Next stop for Paul Johnson: ESPN

It didn't take long for Paul Johnson to resurface after coaching his final game at Georgia Tech on Wednesday night in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Johnson will be a part of ESPN’s coverage of the Cotton Bowl on Saturday between No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Notre Dame. Johnson will be part of the “Coaches Film Room” (broadcast on ESPN News), as he’ll break down the game in real time along with North Carolina coach Mack Brown, Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson and Memphis coach Mike Norvell. ESPN made the announcement Thursday.

It would seem a great spot for Johnson to test his broadcasting chops. Johnson is rarely shy about sharing his opinion, and he has a skill, developed over 40 years of coaching, for digesting and explaining plays and the game. His cutting sense of humor also would fit the program.

After announcing his decision to step down from coaching, Johnson mentioned that he had received opportunities, saying that television was a possibility. It was suggested to him at a pre-bowl news conference that he could be the next Roddy Jones, referring to the former Tech captain who is a sideline reporter for ESPN.

“No deference to Roddy, but I’d rather be the next Kirk Herbstreit,” he said. “He’s probably doing a little better than Roddy.”

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