Johnson, Tech in “new territory”
Though there’s still a chance that Georgia Tech can make it back to the ACC championship game, coach Paul Johnson thinks the odds are long.
He said if it doesn’t happen it will be a situation that he’s rarely experienced in 14 years as a coach: a year in which a major goal hasn’t been met.
Johnson led the Yellow Jackets to a tie for the ACC’s Coastal Division title in 2008, and they won the conference championship last season.
To get a chance to defend that title, Tech (5-4, 3-3) must win its remaining two ACC games, starting with Saturday’s matchup against Miami, and then hope for an unlikely combination of events from the rest of its division foes. Tech also needs one more win to reach bowl eligibility for the 14th consecutive season.
Because this is a “new territory”, Johnson said he’s doing his best to make sure that his players know there are still goals to meet.
“If you are competitive and you want to play, you are going to play no matter what,” Johnson said. “That is why you are out there if you are a competitor.”
Before coming to Tech in 2008, Johnson experienced a lot of success in previous head-coaching stops at Navy and Georgia Southern:
- He won or tied for the Southern Conference championship five times when he was at Georgia Southern and won back-to-back national championships.
- Though Navy is an independent school and therefore can’t win a conference championship, Johnson led the Midshipmen to an 11-1 record in games against Army and Air Force, taking the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy five out of his six years in Annapolis, Md.
“I am not worried about me getting ready to play because I am competitive and I know what it’s about, but I think you have to point out to the guys what you are still playing for,” Johnson said. “You are playing for bowl eligibility, you are playing for a winning season, you are playing for pride.”
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109 comments Add your comment
wesleywhatwhat
November 10th, 2010
10:14 am
“delusion” i thought we already went over the differerence between your and you’re.
man, you REALLY ARE dumb, aren’t you?
that helps explain your posts.
guess you can’t teach a dumb dog new tricks, or something like that.
delusion is a fool
November 10th, 2010
10:14 am
delusion, Tech didn’t CLAIM the 1990 national championship; it was awarded to them by the UPI. There is a crystal football in the Tech trophy room verifying that championship, and that is the SAME CRYSTAL FOOTBALL that is now given to the BCS champion. And as far as a school claiming a national championship after playing in a mediocre bowl, take a look at Michigan State in 1952. They only played 9 games (when most other schools played at least 10), did not appear in any bowl game at all, and yet they were voted number 1 by AP. Is it any wonder that Tech has always and will always dispute that CLAIM for a national championship, when the Jackets went 12-0 with an Orange Bowl win that year.
wesleywhatwhat
November 10th, 2010
10:16 am
really, dumb*ss?
still defending YOUR stupidity? why am i not surprised?
can’t spell. can’t learn new things. can’t stay away from the georgia tech blog. can’t stop spewing nonsense.
you’re the average bulldog fan. worthless but strongly convinced otherwise.
wesleywhatwhat
November 10th, 2010
10:17 am
^ the above comment was meant for “delusion”, of course.
delusion is a fool
November 10th, 2010
10:19 am
delusion, you originally typed (and I cut and pasted here), “You’re team lost to VT so STFU!!!”. That is grammatically incorrect. It should be YOUR team, not YOU’RE team. YOU’RE is a contraction for YOU ARE. YOUR indicates possession or loyalty, as in “my team.”
Genius Jacket
November 10th, 2010
10:25 am
It’s a shame Nesbitt got hurt. I wonder how many calculus classes he took? I wonder how many calculus coureses he passed?
GTGreg
November 10th, 2010
10:29 am
I love how Georgie fans come on here and pretend to be Tech fans. It must hurt to go over to the Georgie blogs when they’re in meltdown mode, so they come over here trying to sow their grief.
Tech fans: Don’t wrestle with a pig… you’ll just get dirty and the pig will enjoy it.
Tech Fan Since 1950
November 10th, 2010
10:29 am
Win three games and we are 8-4 and win the bowl game and we’ll be ranked about #17 in the country, about where the average of most of the preseason rankings had us. The Kansas game is the one that upsets me the most. I was there and we were out-coached, a rarity. We were due with N.C. State (a better team that day) and Clemson was just waiting on us. If Nesbitt stays in the whole game, Virginia Tech is toast. This is a transitional year with a different cast of players, including many young ones getting their first experience. We lost four starters to the NFL which is history, but it hurt, especially at the beginning of the season. The defense is improving with the new scheme and if we can maintain some quarterback consistency we will be okay. Most everyone is coming back next year and the cupboard will not be bare next year. Things are in good shape at Georgia Tech, the best since 1990 and the late 90’s.
JACKET
November 10th, 2010
10:31 am
the majority of GT fans support CPJ and the triple option. I love it when a player breaks through for 40 to 50 yards. We had pro style that moved on to Buffalo, doesn;t seem to be doing much up there. I hope we can win out but if we cannot, doesn’t change my opinion. We won an ACC title last year, 11 other teams wish they had including VT, FSU, Clemson, Miami and UNC.. I am not gettng the dog fans hatred toward CPJ. Are you saying CPJ needs to go? Who cares what you think? Apparently the Univ. of Ga doesn’t care what you think about your own coach.
GT Sambo
November 10th, 2010
10:40 am
I can’t believe UGA fans get on here and try to trash Tech when their team will struggle to make it to a bowl game. As far as Paul Johnson and his offense, so far it has been successful. We lead the nation in rushing!!! I’d say that’s pretty good. The passing game has been pathetic due to a combination of poor passing and poor catching, not poor coaching. The defense appears to have made great strides so far this season. Recruiting appears to be solid (I would be happy to hear some fact-based arguements on why our recruiting is bad, but I don’t think they exist), based on all the external measurements (recruiting expert web sites), but then of course you never really know how good your recruiting is until 3 to 5 years later.
Now, would I like to see some variation in CPJ’s offense, absolutely. Do I wish we would run some pistol formations, yes. Would I like to see some spread option to go along with our triple option, sure. Do I think that some of what CPJ does is very complex with complex blocking schemes and angles of attack, yes. I look at Oregon and I see a relatively simple offense that doesn’t require nearly as much complex blocking and perfect angles. I would love to see us combine what we do right now with what ORegon does in a simplified scheme.
ManUp...
November 10th, 2010
10:45 am
I, for one, couldn’t care less what Bumbletruck Nation has to say this morning (or any other morning for that matter)…we’re still playing for much more than they are. We’re still playing to grab some respect back. We’re still playing to be the best team in this state. We can still go to and win a bowl game. We can still set ourselves up for a great run next year. All my support is thrown in for Washnigton and the younger receivers. I and mine will be at every game screaming my head off for the Jackets. Come December that’ll be the best team in the state anyway! Besides, win or lose, it’s best to be a Yellow Jacket!
Go Jackets! Sting ‘em!
Fire Paul Bewitt
November 10th, 2010
10:47 am
PAUL HEWITT is the only one that will be leaving GT>>>>>>>>>>>>Fire his A@@
HenryCountyGT
November 10th, 2010
10:50 am
Erk Russell was a great coach. He helped UGA to a national title.
Dawg fans even sing his praises for what he accomplished at Ga. Southern.
Yet many mutts are too dense to realize that Paul Johnson helped Russell and the Eagles to their titles. If Johnson didn’t measure up as a coach, do you think Russell would have kept him around?
Stop worrying about our business — butt sniffers.
4404
November 10th, 2010
10:55 am
UGAG = Crime Dawgs
ManUp...
November 10th, 2010
10:59 am
Hey, Fire Paul, it’s still football season, sir. CPH is obviously around for at least one more season so get behind the team and support what we have until the season’s out. For now, if you haven’t noticed, the football team is still trying to accomplish some very worthwhile things for the White and Gold Nation. No more basketball talk until football is over. And, contrary to what is seen through red and black galsses, it is FAR from over!
HenryCountyGT
November 10th, 2010
10:59 am
@ Fire Paul Bewitt.
I concur. We need to put Hewitt on the bus. I tolerated him until he started his “black athletes should only play for black coaches” routine. I know three season ticket-holders who won’t be back until he’s gone.
HenryCountyGT
November 10th, 2010
11:01 am
ManUp…
We’re multitasking.
delusion is a fool
November 10th, 2010
11:05 am
I guess delusion couldn’t face actual facts, since he hasn’t posted anymore in the past 10 minutes
HenryCountyGT
November 10th, 2010
11:06 am
Folks, gotta go, for now.
Time to see my probation officer — I kicked a dawg.
Dawg Man
November 10th, 2010
11:11 am
Dawg Fans- Move over to YOUR blog. Get off Tech’s blog, this is the place where they can discuss their team, good or bad. If you are not a fan of them, please be nice, and go to the UGA blog. Thank you.
mountain_jim
November 10th, 2010
11:38 am
Well I am a GT grad, was in school during Pepper Rogers era (such as it was).
I guess ‘boring’ was not the best description, but I have gotten tired of getting killed every bowl game and against the best lines because this offense is what it is and PJ seems too stubborn to see that not having a workable shotgun passing game to go along with the option offense severely restricts passing game success. Without a good passing game, GT will never be top 10 at season end. And to say its because GT will never recruit, well look how many of Gailey’s recruits were drafted high last year? Let’s see PJ recruit some talent that the NFL wants. If he needs to expand his schemes to get the quality of players that Gailey was getting on offense then do it. My brother, another GT grad who was a walk-on at GT, tried to get me to go to Clemson game with him this year, but I told him I had seen enough to know GT was not going to be good this year and I did not need to sit in Death Valley watching them go down the tubes, which they did.
Just calling it as I see it – without more talent PJ will never do as well as he did last year, using Chan’s recruits.
FullMetalJacket
November 10th, 2010
11:40 am
delusion: “Your” is strictly a possessive form. Also, “you”re idiot” is incorrect on so many levels that I believe you’re truly delusional if you think you have sufficient mastery of the language to correct others.
Okeefe/Bob
November 10th, 2010
11:40 am
Tech is in good hands…..The best we’ve been in many years.Do we forget the last2 years? We’ve had a lot to cheer about and will have even more in the years to come. Go Jackets. By the way today is the birthday of one of our nations greatest institutions— The U S Marine Corps, so SEMPER FI to all you fellow Marines out there.
FullMetalJacket
November 10th, 2010
11:49 am
I have considerable faith in Coach Johnson’s ability to navigate this quagmire successfully. Despite his detractors, Gailey did not leave the talent cupboard bare when he left and we’ll soon (next season) see how successful CPJ’s recruiting efforts have been the past several years. I love the optimism of my fellow fans and alumni, but I thought all along that expectations were unrealistically high for this season. Hopefully, we finish 8-4 (or even 7-5 and beat UGA) and reload for next year, when CPJ’s recruits will make up the majority of the starting roster. Groh’s defense needs to make great strides by next fall, and CPJ needs to implement some of those “new wrinkles” we’ve heard so much about.
FullMetalJacket
November 10th, 2010
11:54 am
The players’ and coaches’ goals are most important, but a couple of goals I would like to see achieved as a fan are:
1. BEAT UGA. (Yes, it is that important.)
2. GO TO A BOWL GAME. (That means the team AND the fans, even if it IS Shreveport–gag).
3. WIN the darn bowl game.
FullMetalJacket
November 10th, 2010
12:00 pm
To HenryCountyGT: Amen, brother. As a fellow Tech man and HC resident, I echo your sentiments on CPH. Hewitt’s incompetence as a leader and officer of the Institute should have resulted in his firing years ago, regardless of the golden shackles of his contract. He has completely neglected his academic responsibilities in addition to failing as a coach in the ACC. When your coach is singled out as the most overpaid man in his position in the country (Wall Street Journal), you know it’s bad for the Institute, the future of the program, and the fanbase.
FullMetalJacket
November 10th, 2010
12:01 pm
Guess I’m the only one taking an early lunch today. Go Jackets! and I’m gone.
General Jack Ripper
November 10th, 2010
12:05 pm
Ok, Reality and wesleywhatwhat are liars. You guys are all over every UGA blog.
TN Jacket
November 10th, 2010
12:11 pm
Too bad we can’t ever have a discussion without all the stupid crap back and forth between UGA-GT fans. You guys (both sides) ruin this for sports fans who have graduated and grown up.
Bunch of babies!
Ramblin Man
November 10th, 2010
12:22 pm
There is plenty to play for and hopefully these young kids understand this and realize these games can be used as building blocks for next year and recruiting. I believe Tevin Washington will take full advantage of this oppurtunity and hopefully the TEAM gets behind and helps him. I would love to see him and Smith get a good passing game together and surprise the hell out of some defenses.
Speaking of the passing game anybody else see Chris Jackson moved to WR next year?
T3
November 10th, 2010
12:25 pm
mountain_jim
It aint even the end of CPJ’s…THIRD YEAR.
Dude, Man-Up or STHU.
the real Old Gold
November 10th, 2010
12:26 pm
^^ that is NOT “the real Old Gold.” This is why my blog name has two extra words.. idiot!
UGA=YAWN
November 10th, 2010
12:31 pm
The Colorado coached just got fired – for losing to Kansas!!! I mean really . . . we are 5-4 after being 9-1 at the same time last year. That is not progress. If he loses to UGA – that would be it for me.
mountain_jim
November 10th, 2010
12:45 pm
T3 – you think it takes 4 years to design and implement a few pass plays with the QB taking the snap in the shotgun, where he can see and read the defense/blitzes before and during the start of the play?
And not fall down while dropping back?
He has not yet recruited anyone so far that can reliably catch a pass, and he appears to be too stubborn to see and apply the value of shotgun-based passing plays on 3rd and 10+. I expected to see that added this year, the fact that he has not indicates to me he has so deluded himself as to believe he can coach a great offense without it. I disagree, and will not sthu.
joeygt
November 10th, 2010
12:57 pm
go gt
DawginLex
November 10th, 2010
1:05 pm
You guys complaining about Johnson need to realize that he has won everywhere he has been. He is Tech’s version of Tressel because of the career path he followed.
This year was going to be tough for Tech just like us replacing Stafford and Moreno with Cox and Ealey.
Next year is a very key year for Tech and UGA. Richt needs to win a bunch of games and Johnson needs to quiet some critics.
I think the future is very bright for both. Nesbitt getting hurt while it sucked at the time, may be a blessing with Washington getting playing time this year. If Murray had been able to play last year for the final 3+ games, I don’t think we would have been nearly as conservative early on.
DawginLex
November 10th, 2010
1:08 pm
I’ll tell you another thing. You put Johnson on the sideline in Athens, and I guarantee you he is not 2-8 vs Florida and i bet you we have more than 2 SEC titles during those 10 years.
If y’all tell anybody over on the UGA blogs I said this, I will insist it was my impostor/admirer.
mike
November 10th, 2010
1:11 pm
Haha I think Paul Johnson and Paul Hewitt can help each other.. PJ can help with coaching and PH can help PJ get better recruits.. With a Senior QB Tech should atleast match or one more loss than last year. Ya’ll should go see the kid I went to highschool with which might be at Tech soon QB coach right now he in the UFL. This kid had a 10 and 2 season every year he played QB we need sumone like him at QB youtube georgia southern Jayson Foster.. he ran a 4.27 40 yard dash and he can read the option better than nesbitt n hit the wholes quicker. I love nesbitt but Jayson better I cant wait to see C Perkins play
Vick=Dog killing thug
November 10th, 2010
1:31 pm
Paul Johnson quote:
“I am not worried about me getting ready to play because I am competitive and I know what it’s about, but I think you have to point out to the guys what you are still playing for,” Johnson said. “You are playing for bowl eligibility, you are playing for a winning season, you are playing for pride.”
So what the good ole coach is saying is the tech players need to be told whats going on? I thought tech players were all incredibly intelligent engineers developing rocket science and the like?
No ????
jarvis
November 10th, 2010
1:31 pm
A tie for the Divisional Title? They hang a banner for that?
GT Sambo
November 10th, 2010
1:35 pm
mike, a 4.27 40 isn’t going to help a QB in this offense nearly as much as weighing 220 lbs like Nesbitt does. Nesbitt didn’t need to be able to run a 4.27 40 to score against VT, he just needed good blocking. And time and time again, this offense has proven that we need a big physical QB to gain 1-3 tough yards on 3rd and 4th down. Personally, I am happy to root for T. Washington and hopefully CPJ will showcase his throwing ability in the next three games, but I am really looking forward to seeing Vad Lee run this offense in a few years.
GT Sambo
November 10th, 2010
1:41 pm
If UGA < Colorado < Kansas and GT < Kansas, does that mean we are just as good as UGA or just as bad as UGA
Techie
November 10th, 2010
1:50 pm
Tech should win the next 3 games to finish the season 8-4. Go Jackets!
JACKETS
November 10th, 2010
2:06 pm
GT is its own worst enemy..look at the SEC, they pay their players and get away with it long enough to break into the top5…GT cannot even get their players into graduate school and off they go playing at Ga State while the Oline struggles..then the quartertback coach leaves for Ga Southern and takes Shaw with him who upsets App St while Nesbitt goes down in Blacksburg
GT Sambo
November 10th, 2010
3:07 pm
Vad Lee and Dominique Noble supposed to be at the GT game this weekend. Show ‘em some love GT fans!
WhiteGoat
November 10th, 2010
3:35 pm
No, stupe spike. You and dog fans do. Does Lewis Grizzard quote “I wish I could do that” come to mind. I quite doubt it. You are to stupid, along with your dog buds, to know.
Not quite there yet, is CPJ
November 10th, 2010
3:42 pm
Bobby Dodd left in 67. Counting that year and all the years right up to this moment, GT has seen many coaches come and go with the average tenure being 3.5 years. Now, come mid season NEXT YEAR, CPJ will be in very new territory for himself ……………because he will have entirely his players and already in 2010, his middle school offense has been found out. Next season? YES, he will be in new territory ……….being fired and all.
Next year that itty bitty southern conference wishbone offense will be the joke of the nation. Rushing yards??? Ranked # 1? What would you prefer? Rated say 12th at 9-2 or ranked # 1 in rushing( 4-8 ) and not ranked even in the top 4 of the ACC??? Hmmmmmmm?? Rushing stats simply do not matter.
Bill Fulmer, Lewis, Rodgers, Carson, Dodd ( run off by Vince Dooley ) and CPJ, and Bobby Ross and Chan the Man and too many others to name ………….. have been the GT football coach since just 1967 !!!
They come and go every3.5 years and CPJ is close to that dubious mark.
Athens is waiting ………….. we want you to be ready for Aaron and Kris Durden ( he is our TOP receiver ) and AJ ( did not play GT in 09 ) and Orson Charles and Tavarres King and Israel Troupe and yes, Marvelous Marlon Brown, not to mention our stable of NFL bound tight ends. Ealey and Caleb King y’all already are well acquainted with. Right???
Shhhhhhh! Aaron Murray will sprint to the corner and then, stop and hum it 45 yds for a quick TD!!! Y’all will think that he is gonna run it …………or is he? Al Groh will look far older than his already OLD 68+ face after Bob befuddles the old man.
Go Dogs.
You May Be a Buzz
November 10th, 2010
3:42 pm
You may be a Tech Buzz but your Mama is a Dog!
GDBurdell
November 10th, 2010
4:08 pm
OK now that we’ve got YOUR and YOU’RE nailed down
Just want to say that not only is the hive literally on fire because of UGA getting the big three engineering majors. But with Nesbitt out for the season (much respect to him btw) PJ stands a good chance of losing to Duke.
HAHAAAHAAAHAAHAAHAA
GDBurdell
November 10th, 2010
4:10 pm
Two words:
TRAFFIC BOWL
Teck vs GSU