Home > Furman Bisher > Archives > 2008 > August > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJohnson era began as diagrammed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Call it the spread offense, call it the triple option, call it whatever you like, the real name is the Paul Johnson School of Offense, and he introduced his addition to the Georgia Tech football curriculum. While it seemed at times he had his uncomfortable moments with some of his students’ classwork, there was little the 45,000 judges seated in the stands at Bobby Dodd Stadium-Grant Field could complain about. Considering, of course, that the game with Jacksonville State was a football equivalent of baseball’s spring training. In my time, I’ve never seen Georgia Tech lose one of these, but let me tell you about the losing coach in this one Jack Crowe.
Crowe was coaching at Arkansas in 1992 when the Razorbacks opened the season against The Citadel, imported, of course, to give the local boys some exercise. Instead, the victim became Arkansas, and Frank Broyles, the athletics director, was so furious he fired Jack Crowe before he could coach another game. This time, Crowe’s team became the well-behaved victims they were supposed to be, and the Paul Johnson Era began as diagrammed.
Georgia Tech subscribers will find Johnson quite different from any coach they have ever known. He has his own style. He doesn’t care what you or I think about him, or any other authorized or unauthorized observer. This has been his system since he was the man wearing the whistle, at Georgia Southern, at the Naval Academy, and now at The Flats. The difference is, he has never had this kind of talent to coach before. Yep, he was a roaring success at Annapolis, plum embarrassed the other service academies, and finally beat Notre Dame. Of course, Georgia Tech beat the same Notre Dame team, but it hadn’t been 40 years between conquests.
There were a lot of things to like about the performance against Jacksonville State besides the score. The Jackets came out throwing. This team that splattered the field with fumbles in the spring game performed with acceptable precision. They put 27 points on the board before allowing J-State to score. Then followed that up with what I considered the absolutely Perfect Johnson Play of the night. Josh Nesbitt, the second-year quarterback from Greensboro, took the snap, broke to his right and as he rounded the corner, flipped the ball to Roddy Jones, a freshman, who finished off a 49-yard play that ran the score to 34-7. Perfect. Reminded me a lot of the old “belly series” that Dodd used to run.
On the sideline, Johnson has his own modus operandi. He does it his own way. First, he’s here, then he’s there. You can’t tell one Tech coach from another. He calls his own plays. No spreadsheet in his hands. During a time-out, he may be busily addressing his troops, or he may be standing on the perimeter, like a casual bystander. I’m pretty sure you’ve never run into one quite like him. He didn’t come here to win fans, he came to win games.
Now, he had one potential problem to deal with Thursday night. Ryan Perrilloux would have been the quarterback at LSU, but he ran up a scream list that cost him his place. So he checked in at J-State and the job was his. He had a fair night, but there were times when I was certain he wished he’d behaved and was back in Baton Rouge. He had his hot spells, but they weren’t threatening. He’ll have a picnic in the Ohio Valley Conference.
So there you have your introduction to Paul Johnson. Nothing fancy, nothing historic, just the kind of guy you might find parked next to your pickup. Be nice. Enjoy him. Get to know the difference between an A-back and a B-back. He’s here for a long time. They’ve finally got it right at Georgia Tech, even if he doesn’t win again until November.
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By Dawg hatin' Jacket
August 29, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Thanks Furman. You hit the nail right on the head. Lots of good, a little not so good, but overall the right start. It may not happen completely this year, but its coming. Before long we’re going to be seeing a lot of wins from CPJ.
Great start Jackets!
THWG
By Chio
August 29, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Belly series! Haven’t heard that in a long time! Hopefully CPJ will be just as successfull and stay as long as Coach Dodd. Great start, next week will be interesting.
By Jacketman
August 29, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Good article Furman. Coach is a winner. We are on our way. Go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By john
August 29, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
A big crwod for Tech standards - everyone there to welcome the new coach. The ovation he got before the game started - and his image being on the jumbotron - was huge. The exact opposite of when Gailey was on the screen toward the end of his tenure and we all boo’d. I love the game and the pace and the excitement. Johnson is a no-nonsense, old school type of coach and he will work wonders at GT.
Funny thing is, though, I was going to email him a week ago to tell him my big pet peeve. It is the start of the 3rd quarter. It always seems teams are asleep, hung over or something. The 1st drive in the 3rd quarter is sooo taken for granted. So what did we do? We fumbled the kick-off to start the 3rd quarter. I have the vision and need to be listened to - snap out of the start-of-the-3rd-quarter funk please!!!
By son_sir
August 29, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
GT has a real college football coach. Finally !
This machine will need some adjustment and fine tuning, but it’s already showing the signs of some great potential horsepower. Yeah, I know, it was “just” Jacksonville State. Being witness to both, the difference between spring and now is measured in leaps and bounds. And this machine it’s nowhere near full throttle yet.
By Bill/GT69
August 29, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
Come on John, enjoy the positives from this game and rest assured that the mistakes will be corrected. You think he “called” that fumble? GO TECH!
By Gene
August 29, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
It was great to see a coach grab a player and shake him. That is probably more effective than a prayer meeting after the game.
By JetBuzz 80
August 29, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Said CPJ, “our kicking game was autrocious!” Finally some passion and straight-talk…Any bets on the kicking game improving for BC next week? Count me in.
Go Jackets!
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
August 29, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Great article. Thank you for the optimism.
Everyone knows that these 18, 19 and 20 year olds need discipline and accountability. Gailey treated them as if they were already adults. They are not. They need to be held accountable for their mistakes, and Coach Johnson will do that. (see photos from game!)
I am so excited for GT football again.
Go Jackets!!
By johnw
August 29, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
The most refreshing thing I saw last night was the Georgia Tech sideline without Gailey and with a real football coach, Paul Johnson. I haven’t been this excited about GT football in a long time.
By GT Class of 87
August 29, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
PJ will dominate UGA. Especially after Richt leaves for Miami!
By Harper
August 29, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
I’m so proud of having a real football coach again! CPJ will not settle for anything less than perfection.
By peter lindstrom
August 29, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
It’s been awhile since Godsey and Joe left GT. I remember the song “We are the Champions” played after each home game win, but wy not, we used to win 8 or 9 games each year.
Then came the Chan era. 5 duuuuulllll years. Oh so dull, almost scary. People dropped out, season tickets sales plummeted. FINALLY we’re back with some excitment on the sideline. I love it.
I have made the photo of CPJ pulling at No:14 and yelling at him my back ground picture on my computer.
I love being a Jacket !!
By OldGold
August 29, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Dude… I made the same picture of the yelling on the sidelines my background at work.. Feels too to feel good again. THWG!
By OldGold
August 29, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
Dude… I made the same picture of the yelling on the sidelines my background at work.. Feels so good too to feel good again. THWG!
By wreckmaniac
August 29, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
I’m surprised the UGA fans didn’t jump in on this one but I, for one, will reserve my opinion until we have seen the next two games. I so want to believe but I must see two quality opponents before I can comment.
By Wramblin' Rack
August 29, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
That’s the difference. Everyone has posted some intelligent comments….PJ is a REAL college coach who isn’t afraid to get in their grill and will have a disciplined yet enthusiastic team. We may not win 8 games but the foundation is way ahead of schedule and PJ will NOT accept going backwards and will not accept mediocricity. And more importantly, he’s not here to win over the fans or the media. He’s here to win the games. And that he will do…just give him time.
So is Richt considering leaving for Miami since he can’t seem to win the SEC? Especially after this season’s high hope goes up in smoke? I wish UGA the best but history is not on their side. But I sincerely hope they win every game except the big one in November when PJ’s offense is really in high gear.
By bc
August 30, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this
uga needs to remember…the road to a national championship has to go through Tech!! Go Jackets
By Wramblin'Rackiskidding,right?
August 30, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
Man, you don’t really mean what you said, do you? “So is Richt considering leaving for Miami since he can’t seem to win the SEC?” What planet have you spent the last few years on? 2 SEC titles in 3 appearances. While UGA alumni and fans hope to win the SEC CG every year, we’re realistic enough to understand that we can’t in this hyper-competitive environment. Geez, we won it in 2005. And the last two SEC champs were national champs as well.
Also, Richt wouldn’t take the UM job on a dare. He has no reason to prove himself over and over again, especially with their fickle alumni and fan base.
I’ll take you on your word regarding your sincerity in wishing UGA luck except against GT. I feel the same way about the Jackets. Go out there and beat the daylights out of your conference kin.
By wes king
August 30, 2008 3:09 AM | Link to this
I’m ready for some payback….last yr’s home game against BC was the worse I had watch in person…..
IF…we really got the guns now…then I say we open’m up for the next two weeks!!
Burn up up those ugly a* uniforms while out’a town…
By Wrecker1
August 30, 2008 5:20 AM | Link to this
Richt could leave for Miami but I don’t know why. He has just a good a chance to win at Ugag as Miami and the pups will pay him as well as Miami. The one pull Miami has is that it’s Richt’s alma mater. To coach at your own school for many people is important, for Bill Curry it must have not been. I don’t know anything about Miami’s fan base but there is no way they can be any more fickle than Ugag’s. I know they ran off Coker who had won an NC but Ugag ran off Donnan who was winning at a better pace than Dince Voodley. By the way I’m not one of these that hopes Ugag wins ‘em all but one. I hope they lose every one of ‘em. I don’t care nothing about spoiling their NC hopes, I hope they’re winless when we play them in November.
By Louie Buzzard
August 30, 2008 6:21 AM | Link to this
No way CMR leaves Georgia for Miami. Georgia would match any offer they have. Besides CMR owes Miami nothing. I am not real sure, but didn’t he just ride the bench while at Miami? He likes the Athens atmosphere. It is a far better place to raise his children then Miami. On another note… I checked out the new Uga a few minutes ago and I’m hoping that it is just the worst picture that has ever been taken of that mutt because that’s one goofy looking bulldog. Kind of like inbreeding gone to far.
By bearcasey
August 30, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
I don’t care what Richt does. All I know is that we have Paul Johnson and good times are on the way!
By Old Engineer
August 30, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
My calculations say its going to be a long year.
As for the crowd, when Dapper Dan couldn’t sell tickets he started giving them away this week. If you’re wondering where the crowd came from, subscribe to the STING and you will see. (You too can get free tickets!, if you really want them later this year)
By next year, the other ACC teams will have CPJ’s number, and with no recruits, the fun will be over. Enjoy the win, it will be one of few until we get a new coach and AD.
By Big Ben
August 30, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Old Engineer,
You are a fraud, my friend. Go back to your toothless wife/cousin and pull out the UGay scrap books…..
Big Ben
By Old Dawgyqueer
August 30, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
ooops…I meant to use this handle instead of Old Engineer
By Sharecropper
August 30, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
I see Bisher says Johnson is not at Tech to win fans, but games, and some posts are repeating it as mantra. No, he is at Tech to do both, and he must do both. 45,000 or so in a 55,000 seat stadium will not get it long term, and if you recall Johnson himself said upon taking the job that he understood his responsibility to put people in the seats.
Count me in as a fan. But don’t get carried away with this talking point.
By cb
August 30, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Furman, great article as usual. I have been reading your articles since the early 50’s and I well remember the belly series that carried GT to a national championship. With all the continued flack towards Chan Gailey, we need to remember who gave Paul Johnson the greatest players he has ever had.
By GT45
August 30, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Thanks Bish, Always a great read! PJ will be great for Tech. He brings energy and excitement to the field, and it carries into the stands. The fans will come. You could feel the energy Thursday night. There was a buzz in the air, that hasn’t been there in quite awhile. Our recievers were running free all in the secondary-not just down the sideline, like last year-and I couldn’t tell you what the next play was going to be-like last year. It was great fun to watch, for a change. Give this man time, and you’ll have players lining up to play for him, just like down the road! Go Jackets-
By GreenJacket
August 30, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
There is no reason why there can’t be 2 successful football programs in this state. I think CPJ will now help make Tech relevant in the years to come.
By yep
August 30, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Thank you! Finally someone who knows a little about Tech football!!!
By blackprix
August 30, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
The coach that reminds me a great deal of Bobby Ross … we got ourselves a darn good one!
By TechCrybaby
August 30, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Furman Bisher! You are indeed the greatest. Now the warm-up game is over. BC is next. Terence Moore, who is an engaging writer, says it will be BC 21, GT 13. He doesn’t know as much as you do, Mr. Bisher, but nobody pushed you into making a prediction. I guess it’s up to me. I say Georgia Tech 28, Boston College 24. That result will surprise some people, but not Paul Johnson.
By Denver Dawg
August 30, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
I hope you ACC j******* will shut up about conference strength. East Carolina just beat Va Tech. South Carolina killed NC State, USC is crushing Virgina and if Alabama beats Clemson tonight, you should all go hide in a hole. WEAKEST BCS CONFERENCE IN THE COUNTRY. Maybe the bugs CAN win the ACC this year. That would be like you winning the Southern Conference.
By jimmyjeagle
August 30, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
PJ is a the real deal. He will make Tech football proud and they will contend very soon. This offense is an equalizer with teams of higher talent and most teams will have real problems defending it, UGA included. They always did. Best wishes to all our TECH friends and do your duty and win the ACC and beat GA. Just develop a strong defense that will allow PJ to control the clock.
By Not Disappointed
August 30, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets!
By Not Disappointed
August 30, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets!
By RB
August 30, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher
Great article—-you know Tech like no other writer. Keep em coming!
By Navy 82 in Atlanta
August 30, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
My senior year at Navy was George Welch’s last before leaving for UVa. 3 bowl wins in 4 years, 3-0-1 against Army and 3 Command-in-Chief Trophies in a row. A golden time, despite not beating Notre Dame.
It took a while after Welch left for Navy to hit rock bottom. And did we. And stayed there for a long time. Until Paul Johnson came to Annapolis. Not only did he win (alot), he was tough, adaptable, fair and understood and adhered to the highest ideals at the Academy. And got the ND monkey off our back after 40+ years.
By his 3rd season, Tech will be a perennial contender for the ACC title. You heard it here first. I have absolutely no doubt about it.
Beat Army!
By GT Class of 87
August 30, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Mark Richt to Miami for $22 million. UGA can’t match because they STILL owe Donnan.
By Not GT 87
August 30, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
GT 87, you’re dumb as a bag o’ rocks.
By Not GT 87
August 30, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
GT 87, you’re dumb as a bag o’ rocks.
By GM
August 30, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
Denver Dawg is right, Tech could win the ACC. It is weak. Funny thing is, if someone goes undefeated, they could play for the NC.
Admittedly, SEC is the best, by far, conference in the nation. ACC has really fallen. Tech needs to win it before the bottom drops out of its stock.
By richbrave
August 31, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
FURMAN:
If you catch this post, how about a comparative of EDDIE MATHEWS and CHIP JONES.
I was a kid in ‘52 when EDDIE burst on the scene in BOSTON and captured my imagination. What a long attention span. 42 years later, another BRAVE equally the great MATHEWS’ home run record for the franchise. You are older than I and I suppose in the sports journalism game by then. Give us young’uns some reflection on the two please.
By Son of rich brave
August 31, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
That was really Mr Brave, and I am his son…the one he used to Spank all the time, then turn around, and say…”Now Do Me”.
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
Lets face it, when the season is over..one Georgia team will get into a decent Bowl game, and UGA will have to hope for Mercy. Anyone going to Rawhides tonight…hear Matt Stafford and his lover are cumin.
By 1Jacket7
August 31, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
Love the excitement and the passion folks. I too, am excited about what is to come with the program. I know its early but we are truly hungry for the success we know we should have had since the Ross Era. It is also great to know that PJ will be around for a long time. ACC damn it, pick it up. It is a shame what is happening to our conference. Since no on wants to the crown, GT needs to take it. We need to grow up fast to get it done but so be it. Everyone on this blog and those reading this tag, needs to bring two people with them for next home game and beyond. WE NEED to fill the stadium up and support our guys. WRECKMANIC YOU CAN STAY HOME. WE DON’T NEED TO MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO COMMIT. This program now has a committed coach who is developing committed players and the only commitment left is that of the FANS. See you all at the next GAME. GO JACKETS!!! Make it happen. Seize the moment and have some fun winning some games.
By vidalia's Bubba
August 31, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
to all the naysayers, I say the train is leaving the station, and you better get on, or get left behind. Paul is the conductor, and he isn’t caring whether you meant to buy a ticket or not. Furman, we will win again several times before November.
By ol wreck
August 31, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Bobby Dodd came out of the Tennessee moutains. Paul Johnson came out of the North Carolina mountains. Two montain men that are(were) winners in the game of football! Go Tech!!
By ol wreck
August 31, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Bobby Dodd came out of the Tennessee moutains. Paul Johnson came out of the North Carolina mountains. Two montain men that are(were) winners in the game of football! Go Tech!!
By jay jarrell
August 31, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
To Denver Dog,or the S.E.C. 5 TIMES?SALA CHUMP!
By richbrave
August 31, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
Last ACC game I saw live, GT won on the last play when VIRGINIA didn’t get in from the one. Wow, what a game.!!!! Haven’t been able to get a gameday ticket since. It really energized ticket sales at VIRGINIA.
Going to see RICHMOND-UVA this weekend. Go SPIDERS.
By son_sir
August 31, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Suddenly, a shot of a conference championship doesn’t seem so unreasonable. Of course, we’ll know more after our trip to Chestnut Hills, but from the looks of the admittedly weak ACC, GT has as good a shot as any. Especially when this ‘O really gets cranked up.
Clemson, I feel for you having experienced several years of Chan ball at GT. As long as T. Bowden is there, you’ll never live up to expectations. How many times does it have to be proven before someone pulls the trigger over there ?
By WIshful Thinking
August 31, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
The bammer fans are still swarming Buckhead, really feel for Clemson, that was a blowout last night. For the ACC as well. The season just started but there is a strong resemblance between Bowden and Gailey; one look at the Clemson bench said it all. The Jackets have a long way to go, with PJ in the driver seat great things will happen. Hopefully rather sooner than later.
GO JACKETS!
By quitmandog
August 31, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Is it still true that if you buy season tickets the entire backfield will come over and wash your car ??????????
By son_sir
August 31, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
No, quitmandog. You have it confused. That’s part of the UGA player’s community service plan set up by the Clarke Co. Sheriff’s Dept.
By dear quitman dog
August 31, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
not true, the tech backfield will be too busy washing their boyfriends’ face in the shower…impressive conference you bugs are in….the southern conference is much stronger
By southern conference stronger?
August 31, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
not true we beat cumberland 222-0 back during teddy roosevelt’s presidency
By Cecil34
September 1, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
The main thing I see from the Jax St. game is that Coach Johnson has a pair, and that is 2 up on anything Gailey had.
Therefore, GT is already ahead of where they were in previous years.
This fact alone, and the fact that Johnson will grab a player and get in his face, is why Richt knows he is going to always have a game in latter November from here on out.
Do not think for a moment that Richt will dismiss GT as a joke as he did with Gailey’s emasculated @ss.
Now, fact is, that UGA might whip us a couple more, but this series is fixing to get ugly again for UGA and I hope Richt is around for it.
By richbrave
September 4, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
Son of rich brave:
“Don’t you hurt my dog. You don’t know what pain is.”
By gpburdell
September 18, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Sharecropper, If he wins games, he will get butts in the seats. He is a football coach and it doesn’t matter if he is on work release from the state pen for the football season….win games and the stands will fill. Check the year in which Tech had the most home game attendance and you will find that in 1970 Bud Carson was the coach: he was not Mr. Congeniality but his team won nine games and finished in the top 13 nationally. Johnson repeated, verbatim, what Carson said Tech football needed and that was toughness. Don’t be a wimp.