AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJohnson or Tenuta for Tech?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If Navy’s Paul Johnson is offered the Georgia Tech head coaching job following his interview today, it’s not a slam dunk that he’ll take it.
This is just one man’s opinion but it’s an informed one. The next 48 hours will determine if the next head football coach at Georgia Tech will be Paul Johnson or Jon Tenuta, the Yellow Jackets’ defensive coordinator.
Johnson, who has had unprecedented success at Navy, interviewed at SMU yesterday and the school rolled out the red carpet. SMU has made it clear that after the death penalty of the 1980s sentenced the school to two decades in the college football wilderness, they are ready to get back in the football business. Some of the big money guys in Dallas have stepped up to the plate. The next coach at SMU will be very well paid and will have the money to hire the staff he wants.
So all this puts the ball squarely in the court of Dan Radakovich, the Georgia Tech athletics director. He made the business decision to pay Chan Gailey $4 million not to be his coach. He needs a coach, in his words, to excite the fan base and rally them and others to support the Tech program.
And based on my contacts around the coaching grapevine, Radakovich is down to Johnson and Tenuta.
— Charlie Strong, Florida’s co-defensive coordinator, interviewed for the job but was told Tuesday that Tech wanted to hire someone with head coaching experience. Give Georgia Tech credit for at least interviewing a minority candidate.
— Will Muschamp, the Auburn defensive coordinator, fit the bill of an energetic young coach. But Muschamp was told that the fact that he is a Georgia graduate was something that could not be overcome.
— Georgia Southern coach Chris Hatcher interviewed last week and has not heard a word from Georgia Tech since. Later today Hatcher may tell his athletics director, Sam Baker, that he is no longer a candidate.
— Rick Neuheisel, the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, is probably not going to be an option because he has some baggage. He was fired at Washington for betting in a neighborhood pool for the NCAA basketball tournament. He later sued and won a $4.5 million judgment that essentially cleared him of wrongdoing. But the fact is that he initially lied about his involvement in the pool before admitting it to investigators. He is known for being “aggressive” and “creative” when dealing with NCAA rules on recruiting. If Tech hired Neuheisel, his first 48 hours as Georgia Tech’s coach would not have been pretty.
So Georgia Tech is down to Johnson and Tenuta, both good football coaches who would do a good job leading the program. Johnson has options and will enter today’s discussions with Georgia Tech knowing that.
Stay tuned.
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Comments
By Gordon
December 5, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Tony,
Do you have any idea what amount it would take to get Johnson? Do you know why Hatcher wasn’t considered?
Also, I can’t believe Tenuta would be the hire after Radakovich’s comments on the type of personality he wants in the job. I heard him interviewed on the radio the other day and he just doesn’t seem “media friendly” or “fan friendly” at all. He knows his stuff, but I don’t think he is the guy. The Tech fan base will be disappointed if he is hired.
By mark
December 5, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
Hire Johnson immediately!
By Screw Wayne Clough
December 5, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
Wayne is our damn problem…fire that son-of-a-b*** NOW!
By TDawg
December 5, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
How deliciously ironic, GT eliminates possibly their best option because he is a DAWG!! What an inferiority complex! Muschamp is lucky. He’ll have his day and a much better opportunity.
By Dan
December 5, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
Tech needs an offensive innovator first, far beyond its need for a Mr. Media Friendly (which would be a nice bonus, admittedly). Get yardage, get points, get wins — the fans will come. Johnson is not glib, but to date neither has been Tenuta. A significant portion of the Tech fan base would be thrilled to get Paul Johnson, with his outstanding track record, as HC. And if not Johnson, then roll the dice and go for Hatcher.
By outathebox
December 5, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
hire tenuta,keep present staff,and promote someone from the present staff as dc.That someone must hate Ga.
By Sportsfan
December 5, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
As I recall, Vince Dooley was an Auburn grad and Pat Dye was a Georgia grad. Seems to have worked out okay for those schools. Muschamp will be fine, but not so sure about Tech.
By Oops
December 5, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
Looks like Tech piddled while SMU burns them to take the best coach available right out from under them.
Seriously, though, Tech does have the advantage of being in the ACC and having better facilities already in place. But, they’d better show Johnson they are serious about winning, and not insist he keep Tenuta, or he will be Dallas bound by tonight.
By MURPHY
December 5, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
TECH WONT HIRE MUSCHAMP,BECAUSE HE PLAYED FOR THE DAWGS. WHAT A JOKE!!!
FIRST NO CUTCLIFF THEN NO MUSCHAMP.
JUST EXACTLY WHAT IS TECH LOOKING FOR?
WHY IS TECH SO HOT ON JOHNSON? WILL HIS OFFENSE WORK AT TECH? HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECRUIT THE PERSONELL NEEDED TO RUN IS OFFENSE?
THEY SHOULD HAVE PICKED CUTCLIFF !!!
By buzzman
December 5, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
Tech should consider Spurrier—-he used to coach at Tech and would gladly leave that mediocre program at south carolina for the right money—-but, it will take at least $3.5 mil per year, which Tech’s big boosters can easily come up with.
By GT Bill
December 5, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this
To Screw Wayne Clough - you must have a screw loose. He has done a great job with the Institute during his tenure, raising money, bringing in research, building a great academic institution…if your problem is related to Athletics, to use a sports analogy, keep your eye on the ball. Athletics are not the most important thing on the Flats, but it would be nice to win. I think your comment is fine, free speech and all, but I think your comment makes no sense based on what Tech is an educational institute.
By Eagle
December 5, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
Chris Hatcher never interviewed with Georgia Tech according to Georgia Southern. The athletic director has never been contacted for any type of interview according to a Monday interview with Sam Baker, the GSU AD.
These seem to be only rumors.
By raymond
December 5, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
GA.TECH LIKE BLACK FOOTBALL PLAYERS.WHY NOT A BLACK COACH?ARE THE GOOD OL BOYS SCARED?
By baloney
December 5, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
I wonder if any of these candidates are asked their opinions of Tickle Piles?
By fprex
December 5, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
Tony Barnhart: Unless I’ve totally missed something, either you or Tech is talking out both sides of your mouth.
Tech told Charlie Strong that they wanted someone with head coaching experience.
Then you said that it’s down to Paul Johnson and Tenuta.
Yeah, gotta give Tech credit for hiring a minority. Puhleasssse.
Far as I know, Tenuta and Strong have the same amount of head coaching experience.
By raymond
December 5, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
WHAT WRONG WITH MY COMMENTS ?
By anon
December 5, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Why wouldn’t Tech want to hire Bobby Johnson. He has head coaching experience at 2 schools with tough academic requirements, has a success (5 wins at Vandy a year is success, and has beaten Georgia. Seems to me this would be a pretty good hire for Tech.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
To Murphy..
Why do you think Johnson needs to recruit a certain type of “personnel” to run “his offense”?
I think Johnson’s offense, run by personnel who don’t need to meet the stringent Naval Academy admissions standards, and are not tied to a five-year military obligation, would vault any BCS school into the top 25, and vie for the ACC championship immediately.
By GTZealot
December 5, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
Hey Muschamp, WHAT’S THE GOOD WORD?!?
By Thomas
December 5, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
The AD’s job description fit Will Muschamp perfectly. Jon Tenuta is the exact opposite of his job description.
By Clough Sucks
December 5, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
Muschamp was DRads choice until Clough cuts his legs out from under him. Old money didn’t want him as coach. He was the best choice to fit DRads bill. I don’t see DRad sticking around much longer albeit even getting Johnson to take a job here. In addition, I love how much the AA is in financial turmoil due to the lack of funds donated. Maybe Clough should take donations for the AA if he’s going to listen to these nerds who only donate for research. Tech football won’t be in the top 25 for years to come, and many AA sports teams will be dissolved. Enjoy the demise GATech. (All of this from an informed Athlete Alum).
By StingYou
December 5, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
I say we hire Johnson today! Do not let him get off campus without signing a deal. If 2 mil is what he want’s let’s hand it over and go kick some butt!
By Scott
December 5, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
Neither Tenuta or Johnson seem to fill the bill of cenergetic or charismatic. I’m not sure why they aren’t willing to take a chance on Hatcher who has been a head coach for eight years and has the personality to excite the fan base. Tressel was hired from a I-AA school and he has had very good success. I just can’t see myself pulling for Tenuta or Johnson.
By PJ #1
December 5, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
Maybe Teunta will stick around as DC. Pairing Tenuta and Johnson would be an amazing combo. Remember this name-Josh Nesbitt-because PJ will make him a superstar running this offense. Georgia Tech fans better be ecstatic if Johnson is the new coach. Ecstatic. He won’t pick SMU over GT because GT can win a national championship.
By GoNavy
December 5, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
Even though I’m a Tech fan I’d hate to see Coach Johnson come to Tech because half of you goof balls would complain no matter how many wins Johnson brought to Tech. His offense scores points even against Rutgers and BC. He has accomplished that without a 5, 4 or even a 3 star athlete during the entire period. Just ask Boston College how tough it was to defend the TO. He would be unappreciated at TECH and I hope he stays and retires at Navy. His recruiting is getting better at Navy each year and one year you just might see that TO in action at Dodd. Navy doesn’t have a strong defense because they have weight restrictions. All their students including football lineman have to pass a fitness test that 75% of Tech students would fail. Not the same playing field. Johnson should be your first choice. After a year of running the TO you wouldn’t believe the fear the Dawgs would have.
By allenlaw
December 5, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
With regard to Neuheisel, he did not “win a judgment” against UW, the case was settled with a payment to him that roughly matched a loan they had given him, as I recall. He was not exonerated, rather the problem was that the thing he had done was arguably not within the grounds for termination under his contract. It was a legal question of whether his actions supported termination, not whether he did what was alleged.
He was fired not because of the betting, but because he lied about it, after having been warned about prior dishonesties in his relationship to the school.
I know it was not a judgment because I know some of the attorneys involved.
By Robert
December 5, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
It is really amazing at how shortsighted GT officials can be. To eliminate an excellent candidate just because he is a GA graduate is jum plain dumb. Pat Dye was a Georgia grad that proved to be one of the best coaches Auburn ever had. And we don’t even have to get into that Auburn grad named Dooley who did fairly well at Georgia. A coach should be hired based on ability and potential. Will Muschamp is going to be a great head coach for someone. GT officials will find another Bill Lewis-Chan Gailey type and lose another 7 in a row to the Bulldogs.
By Chris
December 5, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
Nobody has said the new coach needs to be a live wire or anything like that. He just needs to be something other than a bowl of plain oatmeal like Gailey was. The most important thing is making the offense at least as exciting to watch as the defense has been.
I think Johnson’s spread option (flexbone is way closer to a spread than a traditional triple option) would work very well on the Flats and he’s said on multiple occasions that he would throw the ball more if he had the players to do it. You can run 75% of the time out of his sets or you can wing it around the field all day long. It just depends on the strengths of the players you have to work with.
By BDK
December 5, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Why do we pay any attention to what this UGAg journalism school grad says about our job. Let him worry about what color his buddy Richt is wearing today.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Scott — What makes you think Johnson is neither “cenergetic” or charismatic? I absolutely love reading transcripts of his press conferences at Navy. He’s blunt, humorous, and matter-of-fact.
A favorite line of his is how Navy’s opponents don’t “oooh and ahhh when we get off the bus.” Particularly in playing Notre Dame, he talks about all of ND’s Parade All-Americans, and “we have guys at Navy that march in dress parades.”
Bottom line, he has been able to take less than blue-chip talent, and turn Navy into winners. He is 6-0 against archrival Army, and 5-1 against Air Force. Navy is appearing in its 5th straight bowl game, in Johnson’s 6th year. Because of the recruiting limitations, Navy won’t compete for a national championship, ever. However, Johnson has the offensive system, the motivational talent, and the in-game coaching ability to make any BCS school a contender.
I wish we could keep him another five years in Annapolis, but that ain’t gonna happen. Wherever he has been, he has been a winner. Georgia Tech, or SMU, or Michigan, or UCLA, or any other school in the country, would be winners with Paul Johnson leading their football program.
By JustMe
December 5, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
I like Tenuta, but I fear a defensive guy as the head coach. Tech needs an offensive guy here.
If it is possible to wait until the bowl game, we can see what Tenuta does with the offense. But, I fear that Paul J. won’t wait that long.
Hire Paul J. now. Hope to keep Tenuta as DC.
By john
December 5, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
God. If that pic is of him - we DEFINITELY don’t want him. He would not be able to attract a fly to come to our school. We need youthful, nice looking, dynamic candidates! This search is starting to remind me of the last one where we had to settle for an awful Gailey. I am starting to not feel so good about this.
By PJ #1
December 5, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
If you want to know anything about Paul Johnson check out this site.
www.huskersforpauljohnson.blogspot.com
By Chan Gailey's Designated Driver
December 5, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
Terence Moore:
Why are you submitting editorials under Tony Barnhart’s byline?
By StingerSplash
December 5, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Anybody who has heard Johnson speak at the Atlanta Touchdown Club knows he’s quite the raconteur. He has good stories to tell and tells them well. He’ll win over boosters and fans in a heartbeat. Oh, and he’s also a damn good coach. And Chris, you’re right about the offense he runs and will likely run.
By MisterT
December 5, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
Hey GONAVY, I think you overestimate the number of Tech students that could pass the Navy fitness test for all Middies. It would likely be closer to single digits…and UGA fans don’t laugh it would be exactly the same for your students or any other public or private institution.
I say we hire PJ ASAP! I don’t think Tenuta is sticking around. If you wait and hire JT as a last resort, no one will be happy including JT. If he decides to stay with PJ as HC, GREAT! But don’t count on it. I imagine he is destin for LSU or some other school.
I think we could count on keeping Giff as recruiting coordinator with PJ as well. Didn’t I read that they had a GSU connection?
By Chan B. Gone
December 5, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
Nobody—news media, bloggers here or on bbuzzoff has gotten ANYTHING right yet, so, nobody—apparently—but ERad and Clough really know what the H is going on. Gotta hand it to DRad, he has kept this thing under wraps, and maybe this the way to do it. It is certainly HIS way! I still hold out hope for Hatcher, but Johnson is a winner and that equates better than youth, energy, or any of that. D the do, DRad! I just wish you’d hurry, the natives are getting wrestless again!
By Brian
December 5, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
I hope they hire Paul Johnson. Maybe then GT would schedule Georgia Southern. Go Eagles!
By WolfpackTodd
December 5, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Does anyone else think that June Jones should be a candidate for this job?? Even though his offensive system doesn’t work in the NFL, it certainly does in the college game. The Tech job is also probably the only job that would cause him to leave Hawaii, because of his ties to the Atlanta area. I thought the shoulda hired him when they hired Chan.
By Ramblin Wrecker
December 5, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
I’ve been a Paul Johnson-for-GT-coach supporter since this began. He’s still the guy I want running this program. But I do have to say how stupid it is to eliminate Will Muschamp because he’s a UGA grad. If you prefer Paul Johnson and/or a guy with head coaching experience, then that’s okay with me. But where a guy went to college should be irrelevant. If Charlie Strong was eliminated because he lacked head coaching experience, then that should have been what eliminated Muschamp. I understand why that criteria doesn’t apply to Jon Tenuta, because even though he’s never been a head coach, he has knowledge and experience in coaching at GT that none of the other candidates have. I think that puts him somewhat on a level playing field with the candidates who are/were head coaches.
I just hope we have enough juice to outbid SMU for Johnson. I’d hate to think we lose out to a school that has been dead for 30 years. Hopefully Johnson is not looking for a place to work miracles (like he did at Navy) and is more interested in getting his hat into the big time BCS ring.
By john
December 5, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
A coach from Navy? No thanks. Why can we never get a good one?! I preferred we try to get Spurrier a few years ago when he was available. We missed the boat. But that was while Braine was here and that never was going to happen. We need a Tressel, Carroll, Urban or a Spurrier. Not a Naval Academy coach!
By GSUHatchAttack
December 5, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
I GO TO GSU. HATCHER WAS INTERVIEWED AT GEORGIA TECH. THERE IS NO ARGUING WITH THAT FACT. I WORK IN A POSITION TO KNOW THIS.
By jabster
December 5, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Consider this:
1) What does Charlie Strong have that Tenuta doesn’t? What would Strong bring to the table?
2) Would UGA ever hire, say, Whisenhunt as coach? Or Godsey as an assistant? UGA vs. Auburn (or Tech vs. say, Clemson or Auburn) is a different dynamic than UGA vs Tech.
3) I don’t know about Hatcher’s situation, one way or the other. I think he’s worth the gamble if there are no other options.
4) Neuheisel has more baggage than the Delta carousel at ATL the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
5) What happened to Cutcliffe? Or are we going to let Duke give him a go, and poach him if he works out?
By noneya
December 5, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Give Tech credit for interviewing a minority candidate?!? You have to be kidding right? Especially since you wrote in the same article that Tech told him they want someone with HC experience but Tenuta is a finalist! Get real…..
By Tony Barnhart
December 5, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
Thanks to allenlaw for the clarification about RN’s legal situation. You are correct in saying that the major issue is that he lied to investigators about the process.
For those who are concerned about Johnson’s offense, consider this: The reason he runs this offense is because he has needed to find a way for little people to beat big people. The best way to do that with smaller athletes is with the option.
I believe his offense would look more like West Virginia or Oregon once he gets ACC caliber athletes to run it. Josh Nesbitt would be a perfect fit at quarterback.
TB
By BB
December 5, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
Tech will sink faster than a Navy submarine if Johnson is hired.
By Ol Ball Coach
December 5, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
My hope is that Tech hires a great coach who will whip the Fleabags silly for the next century. I’m tired of seeing the sports school play bully over the academic school.
By Yellowblood
December 5, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Drad will hire the right person with regards to the tickle pile issue. Tech has a long history of excellence in tickle piles and the next coach will definitely have to live up to Techsters expectations with regards to tickle piles.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
John — I like the way you think. You go ahead and go for Tressel, Carroll, Uban, or Spurrier. We’ll keep Johnson in Annapolis, and keep on winning football games, while GT continues to be mired in the middle ranks of what is really a mid-major conference in college football.
By Brad B
December 5, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
WINNERS WIN AND PAUL JOHNSON HAS PROVED HE IS A WINNER NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF OFFENSE. TECH NEEDS A PROVEN WINNER AND MAYBE THEY WILL BEAT UGA NEXT, BUT I DOUBT IT. RICHT IS ALSO A WINNER
By MisterT
December 5, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
Brian, don’t count on Johnson or Hatcher to schedule the Eaglettes until they KNOW that GT is safe from embarrassment. I wish we would stop scheduling 1AA’s altogether. They are a NO WIN proposition. I hate spending my season ticket money on those games. Give us a good out of conference game…Auburn, Alabama, a PAC10 or Big 10. I like USC’s stance…anybody, anywhere, anytime. GSU and Samford do not prepare you for the rigors of a tough schedule.
Samford did not show us anything about what we needed to do to prepare for the season. In fact it gave us a false sence of security. I say schedule a tough opponent out of confernece early in the season. We now know that early season losses can be over come in the polls…Shoot! Late season losses can be overcome!
But early season wins over lesser opponents show you nothing about your team and potential losses to those teams can devistate your season…App State anyone? Even if Michigan had run the table the rest of the season, don’t count on seeing them in the BCS championship game this year.
By GSUHatchAttack
December 5, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
John you are a moron. You should stop talking before everyone realizes the comments coming from you. Paul Johnson won back to back NC at GSU. He took the Navy program to a better one than Tech is right now (1-10 to 10-2, 5 straight bowls) AND HE HAS DONE IT WITH LESS THAN STELLAR ATHLETES. WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO WITH (by the way, his triple option rush attack has been #1 in AMERICA for 3 years running) DWYER, RODD JONES, NESBITT, AND THE DEEP CORE OF BACKS? JOHNSON IS A PERFECT FIT AT GT RIGHT NOW. SO YOU SHOULD GO SUCK ON THAT FOR A WHILE.
By JD
December 5, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Before I’d jump at the SMU job I’d keep in mind that Texans that spend big do not have much patience.
SMU is going to need four years MINIMUM to get up to speed as a college football team to be reckoned with.
Do the SMU backers have that kind of patience?
By HDawg
December 5, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Geeks…you will still loose.
By Rich
December 5, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Chris Hatcher - Chris Hatcher The Future is in the State >> Tech Admin Take a Chance on this fit !!!
By Yellowblood
December 5, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
What I want to know is where we all stand on the tickle pile issue? Do we really think that the new coach will be able to keep up the tickle pile tradition here at Tech? I am really looking forward to Humanitarian Bowl this year. The alumni theme this year will be “tickled blue 2007”. We hope that everyone participates in this great Georgia Tech tradition.
By boots
December 5, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
I am a Georgia grad and Bulldog fan, so thx for letting me post on YOUR board. Our best coaches in the last 50 years have been from: Auburn and Miami, and our least successful coach has been from Georgia. If you want to win, hire Muschamp, and get over any problem with him being from Athens. If I wanted to build a bridge or design an electrical system, I would hire a Tech grad (and have) with no hesitation. If you constantly criticize UGA as being a football school that produces nothing but dumb jocks, then why not take advantage of it and hire the best candidate? Geez, you Techies seem to want it all. Nothing good in life comes without sacrifice and patience. For the posters here calling for Urban or Spurrier to be hired… I think most of you are grounded in reality enough to know that isn’t going to happen. Good luck.
By BuzzFactor
December 5, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
oh come on you guys are nuts. we cannot have a UGA grad as a HC! suppose he loses the first 2 UGA games. the fans will be accusing him of throwing the game. if he wins, UGA fans will go - yeah it took a UGA guy to beat us. its a bad situation waiting to explode. Rick Neuheisel is the way to go here. If we don’t take him, he’ll end up at a Duke or another cellar school for a few years then be back at the top. The guy is what we need, a great QB coach, offensive mind and a proven HC. Rick Neuheisel! or maybe Johnson…
By Drez
December 5, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
It’s amazing to me that guys like Charlie Strong can’t get a chance because they don’t have “head coaching experience”. Yet Richt and hundreds of ohter coordinators get a shot. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Richt, but I’m sick of qualified minority coaches not getting a chance to be head coaches.
When will the ‘good ole boys’ on the college level wake up and notice how sucessful minority coaches have been in the NFL and take a chance on them in the college ranks?
If i’m a African-American high school blue chipper being recruited by Richt and what he has going on at UGA, compared to another dull, middle-age, white guy, at GT….it’s a no brainer.
Tech needs an edge to compete with UGA for Georgia high school players and I don’t think Johnson or Tenuta gives Tech that edge.
By give paul the job, today!
December 5, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Paul Johnson should choose GT over SMU and Duke. With GT and Duke, he has the ability to coach a team in a BCS conference. With GT (not Duke), he has the ability to take a team that has a strong group of players in place that has been consistant for many years (6 bowls, at least 7 wins for past 6 years) and take them to the next level. GT has the fan support and the advantage the city of Atlanta brings in recruiting. Duke can’t fill the bottom of one sideline for their games. Their alumni don’t care about sports until basketball season. It would be a very hard job to rebuild. SMU’s fan/alumni support is very good, but the are in the non-BCS conference USA.
Paul should take GT job, even for less money that Duke and SMU, because good players are in place, the facilities are top notch, the alumni supports is strong, and recruiting to the Atlanta area is a strong benefit (recruits can find more fun things to do in Atlanta than many other schools).
DRad: Give Paul our best offer! Paul Johnson: Please take our offer for the above reasons. You do very well at GT.
By John Salley
December 5, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
GA Tech needs to realize that is not the program it once was. Times have changed and they just won’t compete for National Championship anymore.
Just the facts folks.
By War Eagle
December 5, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
I think great consideration should be given to Mike Shula, he fits the bill; offense minded, head coaching experience, young, high energy, and a proven winner, just not up to Alabama standards. Hey, Rad, give him a call. He just might be the answer. Good Luck GT
By b_mc
December 5, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Let me get this straight.. Charlie Strong has been told he will not be considered because they want a coach with head coaching experience. I assume Tenuta has head coaching experience, because if not, then what would be the difference? And then to compound the issue, Muschamp will be told he will not be considered because he is a “Georgia Grad?” Again, unless I am missing something, I am not aware Muschamp having previous head coaching experience. It’s this type of stuff that ticks me off. Why even interview Strong if you were not going to take him seriously.. And Barnhardt gives them credit for interviewing a minority candidate! Please! It’s essentially the same thing as not interviewing a minority candidate at all… What a joke!
By greg
December 5, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
What am I missing regarding Chris Hatcher and the wish list of characteristics the D Rad quoted? Hatcher is young, energetic, from the South, has a 6+ years as a head coach, has a winning percentage above 80%, and runs a high-powered offense. All seem to match what D Rad is looking for. I think if he were named coach, Tech sells out its allotment of season tickets for next year. It’s time to make a statment with this hire, and I’m not sure that Johnson or Tenuta fit the bill. Go Jackets!
By Observer
December 5, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
I understand completely the Muschamp issue. One mistake and they would bury him for his UGA background.
Paul Johnson would be a great hire.
Hiring Tenuta makes the least sense of all. Tech needs a shot in the arm and a boost to the program. Tenuta will bring neither. Come on Tech - generate some excitement. Don’t weasel out and hire Tenuta.
By Creetin
December 5, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
Hey “john” -
So Johnson isn’t good-looking enough for you? I guess we should go for Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, or Johnny Depp. Because that would certainly fill the seats. I mean, who cares about this “winning” thing, right? It’s so overrated. What people don’t realize is that the secret is having a good-looking coach. Then all is well.
Get a life, man. I don’t see Kansas complaining about how fat their coach is. Neither does Maryland. If either were available, don’t think Tech wouldn’t snatch them up in a second.
Johnson is a winner. Regardless of the strategy, he makes the offense work and adapts to whatever program he coaches. You wouldn’t be able to see Brad Pitt from your nose-bleed seats anyway.
By MisterT
December 5, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Yes John, you are a moron!
First we aren’t at the level as OSU, UF, or USC right now…or for that matter uga at the moment. Where do you think Meyer & Tessel came from to take those big jobs? They proved themselves at smaller schools and earned the opportunity to get those jobs. They also all got those jobs when those schools were hurting against their rivals for several years in a row.
Hiring a Johnson or a Hatcher would be almost an exact example of what OSU did by hiring Tressel. they hired a successful D1AA coach from within the state to revive the programs. Johnson and Hatcher both represent the same type of potential at Tech.
So John, SHUT UP!!!
By GW
December 5, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Muschamp’s last 3 outings as a DC vs. UGA he gave up 42, 37 and 45. Maybe that’s really why Tech didn’t want him.
By Dave
December 5, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
“GSU and Samford do not prepare you for the rigors of a tough schedule.” Mr. T. If Tech had the coconuts to play Georgia Southern, we’d show you what rigors are all about. Take the SMU job, Paul. You deserve better than Tech.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
JD — In 2001, under Charlie Weatherbie, Navy went 0-10. Since hiring Paul Johnson, Navy has gone 2-10, 8-5, 10-2, 8-4, 9-4, and is currently 8-4 going into the bowl game this season.
Now, it depends on what exactly you mean by “up to speed as a college football team to be reckoned with.” But I believe that at SMU, Johnson could compete for C-USA title in two years, and have a top 25 program.
At Georgia Tech, I believe Johnson could take the current talent and compete for the ACC championship immediately.
By HAL
December 5, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Hire Tenuta then he offers Hatcher a big increase in salary to join him at Tech. Result Tech has a great defense an exciting offense.
By KC in Athens
December 5, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Tech needs to hire an assistant that can grow with the program and become loyal. If they hire an existing head coach, they’re setting themselves up for a coach that will leave at the first head coaching job he can get.
By Reid in EAV
December 5, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Speaking as a Georgia fan, I can say that I live in fear that GT will hire Muschamp or someone like him. Fortunately, it seems the alumni base will let baseless fears about him being a UGA grad derail that choice, and you’ll end up with another less-than-stellar pick who fails to excite the fan base, fails to increase fundraising and fails to do much better than 7-4 and a 2nd string bowl. But I can’t say that that bothers me too much…
By mcdawg
December 5, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Tech??
By SanFran Jacket
December 5, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
It appears no one has a clue as to what is really going on, including Barnhart. (I seriously doubt Muschamp is not a candidate STRICTLY because he is a UGA alum; there are obviously other considerations.) Let’s trust that Radakovich will be successful in the search; he certainly deserves the chance.
Dr. Clough has been a fine administrator for the school and his detractors on this blog are also obviously misinformed. There sure are a lot of Dawgs on this board, some masquerading as Tech fans or alumni! However, it’s good to know that the pups are still concerned about us.
Let’s just wait and see. All of these reliable sources and insider information that is being proclaimed (amateurs and journalists alike) didn’t get it right with Les Miles. They probably don’t have it right with this search either. Relax Tech fans and let Dan Radakovich do the job he was hired to do.
Go Jackets!
By Navyfan
December 5, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
You guys are NUTS if you think PJ will change his offense at GT. He runs the TO. Period. He might adjust to throw a little bit more, but, that’s it.
Why should it matter? What’s more important to GT fans, winning, or, being a pro-factory?
I personnally don’t see PJ leaving Navy for GT. You fired a successful coach, while, PJ would never get fired at Navy.
By yellowblood
December 5, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
It seems as if we are having a little problem getting a Coach and the candidates mentioned don’t excite me. I think we should have stuck with Chan. At least he guaranteed us 7 great Tickle Piles a year.
By Drez Needs Counseling
December 5, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Drez, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re an idiot.
Paul Johnson won back-to-back I-AA national chammpionships at Georgia Southern, averaging almost 50 points a game in the process.
He’s enjoyed unprecedented success at the Naval Academy.
So, what does that make PJ? According to you, “a dull, middle-age white guy”.
Did I mention that you’re an idiot?
Oh, and by the way, Mark Richt didn’t become “Mr. Personality” until this year’s Florida game.
An underachieving program like GT needs substance more than it needs style.
In the meantime, Drez, go ahead and buy another set of $2000 rims for your 1987 Ford Escort.
By john
December 5, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Kansas? One good year and you are talking about the look of their coach? Look at the schools that are near the top all the time and look at their coaches; Tressel, Carroll, Stoops, etc. They attract top talent because they are good-looking, dynamic guys who know how to coach. Beamer is awful to look at but he has been at VT for 20 years. If he were just starting out today, he WOULD never get to be head coach. Believe me, if that pic is really Johnson - stay as far away from Tech as possible. That grumpy face won’t attract a 17 year old. And because most of you 30-50 year olds think he is great - so what? You think a 17 year old is going to get all excited to play for a coach from Navy!? Never. We need a big name from a big college!
By Technodawg
December 5, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
For competition’s sake, I hope Tech hires well. The AJC is wrong again, however, since Muschamp was not hired because of his new deal with Turberville at AU. It had little or nothing to do with his being a UGA grad. Not even North Avenue is that stupid.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Here’s what Johnson does with talent…Consider Navy senior slotback Zerbin Singleton, from Decatur, GA. Columbia HS, where he was senior class president and president of the National Honor Society. He accepted an appointment to Annapolis, but was injured in a car wreck just a week before his HS graduation, so he couldn’t accept his appointment. He was admitted to Georgia Tech, and attempted to walk on to the football team, but was tole he was too small to play Division 1 college football. After his freshman year at GT, he entered Annapolis.
As a senior this year, Singleton (5’-7”, 170#) has run for 478 yards and 9 touchdowns on 64 carries, and caught 10 passes for 199 yards. He has a 3.14 GPA in Aerospace Engineering, and has been named the Brigade Commander for the spring semester (that’s the highest ranking midshipman). He has also been named this year’s winner of the Disney Wide World of Sports Spirit Award, given to college football’s most inspirational figure.
Now this kid wasn’t good enough to play for Georgia Tech. Imagine what Paul Johnson can do with blue-chip athletes that he can’t recruit to Annapolis?
By Helluvabarbertoo
December 5, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
MUSCHAMP IS A BENEFICIARY OF TUBERVILLE’S RECENT EXTENSION/RAISE/GUARANTEED EXTENSION AT AUBURN (GOOBERVILLE?). HE WILL BE A HC SOON SOMEWHERE, BUT NOT THIS YEAR. HE’S NOT QUITE READY YET, AND THE DEAL IS TOO SWEET AT AUBURN.
By ET
December 5, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
I nominate Dan Reeves. If he can take the Falcons to the Super Bowl, he can beat UGA every now and again.
By GA fan
December 5, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
WOW! I can’t believe that they let muschamp walk. Not only did he fit radakovich’s profile to a tee but he is a ga native. Who gives a crap if he played for UGA, the guy is going to be a great head coach. Tech just let the equivalent of a young mark richt get away. There is no way this was rad’s decision. This was the work of some stupid alumni group. Hell dooley played at auburn and dye played at georgia. Do you think florida state would eliminate mark richt from consideration, if they could get him back, because he played QB at Miami. HECK NO! Tech fans will be sorry when muschamp is coaching a team in a BCS bowl in the near future.
By Bubba Smith
December 5, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
I am a Navy grad and would hate to lose Paul Johnson. Someone above referred disparagingly to PJ as a “Navy coach”. Don’t know what he means by that. PJ is a WINNER.
Believe me folks, if PJ can win at Navy with ZERO blue chip athletes, just imagine what he could do at GT where I doubt their offensive line has an SAT average north of 1250 like they do at Navy. Consider that Navy has produced about 10 Rhodes Scholars over the last several years and no consenus All-American football players.
PJ would make GT a winner IMMEDIATELY. Bet the farm on it.
By Mike
December 5, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
I think most of the names mentioned are fine candidates, and I would be OK with whoever DRad chooses. Like SanFranJacket, I suspect there is muc more to the Muschamp issue than just being a UGa grad….he is young (perhaps too young?) at 36, and he has also (like Strong) never had a head coaching job…and frankly, if you were going to hire an assistant and give him a shot, why wouldn’t you give Tenuta first chance at that? His defenses have been as good as Muschamp’s (certainly done better against the Dawgs than Muschamp’s have) and I thunk Tech would want o repay his loyalty IF we don’t get a HC.
Be patient, Jacket fans…trust the guys in charge (it is not Dave Braine’s Tech anymore) and let’s see what happens.
By GB
December 5, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
JOHN-YOU ARE STOOPID!!
By Bob
December 5, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
John is obviously gay,because he wants a hot looking coach. Maybe Johnson is really hung, John. His name suggests that could be the case. Give him a chance, and then you get the benefit of winning, too.
By Tech Fan
December 5, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
I think Johnson would be a big winner at GT. Hopefully we get him as our next head coach.
Observer is right about Muschamp - I like him too, but one mistake and it wouldn’t be pretty on the Flats. He will make a great HC for someone - Auburn perhaps.
By Gailey Can't Coach
December 5, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Clearly Johnson is THE hot commodity between SMU & Ma Tech. I say if he would choose SMU and building a program from what is literally less than zero, then maybe that’s what he needs. We won’t win a bidding war over him…But we clearly have a program that just needs tweaking compared to having NO TEAM and black-eye baggage.
Some of this stuff makes no sense, which is what you get from the media most of the time anyway. Everybody KNOWS WM is a UGA grad and CS has no head coaching exp BEFORE they’re even contacted for an interview. So WTF is up with that anyway???
Tenuta is NOT the guy…In fact, I’d be surprised if he isn’t DC at LSU within a week. We won’t win that bidding war either…But if Tech does receive some compensation for his contract buyout, that could help offset the Gailey payoff. If Tenuta does leave, then that CHANGES the requirements for this head coaching position by default.
I say DRad needs to do what he’s doing…Interview some candidates and if one clearly stands out above the rest, then offer him the job on the spot. If he offers it to Johnson today, then give him a deadline and sit back and take a deep breath.
A sense of urgency is good…But it’s more important to hire the right guy than to just hire someone by the weekend. When the new head coach has his first press conf, it’ll be pretty clear one way or the other if he was what Tech needs to clean up after Gailey…
By usna77
December 5, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
John — If your ideal coach is attracting players because of his youthful good looks, I’d be worried about what goes on in the locker room..
By jz
December 5, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
I just want to take the opportunity to tell everyone reading this that Tony Barnhart is an idiot.
By Wreck's horn goes "THWUGA!!!!!!!!!"
December 5, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
There is no crisis and no coaching prospects have turned down Tech in this search. Edsall wisely leveraged his interview to get a better deal at UConn; he was never offered the Tech job. He was classy and savvy enough to act before Tech had a chance to make him an offer. It saves everyone face and avoids the ridiculous headlines/false reports seen about Miles, Bowden, Turberville, Spurrier, etc., we see at more rabid schools.
Hopefully, DRad is crazy like a fox, and his “silent search” will pay off. Only fools would believe the reporters from AJC or anywhere else. Kudos to the search committee in advance for their quiet, non-sensational diligence.
The search goes on, and we are all anxious and excited and impatient, but really, DRad and gang have the most to benefit and lose, so let’s just leave it to them and support their decision.
Ever notice how remarkably WRONG 95% of us bloggers are?
By GT4EVR
December 5, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Word around the campfire is that Taz torpedoed Muschamp. If so, Taz is a complete idiot. Taz- will you just go away? F-you, Taz.
By MisterT
December 5, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
No disrespect was meant towards GSU (except the eaglettes comment). I don’t doubt that this past season would likely have produced a win for GSU if they had played. My comments are that they shouldn’t. Just like App State should not have been able to beat Michigan.
One of Chan’s problems is that he could not motivate. He is a pro coach and while pros still need motivation, not to the level of college athletes.
I think you wold agree that GSU would be much more motivated to beat Tech that Tech would be to beat Southern. It is a no win proposition for a DivI team to play a IA program especially within the state. You have 60+ guys at GSU that would have the motivation to just show Tech that they could have played at Tech.
If Tech plays GSU it does absolutely nothing for Tech. It did nothing for uga to play them. It is a no win for Tech or uga to play Southern until they make the jump to IA. both should beat Southern.
Even if GT or uga lost or played close, they learn nothing about their team in playing southern except they are vunerable to a good DIAA program that has a chip on their shoulder. It does not prepare them for ACC or SEC competition. It is only a payday for a BCS team…nothing more. Sorry, but that is just a fact.
What Tech and uga need to learn in scheduling, they can get the payday and prepare themsleves better by not scheduling IAA’s or even sub-par IA programs. Shedule tough early, split the gate, get the BIG TV $’s, and even if you lose, you have plenty of time to to come back in the polls. If you can’t come back, you were just a pretender anyway.
By Hamlet and Eggs
December 5, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
In 1999, the Georgia Southern team coached by Paul Johnson destroyed Youngstown State 59-24 in the I-AA national championship game.
Who was the Youngstown State coach? A fellow by the name of Jim Tressel.
Ask him if PJ knows what he’s doing.
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Paul Johnson runs an option offense. That crap may work at navy or Georgia Southern, but it wont fly against a GT schedule. Defenses are too fast for an unbalanced option offense. I can’t think of any team in the big 6 conferences that run the option more than a couple plays a game. Go get Will Muschamp. He’s worked for an Auburn team that has seen legitimate success against a difficult schedule year after year. Paul Johnson is a risk.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
To Bubba Smith … if Johnson leaves, maybe we can hang onto Ken Niumatalolo and Ivin Jasper .. and let Paul take Buddy Green with him..
By Bobby
December 5, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
3 people Tech should consider:
Bobby Johnson Jim Grobe June Jones
All are outstanding football coaches (even though they might not necessarily be media favorites)
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
Hey Bubba Smith, You military school kids always talk about your Rhode scholar BS. Tech is a much more difficult school for student athletes than Navy. Shut up and go f*** your boyfriend.
By Observer
December 5, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
BuzzFactor - You are right about Rick Neuheisel being a winner. He would bring 10 wins and an ACC championship to the flats within two years. Unfortunately, he would bring probation to the flats within five years.
Neuheisel has a history of letting ambition cloud his judgment where NCAA recruiting rules are concerned. I’d be affraid to hire any coach who approaches his job with the attitude that it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Historically, the NCAA hasn’t granted forgiveness very often.
Paul Johnson has the one thing we should be looking for on a resume - WINS!!! He has been immensely successful at every level he’s coached. There is absolutely no reason to think he would be anything other than successful at Tech. As for his lack of an outgoing personality, 10 wins per year will placate the alumni far better than a loser who can tell a good joke.
By Hedge Head
December 5, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
UNSA 77 He means that the athletes at Tech, especially Tyler Bennett, are not suited to the triple option spread attack that Paul Johnson will bring to the flats. Take a look at Georgia Southern. 2006 was the first year GSU ever had a “Traditional” pro style QB. Every other year is was a mobile QB who rushed first and passed second. As a Southern Alum, it will be interesting to see how the Spread Option works at a I-A school (other than a service academy), since that style of offense is supposedly one of the main contributors that has been keeping Georgia Southern in Division I-AA for so long.
By Buzz Belle
December 5, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
I am so excited at the thought we are down to Tenuta and Johnson! I would love to have Johnson at HC and Tenuta stay as DC but I fear if we get Johnson, Tenuta is heading to LSU. I wonder if this decision was made even before Chan was gone (after the VT fiasco). DRad said a decision would not be made until after the bowl game which gives Tentua HC experience (even though it is one game), time to see how he reacts to the media, and breathing room to see how he does. Johnson on the other hand, will go straight to SMU if not offered the job at Tech within a few days. Let’s have fun on this blog - any bets on when a decision comes down? I say by Friday.
By Zaac
December 5, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
Why don’t we go after Chris Peterson of Boise State? That wold definitely excite the fanbase.
By Zaac
December 5, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
Why don’t we go after Chris Peterson of Boise State? That would definitely excite the fanbase.
By C_Davis
December 5, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Tony Barnhart is terrible. Mr College Football, what a joke.
By Chan B. Gone
December 5, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
Why does everyone seem to think that PJ would run the triple option here? He runs it at Navy because he has the players for it and it works. Hatcher used to throw the ball 50 times a game coaching at VSU. He ran this year because he had Jayson Foster at QB (2,000 yds.) Good coaches coach to their talent, not to a scheme.
By GDAWG
December 5, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Terry Bowden he’s the man!!!!!
By Gailey Can't Coach
December 5, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
I know some guys like a challenge…But THIS:
“Since 1989 SMU has only defeated 2 ranked teams, has only 1 winning season, has not been to a bowl game and is 57-142-3.”
The Tech job, although it has its own pitfalls, HAS to look like a Dream Job compared to THAT!
By Joel Chandler Harris
December 5, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
GA Dawg is really saying is, “Please don’t fling me into that briar patch.”
HIRE PAUL JOHNSON NOW! WHATEVER IT TAKES!
By usna77
December 5, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
GA Dawg …what is an “unbalanced option offense”? Navy runs a spread offense, with a balanced line, two slotbacks, two wide receivers, a fullback, and the quarterback under center. The running plays include midline option, a true triple option, toss sweeps, a counter option play, and reverses.
As for working against a GT schedule, Navy ran for more than 300 yards against Wake Forest. Navy lost, 44-24, but the big difference in the game was that Navy lost three fumbles. Navy also racked up big yardage against Rutgers, Notre Dame, and Duke.
Again, that is with athletes whose SAT scores impress more than their times in the 40.
By Bob
December 5, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
Paul Johnson would be a GREAT hire, but not sure he’ll take either SMU or GA Tech. He’s well paid by Navy (the single highest paid federal employee on government payroll) and think of the comfort he must take in working with student-athletes like Naval Acadamy Midshipmen that play for him. None of the worries of a coach at normal big-time programs with academics and other less savory off-field activities. That’s got to be worth something…….and maybe a lot.
By Yellowblood
December 5, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
You guys! You’re missing the big picture here. It seems that everyone thinks that the new coaches job is to beat UGAG or win in the ACC. that is ludacris! We will never achieve either of these. We should be concerned with the quality of our tickle piles that the new coach will provide. That is OUR legacy and OUR tradtion and its a wonderful thing! There is nothing more important to us than our tickle piles!
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
Joel Chandler Harris… I dare you to try and run the option against Georgia next year. That ball will get shoved right up Josh Nesbitt’s butt. The same will happen against your conference as well. Defenses are too fast in the ACC -and the SEC- to run the option. That’s why no teams run that type of offense in either conference. Don’t believe me… then see for your self.
By gt45
December 5, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
If we keep Tenuta, we keep probably 90% of our recruiting class, and an opportunity of opening up our offense and scoring more points. Most of the recruits say they want to play for Tenuta. Let’s see what happens in the bowl game, and go from there. I expect Johnson would wait until after their bowl to make a decision, anyway. Nut is already talking about opening up the offense for that bowl game. We know he is all about football, let’s see how he does as captain. Go Jackets!
By Wreckhorngoes "THWUGA!!!!!!!!"
December 5, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
We should all be getting into concilatory/supportive mode now that DRad is about to have a press conference and announcement. All of the seriously mentioned candidates have merits worthy of our initial support. The candidate with the weakest win-loss record, Edsall, did not get an offer from us. DRad did the right thing and interviewed the right people. Now, it’s time to rally the troops, jump on the running boards, and create a positive alumni/fan environment to assist in recruiting, fundraising, and beating hell out of UGA.
Go Jackets! FightWinDrink.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Hedge Head — Johnson’s offense is basically the same as Urban Meyer’s offense, except that Meyer lines Tebow up in the shotgun, while Johnson’s quarterbacks (currently Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Ehnada) take the snap under center.
Florida throws a lot more because they have a quarterback who can throw and receivers who can catch.
As offensive coordinator at Hawaii, Johnson directed a pass happy offense that set all kinds of school records.
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
My truthful opinion is that I don’t think Tech will find a coach this year that can truly return Tech to where it was. You dont have the money and you are competing with the likes of Nebraska, UCLA, Michigan, etc. I am fair in evaluating Tech and I dont think Paul Johnson will do any better than Chan. What’s worse is you will lose Tenuta if he comes. Tenuta has done such a great job for Tech it would be a shame to let him go. A shame. To take a risk on Paul Johnson. Please. I’m being fair guys. Not talking trash. Get someone who has worked in a major program and make sure to retain Tenuta.
By Jon
December 5, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
I hate to admit it TDawg, but you’re right. Muschamp would have been a great hire for Tech. Who cares that he’s a UGA grad? Being Tech’s coach would only have ensured that he’d never end up at Georgia. The old Tech alumni have really missed the boat on this one!
By DrewTLH
December 5, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
No offense but Coach Tenuta is not exactly a charasmatic figure. We need someone to bring in recruits and make them want to play for Tech.
I pray Paul Johnson is the guy. Jimbo Fisher or Mike Hatcher would have been good choices too.
By bamadon
December 5, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
Hey War Eagle, Thanks for the laugh about Mike Shula being the GA TECH coach. He is a good person and a good qb coach! But being head coach he did not get the job done at Bama! I hope Mike Shula will get another chance as head coach at a small division school someday!! ROLL TIDE
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
usnaa, You can’t run the option in the ACC. Not the middle option, the tripple option, or the sweeps. There will be a big a* line backer there to stuff that crap. The ACC is too fast. And if you can’t win with 300 yards rushing against Wake then you have to ask WHY?!! Because you didn’t have a pass game. That makes the attack unbalanced.
By Ratsonthefield!!!!!!Ratsh**tbetweentheHedges!!!!!!
December 5, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Enough about BJ from Vandy. Why would he leave an academic SEC school for an ACC school? I love the Jackets, but I wouldn’t want a coach with the poor judgment to give up an SEC job for an ACC job.
The new hire should come later today or tomorrow, and the Tech community needs to climb aboard in support. PJ, JT, or whoever it may be, will deserve a chance and besides, hiring a coach is not a democratic decision, THANKFULLY.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
GA Dawg — the reason colleges don’t run the option is because powerful alum want to be able to boast that their quarterback is the #1 pick in the NFL draft.
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
yellow blood, we are trying to discuss the coaching change at Tech. Please either contribute or leave the blog
By scooter11
December 5, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Wish I had thought of Petersen from Boise. He would confirm and strengthen the Blue Rug mentality at the Flats. The Shula recommendation is also intriguing.
By GT=LOSERs
December 5, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
who cares you bunch of losers! Whoever your coach will be, they will suck big donkey balls!
And thank god they eliminated Muschamp. I hope he was just using this as a way to get “interview” experience. A true dawg would never set foot at that poor excuse of a college!
Losers, Losers, Nerds!
Maybe you should get the coach who plays the best video games?
By Spike
December 5, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
How about Buster Brown aka Terry Bowden?
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
usna77,
Devision I-AA teams do it all the time and win with it. It is effective against slower defenses. In I-A teams use the spread offense and use the option sparingly. Don’t make this out to be some conspiracy of the alumni. That is the dumbest argument you have made all day. And can you please start listing your excuses in outline form… it will make my rebutal process more effecient. thanks.
By JustMe
December 5, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
I would say that most all coaches aspire to greatness. The only exception that comes to mind is O’Leary who is near retirement, is building a program in Florida, and his family loves living near Orlando. Other coaches, IMHO, are always open to the ‘next step.’
Paul J. simply won’t be able to win a championship (national or otherwise) at Navy due to the type of school it is and the recruits that it gets….. no shot, zippo, nada. It makes sense that he would desire moving to a school that is able to recruit better, has more national exposure, etc.
Therefore, it makes sense that Paul J. would consider a ‘next step’. SMU really doesn’t present a good ‘next step’ for him. SMU is still at the beginning stages of rebuilding. It will still take years of recruiting and a little bit of luck to even make it to a bowl game. Why would Paul J. go there?
GA Tech presents a perfect ‘next step’ for him. Tech is in a major conference. Tech already has a winning record the last 11 years. Tech already goes to a bowl regularly. Tech already has great recruits over the last couple of years (the cupboard is not bare). The money at Tech would be up there with the other major coaching jobs in the nation.
Yes, there would be pressure to win immediately at Tech. But at what school won’t there be pressure to win?????? Alabama? Notre Dame? Give me a break!
A better question would be - why won’t Paul J. take the Tech job, if offered?
By RuffBuzz
December 5, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
Tenuta is gone to LSU if he does not get the head coaching job. Not a horrible loss. His defense is definitely overrated.
Mike Hatcher is the ONLY choice. Wake up and call him and bring him in.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
GA Dawg…We couldn’t beat Wake Forest with 300 yards rushing because (1) our defense stunk up the place, (2) we fumbled the ball three times (3) Wake Forest can recruit better athletes than can Navy. Wake Forest should line up and beat Navy 10 games out of 10, just like Georgia Tech should or Boston College should or just about any other school in Division 1.
Navy shouldn’t even be on the field with Notre Dame, even this year. But Navy plays close games (and won this year) and the difference was coaching. Take Paul Johnson’s coaching with the talent that can be attracted to Georgia Tech, and I think Georgia Tech could easily win the ACC.
Finally, the way Navy’s option beats those ACC linebackers at Boston College or Wake Forest is because the way Johnson crosses up the keys. Johnson is smart enough to make that linebacker’s first step go where it needs to go to make the running play successful. And even with Navy’s inferior talent and speed, that one wrong step by the linebacker is enough to get 6 yards on the fullback dive or 16 yards on the pitch.
By merritt
December 5, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
I thought Terry Bowden was interested in coaching again. He has a proven record at an SEC school, so why isn’t he being given consideration? If he can coach at the SEC level, then surely he can stand up to the ACC competition level.
By John
December 5, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
I agree, Bobby Johnson would be an outstanding choice for Tech.
By Hank
December 5, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
I’m glad to hear that DRAD is seeking an energetic personality, however he will grow weary of the tired leadership at Georgia Tech. The ranks of the administration are filled with sycophants and lickspittles riding out the string to retirement.
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Guys I gotta run. Good luck over the next few weeks finding a coach. My final thoughts. 1. Paul Johnson’s current play book is worthless to Tech- The ACC defenses are too fast to run the option. He will have to start over. 2. Hire Paul Johnson and you lose Tenuta. Jon Tenuta has built one of the most exciting and dominating defenses in college football over the past few years.
3. usna77, Tech is a harder school than Nancy… I mean Navy. Stop suggesting that the difficult curriculum is an excuse for why Navy can’t beat the likes of Wake.
By Had it with Tickle Piles
December 5, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Someone needs to throw Yellowblood under a bus. He’s an a*******hole and need too be blocked by the AJC from posting.
By Don
December 5, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
where is Pepper Rodgers when you need him…..??
By Harry
December 5, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
OK GA Dawg, you win. Paul Johnson is a loser. Now, I dare you to schedule SMU if Paul Johnson is there. Better not. I’m warning you.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
GA Dawg — From your comments, it is apparent that you have never seen Navy play football, and have no idea of Paul Johnson’s offense.
By StingerSplash
December 5, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Mike Hatcher is the ONLY choice. Wake up and call him and bring him in.
WTF is Mike Hatcher?
By usna77
December 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
To Just Me — Johnson has a 14 year old daughter, who has grown up in Annapolis. That might keep him at Navy for a few more years. And by then, Clemson will certainly grow tired of Tommy Bowden’s underachieving teams.
Otherwise, Georgia Tech would be a great move for him now.
By Cliff
December 5, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
Paul Johnson will win and win big wherever he goes. His offense has worked everywhere he has been. Look at the sorry offense Tech has has the past few years…could it get any worse?
By To unsa77
December 5, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
GA Dawg was just an a-hole trying to stir some s—t. He’s a worthless moron who doesn’t know is butt from the hole in his head.
By Don
December 5, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
Where is Pepper Rodgers when you need him??
By gtbonus
December 5, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
I would just assume we quit playing football all together than hire a U[sic]GA grad.
By Vandy1
December 5, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
Do you think Tech could get Bobby Johnson. I sure would hate to see him leave Vandy.
By Cliff
December 5, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
Maybe GADawg has conveniently forgotten the numbers Paul Johnson’s offense put up on the “dawgs” with a 1-AA offensive line. Imagine what he would do with 1-A talent……
By GT Ticket Holder
December 5, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Did anyone read the USA Today today? There is a complete listing of all the major, and some not so major, public schools’ head coaches’ income. Interestingly Navy paid PJ $1,049,311 in pure salary. Gailey made a maximum of $1,039,347 if he maxed out all the bonuses. SMU paid their coach a straight salary of $517,857 last year. So either school will have to pony up more money to get PJ.
Just about all decent sized schools paid their coach, with bonuses, at least $1 million. So, saying that Muschamp stayed at Auburn because they made him a “sweet deal” just doesn’t seem logical since DC’s don’t make $1 million anywhere. Even though Tenuta may be lacking in some personality skills (maybe yes, maybe no - I don’t know the man) he would like to be a HC somewhere just for the money. Duh. The dramatic escalation in HC incomes in the last couple of years makes everyone, including me, want to be a HC. Pick up a USA Today and check out the front page article, and follow up article in the sports section, on this subject.
Anon, I agree with you, we should be talking to Bobby Johnson from Vandy, too.
Personally, I think Tenuta already has the job because the players think so much of him. Unfortunately this is not a great reason to make him HC. Look how Randy Shannon, the players favorite at Miami, worked out this year.
I vote for PJ and keep Giff Smith above all other assistants due to his success at recruiting the last two years.
By Bubba Smith
December 5, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
USNA 77, My hunch is that if PJ goes. Nuimtalolo is offered HC at Navy. I don’t think it’s a bad move.
GA DAWG, Cool it partner, and my father sends his warm regards to your mama.
By gtdean
December 5, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
DRad needs to kick Clough in the Balls & tell the OLD $ Farts to stick it where the sun don’t shine. I will commit to up my donations if they hire PJ…Money should not be an option.
To Hell with the blue hairs for nixing the Muschamp deal. To Hell with Clough. Most importantly, to HELL with Dave Braine(less)…if I EVER see that son-of-a-b***, I will kick his A$$ to the tune of $5 Million dollars that he F* Georgia Tech over!
By This is true
December 5, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
If Bama had hired Johnson last year, they would have won 9 or 10 games this year.
By gtdean
December 5, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
To HELL with Georgia
By blazer
December 5, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
IF JOHNSON DOESN’T TAKE IT RIGHT NOW
THEN GET CHRIS HATCHER!!!!!!!!
By Nolan School
December 5, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
A Tech man for life, the North Avenue Trade School can kiss my rusty a* for not giving Charlie Strong a shot at turning Tech around.
In America’s most progressive black city I find that Tech has determined to remain in lock-step with a mentality which has guaranteed seasons of mediocrity for years to come.
To recruit the worthy urban athlete, to get them excited about playing in one of the world’s most dynamic cities you need a coach with Charlie’s proven recruiting skills and energy on the sidelines.
Tech has chosen to cut Chan loose in a year when proven head coaches are being fired left and right and the market, always thin, is damn near empty.
I agree, Johnson probably takes one look at the challenges at Tech and the last game of each season and realizes the money and the potential is in Texas.
Tenuta if no one else, five years until another search begins…or Tech applies for membership in the Southern COnference where it might be competitive.
By Navy Fan
December 5, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Johnson is a tough man to hire because of his scheme driven offense, his tendancy to but heads with the press, his truthful abrassiveness (he called a Navy performance this season “double freaking awful” in the Annapolis paper) and his hefty price tag. He makes somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.6M per at Navy.
With Johnson, Tech would instantly become a winner in the ACC, and they would start beating Georgia again.
Also, Johnson does have the ability to adapt his offense around the talent available, but don’t think for a second that he will abandon “the spread” if he goes to Tech.
Johnson calls his offense “the spread” and he never runs plays out of the flexbone or wishbone formations. A typical Johnson formation includes 2 wideouts, 2 slots, a QB and a Fullback. He doesn’t use tight ends at all. For more on Johnson’s supposed “passing” offense at Hawaii, see this link:
http://thebirddog.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/ka-moolelo-o-ke-kulele-hawaii/
Johnson will run the same offense he runs at Navy at GT IF he even goes there. He will also do it successfully and it won’t be controversial or detrimental to recruiting as long as Tech is piling on the points and winning games (see: Rich Rodriguez’s Johnson-esque offensive scheme at WVU). Sure you want PJ. We all know he’s a great coach, but y’all gotta understand exactly what you’re asking for here…
p.s., Tony Barnhart is a garbage reporter
By GT GRAD
December 5, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
Why is June Jones not mentioned by any of the media as a legitimate candidate?
The combination of Jones and Tenuta would be exciting and very effective in college!!
By Navy Fan
December 5, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
PJ made more like $1.6M this year in Annapolis. He received huge bonuses for beating Air Force, Army, and Notre Dame; as well as a nice fat check for making it to a bowl game. Not to mention that he has the best job security in College Football and a revolving six year contract which adds a year after each season.
If he goes to Tech, it will take a long term deal at about $2M per.
By Yellowblood
December 5, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
We should get down to a serious discussion about the Tickle Pile situation. Now its my understanding that that alumni tailgate for the Boise Bowl is going to be “Tickled Blue 2007”? I think thats a great idea and commend those who came up with it. I thought we could also play a breath taking game of “hide the spud” since of course Idaho is famous for their potatos. The idea is pretty simple, it pretty much falls under the same Tickle Pile format we have here at Tech.
By DD
December 5, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Tech Fan base….. What is that 13 people. D’OH!
By Tommy Allison
December 5, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
When was Tenuta a Head Coach. Charlie Strong was told they were looking for someone with head coaching experience.
By ghgh
December 5, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
PLEASE hire Tenuta!! The MOST overated coach in the country!!!!
By Navy Fan
December 5, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Correction: Paul Johnson shares the title of “most secure well-paying coaching position in the country” with June Jones.
I am a Navy alum and avid fan, and I spent the last two years living in Hawaii watching Jones’ warriors dazzle the senses. June Jones could run for Governor of Hawaii and get elected in a landslide. Paul Johnson is practically a messiah to Navy fans. Both make tons of dough and there’s no way June Jones is leaving the tropical paradise of Hawaii to coach in Atlanta again.
PJ might come to Tech IF y’all agree to give him everything he wants (money, staff, facilities, budget) just so that he can prove to the world that he can win in a BCS conference with his Triple-option “Spread” offense. He will not change his offense if he comes to Tech, but y’all will learn to love it…
By Navy73
December 5, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
I like what I hear from GA Dawg and John. PJ is ugly and dumb.
You guys know anyone at SMU to spread the word?
By JustMe
December 5, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
GT Grad,
June Jones has been offered many other coaching jobs while he has been at Hawaii. He repeatedly makes it perfectly clear that he has no interest in other jobs or moving away from Hawaii.
Do you blame him?
He is one of the few coaches that won’t move no matter what. O’Leary also falls into that category. They are near retirement, live in a warm retirement area already, don’t need more money, are not aspiring to something better, and won’t consider a change.
By The Duke
December 5, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Looks like “The Man” continues to keep people down….Obviously this is the reason since Charlie is overqualified and would surely win a national title at tech…..He could always interview at UCLA….they are not afraid to hire a minority candidate…or show him the door.
By jacketbuzz
December 5, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
How about Mack Brown or Bob Stoops? They would probably rather live in downtown atlanta in a condo than out there in the west with all those tornadoes. They might get mugged a few times by street thugs, but that’s better than your house blowing away.
By JacketGrad07
December 5, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Once again: Paul Johnson is a lose-lose situation. Either he’ll fail to live up to the hype, or he’ll turn the program around and then leave for another school. That’s what GT is for most of the well respected coaches: a stepping stone from a minor program like Navy to a great paying, easy to recruit for program like Michigan or Notre Dame.
Tenuta might also fail to live up to the hype, but there is at least a good chance that if he succeeds that HC at Tech will be his career, rather than a bullet point on his resume. Hire Tenuta
By JustMe
December 5, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Yellowblood (Sam Cunningham at Emory University)…. You are very sick and need professional help. For your own sake, please go see the Emory psychiatrist. Because you were denied a GA Tech baseball scholarship and then denied acceptance into GA Tech seems to have really ruined your life - you need help.
I have never seen someone continue, for over a year, to hold onto rejection like you do.
By PTC DAWG
December 5, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Do the GT people not know that the school was started by a UGA Grad?
By Steven
December 5, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
Tony,
I have heard almost the exact opposite of what you say here.
I would love to know where you got your info., but I would just like to know how reliable your source, I will take that bit knowing you will not give up the actual source.
By biz
December 5, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
To all you smart Paul Johnson nay-sayers… He’s known as an offensive guru and works best with what he has. Navy ran the option because they had a QB who couldnt pass. At GSU he ran the same thing because he had a horse named Adrian Peterson (The real AP, Chi Bears). Oh, and I forgot to mention that he ran the spread at Hawaii… What more do you want? Maybe he should run a pro style like Miami and finish up with a 5-7 record? He’s had success at every place he’s touched! GT has so many bright spots on offense, I think he’d enjoy picking the brains of the rest of the ACC. Go GT!!!
ME 06
By The Truth
December 5, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
Face it Geeks you have to either offer your job to a I-AA coach or a coordinator from another school….No decent coach in his right mind would sign up for your miserable excuse of a program…Mack Brown or Bob Stoops? Quit sniffing the glue in chem lab…
By usna77
December 5, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
To Navy Fan … nice synopsis of the Navy offense. For those unfamiliar with that offense, the result is spreading the ball around…Navy has seven different players with more than 400 yards rushing this season, and all seven average at least 4.8 yards per rush. Not only is that winning football, it is fun football to watch.
While the two fullbacks (Kettani and Ballard) have combined for 1400 yards on the season, much of the rushing yards come from the slotbacks on quick pitches and the option. Yards come in big chunks. The longest run from scrimmage actually belongs to the quarterback, Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, with a 80 yard touchdown run.
In that record-setting game against North Texas, which Navy won 72-64, Navy was 4 for 6 for 108 yards passing, and one of those was a 41-yard touchdown pass. Navy also had touchdown runs of 64 yards (Shun White), 21 yards (Reggie Campbell), and 65 yards (Zerbin Singleton). That’s not 3 yards and a cloud of dust.
By BuzzFactor
December 5, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
bottom line, either way we go is a gamble, it always is. Tenuta, P.Johnson, B.Johnson, or Neuheisel.
But I think Neuheisel is ready for a comeback to college and he’s the best coach available. He won’t reapeat his past mistakes.
By Darius
December 5, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Thus far, Radakovich is not looking at any candidates that meet the criteria he laid out when he fired Chan. I, for one, am completely unimpressed with Radakovich and how he has conducted this process.
By the way, how can Charlie Strong be eliminated from consideration because he does not have HC experience but Tenuta appears to be one of the two finalists and also does not have HC experience?
By southgajacket
December 5, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
If it is truly down to Johnson and Tenuta we are screwed! We will never win in the ACC running the option and Tenuta has as much business being a head coach as I do being a heart surgeon!! We missed our man in Hatcher if he really is no longer a candidate. Would have been just as well keeping Chan. DRAD, your performance under pressure is not looking good right now, my advice to you, grow a set of nuts and hire Hatcher before it is too late!! Otherwise we are about to enter the second Bill Lewis era!! Mark my words!!
By JustMe
December 5, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
IMHO, here is what my crystal ball is telling me about Tech….
Wants Paul J. Will offer him job, but will offer be good enough for him to accept?
If Paul J. doesn’t accept, hopes that Hatcher will be interested. If not, then….
Tenuta would be the man.
By GA Fan 2005
December 5, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
North Texas won 2 games this year in the sun belt conference. Then they gave Florida International their sole win of the season. My high school team could put those kind of numbers up against North Texas.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Paul Johnson whipped Jim Tressel (Ga Southern vs. Youngstown State). Paul Johnson whipped Bobby Johnson (Ga Southern vs Furman and Navy vs Vanderbilt).
I guess “charisma” and some notion of what college offenses should really be are more important than winning.
Johnson needs to stay in Annapolis, where he will be revered.
By GSEAGLE
December 5, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
We’d take Paul Johnson back in a HEARTBEAT! You all have no idea just how good this guy is. Georgia Southern and Navy fans in the Atlanta area would go NUTS watching him coach at Tech if our schools aren’t playing. You will not believe how exciting his offense is to watch. His favorite colors have got to be BLUE, GOLD AND WHITE! Pay the man, you will not regret it. And John, he owns Jim Tressell
By Observer
December 5, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
When did Chris Hatcher change his name to Mike?
By GA Fan 2005
December 5, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Oh and how do you consider giving up 64 points to North Texas fun?
By Yellowbloods Mama
December 5, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Well at least I know that whom ever GT hires they will still loses as many games as they win so the Tickles Piles will just keep getting louder and louder in my son’s room.
Oh, I hear Ray Goff is interested!
By tigerman
December 5, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Is Mark Richt available? Tech should hire him, since they can’t beat him.
By Dante
December 5, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
I’m not so sure SMU would take long to get competitive in C-USA. They were bowl eligible last year but in that 3rd World conference 6-6 doesn’t get you a game. If he could right the ship at SMU, he could land a high paying job in a BCS school in a few years. And given the current status of SMU, he’ll be under a lot less pressure to get things going. Half the Tech fans just on this board think that Johnson will magically come in and start winning the conference and beating UGA on a regular basis if hired. If Johnson can just get SMU to a bowl in the next 4 years, they’ll be happy. SMU had the delusion of national importance beaten out of them a long time ago.
By footballprogramisaWreck
December 5, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
Johnson is a HOT coaching candidate, alright. We are in competition with SMU, Georgia STATE and Navy. Our program is clearly in the national elite! A has been, a wanna be and an academy. I hope we can compete with them… Maybe if we throw in some cheese fries with our “family package” of 4 tix, parking, magazines, hats, pizza, cokes for $40,” we can fill the stands. Go Jackets!
By Bobby
December 5, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
It is always a gamble. Bobby Johnson has taken over two programs in poor shape (with difficult academic requirements) and made one into a championship team and the other very competitive in the SEC (when they have no business competing).
By Navy Fan
December 5, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
To biz and everyone else who thinks Johnson will pass at Tech: you are dead wrong. The “spread” offense he runs at Navy is the same as the spread that he implemented at GSU and during previous stops as offensive cooridinator at Navy, Hawaii, and GSU.
Once again, the link explaining Johnson’s supposed “passing” offense at UH during the mid-90’s:
http://thebirddog.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/ka-moolelo-o-ke-kulele-hawaii/
Don’t fret though, PJ’s offense is as exciting as they come and y’all will come to love it…even your typical tech fan who knows nothing whatsoever about college football (God, I hate Tech). What will PJ’s offense look like at Tech? Think: rich Rodriguez’s offense at WVU.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Well GA fan, I consider winning fun. Like Paul Johnson says, whether the score is 74-62, or 2-0, the only thing that matters is scoring more points than the other team.
Unless you’re some kind of football snob, when winning is less important than running the right kind of offensive scheme.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
December 5, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Hire Paul Johnson today!! He will do a great job. I can promise you the offense will score more consistently than it has over the past few years.
In regards to the option, anything that keeps the offense on the field and the defense rested will make Tenuta’s style of defense even more effective.
HIRE HIM NOW!!
By 2N4YEARS
December 5, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Funny thing is while Paul Johnson is a good coach it still won’t garrantee a ‘W’ over UGA. UGA’s ‘D’ does exceptionally well against the ‘Spread’ offence (see FLORIDA). Although some teams just haven’t found out how to stop it, UGA has.
By Brad30
December 5, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Has anyone considered Mike Singletary? There were a few mentions regarding the Baylor job, but his stature, bearing, and intesity would be welcomed. Talking to recruits and shaking hands with a super bowl ring would seem to be a good thing from seeing him in the media.
By Buzzard
December 5, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Will Muschamp was not told he would not be hired because he is a UGA man. The assertion that anyone from inside the Tech leadership team would ever say that is ridicules. You don’t think they would hire MR if they had the chance? Is this some sort of way adding to the “good old fashioned hate”? The reason Will did not get the job is that he is too young and inexperienced to beat out Tenuta. Will, may very well turn out to be a fantastic head coach some day. But the down sides risk of a “Lewis” type disaster is too great to chance it. Can you imagine what back to back loosing seasons with 8 plus loses would do to the program and budget? Hatcher is an even bigger risk. (He must have his entire family posting to the message boards for him BTW.) DRad knows Tenuta and knows what he is getting – a very big plus when trying to fill a key job.
Bottom line - We are in great shape with either Tenuta or Johnson. I personally think Tenuta would be great and would hire a first rate coordinator (if Bond isn’t one). He has tremendous contracts among college coaches and understands offensive strategy better than many OCs. With JT, the great recruiting class will stay more or less in tact. Regarding either Johnson’s or Tenuta’s skills with PR and the alumni, please keep in mind that Bobby Ross was not gifted in that area either.
By Tech Man
December 5, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
It’s funny to see the puppies on hear trying to stir an anti-Paul Johnson skew to the comments. They do not want to see him at Tech, because they don’t want to lose to us. C’mon DRad, hire Paul Johnson now.
By UGA Fan
December 5, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
NERDS!!!!!!
By GA Fan 2005
December 5, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
No usna77, I do enjoy winning, but I have no respect for a program that gives up 64 points enrout. I one think one-sided football is crap. I also think that GA Tech would be fools to lose Tenuta -one of the greated DCs in the game- for some guy who is going to try to win this way.
By Dawg
December 5, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
As a college football fan, I have to say that Tech is in trouble if they don’t get Johnson. As a UGA fan, I hope they are in trouble! But seriously, I think your AD should have known who he was going to hire before he made this move. I understand that the Tech fans are not satisfied and want to beat Georgia. But, a candidate will look at the previous coaches record and say you want me to do better than that and beat Georgia. No one would want to come into this state and battle Mark Richt and try to beat UGA. I admit the Tech program has some tradition of winning, but your asking for a coach who might not be willing to step into this situation. The Georgia football program has never been stronger. Tech will beat Georgia again, I just can’t tell you when that will be and neither can you. Good luck on getting Johnson, he your best chance.
By athdawg
December 5, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Tech won’t hire Johnson because he’s not pretty enough, they won’t hire Strong b/c he has not head experience, and Muschamp, also with no head experience, is a Dawg. My hope is that you do hire Tenuta. He will divide the Tech ‘faithful’ and do a worse job than Chan ever has. He’s the most overrated d/c in the U.S. and nothing points to him being any better as head bee. Enjoy Idaho. GO DAWGS, eight straight is coming next year!
By Yeah right
December 5, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
UGA knows how to stop Florida’s spread alright … have another team hurt Tebow before the game.
By Navy Fan
December 5, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
The score in Annapolis when Navy hosted Tech in 2001: 70-7. That was before we hired Johnson.
I will never forgive Tech for that display of nauseatingly savage “sportsmanship.” The deliberately ran up the score and since the PJ era has commenced at Navy, I’ve been hoping and praying to draw Tech in a bowl to get our revenge. PJ’s 04, 05 and 06 teams would have handled Tech easily in a bowl. Our team this year would give Tech a run.
Please don’t take my coach. Maybe he’ll have mercy on us Navy fans and just go to SMU (where the money is) or Duke (where he will consistantly beat Tech) instead…
By Yeah right
December 5, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
UGA knows how to stop Florida’s spread alright … have another team hurt Tebow before the game.
By Blue Fox
December 5, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
DRad and WC should hire PJ TODAY, don’t let him get back on a plan without a news conference announcement that he’s our guy. If we can come up with $4M to oust CG, then surely we can compete with SMU for PJ’s services. Tenuta as HC frankly scares me, we’ve intentionally kept him away from the press all these years for fear that the “loose cannon/Mr. Hyde” in him would come out. PJ will straighten out the offense, Tenuta will continue as the excellent DC he is if Johnson wants him.
By Russ
December 5, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
BRING ON THE HATCH ATTACK!!! Chris Hatcher is the RIGHT MAN for the job… Tech we need to stop hiring old men!
By DirtDobber
December 5, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
Sorry dudes but an UGA candidate would never fly . Forget it .
By Ramblin Wrecker
December 5, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
2N4Years,
I guess you must be some sort of football genius. Because you are the only one who sees UGA’s win over Florida as “handling” the spread offense. Tim Tebow had a hurt shoulder and it was painfully obvious from the first snap that Florida had no intentions of calling Tebow running plays all day like they normally do. And there was this little game against West Virginia a couple years ago that I remember. How you do against the spread offense that day? About as well as GT did last year. If your analysis of college football can’t get beyond who won or lost, then stop wasting other people’s time with your nonsense blog entries.
By JacketsFaninDC
December 5, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
This hiring process is a joke. DRad won’t give up and comers like Muschamp and Charlie Strong a change for ridiculous reasons but he wants a coach wants to run an option offense in a major football conference. Paul Johnson would be crazy to leave the Navy, Annapolis is a great city and they will be building statues for him in a few years. Also, the obsession with just beating UGA needs to subside..what satisfaction is there when you beat the Dawgs at 6-5 and 7-4..an upgrade to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. For Pete’s sake beat UVA, VA Tech, and Miami first, hell at least be able to beat Maryland on a consistent basis before worrying about the DAWGS….Plus upgrade the Basketball facilities so there is reason for young superstars to stick around longer than a season so much talent on this team but it won’t come together until the first game of the NIT.
By DirtDobber
December 5, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
Dont know much about PJ but I do not see the energetic traits in him that allegedly are on the shopping list . Some one set me straight and I will believe .
By BuzzFactor
December 5, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
There is not a single candidate that everyone is going to love. So don’t be a bunch of whiners when the decision is made. It looks like 2 guys to choose from and both are good choices in their own strengths. The ‘make or breaks’ will be who the new guy brings in with him.
By WetHog
December 5, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
As a season ticket holder at Navy I feel safe in saying that Paul Johnson would not be a good fit at GT. He’s ugly, excellent offensive coach, has had success everywhere he’s been the Head Coach, and he is ugly. And finally, Paul Johnson is just to good for GT. I hope he wakes up and understands how good he has it in Annapolis. He is the toast of the town, and could take a crap on the Mayor’s desk and she would offer to whipe his butt. Could Paul Johnson ever get away with doing that at GT? Didn’t think so.
And as for having “inferior” talent at Navy I say Bull——! Bring a group of GT students/players up to Annapolis and lets see if they could spend just 1 day doing what Mids have to do everyday. The only thing holding back the Navy Football team is the height/weight restrictions and a 5 year military commitment. Other than that any other College player out there couldn’t hold the jock of Military Academy student atheletes. You might beat them on the playing field, but they will beat you in the game of life.
By Irate GT Grad and Fan
December 5, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
Looks we have our own Bobby Louders who have gottn way too involved and will NOT let Radakovich do the job he was hired to do - Hubert “Herky” Harris and Don Chapman. These rich old farts are putting themselves before the good of the GT football program. We must not allow this to continue!!
By Tech Sucks
December 5, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
You guys should hire Karl Dorrell.
By DirtDobber
December 5, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
Going to have to asssume your article is based on rumor. The story promotes BLOG lines and yes, it worked so congrats Tom Barnhart.
Just wondering why GT would interview any coach that did not initially meet their hiring criteria . For example, prior head coaching experience was a criteria for hire yet you mentioned at least two candidates interviewed who had no such experience.
Was this just to enable a check in the box ? Why do we play such games and waste the time and money of people ?
If all you have said is true then I am now extremely worried about the selection process and whether a better candidate has in fact been overlooked.
Am not real happy with the GT Admin right now . They have much ground to make up after past sins . They better not screw up again or more heads will roll.
By pvb
December 5, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
If Muschamp was told he could not have the job because he was a Georgia graduate, why in the world did they interview him in the first place? Did they not know this until the interview?
Sounds like North Avenue College has some outstanding leadership at the helm!
By Wet Pig
December 5, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
Navy can kick the crap out of any division 1-AA team out there. We have at least twice as many excuses as anyone from Georgia Tech. In my opinion, Navy is a difficult school even though Georgia Tech is ranked as being more difficult by US News and World Report. Please believe me! Please! I’m begging you! We really are good. I promise.
By GT Fan Jeff
December 5, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
Sure are a lot of puppies on this blog for a group that professes to no longer consider GT a rival, huh??? I am so happy to finally get rid of Chan, I will gladly accept D Rad’s choice and increase my support of GT in the years ahead regardless of who the new HC is. Go Jackets!!!
By Buckdawg
December 5, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
To GTZealot: “What’s the good word?” …7 IN A ROW!! Go Dawgs!!
By Dini
December 5, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Johnson is coming. Don’t expect overnight success, but starting right away it will be a lot more exciting than it has been (see Navy Fan above). Johnson can coach, and Grant Field is about to become a fun place to spend a Saturday afternoon. Now if we can get rid of some of the silly timeout ‘entertainment.’
By Goat Fan
December 5, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
You folks who are questioning Paul Johnson are, well, to put it politely, not well informed.
I’ve watched him for 6 years at Navy, the man is a genius offensively. If he goes to Tech (and I pray he does not) there is no guarantee he will use a spread option. At Hawaii he ran a pro set and threw the ball like Air Coryel. He fits the offense to the players he can get. At Navy (or any Service Academy) you can’t get the players to run a pro set offense. You have to use sometihng like the spread option.
The defense is not playing well this year because of injuries and youth. Navy had 2 returning starters from last year on D and lost both to season ending injuries in the first two games. 9 of 11 starters are freshmen (true freshmen) and sophomores. They’ve used 10 different starting CBs so far due to injuries.
Ya’ll would be nuts not to take Johnson if he wants to coach there.
By Tech Fan
December 5, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Hey WetHog, You wanna come take a poop on my desk? I’ll wipe your a*. And for the record, life is not a game. Unless you consider months out at see with only big sweaty men a game. mmmm…big sweaty men. You like that dont you. I dont think Paul Johnson is going to do that great of a job anyway. Not enough at least. You can keep him.
By Will
December 5, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
The two “soon to be vacant” coaching situations in Fla bother me as a Dawg fan. By that I mean, the Fla State- Miami openings that will occur in the next few years. Just in case CMR gets an offer he can’t refuse, it would be nice to be able to pluck Hatcher out of GA Southern. He is a winner and will be a awesome recruiter in this state. I hope GT doesn’t get him.
By You People Don't know Football
December 5, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Remember FSU of always in the top 5 finishes. Man to Man Corners and wait for it CRASHING DE’s. To stop the DE from always crashing offenses went to and still use the OPTION. The running back and or slotback may get to the pitch point in different ways but the QB READS the DE and OPTIONS either a keep or pitch. FL, WV, TX, KS, Mizou ad nauseum all do it. The OPTION is not a point in this discussion. AND the option is not some relic of by gone times due to speed. In fact it is the preferred method to attack speed at DE.
By Navy Fan is an idiot
December 5, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Hey Navy Fan,
You are an absolute idiot- no Navy team in recent history could have “handled” tech. And please explain your comment about Duke beating Tech on a consistent basis? Go back to the obstacle course knob and apologize to your drill sargent for being dumb.
By WetHog
December 5, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
On a serious note I hope GT does hire Paul Johnson. I am at least smart enough to realize that Paul Johnson will not hang around Annapolis forever and at least I will be able to follow his career if he goes to GT and stays in the ACC. Plus I can count on him to beat the Turtles from Maryland whenever they play.
To you Tech fans out there you will be lucky to have Paul Johnson. He is a wizard when it comes to scoring points and he will deliever results right away. Watching his work over the last 5 years at least has proven that. He has taken a football team that was lucky to play 1 good game a year and that was against Army. Every other game was a crap shoot. If he can do that at Navy think what he will do at GT. Also take into account his ties to the area from his time at Georgia Southern. Its a win win and if Paul Johnson must leave Annapolis GT seems to be his best fit.
Plus I would like to see GT get competitive with Georgia for again. I can’t stand Georgia and their ugly —- dog.
By WGJacket
December 5, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Why do so many people think a defensive oriented head coach can’t hire a top offensive coordinator and turn it over to him? It seemed to work with George O’Leary and Ralph Friedgen.
By son_sir
December 5, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
I’m wondering if some of the negative comments about Paul Johnson are actually Mutts in disguise. Anyone with half a brain sees that he is tailor made for GT. Do whatever it takes and get PJ on The Flats !!!
By usna77
December 5, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Since 1973 (my plebe year at Annapolis)…. Georgia Tech and Navy have met 12 times, with the Jackets holding a 7-5 record, including winning the last four meetings.
Last Navy win was in 1996, when Navy quarterback Chris McCoy led Navy to a 36-26 win. McCoy, from Albany, GA, was told he was not good enough to play for Georgia Tech.
By Tech Fan
December 5, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
WetHog, Did you grow up next to power lines?
By usna77
December 5, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Since 1973 (my plebe year at Annapolis)…. Georgia Tech and Navy have met 12 times, with the Jackets holding a 7-5 record, including winning the last four meetings.
Last Navy win was in 1996, when Navy quarterback Chris McCoy led Navy to a 36-26 win. McCoy, from Albany, GA, was told he was not good enough to play for Georgia Tech.
By Steve in DC
December 5, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Dude, Tech (and others) are going to be kicking themselves in a few years when Charlie Strong is at some other SEC or ACC program, racking up 9-10 wins a year. Unbelievable that guy hasn’t had a sniff at a head coaching job yet. As a UGA fan, I always hated seeing him on the sidelines when we played Florida or USC, because that guy has consistently been one of the top 2 or 3 coordinators in the SEC, with unbelievable recruiting ties. Spurrier often ran through coordinators, but he loved Charlie Strong.
Just a crying shame that Tech won’t give him a better shot or hire him outright. This reeks of Shula over Croom at Alabama, except for the school ties and the even deeper latent inherent racism in that situation.
By goalielax
December 5, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
A PJ lead offense beat GT down in atlanta when I was a Mid in the late 1990’s. Listened to it on AM radio up in annapolis…t’was a thing of beauty.
By usna77
December 5, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the duplicate post…
And Georgia Tech has won the last three meetings with Navy, not the last four.
By ET
December 5, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
Recruiting is more important to Tech than scheme. If UGA has vastly superior athletes, it won’t matter whether Tech runs the Paul Johnson offense or the Notre Dame box.
By Jacketman
December 5, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
I agree Strong deserves additional consideration but…Tech has a minority head basketball coach, Head Womens Tennis Coach (others) so kindly drop the racism routine in regard to this athletic dept.
By C. Gailey
December 5, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Hey guys! I’ll come back for 1/2 my old salary. I’ll even let Bond call the plays this time…FOR REAL! I’ve got NFL experience and I think I understand now how important it is to beat UGA. I’m a kindler, gentler Chan Gailey and I miss my 9-5 at GT!! Can I come back now?
By Navy fan
December 5, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Navy could have “handled” a mediocre Tech bowl team last year. Navy lost to a 10-3 BC team in the Meineke Car Care Bowl 25-24. Paul Johnson’s Midshipmen had the game wrapped up until a late fumble on a pitch-out to Reggie Campbell when all Navy needed was a first down to run out the clock for a 24-22 victory (the single worst playcall of the PJ era at Navy). I know that Tech didn’t play BC last year, but Navy controlled the BC game, and we all know how Tech fared against an almost identical (with the same 10-3 record) BC team this year.
Since the beginning of the 2003 season, Paul Johnson’s Navy team has posted a record of 10-9 against BCS conference opponents, with 3 of those losses by 3 points or fewer. This at Navy, which won exactly 1 game combined in the 2 seasons immediately preceeding Johnson’s arrival.
PJ is an incredible coach, and you better hope he either signs with Tech, stays at Navy, or heads to SMU; because if he goes to Duke, expect a Wake Forest-esque football revival.
By Yellowblood
December 5, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Well, I still haven’t heard a coaching candidate that has fully addressed the tickle pile issue. He has to be willing to go to tickle pile training in the all male community showers in Tech’s dorms.
By gtne80
December 5, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Truthfully, I have not heard a candidate mentioned yet that energizes me in the least. The criteria that Radakovich discussed in his earlier interview just doesn’t apply to Hatcher, Tenuta, Johnson, Edsall, Strong, Muschamp, et. al.
More names have been mentioned that scared the hell out of me than gave me any sign of promise. Names such as Neuheisel, Cutcliffe and (Good GOD) Terry Bowden, make me wonder if Reuben Houston is back in business and has regular customers in the GTAA.
I know I’m being repetitive to earlier posts, but I will repeat my position on this. I did not want Gailey to be hired. I was in favor of his firing before he ever coached a minute. I’ve been in favor of his firing all along UNTIL this off-season. The decision was correct, but the timing was ALL WRONG.
Our administration appears to have botched this situation in the worst way. We are currently without a head coach (although were are obligated to pay our freshly fired one over a million a year for 4 more years). Suitable candidates don’t exist. Marginal candidates are dropping off the radar on a daily basis.
We should have held onto Gailey for one or even two more years and burned out some of his contract. No way we could have alienated any more fans than we have already alienated. In a couple of years, we should have BEFORE we fired the coach, we should have had a very solid list of qualified candidates and if possible, should have had an informal agreement with our first choice BEFORE getting rid of the old guy.
The way things stand, we are hung out to dry.
I hope I’m wrong. I hope there’s a mystery candidate out there somewhere.
Taking a chance on Johnson or Hatcher appears to be our best choices at this point. You never know what you are going to get in these cases. Let’s hope Johnson isn’t another Bill Lewis (an attractive candidate that has turned around some smaller programs). If we go with Hatcher, let’s hope that he isn’t another Gailey (successful on the small stage but can’t make the jump on the big stage.)
By DanRad
December 5, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Calm down Tech folks. Look, I told you we would get a great coach. We wre overwhelmed by the response. We had to reject many head coaches who really wanted to come to Tech. Ted Roof, Ed Oregeron, the SMU coach, The Baylor coach, and I could go on and on. However the one who fit my bill was Will Muschamp but I did not want to pay him what he wanted to get rid of all his red sweaters and by Yellow. I like Tenuta and Johnson cause they remind you a lot of Chan. All business and not too worried about what the media or big hitting alumni feel So I will decide between those two and you can expect that we will do at least as well next year as this past few. After all we do have Duke, Samford, Army, NC St and NC on our schedule on a permanent basis so we have a good start. The coach is not all that important. S/ DR
By bigitme
December 5, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
Im calling BS on this one. I am a white male and not a GT fan at all but how does an AD tell a minority coach that he wants someone with HC experience but then Tenuta a white coach is a finalist. Charlie Strong would be and is the best candidate available. IF you dont want to hire a minority coach come out and say that, not the BS you stated. And cant gt over Muschamp going to UGA? Its a good thing that Auburn didnt have those same moronic thoughts. At a school of “smartpeople” your AD is a freakin idiot.
By GSEAGLE
December 5, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Looks like you all can’t afford PJ. He is expensive. Too bad.
By john
December 5, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
I think we should do whatever it takes to get Spurrier. He knows how to beat UGA.
Whoever we get - the first words out of his mouth at his first GT news conference better be ‘To Hell With Georgia!’ or I will not feel to good about the choice.
By Muschamp fan
December 5, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
The decision to not hire Muschamp because he went to UGA is beyond stupid! I suspect we’ll regret that decision some day. Tenuta isn’t HC material … if he gets the position it’ll be by default. And yes, I’m a GT grad….
By LESD
December 5, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
All this obsessing over temperament is absurd. Chan Gailey wasn’t fired because he’s bland. He was fired because he was 0-6 against Georgia. If a new coach can beat Georgia once every five years, no one will care how funny he is in post-game press conferences.
Maybe this personality debate helps explain why Tech football is so consistently mediocre: Winning football games isn’t high enough on the AD’s wish list.
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
I just read in a Baltimore newspaper that Paul Johnson makes 1.5 per for Navy. I then read in a Dallas news paper that SMU boosters have privately raised over 10 million for paul and his staff. With unrealistic expectations, fans who boo their own head coach, and shallow pockets, do you really think he will consider coaching for GT?
By GT
December 5, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
We lost the Frig, along with years ago Spurrier. Johnson reminds me of a young Gailey, Jon Tenuta has earned it and if we don’t pick him he will go somewhere else and come back and beat our ears in.
By notsofast
December 5, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe that Tech continues to step on its on ——(tail) time after time with coaches. First of all they hired Gailey - and took 5 years too long to figure out he didn’t work; and now they won’t hire Will Muschamp - who I think is one of the finest up and coming coaches - because he played at UGA?????? What the heck are they thinking? I have been a Tech fan all of my life - but this is really getting bad when you have to resort to just “somebody” to fill the slot. If you can’t find that “somebody” try Tenuta - he will likely leave anyway if they don’t offer him the position. And why not Neuheisel? Sure he has baggage - so does Hillary - and she may very well be our next President - talking about somebody who is always less than truthful. The bottom line is - Tech needs someone that can put the fire back into the program and make it a 1st tier team again - I’m tired of 2nd tier.
By MB
December 5, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
I am a Dawgs fan, but c’mon Tech, make a good hire! You won’t hire Muschamp because he was a Dawg? What a “great” reason! I have been waiting for Charlie Strong to be hired for years and I can’t wait to see the energy he brings with him! I guess the AD is afraid that some young and highly motivated coordinator will just use Tech as a stepping stone to something better later down the road. What a sham! it doesn’t matter, you won’t be beating the Dawgs anytime soon!
By TechCrybaby
December 5, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
ET, you are right: “Recruiting is more important to Tech than scheme.” I don’t blame Clough for Tech’s inability to recruit in depth. He’s just making the most of what he has to work with.
Broaden the curriculum, which doesn’t necessarily mean including “Speech Communication,” “Vacation Travel Evaluation,” and that old stand-by, “Creek Nation Basket-weaving.”
Broadening curriculum offerings will not ruin Tech, or make a Tech diploma less important. What it will do is put Tech in a challenging position for the football National Championship year after year. Ask Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
Give the next coach a “level playing field” on which to recruit.
Oh, yes - Hire Paul Johnson.
By GA Dawg
December 5, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
Tenuda is going to LSU.
By Yellowblood
December 5, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
I see that the official Humaitarian Bowl T-shirt this year will read, ” I got my spud tickled in Boise.”
Hope to see everyone at “Tickled Blue 2007” in a few weeks!
By headknocker
December 5, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
This is more of the same. You Tech boys will probably not be able to get a great coach this time around. I think you will end up settling for Tenuta. Tenuta is a great defensive mind, but if he was head coach material he would already be in that role. It is really sort of unfortunate. Even though I don’t like Tech (UGA Fan) it is a little embarrasing to see you going through this again.
Why don’t any really good coaches want to work for you? Is it just bad timing, is it the institution, or perhaps your leadership and trustees. Please don’t give me that tired old line about academics, plenty of academic schools have had great football teams. Tech had great teams under Bobby Ross. Virgina is a great academic school and is better than you, UNC has had good teams. In the SEC our only private school, Vanderbilt, is often competitive from year to year.
By keith
December 5, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Raymond Don’t you mean scured.Hes not the man for the job.
By oldfaithfuldawg
December 5, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Tech’s reasoning makes perfect sense. They won’t hire Hatcher because he’s a I-AA coach (like Tressel), or Cutcliff because he is just an off. cord.(like Mark Richt) or Charlie Strong because he is just a def. Cordinator (like Bob Stoops), or Will Muschamp because he’s a GA grad (like Pat Dye). It really makes perfect sense. They’re Tech and have not a clue.
By freezekalo72
December 5, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
What about the OC from Kentucky? Joker something, I heard he may be in the mix. Or at least that is what Rivals.com (jacketsonline.com) is saying. What yall think??
As far as Johnson, I don’t like his offense. I say we go after Jimbo Fisher, Cutcliff, or maybe this Joker from UK. But I don’t like that offense Johnson will bring. It won’t survive in the ACC!!!
By usna77
December 5, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
to freezekalo72…you’re right. Johnson’s offense won’t work in the ACC. For example, Johnson couldn’t beat Boston College last year in the bowl game (losing 25-24 in the final minute). If only Johnson were running a different offense, Navy might have won.
By BigNUTzpLaya
December 5, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Tech is a bunch of f*.
Who cares who they hire .. they will still suck a* and dicks.
By TechCrybaby
December 5, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
Man, oh, man! The troops have really piled on Yellowblood (Sam Cunningham of Emory University) this go-round.
Those weird ones who are interested in tickle piles, instead of football, will be glad to know that a tickle pile actually has nothing to do with being gay (not that there’s anything O.K. about being gay, of course).
The term “tickle pile” grew out of the smelly, revolting concept of a “Dawgpile,” and we all know what THAT is.
So some bright guy said, “We’ve gotta match ‘em. We could say, ‘if they have a Dawgpile, we can have a Technicalpile.’”
Gradually, “Technicalpile” lost a consonant, and a syllable, and became “ticklepile.” So that clears it up, etymologically, and philologically.
Since there is no way to clear up a Dawgpile except scoopalogically and disinfectionally, everybody should get back to talking about football.
By freezekalo72
December 5, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
So much for Jimbo Fisher, just reported on ESPN, that Jimbo will succeed Bobby Bowden when he retires. I was hope Mark Richt would do that but oh well.
So now Cutcliff or Joker Phillips? Just no Johnson
By This is true, too
December 5, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
If Paul Johnson had been at Georgia Tech the past five years, neither Reggie Ball, nor Taylor Bennett would have sucked.
By Don
December 5, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
okay… if not Pepper Rodgers…. how about John Madden??
By Elroy Cohen
December 5, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
Congratualations to Paul Johnson on his impending offer to coach GA Tech football. Clearly, Jon Tenuda has been eliminated because as Tony made clear Tech is only interested in someone with head coaching experience. Therefore, people without head coaching experience such as Tenuda and Charlie Strong won’t be considered. Congrats, Coach Johnson!
By Gravy Train
December 5, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
What time was the interview and has anyone heard any details?
By Jeffrey
December 5, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
Tenuta is way overrated!!! Boston College and VT ate up his defense. Chris Hatcher is a much better option that Tenuta.
By shane #1
December 5, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
drad will need someone that he can work with to move tech’s program forward.donnan at uga was not a bad coach,and he was a great recruiter,but his arrogance and his combative attitude made real success impossible.there were rumors of shouting matches in ad dooley’s office and he was disliked by the big money boosters.drad doesn’t need,given tech’s money problems,to be putting out fires because his coach alienates the boosters.i think he should hire,provided he is qualified,the man that most wants the job.mark richt called dooley,after discussing it with coach bowden,and asked for the uga job.that was my first priority when hiring for my business.the candidate had to really want the job.my estimate of the person’s abilities was second,followed by his experence.i have great respect for tech and it’s history,and i hope drad hires the guy that is on fire to make tech’s football team an annual contender for the acc title,loves what tech stands for,and wants to be there,regardless of head coaching experence.thanks for having me on your blog and best wishes from an old dog.
By WG1TechFan
December 5, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
If the “deciders” at GT are ignorant enough to eliminate Muschamp as a candidate because he played football at UGA then they are too incompitent for the jobs they have. Would Dr. Wayne refuse to hire a PhD from UGA to serve on the faculty?
By Wayne Clough
December 5, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Yes, I would. UGA prints its PhDs on toilet paper for a reason.
By the ritz blitz
December 5, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
Go with Hatcher he is young and ambitious. Second choice Paul Johnson and hope you can keep Tenuta before he goes to LSU.
By John
December 5, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
hey BUZZMAN…
your a frickin moron.. yeah STEVER SPURRIER is definitely going to leave South Carolina for GA SUCKYY TECH> your stadium holds like 25,000 and south carolina sells out.. every game.. your a MORON JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER IDIOT TECH GRADUATES
By GMan
December 5, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
Once again you show your bias toward Tech. No way Tech tells Muschamp he can’t be hired because he played at UGA. Who cares, if he’s the best for the job he would have received the offer. If that were the criterion for elimination, Tech would not have talked to him in the first place. Go Jackets!
By GMan
December 5, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
Give the job to Tenuda. He’s paid his dues and shown great loyalty to Tech. He can provide seamless transition for recruiting and is hardnosed as hell. I don’t want a PR machine, I want a football coach, one that doesn’t kiss the a** of the media (like O’Leary). Even Ross was not particulary well spoken. Both knew football, however, and that’s what we need now. Johnson may be OK, but in my book you reward loyalty. Hire Tenuda and let’s get to work…
By trout
December 5, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
its amazing how many dawg fans are interested in GT’s next coach. They know the talent is there to beat them. The coach is the final piece to FINALLY get over the hump. They are looking over their shoulders and they know it. They can insult all they want but its true. Your day in the sun is over doggy dog. And it all starts at the sugar bowl where Brennan will put up 300 yds on you.
By shivas
December 5, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Barnhart is a huge Dawg fan. Muschamp was never told he was not considered because of his UGA background. That is nonsense from this incompetent and immoral writer. Barhart would certainly hate to see us get Johnson, so he tries to stir dissent. Shane #1: Great post!
By stupid bee
December 5, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
That shows you exactly what people think about the “teck” job. There’s a coach out there that is seriously chosing between georgia tecK and SMU!!!! lol……hmmmmmmmm, tough decision! This is great. (I’d still have to give the nod to SMU. However, if the Lovett High School job was in the mix I’d have to give it close consideration among the three!!!)
By trout
December 5, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
I agree w/ Gman. But dragging this out may not settle well w/ Tenuta. He is probably going to LSU anyhow. Miles made it very clear that he wants Tenuta. Why now. National Title hunt every year w/ that pool of talent is a dream job for a “lifer” coordinator. He could beat the h-ll out of the Dawgs every single year for the rest of his life by going to LSU.
By JTCj
December 5, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
I hope Dan R. is sober when he hires new coach. I understand he was not when he got on plane returning to Atlanta from Miami game? Tony Barnhart might want to check this out.
By Dwayne
December 5, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe they passed on Will Muschamp. I am a Tech fan and have been for 34 years, so what that he graduated from Georgia. That wasn’t a problem when LSU beat the heck out of the dawgs in’03. That’s a mind set problem. Let’s see Dooley was an Auburn alum and Pat Dye was a Georgia alum…Both loved to win…Get a Clue…we’re about to screw up again!
By GTJohn
December 5, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
First they lost Mac McWhorter who the players would have run through brick walls for. You would have thought those in power there would have learned their lesson. But Noooooo!!!!
I am a Tech grad, both my sons are Tech grads and I bought season tickets for 26years and did the Alexander Tharpe fund thing all that time.
I finally got tired of watching mediocre football and decided to play golf on Sat instead.
As for GOL, I know for a fact that ego will not let him put the best players on the field. If he signs them, he plays them regardless of who is available.
By 51-7
December 5, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
Mr. Trout:
The Tech fans are the biggest hump. They wont show up. I guess they are studying so much that they dont have time. I’m sure it impresses the recruits to see bobby dodd Stadium dressed in the visitors colors. I guess you sell it as TEch fans being hospitable to their guests!
Yes, we are interested in the gt selection… to see who’s in line for the next beat down.
BTW, you seem to know a lot about Hawaii’s QB…LOL
By Affirmative Action
December 5, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Let’s see here: Charlie Strong was told “no” by Tech, and that they were only considering candidates with head coaching experience. But they are now serious about a guy (who is white nonetheless) with no hc experience??? As an embarrassed Tech grad, I can’t believe what I’m reading. Discraceful. Does Jesse Jackson know about this?
By GT '62
December 5, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
Dr. Clough is the best thing that has happened to the American South. His vision of what Georgia Tech should be about(the scholastic and research areas)has produced the second ranked research program in the nation (second only to MIT) and a national top ten ranking in every engineering program…….over 80% of the graduates have multiple job offers some of them close to the 6 figure mark…..the way you spell winner at Tech is W-A-Y-N-E….I go to sporting events as a social function and have a good time win or lose, and while we financially support the sports programs, my wife and I place our major financial support is in the area of presidential schlorships and aid to the school program chairs….this is where you have the maximum favorable impact on the economic future of our region and our nation….Dr. Clough is simply doing a great job and he shouldn’t even enter into this discussion….
By Don Green
December 5, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
It is stupid for Tech not to consider Muschamp just because he is a Georgia grad. Texas didn’t mind naming Darrell Royal as their head coach even though he played for thier arch rival, Oklahoma. Royal won 3 national championships for the Longhorns.
By Brad in KY
December 5, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
Considering that there’s no official record of why various candidates were dismissed from consideration, it seems ridiculous to accuse Radakovich of being racist because of something Tony Barnhart said in a blog post or of being stupid for allegedly not hiring Muschamp because he went to UGA. My hunch is that, if the comment above is correct, then Tenuta isn’t really a candidate for the job, so therefore there’s no reason to assume that Charlie Strong was lied to just because he’s black. If Radakovich did say that, and then he hires Tenuta, then you can blast away with your thoughtless rantings and ravings.
By Chris S
December 5, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Barnhart is pulling the wool over your eyes with the comment, “But Muschamp was told that the fact that he is a Georgia graduate was something that could not be overcome.” DRad did not tell Muschamp this is why he’s not being considered. The self proclaimed Mrs. College Football knows this line would be good fodder for the blog. Tony, you should get a job with the National Inquirer.
By Big Man
December 5, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
I went to Georgia Southern when Paul Johnson coached there. His offense is poetry in motion. It will get the recruits because they spread the ball around and is virtually unstopable outside of turnovers. A Paul Johnson John Tenuta pairing would be good for GT. The karma from their decision on Muschamp might come back to bite them in the a$$ though.
By Dawg Pound
December 5, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
As a bulldog, I am glad Muschamp is not going to GT. Now he can go to FSU after Bobby retires. If he were at Tech, I would be concerned about that game every year. His age would have been nice for Tech, but I guess FSU will enjoy that or another school.
If PJ takes the job he will do fine and might beat the dawgs a little more frequently than your most recent coach. His offense will change from what is at Navy, but I think GT would like it. I believe he might make it a little more like WV or UF. I question his recruiting ability, right now he is at Navy where kids want to go for reasons other than FB. There motivation to go to Navy goes beyond just academics and sports.
By gpburdell
December 5, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
I hope they can land Paul Johnson. Hiring Jon Tenuta doesn’t excite me, though if he wins, I guess it wouldn’t matter. Go Jackets!
By kool$kat
December 5, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
To all who are crying “racism” because Charlie Strong didn’t make the cut - have you noticed our basketball coach? He’s black.
By kool$kat
December 5, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this
To all who are crying “racism” because Charlie Strong didn’t make the cut - have you noticed our basketball coach at GT? He’s black.
By kool$kat
December 5, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Charlie Strong vs Tenuta: both are DC’s, with no head coaching experience. Tenuta is already in house, thats why he’s in the running instead of Strong. Not a race issue. If Tenuta had HC experience, he’d probably have been named HC already.
By chris
December 5, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
To turn down anybody because they went to Ga. is moronic Ga. and Auburn swap coaches and former players all the time I’d hire Mike Bobo
By kool$kat
December 5, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
ya’ll must not realize how much we hate you ball lickin, butt sniffin fleabags! Tried Bill Lewis who had UGA ties, was worst coach ever. And am I to believe UGA fans would take on a former Tech player as head coach or even coordinator?
By Dawgdog
December 5, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this
Even if I am a Georgia fan, I can’t say that Tech was racist for not hiring a minority (Strong). Fact is, they have the courage and intelligence to hire a minority, but not the courage and intelligence to fire one (Hewitt). Woofwoofwoof.
By DoBoy
December 5, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Paul Johnson is a good hire for Georgia Tech because of his option offense. I don’t think it would hold up consistently against more physically-talented teams like Virginia Tech or (historically) Miami.
I’m also surprised that Charlie Strong hasn’t managed to get a head coaching gig yet. It’s GOT to be something he’s doing/lacking in the interview process that bugs folks (doesn’t interview well???).
But to dismiss a talented/qualified guy because he doesn’t have head coaching experience (or went to/worked for a rival school) seems kinda dumb if he’s been good/consistent coordinator for years…
By John Dewberry
December 5, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this
I would like the opportunity to coach in some capacity at UGA. Would someone please contact me.
By Elroy Cohen
December 5, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
All I know is that Tony said Tech told Strong he was out because of no HC experience. So if they hire someone else without HC experience, I want to know the REAL reason Strong was eliminated and why HE WAS LIED TO. Somebody will give me a straight up answer or the Rev. Al Sharpton WILL be getting a call from me on this issue.
By Joshua Barlowe
December 5, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
I think it’s absurd to have a Dawg grad writing stories about Tech football.
By 2N4YEARS
December 5, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
* Ramblin Wrecker , between playing GaSouthern & West Vir. cleaning our clocks in the 1st half of that ‘05 Sugar Bowl is mostly why UGA has done well as of late handling the spread offence. After the initial ‘shock’ of WV putting up 28 before halftime, we settled down and held them to 10 points in the 2nd half. In fast we outscored WV 35-10 after they ran up the first 28. But my point was with those games UGA’s D’cord has learned a few things about the ‘spread’ O. I’m sure they studied the game film all winter. And you’re right that Tebow had a sore shoulder & didn’t run as much as he usually did, but we also stopped him last year. Chris Leak was the one who won that game for FLA, not Tebow. In fact, they pulled Tebow after he got stopped for loses on consecutive plays. Face it; UGA just has too much Talent for the Bumble Bees. It’s not my fault. Live with it.*
By F***
December 5, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
MR. COLLEGE FOOTBALL, SHOVE IT UP YOUR FAT A*
By bob the dawg
December 5, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
You wants the Tech job? That’s the best list of coaching prospects you can come up with…give ol Bill Curry a call….and Muschamp has won the lottery by now being offered the job…someday he will come back and whop your axx.
By Fletchdawg
December 5, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
IS REGGIE BALL READY TO COACH?? HE IS YOUR MAN!! WOOF!
By ProudTechFan
December 5, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
as a Tech fan i didnt want to a coach who not only has Ga ties but is a graduate of UGA. but after reevaluating the entire situation, it wouldnt be a bad fit. Muschamp has seen SEC talent and has had success against SEC caliber atheletes. he would know the type of recruits to go after. would have been a challenge meeting academic standards but there is plenty of talent in this region to go around. Besides i believe there would be nothing he would want more than to beat Ga, especially after losing to the at Auburn to year in a row. he knows ow big the rivalry is and knows losing to UGA would keep him on the hot seat.
on the flip side if he were to meat UGA at Tech, GA fans would say it took one of their guys to beat us, personally i dont have a problem with this as long as we win. but if he loses then the Tech fans, boosters and alumni would be livid to the brink of frustration and would demand he be let go, then we are right back to square one. the fallout over a loss with muschamp calling the shots would be far worse than what Gailey went through. it would have been a tough situation either way.
By bigitme
December 5, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
Kool$kat your an idiot, if you have 1 minority coach and thats it, it is what it is. and when you compare tenuda to strong there is no comparisons. strongs defenses have been ranked ahead tenudas for years, strong has had more guys got to the league and oh yeah he has both a conference “chip” ring and a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RING. Where are tenudas? To be a CHAMPION you have to hire a CHAMPION, because only they know what it takes to get there!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Terry
December 5, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
If I’m not mistaken, PJ took 2 national titles while Tressel was at Youngstown State. These guys have gone head to head before. I can tell you, PJ’s offense is fun to watch and scores a lot.
All this whining will stop if we get a coach that wins. I think PJ is the guy, and I say we give Tenuta a raise to keep him. I think they would make an incredible combination.
Maybe we could have another matchup between Tressel and PJ, wouldn’t that be fun!!!
By UnderDog
December 5, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
That wing-T high school offense Johnson runs at Navy would never work at a BCS school…..too much speed on most defenses. Muschamp loses a chance because he was a UGA graduate? Sounds like what happened when Tech let McWhorter go. In other words, Tech isn’t serious about hiring someone who will bring back respectability. Typical. Tech is gonna be the laughingstock of the ACC when they are trying to run the Wing-T against real college defenses…..not the defenses Johnson coached against in 1-AA or against the service academies. UGA tried a 1-AA coach, too. That didn’t work out too well, and neither will Johnson. Y’all should’ve stuck with the tough, SEC-minded, young defensive coordinator. The Tech administration is just FULL of morons.
By hireme
December 5, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this
Hire Jerry Glanville. He has personality. Let Jeff George be offensive coordinator and Aundray Bruce defensive coordinator. Put Deion over special teams.
By GT55
December 5, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
Hell No to Tenuta!!! another Chan..We want PJ.
By DocDawg
December 5, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
I figure Neuheisel is a slam dunk at UCLA
By reality check
December 5, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
trout I had to laugh about your comment that Brennan would put up 300 yards against Georgia. If that happens Georgia will win by at least 4 touchdowns.
No word on Johnson tonight? He must not have accepted the job. Looks like Tenuta is your guy and Georgia’s streak is likely to continue indefinitely.
By reality check
December 5, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, I need to apologize for our Coach Richt. After getting on the airwaves through every possible venue and plugging UGA for the Title Game, for some inexplicable reason he only voted the Dawgs #2 instead of the #1 team in the country. If given a choice between #1 and #2, don’t ALL head coaches vote their own team #1? Les Miles did. Coach Richt didn’t. Thus, I apologize for him.
By listen
December 5, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
You guys who think Johnson is going to run the wing t offense at Tech are complete morons. The guy is an offensive guru. He runs what ever offense that suits the talent that he has to work with, much like Ralph F. Please, please, please hire Paul Johnson!!! We don’t need a good looking cheer leader, we need a coach that will win!!!
By Fantastic
December 5, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
DRAD will hire a good coach that meets his description. Whether it be Tenuta, Paul Johson, or Norm Chow; I will be happy we are moving on and forward. 2009 and 2010 will be very exciting seasons for GT football and will be there.
By longtimeGT
December 5, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
The ONLY Johnson DRad needs to be considering is Bobby at Vandy. He IS the guy for the job.
By Chris Butler
December 5, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
“A lot of rumors are out there, but I’m the coach at Georgia Southern, and I’m as happy as I can be,” Hatcher said in a phone conversation Wednesday evening while on a recruiting trip. “I’ve been busy recruiting like crazy for Georgia Southern.”
http://www.statesboroherald.com/news/article/7038/
By blah
December 5, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
The guy at Vandy is ike Gailey….zero personality. The best hire was Muschamp with Hatcher at OC. Now we just want to survive and wait until Clough retires and we can get an AD that will be able to hire the coach he wants. Funny the old money didn’t mid the UGA coaches in the olympic sports
By TiLi
December 5, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Hire Mac McWhorter!
By surfrider
December 6, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this
The two most successful coaches at Tech in the last 40 years did’nt have what I call “salesman” personalities to the average Joe. These two guys were Ross and O’leary. However, they could sell what they were trying to accomplish to the people that needed sold too. Hopefully Johnson or Tenuta will work out but believe it not SMU in it’s heyday had some big time bucks, oil money. Now they appear to be tiptoeing back out from the wilderness. If all fails there are still plenty of candidates. I even think Ted Roof reassemblish the old O’leary staff plus anyone they can keep on Gailey’s staff could be an improvement. At the same time Mcwhorter at 65 years old is better than where we were going. There are still several candidates out there..Neuhesal (He’s still young, made some mistakes and has two HC jobs under his belt out west), (Some of Friedgen’s staff may work, some of Bobby Rosses old staff’s may work, and of course O’leary’s old staffs could work. This may be an opportunity to try something different. Bring in a head coach and keep as much of the staff on annual or two year contracts as p ossible until they decide to leave then replace them. The problem with the team was’nt major it was a few twists here and there particularly in the passing game and recruiting a little bit better.
By surfrider
December 6, 2007 2:18 AM | Link to this
Tech can put a staff together that’s no problem. Many on current staff would probably like to stay but also let’s don’t forget Ted Roofs staff is looking for work too. On that staff if not mistaken were too of the best recruiters Ga. Tech ever had David Kelley (coached at Stanford after Tech) and Bill O’brien (coached at Maryland after Tech-turns out he may have been right about our offensive direction in early 2000’s). Get them on board if we need to piece work deal. At the same time George Godsey is making a name for himself and the word is maybe Joe Hamilton is interested in getting out of the booth possibly. There are tons of options for Tech.
By Drexel Gal
December 6, 2007 2:32 AM | Link to this
Because Will Muschamp is a Georgia graduate, that cannot be “overcome”? What if georgia told Vince Dooley that, because he was an Auburn graduate, that could not be overcome? Or if Pat Dye had been told that, because he was a Georgia graduate, that could not be overcome? Dan Radakovich has once again shown that he should have stayed in his myopic Pennsylvania hometown.
By heeldawg
December 6, 2007 5:26 AM | Link to this
For those of you who would disparage Paul Johnson, I say only this: look at his record. He has been a winner everywhere he has gone. What he has done at Navy is nothing short of miraculous. As a Georgia grad, I (honestly) want to see Tech be competitive. Not beating us consistently, mind you, but I’m a native of this great state, and I want all of the state’s athletic programs to represent Georgia well.
Paul Johnson knows Georgia, recruits the state well, and runs an offense that is extremely hard to defend. He’s adapted that offense to whatever talent he’s had at hand (he fielded a more pass-happy version of the option at Hawaii). He’d be an excellent hire for Tech, and one that would catapult the team into ACC contention within two years.
Those folks who disparage him because he’s a “Navy coach” don’t know football. I’d take Paul Johnson over that washed-up has-been Steve Spurrier any day of the week.
By Big Fan
December 6, 2007 7:13 AM | Link to this
Ever listen to a Johnson press conference. I would not describe him as media friendly. He says the truth and doesn’t sugar coat it. Can the the Atlanta press and fans deal with that? Otherwise, he can get it done in the ACC. If Johnson goes to to Tech, Sparks will Fly.
By firechangailey.com
December 6, 2007 7:17 AM | Link to this
From our contacts there is a good chance we’ll know today. From what we’ve heard it’ll be Hatcher. Maybe something has been kept under wraps well.
We hope it’s not Paul Johnson for all that $$.
By firechangailey.com
December 6, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this
heeldawg-
You just say that washed-up has-been Spurrier because he beats you guys all the time.
He did keep you from winning the SEC East this year and probably going to a NC. Well he was half of the reason.
By TJ
December 6, 2007 7:27 AM | Link to this
Drexel Gal,
you should be quiet as you obviously know nothing of the situation. If Muschamp is passed over it is due to the big money donors and the president who gave the 5 year extension to chan gailey. this group blew it then and they are blowing it now.
Regards,
a GT alum and 22 year season ticket holder (which is not to be confused with abandwagon jumping double-wide trailer trash)
By usna77
December 6, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this
GT doesn’t want Paul Johnson, period. He’s old, white, and fat. He’s a straight shooter instead of a media darling politician. He runs an antiquated offense, that has no place in modern football.
Besides that, look at where he coaches. Anyone can win at the Naval Academy. Ask George Chaump, or Charlie Weatherbie, or Gary Tranquill.
By JamieDAWG
December 6, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
“F” Al Sharpton, NAACP (Negros Against American Caucasian People), the “Reverend” Jesse Jackson and his rainbow coalition, and the ACLU.
By GA Tech insider
December 6, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
firechangailey.com, I’m not sure of your sources, but mine say you are wrong. Negotiations are occurring now, but they are not with Hatcher. You are right that we might hear today, assuming we can get a few calls returned in time, but the name is Johnson.
He wants the job and Tech wants him, but money is the issue right now as SMU and Duke are offering quite a bit more. With Gailey’s buy out, Tech doesn’t have as much leeway as the other schools.
All you alums that complained about Gailey and want a winner, now is the time to step up and call DRad with a pledge. You will beat UGA in a year and have a champion in leass than 3 years…
By Chuck the Chest
December 6, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
Two words: CHUCK AMATO
I am the man!
By Atlanta Dude
December 6, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Neither one!!!! We need Skip Holtz!!!! Skip will rebuild the glory of Georgia Tech! Skip for head coach!
By rob
December 6, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
I do not feel sorry for GT. They let a good coach go in Chan and now can’t find another willing to tackle the problems that GT faces. The AD NEEDS TO GO NOT THE COACH!!!!!
What a joke. And if you think the DC will be able to energize the fan base, ever here him speak. I have and he is about as entertaining or energizing as a dead rat or should I say a dead yellow jacket.
AD you did this and now you will live with the results.
By DemDems4Ever
December 6, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
GTgrad,
June Jones’ contract expires this year and he loses his QB and a large number of seniors.
Jones could win with the talent GT currently recruits and his skills as a recruiter would combine with the draw of Atlanta to bring skill position players on the level of Calvin Johnson each and every year.
June Jones spent many years in Atlanta, knows the Southeast, has contacts throughout the US and has a better offense than Spurrier (who has dominated UGA).
Do not expect Tech to contact Jones - that would make sense and we have all come to learn Tech now makes bad decisions on coaches.
By Chris
December 6, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Hearing word that there’s a press conference scheduled for 11 AM today at Tech, and Paul Johnson is in Annapolis. Putting two and two together, I’d guess we’re announcing that we’ve hired Tenuta as HC. I hope he can either let Bond have free reign over the offense or get and OC who will install an offense that works. A QB coach with a record of developing good QBs would be helpful too, if the OC doesn’t assume that job himself.
By GA Dawg
December 6, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
DemDem, June Jones can coach at Hawaii until he feels like retiring. You dont think they would renew his contract? And he is close to retiring. Why would he move back to Atlanta when he could just call it a day in Hawaii? Forget him. The AD is focused on trying to land Paul Johnson and rightfully so. Forget June Jones. Paul Johnson is your best bet and anyone who follows college football knows that.
By john
December 6, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
He has a team, Navy, going to a bowl and he needs to get them prepared. So, I would think he would hurry back either way. Our coach is set for our bowl game so they could easily announce Johnson as coach to take over after the bowl games are completed.
By usna77
December 6, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Johnson being in Annapolis now means he probably is NOT going to Atlanta, but we’ll wait and see what shakes out from the rumors. He has given the football team this week off to prepare for final exams (yes, Navy football players actually go to class), and start preparing for the December 20 bowl game next week.
GO NAVY!
By Chris
December 6, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
If you were announcing your new head coach, wouldn’t you want him there when you announce it? It’s not like we’re demanding that he start immediately.
By dadgum
December 6, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
You can take it to the bank that Tenuta is gone to LSU as DC. Paul Johnson will most likely be the HC and bring his own DC. Tenuta is not the right fit for Tech as HC and that is from people that know him.
By Greg
December 6, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
Anyone else confirming this 11AM press conference?????
By brad in KY
December 6, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
There’s no press conference scheduled at 11am or anytime for that matter. Look at the following blog for frequent (and reliable) updates:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/blog_bwagner.html
By Wreckhorngoes: "THWUGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
December 6, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
A very good source of RELIABLE information is Bill Wagner’s Navy sports blog. He is not into rumor-mongering and as a local (Annapolis) writer, has good sources there. So far, he’s been right about Johnson, and current status is there is no press conference, and no definite word on the Tech job. PJ is at work today at Nsvy.
By brad in KY
December 6, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
Wreckhorngoes: “THWUGA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great minds think alike.
By jaketfan
December 6, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
PJ reportedly has an offer from Tech and SMU, with Duke prepared to hire him. He is meeting with the Navy AD today. I think we will know today if he will accept the Tech job…if he doesnt accept I dont know who is in queue behind him. Looks like Grobe is staying at Wake, or at least not going to ARK.
By neutral
December 6, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Mike Cavan is available. He is a GA man, but coaching record is more GT style.
By DemDems4Ever
December 6, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
GADawg,
Jones can coach at Hawaii as long as he likes.
He makes less than Gailey, and $1.5 - 2 million would do the job.
He is not close to retirement and he has proved he can win with less talent at a school where recruiting is difficult. JONES is by far the best coach for the job, and he loves Atlanta.
ANYONE who follows the college game knows Johnson has the only successful offense built around the run game, even OSU throws.
Who would the fans support? An offense that has 5-7 2 minute scoring drives a game or a throw only as a last resort offense.
Bear Bryant disdained the pass and he was a great coach, but he is long gone and the times have changed.
By Wreckhorngoes "THWUGA!!!!!!!!"
December 6, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
To brad in KY: indeed, let’s hope our AD has a great mind also, haha.
Advantages of low-profile, clandestine searches vs Regular updates directly from AD? I don’t know, just asking.
By TJ
December 6, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
I don’t care who they hire for HC as long as they keep Coach Bond as the OC.
By usna77
December 6, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
to DemDems forver: A review of the scoring summary for Navy’s win over Air Force….
NAVY - Campbell, Reggie 37 yd run (Bullen, Joey kick) 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:36
NAVY - Singleton, Zerbin 12 yd run (Bullen, Joey kick), 9 plays, 61 yards, TOP 3:43
NAVY - Kaheaku-Enhada, Kaip 2 yd run (Bullen, Joey kick) 9 plays, 73 yards, TOP 3:55, AF 20 - NAVY 24
NAVY - Kaheaku-Enhada, Kaip 78 yd run (Bullen, Joey kick) 2 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:42, AF 20 - NAVY 31
Paul Johnson’s offense at Navy is not 3 yards and a cloud of dust.
By Foghorn Leghorn
December 6, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
Georgia had offered none of Techs 14 commitments from this year’s high school class of seniors but plenty of Georgia’s commitments were offered by Tech. Georgia Tech can’t consistently recruit top classes with Georgia, Tenn., Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Alabama in the same region. Last years class was considered Tech best ever and was only equal to or slightly better than Georgia’s worst class in years. This year’s class is back to normal with Georgia having a stellar class on the way a Tech having a well—-“A Tech class”. Bottom line it is hard to recruit when your girls are ugly, your schools in a ghetto and you male students are all future suicide bombers.
By Dawg86
December 6, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Both Charlie and Will are former UGA players but you wrote that Will was told that he could not overcome his connections to UGA and Strong told it was the lack of Head Coach experience. Your article appears to indicated they were told two different reasons though both reasons would apply.
Is it that Charlie is “black enough” to overcome his UGA ties and Will is “white enough” to overcome his lack of Head Coach experience?
Come on, did you ask those questions of your sources?
By Foghorn Leghorn
December 6, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Those of you who follow my posts know how much I love big, sweaty, hulking mens! I hear my latest guy calling me now to give him a rubdown in our boudoir…He loves my new teddy! Oh well, time to go see Dr Bendover…Ooooooooooo!
By ????
December 6, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Are the AJC writer taking the day off? No news at all?
By DawginLex
December 6, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
If you read the blog from the Navy guy, Johnson WOULD NOT ACCEPT A HC JOB WITHOUT FIRST INFORMING HIS PLAYERS. Could explain why he is in Annapolis this morning ?
2 interviews lead me to believe he will be Tech’s next HC. You are getting a good one. Arkansas and Nebraska will regret not hiring him.
By usna77
December 6, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
To DawginLex…What you missed in the blog from Bill Wagner in Annapolis is that Johnson has not scheduled any players’ meeting, and that assistant coaches are on the road recruiting. This sounds a lot like business as usual, lacking any other information.
And it’s not a done deal until it’s a done deal, as evidenced by Jim Grobe’s going to Arkansas until he met with his players to tell them he was going to Arkansas.
By Leugim
December 6, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Ga Tech is in a better conference but SMU and Dallas are much more sophisticated venues. We’ll see.
By usna77
December 6, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Billy Wagner has just updated his blog at hometownannapolis.com
By Gailey Can't Coach
December 6, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
He includes additional tidbits in his main story:
“Johnson traveled to Atlanta yesterday for a second meeting with Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich. All indications are that Radakovich was discussing contractual terms with Johnson and his Atlanta-based agent Jack Reale.”
What can you say? The guy has at least 3 offers in hand and an employer who doesn’t want to give him up…
By ba
December 6, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Radakovich is a complete moron. If he has put the football program in great jeopardy for the future. Staying with Chan for at least another 2 years would have been the right and bold move. I am a long time Tech guy and have realistic expectations for our football program. With all that being said…you have one choice for coach that I hope he has the nerve and smarts to consider…George O’Leary. If he wants to win, wants national excitement, and to energize recruits…you bring George back.Period. The AJC writers need to speak out about this option…since they seem to have all the freaking answers
By Chris
December 6, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
-ba
That “option” is not a realistic option. Retreads, no matter how well they did the first time, rarely work out well. Besides, it wasn’t really O’Leary that was the offensive mastermind. It was the Fridge, and he’s firmly in place (literally…) at Maryland.
I won’t deny that O’Leary does know how to win, and if he did come, he’d probably bring Godsey back with him (Goose is the QB coach with him at UCF). If it were a viable option, it would have been explored, but for whatever reason, it’s not a realistic outcome.
By headknocker
December 6, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
One thing seems clear - no one is jumping at the Tech job. Some of you Tech boys need to get real about your expectations. Trout is an idiot- LSU kicking UGA’s a* every year? They are in the other division and if we play them every year I’ll be pretty damn happy because it means we beat out Florida and Tennessee to make it to the SEC Championship game. The reason that so many UGA fans are interested in Tech’s predicament is that we love to see you reaping what you’ve sown. Tech loves to talk crap, but seldom delivers. Your football program is being DESTROYED before your eyes. If you don’t get a top quality coach in there fast half your commits will bolt. Next year you’ll be scraping the bottom of the barrell again. A few years later you’ll be firing whoever is unfortunate enough to be the eventual head coach and starting over again. In the meantime, Mark Richt is staying at UGA, as he has said many times already, he is not interested in leaving. When he left FSU it was after being told he would not be considered for the HC position when BB left. He has ZERO interest in going back and has said so.
How many years in a row do you think the Dawgs can beat Teck in a row before the game becomes irrelevant?
By Correcting DumbDawg86
December 6, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Hey Dawg86,
Go back to the crack pipe pal and quit the race baiting. Charlie Strong, not to be confused with Mack Strong, is NOT an ex Bulldog. He played at Central Arkansas. So your whole post is irrelevant, misguided, and just plain ignorant. Tech did the right thing in telling MusCHUMP to take a hike as the only ex UGA athlete listed as a candidate. He would have zero loyalty to Tech should he be successful. ZERO. Now go back to your bellyaching and moaning about getting passed over for the Big Dance. I think you can find the blog at redneck.com
By Buzz
December 6, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Please Tech, don’t hire anyone with a UGA background. Ever since Bill Lewis, Tech people have blamed their lack of competitiveness on a former UGA coach. Find some one outside of the south.
By Well ...
December 6, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Looks like Paul Johnson is sitting in the fabled catbird seat. He may in at his office, but I doubt he’s getting much work done, mulling three offers to leave and his current employer hoping he stays.
By Insider
December 6, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
George O’Leary declined an opportunity to interview for the job. He is happy at Central Florida and has settled into a nice fat home there. On top of that he plans to retire in Florida. So he is not an option.
By Chan B. Gone
December 6, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
I was Chan B. Gone. Well, he’s gone, so I am changing my blog name to Hatcher Backer because its a better description of me now. The most frustrating aspect of this soap opera is the silence from DRad’s office. He’s saying NOTHING. AJC writers Knobler and Winklejon seem to be lost in the fog. All we are getting from AJC writers is “Blog Bait.” Tech people would like some facts! You sports scribes need to get to digging and get us some information. Hook up with your inside people—if you have any. Believe it or not, I used to be a sports writer, and we always had “somebody” to call who knew something, but we’re getting nothing from K. and W. I call on DRad to tell us something… anything! I truely believe the Tech nation is far more restless now than we were before Chan got his pink slip. We just want to know SOMETHING that has some basis in fact. Am I right or worng, Bloggers?
By usna77
December 6, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
To well…I imagine that Paul Johnson is probably considering only Atlanta versus Annapolis, and the lack of any news this afternoon leads me to believe that the next news we hear is that he is staying at Navy.
Consider that in Annapolis he is making plenty of money (at least $1.5 million per according to most accounts). We Navy alums are absolutely thrilled with 8 wins (including beating Air Force and Army) and a bowl game every year. Anything beyond that (like 10-2 and a top 25 ranking a couple of years ago) is gravy. He gets to work with outstanding young men. None of the players at Navy have the kind of egos seen in many of “blue-chip” recruits, who have been told all their lives that they walk on water.
So when it comes down to it, there are probably only a handful of jobs outside of Annapolis that would seriously interest Johnson, and IMHO Georgia Tech ain’t one of them.
By Pete
December 6, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
I’d say you’re definitely “worng.”
By Ga. Southern 85
December 6, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
You know what, usna77? All this time, I’ve been wanting my former coach to be hired by Alabama, Nebraska, even Tech, so that he could show on the “big stage,” what a great coach he is. However, after reading your post, particularly about the quality of the people he works with, I think I would stay put.
By Richt Votes His Own Team #2????
December 6, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
headknocker says: “One thing seems clear - no one is jumping at the Tech job.”
That has got to be the STUPIDEST COMMENT in this entire blog. Thank you for once again proving that it takes UGA MORONS to show just how intelligent everyone else in the world is.
In a week and a half, there have already been AT LEAST 3 interviewees (Charlie Strong, Edsell & Johnson). Hatcher and Muschamp may or may not have interviewed, but both were candidates and clearly interested in the job. It’s safe to assume Tenuta has interviewed and he’s said he wants the job. Johnson has interviewed TWICE and he and his agent were talking contract terms yesterday.
So your statement is simply STUPID. Just because someone isn’t hired the day after Gailey was fired doesn’t mean there isn’t incredible interest in the head coaching position at Georgia Tech.
You should be more concerned about why YOUR HEAD COACH can’t seem to find it within himself to place his vote for his own Dawggies to be #1 instead of #2…That’s the MOST PATHETIC SINGLE SHOW OF SUPPORT by a head coach I have ever seen. Especially when you idiots are foaming at the mouth after you got your BCS SMACKDOWN and were leapfrogged by not one, not two, but THREE teams when you sat at home watching the SEC Championship Game on TV.
How can ANYONE else be expected to vote you Butt-Sniffers as “the BEST team” or “the HOTTEST team” in the country when your OWN HEAD COACH doesn’t even believe it…Just plain SAD and PITIFUL!
UGA Fans are no teeth, trash-talkin a-holes and that’s why you get no respect. How does it make you feel that LSU gets more respect than you?
By ProudTechFan
December 6, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
its funny how UGA fans claim to careless about GT football, but they are the main ones on this blog in particular posting about our coaching issues. i have seen everything from them like “hiring PJ would be stupid because the wing-T wont work” to “we are stupid for not hiring Muschamp because of his UGA ties. why do you guys even care, you’ve had a very good season,we didnt, and arent going to move forward without making a change, thats what programs who are passionate about football do, they seek progress. why dont the UGA bloggers leave the speculating to us “REAL Tech Fans”. i suspect that a little bit of fear has come upon the UGA crowd. Congrats on beating us again, i am man enough to give you props when its deserved, but lets us little Tech guys worry about what goes on at the flats and you worry about what goes on between the hedges..
GO JACKETS!!!
By headknocker
December 6, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t bother me at all that LSU gets more respect, they earned it. That is something I wouldn’t expect a Teck fan to understand. If Teck had its act together they would have had an idea who they wanted before firing Chan. Come back to this spot after your school makes their choice of sloppy seconds and tell me what an idiot I am. Mississippi had their man. All these coaches may be interviewing, but they are simply using Teck to up the ante with the other schools they are negotiating with or to sweeten their own contract. Old trick- remember when Dooley interviewed with Auburn in 83. You can rant all you want about my stupidity but Teck has a history of bad hires. This will be another in that long tradition. Mark Richt’s character speaks for itself.
By Gailey Can't Coach
December 6, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
Johnson is smart enough to know he’s done his tour of duty and has maxed out at Navy…He’ll NEVER win a Nat’l Championship there, which is what ALL coaches want before they go out to pasture. So consider his options, which is what he’s been doing:
1) DUKE - Is there a worse place to play college football? Winning a NC at Duke would be legendary…But would a 50-yr old want to take several YEARS to build what may never turn out to be a competitive program there? There are about 100 other Div 1-A schools that will have a NC in football before Duke…It will ALWAYS be a BB school first.
2) SMU - Are you kidding me? If he took that job, they’d be carrying him off the field within 2 years…Not on their shoulders, but on a STRETCHER. I’ve never met the man, but really…Does he look like the kind of guy who could survive the crater at SMU? He’d soon be uttering something about “Quadruple-Freakin Awful!” while they’re sticking IVs in his arms.**
3) GT - Face it…A program that FIRES a coach without a losing season and who went to a bowl game every year must be pretty serious about taking its program to the next level. There is already great talent to work with, much of which has never been properly “coached-up” on offense. He already has a GA recruiting network in place. His agent is in ATL. And last year GT was a contender in a BCS Conference that is fairly weak at the moment. He could WIN the ACC next year, something Gailey should’ve done this year. Within 3-4 years, it’s possible to have GT in a position to compete for a NC again, a la Bobby Ross.
So if money isn’t an issue, Tech is his future. He’s a strategic kind of guy with his eyes on HIS future. If mo money talks him into Duke or SMU, then more power to him. If he’s grown roots at Navy, then it may be tough to pull them up…But knowing that his wife was with him for the SMU tour, it’s probably NOT an issue.
Georgia Tech IS his future.
PS. I’ve used Gailey Can’t Coach for posting…Something I’ve decided to continue using for awhile because no matter where he is, Chandler Gailey STILL Can’t Coach…
By Richt Votes His Own Team #2????
December 6, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
headknocker further says: “they are simply using Teck to up the ante with the other schools they are negotiating with or to sweeten their own contract. Old trick”
You really are stupid, huh? (It’s not just an act.) DRad is not being “tricked” or “used”. Clearly there are things that go on before, during and after a high-profile hiring process that you will never understand. Edsell has a history with Tech (with an H, not a K). If he was “the right fit”, he would be here. Instead, DRad helped him solidify his current position, something DRad may call in at some time.
Granting other candidates interviews in the midst of interviewing your #1 choice is mis-direction…Kind of like when you get liquored-up in Athens, get in your 4X4 and then miss the turn into your Trailer Court.
It also puts those deserving candidates on the radar for other vacant HC positions and/or helps them strengthen their positions with their current teams. It’s not a trick as much as it is a favor from DRad. In fact, Muschamp was part of Saban’s crew at LSU.
Being mentioned as a serious candidate for the GT position and even interviewing for it is a good thing for the candidate and GT.
By GaSouth 91'
December 6, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this
I agree with USNA77 and Georgia Southern 85’.
I’m getting this feeling that PJ is having a difficult time acceptng the fact that he is going to leave the “Midshipman” for “so-called” greener pastures.
Tech is a great school, but it is not greener pastures by any sense. It still tough as hell to get into for athletes and he is recruiting against the SE Conference (in particular Mark Richt). The ACC is a “good” conference, but the football is brutal to watch.
THEY COULDN’T EVEN COME CLOSE TO SELLING OUT THEIR OWN CONFERENCE TITLE GAME IN JACKSONVILLE!!!
It wouldn’t shock me if Arkansas called this afternoon and made him a $ 3 million offer over the phone…it just wouldn’t shock…who else are they going to go after? Not a lot of people left to choose from.
I think he stays at Navy or goes to Arkansas.
By Blaster
December 6, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
From the “What Could Have Been” department. Remember Mac McWhorter? He was real popular with the players at Tech and won a bowl game, but was never considered for HC. Oh, I forgot! He was a Georgia graduate. Talking about cutting off your nose to spite your face!
By headknocker
December 6, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
Trout, why did you change your name? Trout to Richt Votes. You Teck boys can’t even choose a handle without refering to the big brother program in the state. You seem to know a lot about the hiring process at Teck. And you’re right, I did get liquored up in Athens a few times, but then, we’ve always had a lot to celebrate, and girls to celebrate with. Come back tomorrow when your school has offered Tenuta and tell me your theory then about how brilliantly DRad handled the situation by only appearing to want everybody but Tenuta. I will enjoy the laugh when we see who you finally are forced to settle for.
By Gailey Can't Coach
December 6, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
headknocker
I don’t understand what you mean by DRad “appearing to want everybody but Tenuta”. Tenuta has already been named Interim Head Coach and has agreed to coach the bowl game. How does that equal him not being wanted?
I tend to believe that Tenuta has probably been heavily involved in the hiring process, if not actually in on the interviewing of candidates. He’s a man. He’s respected on campus, by players and by recruits. He also understands the “knocks” against him being HC. But I also wouldn’t laugh if we are “forced to settle for him”.
The popular opinion is that while Bond was officially OC, Gailey still had his fingers in the play-calling pie. Therefore, “fixing” GT’s offense may be as simple as REMOVING Gailey.
So, Bond actually being allowed to play-call and Tenuta still controlling defense may prove to be a winning combination. Most Tech recruits claim they didn’t choose Tech because of the Head Coach, but because of the school.
I think it’s pretty obvious that Tech wants Johnson…But a Tenuta/Bond combo is by no means the end of the world. Just removing Gailey from the sidelines is worth an extra 2-3 Wins per year, with one of those being UGA…
By usna77
December 6, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
To Gailey Can’t Coach…
You say Georgia Tech is Johnson’s future…
Well, that may be the best option this year, but that assumes he’s not on Michigan’s list or UCLA’s list.
He’s 50 years old, with a teenage daughter. He might be content to hang around at Navy 3 or 4 more years. There are lots of openings now, but what jobs will open up next year…Penn State, Notre Dame, Washington? Will Vols fans finally grow tired of Fulmer’s teams underachieving in Knoxville, or Tiger fans in Death Valley?
Face it, the current openings (except in Ann Arbor) are pretty much lateral moves —- even from Annapolis!
By Wreckhorngoes "THWUGA"!!!!!!!!!
December 6, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
Johnson is soul-searching now, having 3 offers on the table. Tech’s is significantly less monetarily.
Really, the best info on this situation is Bill Wagner’s Navy blog. He is reliable and responsible with his facts and statements. And he is close to the Navy staff and program.
www.hometownannapolis.com/blogbwagnerall.html
By HBTD? POEM!
December 6, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
Blaster and other dogs, etc. What evidence is there that Mac would be a good coach. If so great, why isnt he coaching now somewhere else? You dogs should get a life, if between your licking and scratching of yourselves the only thing you have to do is to share your worthless opinions with another schools’ fanbase. Oh, you have the right to comment, but you don’t have the ability to do so sensibly. UGA’s better days are now, Tech’s are in the past….hopefully both will have success in the future.
By Wreckhorngoes "THWUGA!!!!!!!!"
December 6, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
MR. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: If you love it so much, then why haven’t you updated this article in the past 48 hours? It is the biggest college football story in your market, since your beloved dogs are idle.
By Gailey Can't Coach
December 6, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this
Because if Michigan (even UCLA) wanted Johnson, he would’ve been hired by now and not in ATL with his agent last night.
Interestingly, SMU has a Fan Blog they call “A blog to echo the deafening silence that is the SMU Football Fandom”…Pretty clever, but it also tells the sad state of SMU Football (no secret there).
They claim that SMU has already offered “north of $2 Million/yr…Approx 1/2 Mill more than GT”. Believe it or not, they’ve actually tracked Gerald Ford’s plane to Miami (it took Paul & wife to SMU Monday)…Not sure what it means (if anything), unless they’re showing Paul & wife their vacation estate.
SMU also seems to be willing to go to big pocket donors and go above where they are now (not really news). So like I said “if money isn’t an issue, he comes to GT”…If it was a money issue over everything else, he could pump SMU for $3-4 Mill/yr or even leverage a juicy contract to stay at Navy. Since nobody KNOWS where he is or what he’s doing, that could actually be what is happening…But I doubt it. Much like he is a good fit for GT right now, GT is also a good fit for him.
It’s always interesting to see how you’re perceived in other parts of the country (from their blog):
“One thing I don’t really understand is Georgia Tech’s interest. I believe Paul Johnson can coach, but he doesn’t strike me as the kind of coach an established program that has gone to nine bowls in eleven years would want. And that is part of the reason I think Georgia Tech may eventually go in another direction. I have been told that the SMU powers that be really believe Paul Johnson can win at SMU immediately. That is one of the reasons they want him so bad.”
BTW, I think it’s 11 straight bowls. What strikes me as odd is if he can win at SMU immediately, then why wouldn’t GT, UCLA, MI or just about 100 other programs want him? Here it is for those interested:
http://smufootballblog.blogspot.com/
By usna77
December 6, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this
Billy Wagner at HometownAnnpolis.com has just updated his blog. Wagner is the Navy beat reporter for the Annapolis Evening Capital newspaper.
Apparently Johnson is still considering four options: staying at Navy, or leaving Annapolis for Atlanta, Dallas, or Durham, with Wagner saying he apparently wrote off Duke too soon. Part of the various negotiations apparently include how to deal with Johnson’s coaching staff, who have been extremely loyal to Johnson at Navy.
By Gailey Can't Coach
December 6, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this
Apparently feeling left out of the loop, Schultz has now published a headknocker-esque critique of DRad and GT…Always easy to do when you’re in the press with little or no accountability. If headknocker isn’t Schultz, then he works for him…
By gsu
December 6, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
The most hillarious post yet is the dawg fan on here that made the comment about what Georgia has did to Florida’s spread offense. Florida has owned your a* for so long they turned you out on the street, they have been like your pimp,beat your a* and put you back to work.
By Sam
December 7, 2007 3:00 AM | Link to this
Tech tells Strong that they want someone with head coaching experience but yet are considering Tenuta? Maybe I missed where Tenuta has HC experience.
Tech will somehow manage to botch this, not that the Tech job is a prime one and with so many other jobs open it is a tough year to be looking for someone.
By Richt Votes His Own Team #2????
December 7, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Hey headknocker, you still there? Probably not. Remember this from last night:
“Come back tomorrow when your school has offered Tenuta and tell me your theory then about how brilliantly DRad handled the situation by only appearing to want everybody but Tenuta. I will enjoy the laugh when we see who you finally are forced to settle for.”
As per usual, UGA fans are clueless and just legends in their own minds…SAD.