo...e-paul-johnson

The linked article lists eight possibilities including Jeff Monken and Brian Bohannon who are triple option coaches.

[devilseven]

Wow. Sorry about riling up the board hierarchy.

[devildeac]

Who replaces Johnson?

https://athlonsports.com/college-foo...e-paul-johnson

The linked article lists eight possibilities including Jeff Monken and Brian Bohannon who are triple option coaches.

LF is currently unemployed but will start collecting a large check very soon from a large public school in NC.

[Bob Green]

Wow. Sorry about riling up the board hierarchy.

No reason to apologize. You have voiced valid points and supported them with facts.