Georgia Tech coaches 1904-2007

Sports

Georgia Tech coaches 1904-2007

Georgia Tech coaches from John Heisman to Chan Gailey.

John Heisman (yes, the one of trophy fame) was Georgia Tech's first full-time head coach. Heisman (102-29-7, 1904-19) lead the Jackets to their first national title in 1917 and coached the most lopsided game in college football history -- a 222-0 thumping of Cumberland. (Tech scrumbed for a 9-0 win over Davidson the next week).

William Alexander was a lifelong Yellow Jacket. He spent his entire coaching career at Tech as an assistant under John Heisman from 1912-1919; head coach from 1920-1944; and athletic director from 1920-1950. Alexander (134-95-15) lead the Jackets to their second national title in 1928.

Nobody has won more games as a coach at Tech than Bobby Dodd (165-64-8, 1945-66). The father of the "belly series" -- a play in which the quarterback places the ball on the running back's numbers, checks the defense, and decides to pass or run -- used it about 70 percent of the time to take Tech on a 31-game win streak and a national title in 1952.

Bud Carson had a mediocre career at Tech (27-27, 1967-71). He posted a .500 record and had just two winning seasons in his five-year tenure. He has the notable distinction of being the first Tech coach to be fired. He recovered nicely, developing Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" into one of the best defenses in National Football League history.

Bill Fulcher appeared to be a ray of hope following Bud Carson. But after two season, things had gotten out of hand for the Tech alum. He benched his quarterback over tickets, Jesse Jackson protested and Tech fans were none too pleased. And neither was Fulcher (12-10-1, 1972-1973), so he quit.

Pepper Rodgers was hired away from the UCLA Bruins soon after Bill Fulcher resigned. Rodgers (34-31-2, 1974-79), who in four season never won eight games, attempted to reinvigorate Tech's program by joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1978.

Tech football endured possibly its worst seasons under Bill Curry. He went 2-19 his first two years before triumph in 1982. By 1985, Curry (31-43-4, 1980-86) would rebuild for a solid 9-5 season. Then left for Alabama.

With just five total wins in his first two season, Bobby Ross rebuilt the Yellow Jackets behind quarterback Shawn Jones. Georgia Tech entered the 1990 season unranked. It finished the year as the only undefeated team in division I-A college football as Ross (31-26-1, 1987-91) lead the Jackets to their unprecedented fourth national title.

Former Georgia assistant Bill Lewis became Tech's ninth head coach on the heels of Bobby Ross' departure to the NFL. Two years removed from a title, Tech's offense sputtered, and barely won five games. Lewis (11-19, 1991-92) surrendered his resignation midway through the 1994 season never having beaten Georgia and leaving Tech fans in frustration.

George O'Leary took over the reigns of the Tech program after Bill Lewis abruptly resigned. He revamped the offense and coached Heisman hopeful Joe Hamilton, posted a record of 52-33 in seven seasons (1985-2001) and took the Yellow Jackets to five consecutive bowl games . But will forever be remembered as the man who quit Tech to coach Notre Dame and resigned that five days later, admitting he falsified his background on his personal biography.

Despite never having a losing record in his six seasons at Tech, Chan Gailey just couldn't win the ones that mattered. Six straight losses to Georgia, one win in three tries over Virginia Tech and a 2-3 bowl sealed his fate. Gailey's most successful season at Tech came in 2006 when he coached the team to an ACC title.

The last time Georgia and Georgia Tech were playing this good at the same time, Bobby Dodd was coaching the Jackets.

Bud Carson had a mediocre career at Tech (27-27, 1967-71). But his 1969 team is the last to beat Georgia with only three wins coming into the game.

1/13

John Heisman (yes, the one of trophy fame) was Georgia Tech's first full-time head coach. Heisman (102-29-7, 1904-19) lead the Jackets to their first national title in 1917 and coached the most lopsided game in college football history -- a 222-0 thumping of Cumberland. (Tech scrumbed for a 9-0 win over Davidson the next week).

Today's Gallery Headlines

Jimmy Carter ‘forever’ stamp

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

More Galleries

aajc 121625 class 2a carver

PHOTOS: Carver-Columbus defeats Hapeville Charter in Class 2A title game

toombs county, worth county

PHOTOS: Worth County wins Class A Division I Championship

aajc 121625 div 4 flag champ

Photos: Blessed Trinity beats Milton in double OT to claim flag football title

aajc 121625 div 3 flag champ

Photos: North Oconee wins flag football championship