For the third time in his seven seasons, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson has been named ACC coach of the year. Johnson was selected by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.
He is the only Tech coach to have won it more than once. Johnson has led the Yellow Jackets to the ACC championship game despite being picked to finish fifth in the division. At 10-2, Tech has earned the school’s fourth 10-win season since 1956, but its second since his hire prior to the 2008 season.
“I accept this award on behalf of our football program – assistant coaches, players, staff, and everyone involved,” Johnson said in a statement. “As everyone knows, this is not a one-person award. I appreciate the honor.”
With three ACC coach of the year awards, Johnson surpasses a number of coaching greats, including Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer, Florida State’s Bobby Bowden and Bobby Ross, who earned the honor one time each at Maryland and Tech.
“Coach Johnson deserves that, totally,” safety Jamal Golden said. “Everybody wants to always talk about how his offense doesn’t work and all that kind of stuff, but he keeps proving everybody wrong. Obviously, it works. We’re back in the ACC championship game.”
