Sports Columnists

By GreenJacket

December 7, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

Comments from Ga.Southern and Navy alumni/fans are nothing but positive towards Paul Johnson’s coaching style and results. I do not remember any Dallas Cowboys fans giving Tech the thumbs up over the Gailey hire six years ago.

By listen

December 7, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

nobody really cares what you think or takes you seriously anymore

By gt 96

December 7, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

why so negative?…unbelievable!!

By Jason

December 7, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

Way to think negative you prick. PJ is a great coach. The AJC is the worst paper in the united states!

By bob

December 7, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

This guy is pretty typical of why the ajc is going out of biz. They don’t address their market. Maybe these guys should lay off some of these j******* sportswriters.

By MT

December 7, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

All the Tech fans are excided! Both of them!

By T

December 7, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

To hell with you and Georgia!!

By Jacket Lover

December 7, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Nice guy but in the same ole Chan Gailey mold. I can’t conjure up a whisper of enthuiasm for Mr. Johnson. I’m tired of 6-6 or 7-5 and see no end with Mr. Johnson. I’m sad that the AD took this easy way out. Wonder if GA fans will give me 30 points next year?

By Robert

December 7, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Folks, you don’t understand. Schultz and Bradley have already purchased the rights to firepauljohnson.com. It’s how they expect to make a living when the AJC cuts them loose.

By T

December 7, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

What a miserable life you must lead Mr. Goatman, I mean Jeff.

By The Big Bug

December 7, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

You have to be a complete idiot to continue to put a negative spin on this. You make excuses for the moronic column you wrote Thursday about no one wanting the GT job then DR lands the best coach in the country. Fool! And please, don’t compare GT to Alabama. The shadow of UGA? We will see.

By No Longer Concerned Jacket

December 7, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Schultz,

I’m sure it makes you feel good to incite debate, but if your style of press is the future, I’m cancelling my subscription.

Reporting the facts and offering your opinion is good journalism, but constant and consistent negativism is not. I’m not going to be overdramatic and claim you are anti-Tech, but frankly you seem to lack open mindedness. Get out of the box idiot. Tech’s been to 11 straight bowl games. Today is a great day in Georgia Tech Football history. Never has Tech had the opportunity to ink a coach with the resume Paul Johnson brings to the flats.

Bill Lewis!!! Yes, Bill Lewis was a fine hire at Tech. Unfortunately, he unachieved, but Bill Lewis had success, not sustained and historical success. He was an average human being in the coaching profession. Paul Johnson is a winner. There are no quantitative or scientific failures in the man’s past. Yes, I get technical with you because you clearly lack common sense. Lombardi would have struggled at Navy in his first year and he’s arguably the greatest football coach of all time.

Paul Johnson is simply a winner, and Paul will win at Georgia Tech today. Is it possible that he will go 10-26 over the next three years, yes? However, it makes no sense, journalism or otherwise to speculate what might become today, December 7, 2007, a great day for Georgia Tech Football.

Do us all a favor; focus on the positive like Barnhardt. Beat us when we are down, but don’t object during the vows at our weeding.

GO JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By twoarticles

December 7, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

Two articles in two days about Tech’s coach? Worried are we?

By Protracted Coaching Search?

December 7, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Protracted coaching search? Are you serious?

By Tech Fan

December 7, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

I am one Tech fan with whom your column about the coaching search did not strike a nerve. For your column to strike a nerve with me, I would have to respect your opinion at least a little, which I do not. I rarely read your column anymore because I read so many absurd, uninformed columns of yours in the past. In general, the sports columnists at the AJC are horrible and not worth reading. You are very anti-Georgia Tech, so I do not waste my time reading any of you. (I did make an exception today, since I was a little curious how you would try to turn a very good event for Georgia Tech into something negative.) The one sports columnist at the AJC that I do read and enjoy very much is Furman Bisher. He is an intelligent gentleman and a fabulous columnist. You sir are no Furman Bisher and never will be. Great hire Georgia Tech!

By JacketGirl

December 7, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

It’s articles like this that remind me why I don’t pay for the AJC and choose to read the trash on the internet.

By Kyle comeondown

December 7, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

Hey Jeffy, Which homosexual UGAg Alum are you screwing now? He must be giving it to you really hard and deep to keep on writing crap like this. Why don’t you do everyone a favor and kill yourself!

By michaelgee

December 7, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

One thing is crystal clear, Paul Johnson is much better at his profession that Jeff Schultz is at his.

By Hatcher Backer

December 7, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Welcome to Tech, Coach Johnson!

I hope and trust you will continue your success with us. Give us your best and we will give you ours!

By Wedontbrakeforbulldogs

December 7, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

Why such a negative article? While you may have triggered this response and others here online, I will cancel my subscription to the AJC tomorrow morning. I will likewise cancel the 11 additional subscriptions for my office, and replace it with a national paper. It’s remarkable how senselessly negative your column is today. If the only way you can move your readership is through provoking a negative reaction, then you and your colleagues are unworthy. I ENCOURAGE OTHER TECH FANS TO EMBRACE OUR NEW COACH AND THE HOPE HE REPRESENTS. As we are rededicating our support to the team, let’s collectively withdraw our support of the local media who have slighted that team as a matter of policy.

By hop

December 7, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

jeff, the sports pages of the ajc have to be the worst in the country. you guys do not have a clue except for furman maybe, you guys should take a few lessons from him because furman has CLASS and a working knowledge of the sport. paul johnson has been a winner at two schools and bill lewis one year at east carolina and that is it.

there is no way one can compare the two. that would be like comparing mark richt with ray goff.

By RWfromGT

December 7, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

If Georgia Tech hired the reincarnation of Bobby Dodd, then I bet Jeff S. would write something negative. You leg humping jerk!

What do you do for a real job? I know the AJC doesn’t pay you for this trash.

By Dawgdog

December 7, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

I mean, Damn!, JSchultz. I’m a UGA fan and even I can see your raining on Teck’s parade. I don’t think the AJC is anti-Tech, but you guys have been dissing ‘em during this coach shirt. Thanks but no thanks. We’ll whip them on the field, between the hedges, on the Flats. We don’t need no help from prissy pseudojournalists. That time of month, eh?

By Dawgdog

December 7, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

I mean, Damn!, JSchultz. I’m a UGA fan and even I can see your raining on Teck’s parade. I don’t think the AJC is anti-Tech, but you guys have been dissing ‘em during this coach search. Thanks but no thanks. We’ll whip them on the field, between the hedges, on the Flats. We don’t need no help from prissy pseudojournalists. That time of month, eh?

By Dawgdog

December 7, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

I mean, Damn!, JSchultz. I’m a UGA fan and even I can see your raining on Teck’s parade. I don’t think the AJC is anti-Tech, but you guys have been dissing ‘em during this coach search. Thanks but no thanks. We’ll whip them on the field, between the hedges, on the Flats. We don’t need no help from prissy pseudojournalists. That time of month, eh?

By TX DAWG

December 7, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Why are all you Bees so bitter. You should be glad to get some ink. PJ is a pretty good coach but it remains to be seen if he can make the jump like Jim Tressel did and be successful. Honestly, I think the guy will do a better job than your past few coaches and you all should show some consistency and win the games you’re supposed to win. We’ll have to see if you win the ones you’re not supposed to win. That will define PJ at this level. Nice hire!

By michaelgee

December 7, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Jeff, I know you are trying to get on Paul Johnson’s good side with all your smooching up to him, LOL, this will be funny to watch your attempts to rape him like you have Bobby Petrino. Jeffy, this guy is way out of your bush league., the man had an 86% winning percentage at Georgia Southern. CPJ will make you look silly over and over again, your tough guy routine has played out. Everybody knows that you know very little about football. Paul Johnson will make you eat every one of these negatives you keep spewing, CPJ will expose you to be the noob in this equation. Your game might work on a few Coaches but you have taken on a good one this time. Don’t worry, the CPJ Bandwagon will still have room for you once you realize that CPJ is the real deal.

And, FWIW, he coached at Hawaii too. You could at least Google these things before your Mom lets you get on her computer.

Schultz, you are an embarrassment for ATL and someday the ajc subscribers (all 3 of them) will figure out that such negtivity could be why the ajc subscriptions are so low.

Sure, your attention whoore posts get replies but positive news SELLS.

By Jason

December 7, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Apparently, you are still sore that you were proven wrong. You wrote about how noone wanted to come to GT, with no basis for it. Its jsut p** poor journalism. Its much more likely, that the numerous coaches that were contacted were not the proper fit for the program. Would you have rathered D Rad hire the first person that walks through the door? Apparently, since thats not what happened, or since Bill Bellichek didn’t put in his two weeks notice with the patriots in order to apply, then its an undesirable job?

Why don’t you try this, try learning how to do your own damned job. Learn how to actually base your stories on something besides emotion. Report facts and let the public make their own opinion, stop stirring up crap based on a bunch of conjecture, and get off of your fat a* and go do some research and write an article based on the facts your research represents.

By Geez

December 7, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Good Lord, Jeff. It’s people like you who make Tech fans like me continue to not subscribe to this fish-wrap.

Hopefully you can have something nice to say once you get over this PMS.

By JacketGrad07

December 7, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

There’s nothing he’s actually citing for his negative reaction, other than the fact that Michigan wouldn’t hire Johnson. Not s** things can go badly when you have every reason to believe otherwise, that doesn’t need to be written. Either write something real (problems with his contract, the tripple option, his recruiting, whatever), or write about another team.

By Westcoaster

December 7, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz is a joke. This column is a scrambling attempt to cover himself for his “out of the know” column from yesterday. I’ve read a few of his columns in the past and he’s always trying to be cute / clever / humorous, and he’s never successful. It’s really sad that a major paper like the AJC cannot attract any better talent as writers.

By Da Boze

December 7, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Thanks for all the optimism Schultz. Couldn’t you at least wait until the body was cold before lathering on your unwholesome sarcasm. Did you write this kind of column for Richt when he came aboard at Ga. Let’s give the guy a chance. You’ll have plenty of time for your sarcasm and vitriol if he stumbles. Meantime give the guy a chance.

By Sting'em!

December 7, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Glad to see that my fellow Tech alum have some fire left in the belly. Seems as though Coach Johnson has already gotten the base excited.

Congratulations Jeff…you’ve become AJC a***** #1!

By AJC going down hill

December 7, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Jeff

You actually have a good sense of humor - to bad you can’t refine it and become a good read. As I posted last night, you can be funny without being a jerk. You remind me of the “uncool/social leper” kid who always cut down other people to direct attention away from his own faults (which in your case is your writing skills and knowledge of the subject).

By jacketsfan1

December 7, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

Referring to the title of the article… Who is “us”? And, why should anyone “get back to ‘us’”? Seems like someone has an overinflated sense of self-importance. Jeff, of course every new coach starts with a blank slate. Of course every new coach must prove his worth on the field. Next time, how about including more insightful information than any of us arm chair quarterbacks could provide?

By TekAlum71

December 7, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

With Paul Johnson on board, today is the first day of the Josh Nesbitt era.

By Beestie

December 7, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Bisher and Barnhart think Johnson is a fantastic hire. But you, somehow, have doubts. None of which you articulated in your article.

Hack.

By Peye

December 7, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Schultz, are you serious?

are you being paid for this? Captain Obvious, you could have written this column in one sentence:

“Johnson could be a great coach if he wins, or he could be a failure if he doesn’t”

You should be ashamed of crap like this.

By Brad in KY

December 7, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Mr. Schultz

The examples you give of coaches that were hired and failed are not analogous to Paul Johnson:

For instance, prior to arriving at Georgia Tech, Bill Lewis had exactly ONE winning season as a head coach. At Wyoming from 1977-1979 his record was 14-20-1. His best single season record was 5-7 in both 1978 & 1979.

At East Carolina, he was 5-5-1 and 5-6 before he went 11-1 in his final season. That one season was clearly not indicative of his ability as a head coach since he came to GT and immediately returned to form with records of 5-6, 5-6, and 1-7 (and your stats are wrong - Lewis was gone before the season was finished - O’Leary coached the last few games: Lewis’ overall record at Tech was 11-19) before resigning/being fired.

Gerry Faust was a high school coach when he was hired at Notre Dame. Of course, he also had a winning record overall in his five seasons, 30-26-1. It just wasn’t good enough for Notre Dame obviously.

Charlie Weis’ head coaching experience was also limited to only one season as a high school coach. Obviously, he had other things going for him as an assistant in the NFL. it shouldn’t be forgotten that he was 19-6 overall his first two seasons and most observers expected this to be a rough year all along, although perhaps not this bad. The jury’s still out on this one, and I’m certainly not betting against Weis.

Now look at the coaches you point to favorably:

Frank Beamer: 42-23-2 at Murray State before going to VaTech. 164-84-2 at VaTech. Nick Saban’s overrated a little as a coach: He had a 9-2 season at Toledo, then went 6-5-1, 6-6, 7-5 in his first four seasons at MSU. He bolted to LSU after a 9-2 season. So he really only had two good seasons before he got to work with real talent at LSU, where he went 8-4, 10-3, 8-5, 13-1, & 9-3 (2 SEC titles, 1 national title).

But you notice a pattern: coaches that have a track record of winning keep on winning. Paul Johnson’s record at GA Southern and Navy is simply incredible. So, although it is certainly logically possible that he could fail, it is more likely that he’ll continue to win at Tech just as he’s done everywhere else.

By the way, you really ought to do some research before you write your articles. You can find almost everything I’ve written here at Wikipedia (which I usually don’t trust, but for the sake of coaching records it’s okay) or on Google or something. It’s really not that hard.

By Barkin'Dog

December 7, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Hey, Techsters! I live and work in Athens and love the Dogs (although I’m not a grad there). I also like following GT and wish the teams well (when not playing UGA). I write this because Coach Johnson is a great hire, and you will be proud of him every step of the way to an ACC Championship someday. I congratulate you all on your good fortune and future success. But, for crying out loud, cut Jeff a break. He’s one of the most colorful, provocative writers in any line of Journalism and he does know sports. This commentary is not that bad, - it’s the truth, and you know it. Looking on at any school’s new hire (from afar) always looks promising and guarantees nothing. Jeff stated the obvious. My humble opinion is that you are oversensitive to your recent past, and cautiously optimistic about coming seasons. I realize a little teasing rubs the wrong way right now. But, judging by what I’ve read in these blogs in the past, I’d say “you can dish it out, but you just can’t take it.” Cheer up, lighten up and celebrate your knew found leader. He will be fun to watch… and good luck for 11/12ths of your regular season in 2008.

By Wreckhorngoes "THWUGA!!!!!!!!!"

December 7, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

We Tech fans in Atlanta used to buy the AJC, BUT GET BACK TO US!!!! I will not renew my subscription, and I’ll even make my wife stop buying that extra Sunday edition with the ads. OK, I’ll TRY to make my wife stop buying it. Anyway, your declining subscription rates just went even lower.
I don’t believe you are that biased against Tech (that would suggest that you had actually given it any thought). As an intelligent reader, however, I do know that you and your colleagues too often try to subjectively substitute either cold negativity or sloppy sentimentalism for clear, concise, coherent prose. It doesn’t work with anyone over 13, unless they share your same unsophisticated perspective. Tech men and women in Atlanta, it’s time to subscribe to the WSJ or even USAToday, and drop the AJC.

By PeppGT

December 7, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

You’re an a*****!!!

By Still443

December 7, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Based upon the responses so far, Mr. Shultz is less significant that we actually thought… And that was very much insignificant. It appears there are no History books at Atlanta Rag. If there were, he’d realize that Johnson has a knack for generating impressive offensive teams that score pretty much at will. By Thanksgiving next year, this Bozo will be eating crow rather than turkey.

By Jason

December 7, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

My apologies to Bradley and Barnhart (who actually write insightful and fact based columns),

I have no choice but to go on a 6 month hiatus from the AJC. The only way to punish them for publishing hacks like Schultz is to not patronize their paper.

I’m neither a Tech nor UGA fan, but this was the most pointless and worthless attempt at saving face from your other (stupid) article this week. See you in 6 months, I hope there is some new blood in the sports section.

By Gordon

December 7, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Jeff is absolutely right. When was the last time a coach was hired anywhere that hope didn’t reign supreme? I think we did get the best guy out there, but time will tell. That isn’t being negative, it’s being real. Nobody wants Tech to be successful more than me, but time will tell.

By Gailey Can't Coach

December 7, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

Schultz, did you get a parking ticket on the Tech Campus recently? Did your significant other cut you off? Or did you just decide that GT sucks, will always suck and we should all just shoot ourselves?

This is the kind of mean-spirited garbage you’d expect to find in the Red & Black…But the hometown rag? Would you get laid already, or if you can’t find anything good to say, just write about UGA? This is really getting old and boring…Real quick like.

By Miserable Tech Fan

December 7, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Lets be realistic. Paul Johnson may win at GA Tech. However, he will not beat Mark Richt at Georgia. There is no coach in the country who could come to Tech and compete with Mark Richt. Georgia attracts the best players, and Tech could lose 12 or 14 straight games to the Bulldogs

By jacketbacker

December 7, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Hey Jeff….I don’t know who you’re talking to but every Tech alum/fan I’ve talked to today is VERY excited. One of my most pessimistic Tech friends is already committed to buying season tickets next year. Believe me, the BUZZ is real! Also believe this; the doggies are not happy. No Chan to kick around anymore. They’re restless in their trailer parks tonight! Great hire DRad! We’re back in the football business!

By Ken Roberts

December 7, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Johnson will certainly do better than Gailey. The bar hasn’t been set very high, unfortunately.

By GoldArchie

December 7, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Seriously, you get paid for this? Can we not get something better to read than this value menu editorial junk food? Please AJC hire actual writers who know something about Tech, where is the next Bisher. I know Tech doesn’t produce professional journalist (obviously) and that’s part of the issue, but please at least someone who has some deeper apprecation than Bill Lewis. I think I will go eat a Big Mac to wash down this terrible article.

By Melinda

December 7, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

GSU’s athletic department paid it’s own way when he was head coach. Homes games were standing room only. Navy has money pouring into its coffers and has embarked on building improvements to its facilities that benefit all student athletes.

Oh, and head to head, Johnson beat Bobby Ross (you remember that guy that won a National Championship for Tech almost two decades ago) three years in a row. He turned around a dismal service academy program while Bobby Ross did not manage to turn in a winning season when hired to do the same thing at Army. And he was a proven commodity. He also hung 59 points on Jim Tressel in the I-AA championship game in 1999. THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!

Paul Johnson has done nothing but break records, set new ones and WIN everywhere he has been. You keep writing your crappy column while he gets to work on making Georgia Tech a football power again. You’re right. Time will tell that he is a great coach and that you don’t have the great american novel in you after all.

By Miserable Dawg Fan

December 7, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

I’ll never get over how we were totally screwed by the BCS. We should be playing for a National Championship for the first time in nearly 3 decades. Even the bugs got one since us. This was our best chance in years and we failed. I said I HATE to be a Georgia Bulldawg!! We just suck hind t** all the time.

By Scott

December 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that MT spells it “excided”. Go Dawgs! You guys are so fun to watch and listen to. You make dumb people feel so awesome!

By The Rest of the story

December 7, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

…a snowstorm knocked out his power as he was trying to decide to leave Navy and come to Tech…That’s a great decision point!!!! In other words, on a bright sunny day, the decision may have been different. Committed??? Chris Hatcher, are you still there? Charlie??

By CoachPaulHewitt

December 7, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz is a loser and a disgrace. Its writers like him who keep the AJC from being a real newspaper.

By Mooky

December 7, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Tech is definitely at a disadvantage with the high academic standards of the school, particularly since Tech’s main competitor, Georgia, has no academic standards at all and one of the lowest graduation rates in the whole country.

By Chuck Uga

December 7, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

Tony, You have to consider that most Tech fans ae not keeping up with Georgia’s current MACHINE. Mark Richt’s success is NOT going to slow down one bit because of Paul Johnson. Is Tech going to eventually beat UGA? Of course. Is Tech going to somehow DERAIL the Georgia program and start winning every year? Not a chance in he__. Paul Johnson will do very well in the ACC, but he still will have to deal with Clemson, Va Tech, up-and-coming power North Carolina, a tough NC State, Virginia every other year (Tech can’t win up there no matter what). I can see PJ winning 8 games and losing 4 as a norm with a 9-3 record occasionally. He’ll eventually play for an ACC title. that’s all Tech needed, but make sure all the delusional fans know that Georgia has reached the pinnacle of success and will be staying there a LONG time if Mark Richt hangs around Athens. UGA WILL BE a perennial Top 10 team for years to come.

By coit

December 7, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

What’s wrong Jeffy?

Are you mad that you weren’t in the loop, and you looked a complete idiot when your Friday story was shot full of holes around mid-day?

Be nice to Tony Barnhart and maybe he’ll give you the inside scoop next time.

Oh, and your hair makes you look like the pointy haired boss in Dilbert-land. Very nice.

By GT76

December 7, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Great for GT! Good luck to Chan. I’m sure he will land on his feet. The AJC sucks. I haven’t bought one in years and won’t. I try not to even let my eyes see the ads online. Tony, you need to leave this rotten paper before it’s too late. Schultz you are pathetic.

By brad

December 7, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

this is probably the worst newspaper in the world. Even CNN is less biased than this paper. Farwell to the crappy ajc. I will find some where else to get my information. Your editors should take a clue from everyone else and fire your a**. I know im not the only one who has hung their hat on this site and its paper, and im not the last. Congrats John for helping to drive the AJC into the ground.

By BuzzFromPittsburgh

December 7, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

The Atlanta Constipation SUCKS. Coach Johnson, welcome to Georgia Tech and beat UGA-Y

By MisterT

December 7, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Jeff, if you are what we have to look forward to on this side of the fold. I can tell you that not only will I not be reading your column, but calling for a Boycott of anything that is advertised on the same page as your column/blog.

Do I have anyone willing to join me?

Please start writing and calling the sponsors whose ad fall on the banner ads that come up on Jeff’s column and tell them that you will not be patronizing their goods or services.

This is how we can get Jeff removed from reporting on Tech Sports.

I don’t want him fired. I just want him off of the Tech Beat. If he gets fired that is purely up to him not asking to be removed from the Beat.

Let me hear from the masses. Have you had enough of Jeff’s negativity towards Tech Sports?

Note the only non-ajc ad on this page is Georgia Power. Let them hear from you. We may also want to appeal to the advertisers on the on the ajchomefinder and the ajc travel pages.

Let them hear from you.

By kool$kat

December 7, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

to the “miserable dawg fan” (10:41 post); BCS didn’t screw UGA. UGA screwed itself by choking on Spurrier (again) and losing to that perennial superpower, Tennessee. You finished 2nd in your half of the conference. No way you deserve a title shot. THWG!

By brad

December 7, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

your one of the reasons why i will never read this paper or this web site ever again. Congrats Jeff on running everyone off this page. This page is trash

By GO Jackets

December 7, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

Saying Paul Johnson may or may not win. Well heck don’t go out on a limb or anything. Tomorrow it may or may not rain. I guess I can be a weather reporter now. You either look at Paul’s resume and say he should be successful at Tech or you say you think he won’t because of the following reasons. You take a position. Not state the obvious.

By RealGTFan

December 7, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Jacketbacker,

Umm what are you a moron?! What you and like two other Tech fans are happy that Tech hired Chan’s brother to take over the program! I am a HUGE Tech fan and quite honestly i am p** that Tech hired PJ as the coach! Chris Hatcher was the RIGHT man for the job and DAN just screwed Tech over… ah well I guess we will have to wait another six seasons until we can get it right… by that time we might be forfeiting our games to UGA so we dont get embarrassed on national TV!!!

By Jeffy Schultz sucks

December 7, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

WOW jeffy, you really are a disgrace to journalists everywhere. why the hell does the ajc even cover tech?? tech would be much better off without these negative so called articles bashing the program. uga is a good program, and it is ok for you guys to favor them, since they are a national power. there is a huge difference between favoring uga and just ripping apart the tech program in every single article.

you know this negativity isn’t because of paul johnson, but because it gives you a chance to bash tech. tech is a damn good program, and its 11 straight bowl appearences is actually longer than that of uga’s. see, i’m a huge tech fan, and i’m not bashing uga, but actually saying positive things about your bulldogs. your the journalist, not me, but maybe you can learn something from me.

nevermind, why don’t you do us all a huge favor, and NEVER write another article about tech again? seriously jeffy, you aren’t a real writer, just a uga fan who gets to bash tech. the ajc should really show tech more respect since it is the home team. i’m tired of PATHETIC writers like you JEFFY SCHULTZ treating us like second class citizens.

By Jeffy Schultz sucks

December 7, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

WOW jeffy, you really are a disgrace to journalists everywhere. why the hell does the ajc even cover tech?? tech would be much better off without these negative so called articles bashing the program. uga is a good program, and it is ok for you guys to favor them, since they are a national power. there is a huge difference between favoring uga and just ripping apart the tech program in every single article.

you know this negativity isn’t because of paul johnson, but because it gives you a chance to bash tech. tech is a damn good program, and its 11 straight bowl appearences is actually longer than that of uga’s. see, i’m a huge tech fan, and i’m not bashing uga, but actually saying positive things about your bulldogs. your the journalist, not me, but maybe you can learn something from me.

nevermind, why don’t you do us all a huge favor, and NEVER write another article about tech again? seriously jeffy, you aren’t a real writer, just a uga fan who gets to bash tech. the ajc should really show tech more respect since it is the home team. i’m tired of PATHETIC writers like you JEFFY SCHULTZ treating us like second class citizens.

By Er Krussell

December 7, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

You yellow jackets are the biggest whiners on earth. Did we complain when Jeffy called us “the trembling chihuahuas?” No. We actually laughed. Paul Johnson is probably a better hire than Gailey and one reason for that is he doesn’t sound like he just pulled up at the Forest Park farmers’ market on the watermelon truck from Sumter County. He actually sounds like Richt, so you no longer need be embarassed about that juxtaposition in the rivalry. He will probably win 7-9 games a year playing 1-AA Jax State and the weaklings of the ACC. And, frankly, he will probably beat Georgia before another six years is up, so you’ve come out ahead.

By hey nitwit

December 7, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

You still have some crow left to eat. BTW—we know you don’t have any integrity as demonstrated by your complete ignorance and disdain for reporting and facts, but, Johnson did not put his hat in the ring at Arkansas—he wasn’t rejected.

You do nothing more than predict then analyze your prediction. You don’t report facts. You are an embarrassment to your profession. If you were a terrorist, you’d be an embarrassment to those scum.

By Splibking

December 7, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Damn Jeff; You are a tool. I imagine you as some kind of creature that swims around in a cesspool filled with the most vile p!ss & sh!t in the world. Swimming around, scratching and clawing; Choking and fighting for every breath,looking for that toe hold to pull yourself out. And after succeeding, turn right around and execute the perfect swan dive right back in there. You are a tool. I imagine you as a purebred dog. The perfect coat. The perfect bone structure. Perfect stance. The best disposition for your breed. But you’re no Bulldog. You could not be so regal a breed as the bulldog. You sir are a full blooded “Shi teater”. What a tool you are. The thing about journalism is that the writer must deal with the facts. But you use your imagination to write your articles. So I thought I would share some of my imagination with you. GT got them a good coach didn’t they? DRAD wouldn’t throw you a bone, and you panicked.But that’s understandable. That’s the disposition of a purebred “Shi Teater”.

By bb

December 8, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

Predictable. How else to save face after yesterdays embarrassment of an article. Again sloppy, lazy journalism.

The AJC is so predictable.

By jim

December 8, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

You’re obviously trying to get attention by writing negative crap no matter what. However, I question why it’s always negative against ga tech. could you explain to me why since many of your readers are dogs. I’d really like to understand your point of view.

By B

December 8, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Great job Dan..Thanks for the early Christmas present , “Coach Johnson.” * JEff all I got to say to u is I will pray for you.*

By TJ

December 8, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Hey, Sgt. Schultz …. F You

By ugadawgfan

December 8, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

If all the Tech fans that are cancelling their subscriptions to the AJC would show up for home games Tech could expand their high school stadium again.

By trout

December 8, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this

UGA, we may not beat you next year b/c your team is loaded but take note. This is a a team to reckon with once his system is in place and Nesbitt is a Junior. AJC sees an opportunity to slur someone who hasn’t lost a game at Tech (or won) but its because they know mediocrity is over. Its do or die and I have a feeling we’ll do. It may not be next year but w/ Nesbitt and the rest of the top recruiting class in ages at Tech are of age, its Game On.

By the way, some writers are saying that UGA is a pre season #1 team next year. At least someone from the great state of Georgia is repping us proud. But to h-ll w/ Georgia and Ramble On Paul Johnson. Our time is coming.

By wld

December 8, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

I am a Georgia bulldog fan for life but tech got the right man for the job!!!!! the best since Bobby D!!!!!

By Jesse

December 8, 2007 1:25 AM | Link to this

Jesse WHO? How many Jesse’s do you know? Wait til the cameras get here! The Black Coaches Association will not stand for this blatant disregard by Georgia Tech. You line up this list of white folk and then before I can get my nose powdered, you hire this Johnson guy. Well, you have not heard the end of this. We’re bringing in Charlie Strong for HIS interview and we will insist he be made at least Co-Head Coach. What? Hewitt don’t count…there’s plenty of African-Armenians coaching basketball. We want our share of football coaches. If we don’t get the response we want, we’ll tell A-A recruits to boycott Tech and both A-A fans to stop buying tickets. Watch for me at 11 on Channels 2, 5, 11, 17, 36, CNN, Headlines News, and other sophisticated outlets. You better get used to seeing me in town! I haven’t finished with Coca-Cola either.

By whatever

December 8, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this

whatever, Jeff, you jackhole. funny thing is, i can’t easily find the stupid article you wrote a day or two ago about how bad a job GT was or how GT couldn’t pay, …

you’re a pathetic, bitter, jock-sniffer…

also, i didn’t read the article above, i was just looking for a place to call you a pathetic jock-sniffer.

By Jesse

December 8, 2007 1:38 AM | Link to this

Upon further consideration, we fully support the hiring of Coach Johnson and wish him the best. (Editor’s note: Mr. Jackson is seen carrying a duffel bag containing large denomination bills and getting into a stretch Hummer.) As always, film at 11.

By Alabama Jack

December 8, 2007 1:48 AM | Link to this

This just in. Coach Johnson hires Jesus Christ as Offensive Coordinator. Jeff Shultz worries over who will call the plays and whether this means Tech will never have to play in adverse weather.

Get a clue, dude, when you have to explain your columns, they ain’t columns. They are dog do.

By Vu Pham

December 8, 2007 1:54 AM | Link to this

Fire Jeff Schultz!

To the editors/managers at the AJC:

Articles like this are the reason many Tech fans refuse to subscribe to the AJC. Many of us have felt for a while that the AJC sports section is biased against Tech, and the last two columns written by this jerk are great examples. Fire this hack of a sports reporter and I (as well as many other Tech fans) will immediately subscribe to the AJC.

By AJC is retarded

December 8, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this

I didn’t even read this article. Jeff Shultz, Mark Bradley, Mike Knobler, and everyone else at the AJC can just shut up. Your editorials are ignorant. Your bias is unbelievable. Johnson will do for now? I used to find it hard to believe sportswriters have an agenda, but it’s pretty clear reporting on sports is never enough for you guys…you have to try and make an impact on them. Give it a rest…you were never good enough to play, and you’re not good enough to write about it.

Just keep paying these guys AJC, and I’ll continue not subscribing to your paper.

By Keno

December 8, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this

Jeff: I didn’t see the negativity some folks are complaining about. I seriously think most of the idiot bloggers are stoned by this time of night. It was interesting! It was food for thought! I have high hopes for Johnson, and it’ll be interesting to watch it unfold. Of course I wanted to give Chan Gailey another year, but once the troops get so far down on a coach, it wouldn’t matter if he was Darryll Royal or Bear Bryant, he has to go. Anyway, I continue to enjoy your column and the other AJC writers. I’m sure you’re not losing any sleep over Blogsville. Most of these complainers are AJC subscribers, or would buy a paper if that was the only way to get your articles. They complain mightily, but they continue to read and can’t let it go. How weird. I think most of them are Georgia fans anyway.

By surfrider

December 8, 2007 2:44 AM | Link to this

Great Hire. I’m reminded of Bobby Cremins coming out of nowhere being the 6th choice for basketball in 1981. Tech could have won big with the wishbone back in the 70’s with Pepper but the facilities were’nt there and the alumni support was’nt there. Ross brought the passing game to Tech in the late 80’s. I’m hoping this is a combination. Matter of fact with Shawn Jones, Hamilton, and Godsey we had a good option game to go with a pro style offense. Leading the nation 4 out of 6 years at Navy is incredible. We should be able to throw the ball out of the option and make this a top offense. At the same time recruiting should get better in state more regularly and also be better Nationally. Anyone who has coached at Hawaii can throw the football. I’ve always wandered why the wishbone was junked and why a passing component was’nt added to the wishbone, that did’nt exist 20 or 30 years ago. Another good thing as good as some Qb’s are this offense does’nt have to have a 4 star recruit. Remember Gary Lanier in Pepper’s offense or Danny Myers or for that matter Doug Flutie at BC.

By Raddog

December 8, 2007 2:52 AM | Link to this

* How can you put a negative spin on this Jeff? *

* Of course he might fail, anyone could. But is the option of winning not worth a positive comment? *

* YOU’RE AN A* DUDE *

By Chan is the Man

December 8, 2007 3:05 AM | Link to this

Heck, we managed 7-5 this year…with wins over ND, Samford, UNC, Duke, Army, Miami, and Clemson.

I mean a drunk monkey could have won seven games this year…and you can hang the Clemson win on Tenuta, not Gailey.

Paul Johnson will go 8-4 next year…with losses to VaTech, Clemson, FSU and UGA…but even a drunk monkey could beat Ole Miss, UNC, Duke, Virginia, Miami, BC, and whatever FCS scrubs we schedule. In ‘09 look for a 10-3 season and a win in the Gator bowl…and we’ll finally beat UGA and play for the ACC championship in 2010 at 11-1 (the one loss at Clemson).

Post this on your wall…it’s going to happen (the drunk monkey knows).

Oh, and I wouldn’t read a Jeff Schultz post-it note.

By The Grinch

December 8, 2007 3:10 AM | Link to this

Congrats, nerds. You guys finally got a coach. Being a Dawg fan and a Southern alumn, I can fire it to you from two perspectives. Johnson is all the coach; I watched him go back to back NC’s with with Adrian Peterson (the Chicago version); it’ll be hard to root against him. I was a bit worried at first that you guys might be able to pull one off now; but that’s a good thing. It’s about time this was a rivalry again; I got tired of y’all not being a challenge. Welcome to the show; give him a chance to get his style going and nobody will be disappointed.

By MarkRichtFan

December 8, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this

If you Techies want to beat Georgia, you should have raised some real money and bought out Mark Richt’s contract. As long as MR is at Georgia you have slim to no change of beating the Dogs. Paul Johnson is a fine coach, and a good man (so was Chan), but he won’t touch UGA in at least his first 3 seasons at Tech. (It could be a lot longer than that.) The drought in Georgia will be a distant memory and Lake Lanier will be full before Tech’s drought against Georgia ends!

By Buzz

December 8, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this

GREAT HIRE..GO JACKETS ! ! !

By BUZZ

December 8, 2007 4:13 AM | Link to this

THE “DROUGHT” WILL BE BROKEN NEXT YEAR AND IT WILL RAIN ON PUPPY POOCHIE FANS LIKE IT DID IN COACH DODD’S DAYS…BETTER GET YOUR LIFE PRESERVERS OUT

By jason

December 8, 2007 6:30 AM | Link to this

Georgia fan taking an interest into Tech’s hire. I like it. I think Johnson is a good hire. Consider that he won at Navy with a very limited talent pool. He won at GSU also. Curious as to what offense he will run. I read West Virginia’s spread. If so, it will be interesting to see it week in week out. I am not ready to cocede victory to Tech just yet, but the next few years will be even more intense. Congragulations on a good hire.

By face only a mother could love

December 8, 2007 6:48 AM | Link to this

Jeff, if you must write these miserable articles, please don’t put your little picture next to it. You have a newspaper/radio face. Hey, I bet your hero is Tony Kornheiser.

By Indian Hoochie

December 8, 2007 6:52 AM | Link to this

Good morning Leo! Get in on the Jeff bashing. He’s so ugly he had to treak or treat on the phone.

By T

December 8, 2007 6:53 AM | Link to this

I think some Tech Alum had an affair with Jeff’s wife, or maybe Jeff continues to be cuckholded today, one thing is for sure, he is a terrible journalist, and he isnt a pretty man

By alan

December 8, 2007 7:05 AM | Link to this

Sports Staff: I hope your paper can sell really good in Athens because I believe the Tech Fans are about to submit about 50,000 subscription cancellations in Atlanta if this homer attitude doesn’t stop now.

By borodawg

December 8, 2007 7:27 AM | Link to this

Wow! Reading the comments, I could’ve sworn it was a Terrence Moore column. JS is right of course; only time will tell and a new hire is always a ‘perfect choice’. “If I thought…we couldn’t compete for championships, I wouldn’t be standing here.” Hmmm. And he actually thought he’d win championships at Navy? That illogical (a Techie thang) statement aside, I think he’ll be a good coach for Tech, based on his record. By the way, to assume he’ll run the triple option is absurd. Better to assume that he’ll run an offense that blends some option with other facets that suit the talent available. Anyhow, looks like T.Moore has some company now at the AJC.

By bubbac

December 8, 2007 7:27 AM | Link to this

The AJC quit selling papers below the Macon line. With you and T. Moore writing, it won’t be long before they quit selling them in Hot Atlanta. ——-Good luck PJ!

By Buzzsaw

December 8, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this

Jeff, Way to throw out the welcome mat! After yesterday’s column, you would have been better to say nothing. Don’t show up to a Johnson press conference because he’ll eat you alive. He’s straight forward and tells you exactly how he thinks. You really owe the man an apology.

Go Jackets.

By Jimbo

December 8, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this

Wow,JS you’re an idiot. Better hurry over to Athens as I heard Mark Richt clearing his voice. He must have something important to say. It’s people like you that eep articles such as this off the front page of the ajc.com. Do you think you could have buried any deeper?

By Hal

December 8, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this

I bought a new car It was a model that had been tested and proven to be one of the best current models. However it remains to be seen if it can sucessfully get me to and from work and get the milage everyone else got from this same model. Also will it get me through tough traffic and over the highways at high speed. They say it will but I don’t know. Is that what your implying Schultz? The bottom line is recruiting but the tools are now in place.

By TDone

December 8, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

Nice job trying to admit you were wrong. However, you lost all credibility when it comes to all matters related to Tech.

So do us all a favor and stick to Muttland and the Thrashers. You…You…Myopian Hush Puppy Wannabe.

By Jimbo

December 8, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

Your’re an idiot

By TDone

December 8, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this

www.firejefffschultz.com

By George

December 8, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this

RE: Shultz Great “Welcome to Atlanta!” from the home town newspaper. Man, you must be fun to hang out with.

By George

December 8, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this

RE: Schultz Great “Welcome to Atlanta!” from the home town newspaper. Man, you must be fun to hang out with.

By 3volpaul

December 8, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this

Dear Ga Tech, we of the Orange Nation to the North do hereby formally offer to exchange one Philapottamus for Mr. Johnson. This deal will be sweetened by a weekly truck-load of K Kremes and two cases of Ding-Dongs. We await your reply. Oh, a replica of his 10-year old NC trophy along with SEC CG “appearance” trophys also comes.

By Dawgsrule

December 8, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this

Paul Johnson’s a good man, but will not be able to win at this level—-tech will end up firing him in 3 years and looking again for someone, anyone who can win against Georgia and win more than 6-7 games. Hang it up tech fans, georgia rules the south.

By eddie

December 8, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this

WOW! Almost 100% agreement that Jeff is full of Schultz (or something similar). Bottom line: Schultz is a pathetic excuse for a columnist. In reality, nobody gives a rat’s a* what he thinks. He is consistently inferior.

By TDone

December 8, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

After reading the other posts, it appears you have replaced Bark Madley and T. Moore as the most worthless POS at AJC, even above J. Bookman and C. Tucker.

Is there not a sports page editor at the AJC? If so, the job is not being done.

By Alabama Jack

December 8, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

TECH will never beat uga, until the SEC stops recruiting officials from the Georgia School for the Blind.

By buzz off

December 8, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

Alot of ajc sportswriters are UGA grads.Should i say more???

By Average Joe

December 8, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

Hahahahahahahaha! Your two articles….yesterday was embarrassingly inaccurate and today was a profession of what everyone already knows…..nice job buddy.

By NYJACKET

December 8, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

Every writer for the AJC seems to be critical of Tech’s program(s). And, most articles are simply a writers opinion - not insight. I have grown weary of reading this crap. Has the AJC turned into a training program for the National Enquirer?

Jeff, a simple I was wrong statement would have been good.

I agree with other bloggers who suggest having Furman Bisher teach seminars on positive and effective sports coverage to the new crop of AJC “Journalists”.

By son_sir

December 8, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

After yesterdays piece, you’ve proven yourself an uninformed journalist.
A simple, “I’m an idiot” would have sufficed today. But no, you went on and wrote another great example of lunacy. I’m glad I don’t have to pay for this drivel.

By mart

December 8, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

GT will have a series of 7-5 seasons with Johnson, not too different from Chan’s. However, Tech will probably beat the Dogs about once every 5 years instead of never.

By sam

December 8, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

Jeff, just for the record i thought your column today was well said….I think Johnson was as good as Tech could come up with…And as you said time will tell if he can win with the tripple run thing or not ..I kinda doubt it….But as you say…time will tell….whatever all the gang got on you for seems to be just fear of another can’t get it done guy…..If he can beat UGA and CMR in recruting year after year ,then he’ll be a winner…But don’t count on that happening…GO DAWGS

By TDone

December 8, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

One thing I think not only Tech fans do wrong, but also the AJC and others is to compare Tech to Georgia. The objective is to compare Tech…to Tech. If we consistently are better than ourselves, then all will be OK.

As for Muttland, will someone please explain to me what exactly they have done in this century which is so dadgum great outside of beating Tech 7 years in a row? And the 7 losses were the fault of Tech.

Muttland when you compare them to Southern Cal, Ohio State, and Oklahoma are not in the same leage.

So please, Muttland is really not all that and a bag a chips. And since there is no Gailey or Reggie around, their days are numbered when it comes to us.

Take it to the house!!!

By optimistic bee

December 8, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

I think some of you guys are going a bit overboard with this best coach in the country talk. I mean the only other schools interested in the guy were SMU and Duke. If he is so great then why no Michigan ,Arkansas, or UCLA. I am cautiously optimistic that he can turn things around but lets not start booking hotels to next years national championship game yet. GEEZ. In fact it will probably take him a few years to get the type of players he wants into the system. Don’t be shocked if his first year or two doesn’t produce similar results to what gailey did here. It will take some patience before we see the tide began to turn.

By gatech87

December 8, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

Mr. Shultz,

Screw you, the AUC, and UGAy (you got your nose stuffed up their arse so far you can smell what they had for dinner)…

By Sam

December 8, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Go Jackets!

By Well Duh, Jeff!

December 8, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

I have come to expect this type of writing from you and some others at the AJC. It is just your style to take a dig at the fans so you can generate plenty of hate mail, which equates to readership. This is a common practice at the AJC these days.
It is just too hard for you guys to write articles with class.
They just don’t make Furman Bishers any more.

By Mike

December 8, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

I am from Navy and I must say “fair winds and following seas” Coach Johnson. We loved what you did for us in the six years you were at Navy. And for the folks at GA Tech! You have one of the best coaches in America. He WILL win at Tech there is no doubt. Is the triple option exciting? Pitching the ball out to a slot back breaking up the field is more exciting than any pass but he will pass and he will have superior athletes to work with. Media savvy? No. Who cares! No one really! Do you want to win or not? Case closed. The Dawgs should be quaking in their cleats! Go Navy Beat Army!

By CCjacket

December 8, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

hope you like your new job… whatever it is… when the AJC finally has to “downsize” YOU…

boy I can’t wait….

By buzzsaw

December 8, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

Coach Johnson left Navy to the AJC welcome. This is what he left behind. I hope the GTECH family feels the same way in a few years if you have the wisdom to give the man some time to develop a “team”.

From the Annapolis newspaper:

“Members of the Brigade of Midshipmen made their feelings known to Johnson this morning. When dawn broke, there was a giant banner draped across the front door of Ricketts Hall that read: “We love our Johnson. Don’t go.”

In addition, the Brigade of Midshipmen sent Johnson a letter that read:

“Don’t go, please! You mean more to this institution and the people here than you could ever mean to the people at Georgia Tech, Duke or SMU. You are respected and loved worldwide by men and women who defend this country on a daily basis. Stay with us and become a legend. We’re behind you 100 percent and always will be. See you in San Diego. Navy is the Brigade’s team. Navy is your team.”

Yeah AJC, you’ve got a winner…at least show some respect for one day without trying to tell the coach how to recruit, who to recruit, what offense to change, who to play, etc. Tech hired him…let him go to work and you’ll all enjoy the benefits.

By GT81

December 8, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

Yes yes good hire.

What annoys me though is the timing. Why do these AD’s have to do their firing and hiring before the bowls are over? It’s all in the name of some corporate buzzword about maximum productivity I suppose, but I think the AD’s should let the teams play the season before they go changing the coaches.

By BigDawg

December 8, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

Tech fans should be glad that anyone writes about them in any way form or fashion.Soon no one will be able to see you at all after that shadow that UGA cast upon you grows darker and darker.

By Mike

December 8, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

The article is pretty amazing. All you have to do is look at his record. The ability to recruit players that couldn’t break into the top tier and make them winners in a system he can use their talents. He’s a genius. And second half? Oh my gosh. I haven’t seen a better coach at second half adjustments! AND RECRUITING IN GA!!! You should see how many players on Navy’s squad come from GEORGIA. He is going to do GREAT recruiting in the best FB state in the country. Good luck coach! Navy Class of 1982

By LOL

December 8, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Oh man…I love to watch the Buzzers get their hopes up…it is great watching them fall back to earth and crash. First it was Reggie Ball and then Choice now your savior is this guy…good luck…lol.

By GoJackets!!

December 8, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Man it is soo great to have the hometown paper blast the HOMETOWN team’s coaching decisions. Unbelievable!! Do us all a favor and put the pen down.

By Curt Moore

December 8, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

Thank you for the prompt reply to your premature article critical of GT. Please continue your negative editorials on GT. We’ve come to expect them. Selah

By billgt

December 8, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

I wish you would start with a clean slate somewhere else

By Steve Sherwood

December 8, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

An Ode to Coach Johnson It’s not the win o’er the Great Notre Dame; Nor the traditional encounters with Old Orange Auburn; An ACC trophy, we can take or leave; And you can squeeze Oranges through a sieve; NOT the jetting to the land of Smurf Blue; or the empty seats while playing Div II; Not even those tangles with ‘noles and Tiger-rag runts; And although PROUD, you can’t win with just punts. No, it’s the sick luck than looms to the east; The Richt-era spoiling our T-giving feast; That UGA-ly despicable little pooch; There’s only one task for our Middie-land coach - And all who are reading this knows the mandate; ‘Cause if you don’t, you’re neither live nor awake. To Hell With Georgia.

By atmman

December 8, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

Paul could not beat UGA when he was with Ga Southern, and he had better talent then!

By Fat Bastid

December 8, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

Shultzie, Shultzie, Shultzie!

You’ve lost any journaliatic credibility that you may have once had. You “jumped the shark tank”, my man. You’re a real Munson!

By Fat Bastid

December 8, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Shultzie, Shultzie, Shultzie!

You’ve lost any journaliatic credibility that you may have once had. You “jumped the shark tank”, my man. You’re a real Munson!

By reality check

December 8, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

Paul Johnson has had success on the field and appears to be a great hire.

The biggest wild card is that he has never coached in an environment where the fan base is so negative and shrill as Tech’s.

Want evidence? Look at the responses on this blog. Shultz has essentially pointed out the truth. His message: looks like a good hire. Let’s see how he performs.

That isn’t negative, and I’m not being negative. I think Paul Johnson is a great hire. Let’s see how he does.

By michaelgee

December 8, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

The Yellow Jacket Nation rejoices!

One ahole at the ajc already has himself out on a very long skinny limb, yet Paul Johnson hasn’t even unpacked yet.

How wise do you have to be to throw a new Coach under the bus while he hasn’t even moved his luggage yet?

Not very.

But Schultz, we know we can depend on you to open your mouth and fully insert your foot. Personally, I come here from time to time just to watch you display your lack of football knowledge, this is the funniest show in town.

Watching the Jeff Schultz train wreck is pretty funny stuff.

I’ll give you that! What a genius act, you write so many goofy articles and make a total a* of yourself, the city of ATL and the State of Georgia laugh at your antics.

Your best line this week was the **Just Paul Johnson”” resume jokes. Not even including his Hawaii stint was beautiful, he averaged passing for over 4,000 yards per season while there.

Just Jeff Schultz calling out Just Paul Johnson, you are a riot Jeff!

Jeff Schultz IS the ajc’s a* clown.

By HERE HERE

December 8, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

It is amazing how the AJC (afflicted jackass commentary)writers run Tech down all year—suck up to the dog breaths——try to pick a new coach for Tech—and then dog the new hire. Typical—they can’t stand to see Tech get any good press—so they continue to criticize any and all decisions, etc. I’ll bet Jeff has his toes painted red year round. I’ll bet he cried his self to sleep the night of the bowl selections—could not stop thinkg about how his precious team (who did not even win their conference) got screwed—lol. He will be very disappointed when Hawaii whips their butt. What will be the excuse then -Jeffrey boy.I’ll bet you have a fat head on your wall of Mark Richt (who by the way is a good guy). You so called writers are really pathetic—I’ll bet you vote for Hillary.

By NavyFanInAtl

December 8, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

There’s nothing wrong with negative articles when they are informed, insightful, and interesting. Mr. Shultz recent articles on Paul Johnson are the polar opposite of this. In his first article he calls out everybody from UGA, Tech, Navy, Duke, SMU to Gailey, Johnson, Radakavich, etc. * with nary a fact or insight* to back it up. He clearly did * zero* work to prep for writing these articles. Not many of us get paid to do * zero* work. To make up for all of the subscription cancellations resulting from Mr. Schultz’s misguided writing, Mr. Jay Smith should ensure he doesn’t * waste any more money * paying Mr. Schultz to write further idiotic articles, at least in the fie state of Georgia. If you want to let Mr. Smith know what you think of Mr. Schultz, you can reach him at: * Jay R. Smith, President Cox Newspapers, Inc. 6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Atlanta, Ga., 30328 678.645.0000 Jay.Smith@coxinc.com *

In the meantime,we’ve got bowl games to win! Go Navy, go Dawgs, go Tech!

By Navigator

December 8, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Some of you don’t understand the negatives, well let me give you one. He runs the wishbone, eliminated from the vocabulary when defenses got sophisticated and fast. You think Gailey is hard headed, wait to you see this guy try to force the wishbone into a real division 1 school. The second item of concern was Johnson’s ability to protract a seven year contract, almost unheard of by a new hire. Call it panic when the AD’s office agrees to anything to avoid the embarrassment of not being able to get a quality coach. Remember UGA went out and got a coach from a 1-AA National championship team, and we all know what happened later. Good luck Tech, and you’d better be lucky on this one.

By truth

December 8, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

Unbelievable! What a bunch of puppets. I’m an out of towner with both ACC & SEC degrees, but I can’t fathom why this burst of emotional garbage against a fairly common-sense article. Nothing’s proven yet - good choic vrs bad choice. Facts aren’t out yet. So why all the “you’re so negative” hogwash?!?He just requested “wait and see”. Personally, both the GT and GA fans in my neighborhood are sub-standard - can’t rake leaves, park cars properly, or even take in their trash bins. I wish you both losing seasons - in all sports. Happy New Year.

By jacketmania

December 8, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

I CANCELLED MINE because of this type crap!!. I had subscribed or bought the paper for 50 years.

By Cleon

December 8, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Tech should have considered a black coach instead of Paul Johnson, who runs the wishbone. That will not work in the ACC. Charlie Strong of Florida would have been a much better choice. Just more evidence of racism toward the brothers in Atlanta!

By ODELL THURMAN

December 8, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

yo gee, I be scared we ain’t going to be dancing no more when the dawgs score TDs cause we be losing.

dis Navy crip scares me. I be glad thou cause the Tek game is da last game and my boz’s all be off suspendshon for drgus, assults, and beating up the Athens Holes.

Shout out to my boz Tony Cole and Randy McMichael, ahh yea, GO DAWGS Mug’um…i be meaning sic’em

By Merlyn Brown IE 1960

December 8, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Jeff, is your glass ever half full?? You love to incite, right??

By XXXX

December 8, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Jeff, you are absolutely correct. What is there to say ? Johnson could work out well and we want him to but his past does not tell us all we need to know. If he had won consistently at the Div 1A level we would know more but he hasn’t been there. Navy played four seemingly strong 1-A opponents this year- Pitt, Rutgers, Wake, and ND- won 2, lost 2. Playing against GA is another league. He knows it. The key for me is to keep Tenuta whom I think DRAD is smart enough to be negotiating with at this moment. Yes, I know that Arkansas did’nt want to interview Johnson but also it seems that Tech did not want to interview Houston Nutt. Don’t tell me that Mississippi is a better job than the Tech.

By RAMBLE ON!

December 8, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

truth well take your carpet bagging a$$ back North where your indignant pretentious a$$ came from, moron.

Maybe we’ll rake the leaves when they are all done falling, dumba$$, did you ever think of that?

By Jack G

December 8, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Jeff as usual——NEGATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE

By mike

December 8, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

glad this column was so short cause i was about to stop reading it half-way through … what a waste of time. it went nowhere! schultz, are you tired from chasing your tail? you tried and tried to make a coach who has not only won everywhere he’s coached—but won in convincing style with not near the athletes that will now be at his disposal—into an almost unknown gamble by tech. if tech had hired a few others without such stellar results as a HC, i could understand you sentiments. but paul johnson??? we’ll be waiting for your “i was wrong about tech” column next football season!

By Robert Easley

December 8, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Schultz,

When it come to writing about Georgia Tech you should save your pragmatic point of view and laud priase over UGA.

As always your references are off base and point of great thought are meaningless. I’ve been reading your articles as long as you have been with the AJC and you’re pretty close to batting 0.000 when talking about Tech.

By prickly vagina

December 8, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Aww did jeffy get his feelins hurt that GT didn’t warn him before he wrote his last shi-tty article? poor gut, must suck to have such low self esteem and such little hair left.

By xxxx

December 8, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

I think DRAD is to be highly complimented on this search. First of all, he realized that it needed to be done. He strongly considered or interviewed the few who seemed to be right for Tech and then picked one who is probably the best. DRAD showed strong understanding that Tech is unique and needs not someone who will just win but run a clean program with kids who are expected to achieve in the classroom. These are the key considerations.

By bill

December 8, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

I live in the north right now and I can’t understand how ANYONE who loves the Jackets could be unhappy with this hire. Actually, you take ANY hire and compare it to any other situation. Trying to put a negative spin on this is beyond inappropiate. How many Tech loyalists felt this way when Gailey or Lewis was hired??? Or for that matter, GO’L??? This isn’t about spinning a cautious negative in order to say ” I told you so” 3 years later. This is what a good top level Div 1 team needs…a coach who has had success beyond expectations, a coach who has character and integrity and a coach who has the energy to get the job done. This is a very good day for Tech football, no matter what negative spin is being vomited upon us.

By Call out

December 8, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

You are a spineless moron. You had the chance to eat some crow and admit that your previous article was a bit hasty and incorrect. As expected, you copped out with another negative article. Congrats on another failure.

By Kevin

December 8, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

Good article. I enjoy your columns. I like Tech and UGA - I went to a school that didn’t have football. The Tech people need to chill. They will be the first ones to complain when he doesn’t immediately go 9-3. I mean the guy was thinking about SMU and Duke? Over Tech? - Yes Tech people that tells you that the perception is different now - I thought it would have been cool to get O’Leary back - Think Notre Dame would take him now? They got their comeupance for what they did to him.

By f***

December 8, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

You are an idiotic coc.ksucker

By BartBuzz

December 8, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

For God’s sake Jeff…GT just hired a new coach! DRad and the selection committee tell us he was the best candidate they interviewed. It’s time to give this subject a rest. We can all look forward to Spring practice. Coach Johnson will have ample opportunities to make us forget about the last six years of Chan Gailey. I remember what it took for me to forget Bud Carson!

By BartBuzz

December 8, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

For God’s sake Jeff…GT just hired a new coach! DRad and the selection committee tell us he was the best candidate they interviewed. It’s time to give this subject a rest. We can all look forward to Spring practice. Coach Johnson will have ample opportunities to make us forget about the last six years of Chan Gailey. I remember what it took for me to forget Bud Carson!

By Rick

December 8, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

The only thing more incredible than an editor letting your drivel get to print, is that you actually get paid for it. No wonder the ajc is considered one of the worst big- market newspapers in the country.

By GSUHatchAttack

December 8, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Jeff, brush the dirt off your knees, tell Coach Richt youre sorry for biting and you’ll never do it again. Your punishment, write a positive article. Oh thats right, you are incapable of being anything but a moron

By wes

December 8, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

Jeff, come on, give the man a chance..I have been reading your stuff the past few days as I follow the proceedings with Johnson…you Sir, need to relax, smile, get laid and have a life !!! What a sourpuss you are!!…I am a Ga. Southern and Georgia fan but I feel certain this brings some new life back into the Ga/Ga.Tech rivalry and its all good for the game, the state, and Ga. Tech….Relax and let it all play out, will you ?

By EasyCharlie

December 8, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Why all the invective hurled at Mr Schultz? All he really said was let’s wait and see. That’s all you can do, realistically. Sure Johnson has a good record, but so did a lot of guys who “stepped up” and soon crashed. Consider this: one of the major ingredients for success in college football is the ability to motivate the players. At Navy, Johnson had a set of players who were goal-oriented and disciplined. “Gung Ho” is the military term for it. At Tech, he’ll be coaching players with an entirely different mind-set. A second major ingredient is the ability to recruit. At Navy, recruiting had to be low key and basically Johnson coached whatever came his way in terms of players. I’m not dissing the choice, just being realistic. As Schultz said, let’s wait and see.

This just in: GTAA spokesperson has denied that the new fight song for the Jackets will be “Anchors Aweigh” next season. In keeping with the initiative to motivate the younger “fans,” however, the Ramblin’ Wreck Lyrics will be changed to “I’m a Ramblin’ Shrek.”

By BMar

December 8, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Congratulations to GT for hiring one of the shrewdest in-game coaches in college football today. Anyone in the coaching profession will say the same thing about Johnson; his in-game adjustments are among the best in the business. He won at Navy using the only system that had a chance to work vs. most of the schools on Navy’s schedule, and tweaked it some more to provide something very exciting. No, Navy didn’t win every game, but won a lot more than it lost, and Johnson flourished despite the manpower disadvantages at his disposal. Notre Dame would have been awfully smart to hire Johnson or Jim Grobe a few years ago. Notre Dame’s mistake has turned into Tech’s bonanza.

Paul Johnson was the best hire the Jackets could have made…period!

By ed

December 8, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

I have been a fan of NAVY for some years, and had season tickets last year, even though it was an eight hour drive to attend. Based on experience, GT fans should enjoy some exciting football and increased ticket sales.

How Johnson pans out against UGA is a matter of speculation, but consider that Johnson was able to win, over those years at Navy, with a line that consistently was outweighed by 40-60 pounds PER MAN.

Evens so, he was still 2-2 against BCS teams, but scored 46 points against Notre Dame, 48 against Pittsburgh and 24 points against both Wake and Rutgers. Defense was his achilles heal, primarily because of size and talent.

I fully expect Johnson to pass AND run out of his spread (not a wishbone as some say). I also expect Johnson to motivate the players to a higher level, instilling the same mental toughness that his NAVY team has.

Good luck GT! I look forward to seeing your game aganst UGA!

By GTfanSinceBirth

December 8, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Oh, this must be the wrong web site. I thought the A in ajc.com stood for Atlanta, not Athens…

By ben

December 8, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

I can’t imagine the Jackets making a better hire. It’s sad how the AJC guys just look for things to be negative about. Remember folks, what a sportswriter really is. He never played the game. He never has worked a day in his life. And he has been trained, like all journalists, that negativity sells. So, shultz, congrats on another great piece- now go have another drink at the losers club.

By Ray Goof

December 8, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Jeff,

One big problem (or huge misnomer might be a better description) with your article happens to be in the very first sentence: “The perfect football coach is always hired.”

Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone EVER said when he was hired that Chan Gailey was the perfect football coach for GT. I think it was more “Who?” And we have Mr. Braine to thank for that. At the time, Mac McWhorter may have fit the description, but Chan? Nope, no way.

Chan Gailey is a fine Chritian man and an asset to any community. And he was a good coach, often a very good coach, but it was time for a change. I wish for him the very best in whatever he does and wherever he ends up.

Now back to Mr. Johnson. I’m not sure anyone is saying he’s the perfect coach for GT, but I’ll say he’s darn close. I expect he will be very, very successful and as a 20+ year season ticket holder I am VERY pleased with the change and very happy he has come on board. Look for GT to be a consistent winner! (You know you did well when one of your best friends, a dawg, calls to lament the firing of Gailey and the hiring of Paul Johnson!) Go Jackets!

By gerald

December 8, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

The reason why the AJC is so negative is because they wanted a passing game coach. The last thing that they wanted is a run - oriented coach that will succeed. What they wanted was another Mike Leach of Texas Tech. Everyone talks about how “exciting” Texas Tech is, but no one talks about how Leach really hasn’t won any more games at Texas Tech than Gailey did at Georgia Tech. And this is with nonexistent academic standards at Texas Tech, all that Texas talent, and a very easy schedule. The media promotes this guy to get a better job every year but no one ever hires him. Why? Because he is mediocre. The media is not against mediocrity. They are just for the passing game. Had Chan Gailey had the same record but his QBs were throwing the ball for 4,000 yards a year, the media would make sure that Georgia Tech would never fire him. Has anyone in the media ever suggested that Purdue fire Joe Tiller, who hasn’t done squat since Drew Brees left? Nope.

By Heeldawg

December 8, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Coach Johnson is an excellent hire for Tech. As a Georgia fan, he is the one candidate that you had that concerned me. He has been a winner every place he has coached and will win at Tech. The Jackets will be ACC contenders within three years.

Mookie, you’re an idiot. Besides recycling the tired, worn out and totally inaccurate “academic standards” idea, you fail to come up with any tangible, objectively substantiated argument for why Tech loses consistently to Georgia.

HINT: It’s not the academics.

Tech and Georgia recruit from EXACTLY the same pool of athletes. Most of the football players at either school would not get in without football exemptions, given the fairly rigorous admissions standards for both schools (how many five-star recruits have SATs of 1240-1320 and high school GPAs of 3.5-3.7? Not many, I’d suspect—like two or three in the country. But Georgia and Georgia Tech’s non-football-playing freshman classes both average in that range). To play football, the athletes merely have to qualify under NCAA guidelines.

The difference is in three areas:

1. Coaching. Georgia has had the better coach almost every year since Bobby Dodd retired (and Vince Dooley actually got the best of Dodd before he retired—a phenomenon that, in fact, helped lead to Dodd’s retirement). The only times that Tech had the better coach was during the O’Leary years, and Bobby Ross was at least competitve. So when did the wins against Georgia come? That’s right. And, quite frankly, Mark Richt is a better coach then Chan Gailey.

2. A large in-state fan base. Georgia grads tend to stay in or around Georgia, and there are more of them, because it is a larger school. Tech graduates a smaller class and they tend to move out of state. So kids grow up emulating their parents and wanting to be Georgia fans. Georgia gets a lot of great players that way. Just look at Washaun Ealey, the great ECI junior running back who set the state single-season TD record this year. He grew up wanting to go to Georgia. If Georgia wants him, his recruitment is over. The Dawgs win a lot of in-state recruting battles that way.

3. The SEC. Kids across the country want to play in the most high-profile football conference in the land. The SEC is it. Tech plays in the ACC, which is good for basketball recruiting. But not football. Georgia, by contrast, has fielded teams that get on TV by virtue of being well- respected and by playing against the Floridas, Auburns, Tennessees, LSUs and Alabamas of the world—high-profile programs with strong national brand recognition. If you were neutral and you had a choice to choose between Georgia Tech versus Virginia and Georgia versus Auburn, which game would you watch?

Thought so.

All of that being said, Paul Johnson will win at Tech. That’s a given. He has been a winner every place he has coached. Whether he can beat Georgia or not remains to be seen. As long as Mark Richt is in Athens (and that’s going to be a long time), the odds of him winning consistently against the Dawgs are slim—and close to zero for the next two years, with all of the returning talent the Dawgs have (and all of the rebuilding Tech will be doing). But I respect him as a coach, and he will make the Jackets competitive week in and week out. They will not be beaten before they even take the field, which I believe has been the case for Chan Gailey’s teams. Paul Johnson’s teams always feel they have a shot. And to be a consistent winner, you HAVE to feel that way.

Johnson will get Tech there. He’ll be Tech’s best coach since Bobby Ross—better, even, than the exemplary George O’Leary, who had Ralph Friedgen to lean on most of his tenure. Just give him a little time.

The bad thing is, I really LIKE Paul Johnson. I felt sorry for Gailey, and I actively disliked O’Leary (with good reason—he beat us!). I felt pity on Bill Lewis, and I thought Bill Curry was a buffoon. But it’s hard to dislike a self-deprecating winner who does things the right way.

(Probably the way you Tech fans secretly feel about Mark Richt, if only you’d admit it to yourselves…)

By 74 Dawg

December 8, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

1- Jeff Shultz is the second best collumnist at the AJC after Bisher, who seems to be semi retired,and the second best read after Dave O’Brian. 2-Tech fans need to get over it. When you win you are insufferable, and when you lose you are as bitter as an ex whose allimony just ran out. 3-Tech got a good coach,but a bad system-it remains to be seen if he makes the necessary adjustments. Rad should have hired Charlie Strong and had him bring in an O C who would run the spread-Option, which is probably a better equalizer in your situation. 4-It still remains that thru 11?, 12? coaches at the 2 schools ,good and bad, Ga. has won 75% of the tech/Ga games since 1964. This is structural, not incedental. It is not likely to change if you hired Bill Belichik. So no matter what coach Johnson does, your unrealistic demands will eventually run him off,just like Bobby Ross, George O’Leary and now Chan. 5- xxxx-yes , Ole Miss IS a better job-their fans are more realistic, loyal(they show up, win or lose), and a hell of a lot better looking.

By GA Tech insider

December 8, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

If anyone wants to read a good article about Paul Johnson, refer to Paul Johnson Hired by Ga. Tech: All Attitude.

Coach Johnson will do his job and have his team prepared day in and day out, and will make game day adjustments, as necessary. Then it will be the players’ responsibility to buy into the program and execute.

By michaelgee

December 8, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

FOR THE PAUL JOHNSON DOUBTERS

and the negative 1-AA level comments, uh, if any of you remember when Georgia Southern played UGA, when Paul Johnson was at Georgia Southern, at one point in the first half Georgia Southern was beating UGA with GSU’s poor little 1-AA players. TRUTH!

Give CPJ 1-A Jacket players and CPJ will shape his offensive attack and BEAT UGA!

If he was doing it with little ‘ole GSU players, what will Richt do??

wooooooooooooooooo, yet TRUE!

By John

December 8, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Dear Coach Johnson,

Here is how to succeed at Tech…. 1. BE A LEADER -Gailey didn’t know the first thing about really being a leader. Gailey thought calling plays (which he wasn’t very good at) made you a Head Coach. 2. If your QB sucks, don’t start him for four consecutive years. -Gailey lost me after Balls Jr. season. What a waste of four years!
3. BEAT UGA!! -This really should be #1! A winning record is okay, but Tech expects a winning record so it really isn’t much to cheer about. But Tech fans look forward to one game a year, and we are sick and tired of losing it.

Thats really about it. Oh yea, also aviod AJC media at all costs. They are already rooting against you. On behalf of Tech Nation….WELCOME!! TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!!

By IMHO

December 8, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz is an idiot and can’t take back his foot-in-the-mouth column on Friday.

Why is it that the largest city in the South has such horrible sports writers? Is it that the market isn’t sophisticated enough? Is it that there is not enough money at Cox? Is it that the reputation of the AJC is so lousy around the country that no one wants the job?

Columnists like Bradley and Schultz look absolutely foolish in their outlandish predictions and stances on issues. At least Schultz endeavors to put some humor in his Friday predictions and doesn’t appear to take himself serious. Don’t worry Jeff; we don’t take you seriously either, and when you appear to be serious you lack the important aspect of credibility. More often than not Bradley and Schultz are as right or wrong as the average man on the street, which pretty much equates what we’re getting from these so called professionals. Barnhart has learned to play the middle of the road which has improved his likeability but reduced his relevance as a sports writer as a result. And then there’s Moore who appears to be in the wrong section of the paper; he knows little about sports but is quick to educate us on racial differences. Finally, there is Furman Bisher who is the only ray of light is this bunch. I apologize to him for even including him in this rant, but I wanted to make sure everyone knew that he is NOT included with this poorly performing bunch.

If the AJC sports writers intend ONLY to provoke controversy and churn the waters, then they are accomplishing their goal. However, there is a price to pay for that in readership, subscriptions, and ultimately credibility and respect. Anyone can view these anonymous blogs and find MORE common sense and MORE invective posts than these sports writers. Perhaps the AJC wants to sell more advertising by increasing the number of hits/posts on these blogs. Me thinks I have hit on the answer.

No, I’m not a journalist, but I travel extensively and the comparison of sports writing quality between the AJC and the other major markets in the U.S. is appalling. I think this market deserves better. Wouldn’t you agree?

By BlueEagle

December 8, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

As a Southern alum…I only pray that Johnson is able to bring the same type of excitement to Tech that he did in Statesboro. Every play was a big play in the PJ days while he was devising an offensive scheme that was near indefensible. There’s no telling the type of things he can add to the playbook now that he has the base of athletes in this region to pull from now.

Oh, and to The Grinch (12/8 3:10am), no one can really take your opinion with a grain of salt as a “southern alum” but a “Dawg fan”. It’s likely you know nothing of PJ’s tenure at Southern because you were one of the students out pretending that you were a UGA student on football Saturdays. People like you are the reason that our move to 1-A football has taken so long, support where you matriculated, not where you pretended to attend. That is all.

By adam

December 8, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

I can’t say I’m all that surprised by these responses. Still… really?

I’m a Tech fan and damn proud of it. I’m really excited that we got the coach we did. And I have no love for Shultz, but he’s absolutely correct - Paul Johnson is a no better Georgia Tech coach than Chan Gailey (or any other coach) until he proves it.

By gt lover

December 8, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Look simple georgia tech has wayyyyy more tradition then uga will ever have and will win another national championship before uga will, like our last one in 1990 and uga’s was in 1980….call h.walker back uga will take him in that redneck school that sits out in the middle of nowhere rednecks!!!!!!!!!!!!

By gt lover

December 8, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

georgia -1 national title georgia tech-4 national titles that’s the most important thing and all that counts gooooo jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By gt lover

December 8, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

how come you don’t hear georgia bullpuppie fans talk about there basketball team or baseball team….hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm maybe it’s because they dont have one lol lol lol hahahahahahahaha get something besides football you rednecks

By dan

December 8, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

In the past 6 years with inferior talent against 29 BCS, mostly ACC schools, CPJ,s offense averaged 30 points a game. They knew what was coming and still couldn’t stop them.

By Cville Tech Fan

December 8, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Anything has to be a step up from Gailey. Another middle of the pack 7-5 season just won’t cut it. In consecutive years Tech got rid of Reggie Ball and Chan Gailey….I think we’re headed in the right direction.

By Good journalism

December 8, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz is a provocative writer, I agree. And that is a good thing. What do you all want, Ken Rosenthal on Faux News and bland bowtie blah blah boys on espn? Give me a break. Schultz provokes thought, not bland thoughtless stats.

By Bob GT Grad

December 8, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Jeff - Is stating the obvious the best you can do? Obviously, no one knows how a new coach will turn out. Some are good, some are bad - that’s just the way it goes. Your choice to state the obvious with cynicism, as opposed to optimism, or reasoned analysis, defines you as a writer.

By ODELL THURMAN

December 8, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

I be scared of this new coach. I bet he probably would have kicked me off the football team after my 3rd arrest. Thank you caoch Richt fo makin me da Man I is today.

By The Truth

December 8, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

The perfect columnist is always hired. The perfect columnist is never fired. Often they’re often the same guy.

Jeff Schultz was the perfect choice when the AJC shoved Steve Hummer aside. Blank slates represent limitless possibilities. All is good.

“If I thought there was a ceiling here and we couldn’t compete for APSE awards, I wouldn’t be standing here,” Schultz said 10 years ago. “The one thing that drives me is a chance to compete for awards. Everything is in place here to accomplish that.”

Smiles. Applause. Hope. This is the way it works on hiring day. A columnist is coming off resounding success elsewhere, then walks into the news conference at his next job, looking, sounding, and certainly is introduced as the cure for all that ails you.

Then comes the first column, and the smiles and applause either continue, or the opening salvo bounces off your reader’s head, at which time the guy who made the hiring crawls under the nearest buffet table.

Meet Jeff Schultz. Perfect choice. The clock is running out.

Since his hiring, he has produced one coveted APSE award, albeit one shared with three other staff writers who undoubtedly did all the work. That was in 1998.

Then, he was perfect. Now, this guy is the Bill Lewis and Ray Goff of Georgia journalism rolled into one. This was probably as good a choice as the AJC could make, given the parameters he had to work with, given how the AJC is perceived right now: a great sports town with a mediocre paper trying to swim toward the deep end of the pool with a leaky lifeboat full of doggy-paddling columnists.

Where’s Steve Hummer when you need him?

By Huh?

December 8, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

Goodjournalism … yeah, sure, Schultz’s column was good journalism if you like Captain Obvious material and have never read the English language. Come on! This stuff would be blasted out of any decent journalism class in America. It says nothing and does nothing other than state the obvious.

I’m sure you would appreciate a political column next year after our new president is elected that states who knows how good of a president he/she will be until the term is up. Duh! I’ve read fifth graders’ papers with more to say than this guy. He was just trying to respond to the furor over his previous column (sic) in which he stated Tech’s coaching search was stalling—and on the same day, a new coach is announced.

He’s a hack and his overinflated ego refuses to allow him to see his ineptitude at his profession. … It’s not that anybody necessarily disagrees with his column—it’s just pointless common sense drivel. Columnists are supposed to have something to say, not state the obvious. Those people are called weathermen.

By Tokyo Jacket

December 8, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

My favorite comment by far, “One thing is clear, Paul Johnson is far better at his profession than Schultz is at his.” Priceless!

Less, about Schultz, more about Johnson…the man is straight up a winner. That’s what he does. He won at Hawaii (not too hard); he won at Georgia Southern (not too hard); he won at Navy (amazingly freakin’ difficult). Recruiting at Navy is like recruiting at Tech, except you have to turn away any recruit over 265 pounds.

So, has anyone noticed that his team lead the nation in rushing, playing competition on par with GT for maybe 8 games (sorry, Navy doesn’t play VT, UGA, BC, or Clemson), while giving up 30-50 pounds a game on the line? Imagine what he could have done with our line that is right around 300 lbs each with great mobility.

Oh, and for the naysayers (Schultz) who offer that the triple option offense isn’t exciting, have you watched Florida play the past two years? Did you see Tebow score 20 rushing TDs? Yeah, I guess no one wants to play for a school with a rushing QB. I think Knobler was writing that the triple option and Meyer’s “spread option” really aren’t that different. Nesbitt and Renfree, welcome to town! Enjoy the fun. You’re going to get the chance to do it all. I guess the naysayers also don’t remember how some of Tech’s best years were spent running the triple option with Joe Hamilton, Charlie Rodgers (avg 9.8 yds per cary his senior year), et al.

Want to know how Johnson can make a huge splash and be entrenched as teh savior of Geargia Tech football? Do something we haven’t ever done, beat FSU in an ACC game! I guess we’ll see soon.

By Ed O

December 8, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a Navy football fan for over 24 years and you GT fans have no idea what it was like before Coach Johnson came back to Navy. Given the comments I have read over the past couple of days it shows me how ignorant some of you Atlanta fans are about football. “Needs to prove himself”? Take some time and read how successful this coach is when it comes to offense. I guarantee that Coach Johnson will have GT in the ACC championship game with in the next three years. He’ll be GT’s best coach since Bobby Ross.

By borodawg

December 8, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

You techies are crazy. BTW, just browsed the Pittsburgh Gazette looking for their take on the Valdosta St-California game. They had a story about the Navy hire, not the GT hire. Story goes on the talk about the new hire being PJ’s OC and the author of Navy’s great offense. Nary a word about PJ. Amazin’.

By borodawg

December 8, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

You techies are crazy. BTW, just browsed the Pittsburgh Gazette looking for their take on the Valdosta St-California game. They had a story about the Navy hire, not the GT hire. Story goes on to talk about the new hire being PJ’s OC and the author of Navy’s great offense. Nary a word about PJ. Amazin’.

By Senator John Blutarsky

December 8, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

I thought Farber had a lock on morons. Sad to say I erred. NERDS rule MORONVILLE! These vents remove all doubt!! The comment about Tebow when anticipating what Tech might look like is assinine. Vote for Blutarsky!!

By T

December 8, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

* LOL.. I bet Jeff Shultz wears panties *

How this man keeps a job is beyond me, but then again he is on a sinking ship

By Senator John Blutarsky

December 8, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

and another thing, I barfed when I read about recruiting at Tech being similar to Navy. You insult our brave men and women at the USNA and owe them a sincere apology!!!

By Senator John Blutarsky

December 8, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

Toyko Jacket, please turn out the lights. You’re done.

By SoFlaDawg

December 8, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

at least they didn’t chose your overrated Def. Cord. Tenuda spanking the Techies every year as usual

By scooter

December 8, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

@ T:

miserable indeed. Goatman or Goatse?

By The Big Bug

December 8, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Senator Blutarsky, I know you make your fellow UGA alumni proud.Just kidding. I know you are still in middle school.

By Duce

December 8, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

As a UGA fan, I applaud the hiring of Johnson. He is indeed a very good choice, and will have success at GT. As a native of this great state I always want to see GT win, except for one day a year. However, as I read the columns, and the responses to them, I ask for the AJC to seriously consider removing some of their Sports writers. It is very obvious to me that their only motive is to incite anger in their readers. Last I heard that is not how a business should treat paying customers.

By No Longer Concerned Jacket

December 9, 2007 2:05 AM | Link to this

Schultz,

Here’s a thought, why don’t you do some research and report the real facts to the public.

PJ’s a winner and he could win games with 22 starting walk-on’s. He’ll beat UGAg, not every year, but he’ll win because he’s a winner.

On the other hand, why doesn’t Tech consistently compete for Conference and National Championships? You know, but you are either too lazy to do the research or you are too liberal to report the truth.

Ever wonder how one school can sign 2-3 Parade All-American RB’s to a school that already has 2-4 All Conference Underclassman RB’s. I bet it ain’t got anything to do with playing time. Would you rather pick splinters and run the scout team to win, or would you rather play and let the chips fall where they may? NY Times offers you 2X your current salary to move to NY. I bet my house you’re packing your bags. College Football ain’t no different. The schools with the deepest pockets always get and will always get the best athletes. Name one school that’s emerged as a perennial power that wasn’t considered a perennial top 20 school within the last 25 years. Now, go out and find 10 Parade All-American skill players in the HS school ranks and ask them to name the top 20 College Football programs in America over the last 25 years. I bet my house again, they can’t name 5, much less 20. If they live in Georgia they will almost definitely mention South Carolina. Oops, USC doesn’t exactly fit the bill. If they live in New Jersey, you can bet they’ll mention Rutgers. Oops again. Point is, the perennial top 20 buy success. They do it the same way the Yankees do it. The way the Marlins did it twice. The way the Lakers did it 3 times. College football is no different. Therefore, when a school like Georgia Tech signs a coach like Paul Johnson, you dumb a$$ idiot liberal reporters from the AJC need to applaud the decision.

You act like it’s a travesty if Tech fails to win 11 games every year. Unless the NCAA cracks the whip and does its job as opposed to offering no more than a token sanction from year to year, Tech will never consistently compete with UGAg.

Tell the real truth.