Johnson: ‘Lack of competing’ in loss to UGA
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said he could have handled losing 42-10 to Georgia if he thought the effort was worthy. That was not the case.
Johnson said the Yellow Jackets were guilty of a “lack of competing” in their loss to the Bulldogs in Athens, Tech’s 11th in the past 12 years to its archrival. This season, Johnson has been critical of the team for missed assignments, poor tackling and lack of focus. However, his public challenge that the team lacked competitiveness – against an archrival, no less – compared only to his statement that the Jackets “no showed” in the 21-point loss to Middle Tennessee State. While hardly palatable to Johnson, the MTSU effort could be more understandable, given that Tech was facing a team it had blown out in each of the past two years and was seven days removed from an emotionally crushing overtime loss to Miami.
“You’ve got to play hard,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to sell out.”
From watching the game video, Johnson said coaches handed out “a lot” of efforts – demerits for not giving full effort on a play. Johnson said the offense, defense and special teams were all at fault. He did say B-back David Sims played perhaps as hard as Johnson had ever seen him play. But overall, he was confounded by what he saw from players in one of the biggest games of the year, if not the biggest.
“You get beat in life, you get beat in sports,” Johnson said. “Sometimes that happens. But what you want to do is give it your best effort and you want to compete from start to finish.”
By Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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339 comments Add your comment
GTBob
November 27th, 2012
6:11 pm
Unfortunately GTBob will never grasp that and only sees what he wants to see…very sad…
Whatever. A few days after beating our brains out you want to come over here and tell us how much we suck and how you hope we get better. Thanks for the sympathy but I really don’t need it. Worry about your own team.
Toadster
November 27th, 2012
6:14 pm
I kind of like DC’s idea. As a rule most teams/coaches keep that inhouse to avoid the media attention. With that said, I’ve watch this GT team play with no heart a few times this season. MTSU is the most glaring example. I did not really expect Tech to beat UGA, but I did expect some fire and competition.
The Dogs set the tempo. You could see a little fire at the start from GT but it died quickly. Why?
UGA will out recruit Tech on a yearly basis but we’ve played them with 3 stars before and beat them. Why?
I’ve winced when a player came back to the sideline (after a busted play) only to watch CPJ berate them. That’s fine but it CANNOT be the standard. I wonder if the players are tired of it. These are players he recruited. This season is on him not the players. Mistakes are part of football. Some teams overcome them to win. Seems like he won’t accept responsibility for any mistake. Coach, these are your guys so some of the fault is yours. you either recruited the wrong guy or you did not coach them up to standard. Don’t blame lack of heart on the players. Instead of brow beating after a loss how about a heartfelt speech to motivate the players before the game? Just an idea, I’m not in the locker room before the games so I cannot confirm what I have typed. It just seems that way.
Let’s go Jackets!
ignition
November 27th, 2012
6:15 pm
On the Value of Atlanta and Global Branding..
A native Georgian, my early professional travels taught me something significant about the value of having a global perspective. Living in Germany, California and New Jersey for professional stints, I learned immediately how much “bigger” certain facets of America, and especially Atlanta, Georgia, are to the global community than they had been to me and to other local home-grown folks. Until then, I did not fully realize the visibility, global importance and appreciation for great local institutions such as CNN, The Coca-Cola Company, the Turner Broadcasting System, Morehouse College and especially, the international respect for Georgia Tech, as a global leader in education and research. For me, “going global” was a serious awakening and extremely valuable.
ignition
November 27th, 2012
6:17 pm
So it has to beg the question of how can a roster of 65% former Georgia high school players at Georgia Tech equate to a “highly talented” and competitive football team. Well, in the current state of affairs, the sad truth is it cannot. 65% of in-state players on Georgia Tech’s roster unfortunately equates to a high concentration of players that were simply overlooked by UGA and other SEC schools. Thus, Georgia Tech’s heavy focus on in-state recruiting is, in essence, a trap-game, the best result of which would simply be a watered-down version of UGA’s roster, which is comprised 78% by former Georgia high school players. In addition to Notre Dame, other winning programs outside of the SEC have also discovered recruiting diversification as essential. For instance, only 33% of the players on this year’s Stanford University football team, located in California, are from the state of California; and only 17% of the University of Oregon’s players are from the state of Oregon. When Georgia Tech won the National Championship in 1990, I believe that less than 45% of the roster was from Georgia (someone can correct me on that if I’m wrong) and former Georgia high school players made up only about 50% of Georgia Tech’s roster when the program rebounded in the late 1990s.
Stateboro Dawg
November 27th, 2012
6:17 pm
Come on Teck fans, give CPJ a break. He will turn it around if given sufficient time. Your steady criticism will motivate him to start looking into coaching opportunities at places like Parkview, Brookwood or Grayson. His offense would surely shine at that level. He probably should have remained at Georgia Southern. They still love him down here.
ignition
November 27th, 2012
6:18 pm
Like Notre Dame (and Oregon, Stanford, etc.), Georgia Tech has to get back to a more geographically diverse pool of recruits and abandon the idea of trying to field a team of mostly in-state recruits. Until there is a significant cultural shift among the talent pool, the optimal percentage for Georgia high school signees should be no more than 33% if Georgia Tech is going to get the most football ready talent who also desire, are capable of and ready to meet the challenges of the academic environment at Georgia Tech. And contrary to popular belief, nationally (and even sometimes internationally), there is an abundance of highly developed, serious young football talent who, along with their families, appreciate a valuable college degree, and understand that the NFL is just a great first career. For example, the number 2 overall 2007 NFL draft pick and Madden 2013 cover guy, Calvin Johnson, came from a family that puts a premium on education and, based on that reasoning, he chose Georgia Tech over UGA and other SEC programs.
ignition
November 27th, 2012
6:20 pm
My point is this: By small thinking and falling into the trap-game of attempting to recruit the same way and the same talent pool as UGA and the big SEC schools, Georgia Tech has missed and will continue to miss out on great talent nationally as well as some unique local talent in which there should be some natural affinity. For example, the top high school football recruit in the nation, Grayson High School’s Robert Nkemdiche, is not even considering Georgia Tech, which is the closest NCAA school to him geographically at just 30 miles away. As a potential signee, however, Mr. Nkemdiche should be a perfect fit at Georgia Tech and have natural affinity as a prospect. In addition to Georgia Tech being the closest program to his residence in Loganville, Georgia, Mr. Nkemdiche is a first generation son of Nigerian parents who are both professionals. Many immigrant families and especially those from Nigeria, just happen to put a premium on education, and would naturally appreciate the global appeal of Georgia Tech’s academics and research. In addition, there is very recent precedent at Georgia Tech for an NFL hopeful pass rusher—with former Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan, a Coatesville, Pennsylvania native, being selected by the Titans in the first round (16th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
So it would make perfect sense and behoove Georgia Tech’s football program to take a page from the playbook of the school itself by going “globally” in both its recruiting and its scheduling. How about a 2014 game at Stanford University featuring a handful of Georgia Tech players from the greater California and Silicon Valley area who, someday armed with Georgia Tech degrees, will have promising careers back home once their college and/or NFL careers are over?
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Skeptic
November 27th, 2012
6:22 pm
For you Furman Bisher fans, this is a darn good read (intro by Grizzard), it sure takes me back
http://www.amazon.com/The-Furman-Bisher-Collection-Sportswriters/dp/087833629X
Separately, my humble take at 3:32 backs up GTBob’s illustration at 6:09. Tech has little local (indigenous) support these days. The natives are restless = no attendance
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2012
6:24 pm
Cincinnati is politicking to join the ACC. They are positioning themselves against Louisville and UConn. I have no problem with UConn, and their basketball resume is quite a bit more recent than the Bearcats’. On the other hand, perhaps Notre Dame would like another Midwestern partner. If the ACC takes Louisville, that is the last straw for me. I’ll secede.
Skeptic
November 27th, 2012
6:37 pm
Cincinnati’s body of water doesn’t even flow to the Atlantic Coast. At least ND is situated close to Lake Michigan, which reaches the Atlantic eventually. (sarcasm)
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2012
6:51 pm
The Big East should merge with C-USA. The are neither big nor East. 9 schools are former C-USA members once Tulane joins in 2014. Boise State is widely rumored to be rejoining the Mountain West, as is San Diego State, and they haven’t even left yet.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2012
6:57 pm
Make that 10. I forgot to include East Carolina.
DAMN GOOD JACKETS
November 27th, 2012
6:57 pm
http://www.youtube.com/user/RamblinWreckTube
CPJ press conference
Orwin needs to play
1 4 GT
November 27th, 2012
7:04 pm
ignition…..I seem to recall that under Dodd & perhaps earlier, Tech recruited players from a variety of states….I seem to recall players from Fl, Pa, Oh, Tx (?). I guess my point is that Tech had athletes from several states on her rosters. Maybe I am misremembering, I don’t know. There are surveys that show the $$ value of a “new” Tech degree compared to other schools & they are quite revealing. Recruiters miss the boat by not using this information when talking to SA’s & their parents. And the low % of college footballers that even get a chance to play in the NFL. That stat is about 0.4 % and the average NFL career is about 3 years. The value of a good education should be stressed to these kids & their folks, IMHO.
Skeptic
November 27th, 2012
7:10 pm
San Diego St to the Big East. Nothing says East like San Diego.
And, I’m a firm believer in recruiting TX and FL hard. Pulling #’s out of my butt, but I’d bet that’s 60% of the nation’s talent, right there.
lindseysnot
November 27th, 2012
7:48 pm
i don’t particularly care what the dwag people think, never have really…they’ll be dropping off the bandwagon like flies next year anyway; a tougher (or real) schedule, losing a ton of starters to the nfl, etc., will bring the dwags back to earth (and CMR will be under fire). They’ll return to their usual, 2nd tier team below UF and USCe…although as long as GT continues down the current path, dwags will still be better than us. CPJ has one more year to get this thing turned around…another year like this one and he’s gone; $$ or no $$, he’ll be gone. I know the BOR will give him next year due to Groh’s firing, but the fans won’t, and whatever $ is coming in now will dry up. Ken Whisenhunt is a good choice….maybe Grobe is ready to get outta Wake Forest too. I really like CPJ, but the time for change is at hand…the program is in a state that I’ve never seen it before.
jacket backer
November 27th, 2012
8:05 pm
I completely agree with the idea of broadening our recruiting base. Ross and O’Leary brought in many good players from the Northeast, Midwest and Florida. In many cases, they were also better prepared academically to succeed at Tech. It does appear that we’re getting the leftovers from instate that the SEC schools and UGA don’t want. Recruiting, or lack thereof, must be addressed immediately or our program will continue to slide. If CPJ can’t do it, hire a recruiting coordinator to bring in talent. If that does not work, find a new head coach that understands how to recruit for GT.
Go Jackets!!
Burgess
November 27th, 2012
9:05 pm
I’m thinking Southern Miss would be a good place for Johnson
GT man
November 27th, 2012
9:40 pm
GT didnt compete because of the coach that they have that calls some of the stupiest plays everytime he plays uga. First, you have no talent because he is competing with MTSU and Memphis for players. It took Johnson 2 1/2 years to figure out that Groh sucked and right now our defensive stats are worst than when Wommack was there !!!! Please resign, Tech is playing like a Southern Conference team. If it will help run PJ off then I hope FSU wins 100-0
1 4 GT
November 27th, 2012
9:46 pm
DAMN GOOD JACKETS put up a link to CPJ’s press conference earlier. Thanks! I watched the 21 video of it & didn’t really see anything out of the ordinary. His answers were short & pretty much to the point. I would hold things close to my vest too. I didn’t really see anything to critical about, except it was obvious to me he was uncomfortable doing that, IMHO. I would be too. He even made some, to him anyway, humorous remarks. If this is what all the negativity about his personality is about, I say y’all are just nit picking. Give it a rest. SHEESH
1 4 GT
November 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
Fine GT Fan is! He would have fit right in with the ones trying to run Dodd off in his first as official HC in 1945……by subterfuge & innuendo.
Loaded FSU defense awaits Tech | Georgia Tech
November 27th, 2012
10:16 pm
[...] ‘Lack of competing’ against UGA [...]
CloudmanJacket
November 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
As usual; CPJ blames the players. Never blames the person who recruits, teaches, and coaches the players. The buck always stops somewhere else when he speaks. His recruiting and his high school offense is the biggest issue in my opinion
ODog
November 28th, 2012
6:17 am
Mark would never put up with a lack of effort at UGA—but johnson lets it go on—these tech players show up, collect a free scholarship and don’t even compete—embarrassing.
SuperB
November 28th, 2012
7:10 am
And we wonder why Paul Johnson cannot recruit.
SuperB
November 28th, 2012
7:37 am
ED: YOU ARE AN IDIOT
DannyG
November 28th, 2012
7:41 am
You guys even suck at putting down Dawg fans.
Ga. Southern has a better team than Ga Tech.
BubbaDaBaller
November 28th, 2012
7:48 am
18-22 year old males often act in unpredictable ways. It’s up to their coaches, mentors and parents to provide support during trying times…Most unfortunately the assemblage of young men in the Gold and White only had their Coaches and a plodding offense that doesn’t allow for scoring quickly. It is good for College Football to have 2 good teams from GA in the mix each year…maybe GA Southern can get up to speed in “Big Boy Football” quickly…
GT53
November 28th, 2012
9:15 am
If ever there was a need to say , “YOU THINK”, CPJ statement “lack of competing” was it. I have never seen such a pitiful performance than last Saturday. The Jackets were outplayed at every phase of the game. However, CPJ needs to look no further at the probhlem than the mirror every morning or whenver he starts his day. The way a team “competes” is strickly a coaching issue. He can get all the blue chip athletes in the world but he cannot find a way to moticate them to rise to the occasion, he is not doing his job and should be replaced. By the way, that is exactly what was happening at Auburn and you see what happened there.
GT53
November 28th, 2012
9:23 am
I like the thought process of “ignition”. It seems that in “football” state like Georgia, the emphasis is put on that and not what goes with it. Big money has changed the priority of many talented players and has changed the culture of the educational process in higher platforms of learning. The UGA athletic association reported an excess of over $60,000,000 after the bills were paid. Did that money go back into the general fund of the University? NO. What message does t his send to our children when they look to their future?
max dawg
November 28th, 2012
9:46 am
gt peeps, stay off the dawg post for one year,you are not worthy
Jacket Nation Deflation
November 28th, 2012
9:50 am
Lets start a campaign to get Giff Smith to the flats. He would make a great D/C. He is an excellent recruiter and we know we have a major lack of talent on defense. Giff could build a strong D in two years time. The offense is not perfect by any means. If Johnson had the wide outs and would let Vad throw to them. I don’t think Jeff Greene or Darren Waller will every be a Demaryus Thomas or even a Steven Hill. Johnson needs to steal a couple of four star receivers from Auburn or TN’s recruiting class. We got a long way to go. First priority should be to fix this aweful defense (or lack there of).
Tide/Dawg
November 28th, 2012
11:02 am
GTBEE I think you have it right. By name you would think I don’t care about Tech, but I live in Ga. and I want all of the Ga. teams to play at a high level. The GT players see other teams come out with a balanced attack and move the ball on them relentlessly. They are not stupid and they know now that their one trick pony offense cannot win against balanced teams and they just don’t have the heart to keep trying. Tech’s offense is boring and the players know that. When you’re overwhelmed you play trying not to get hurt and get it over with. PJ ranting and berating his players because they can’t win with his offense makes me sick. PJ is an ego maniac. He’s afraid to hire an offensive coordinator because he’s afraid he won’t get credit for the offense(which is all he cares about) successes. He begs praise for gaining more yards, controlling the clock, and most first downs while losing by 25 points in the first half. PJ would do well at Ga. State or any college that plays in a lower division. The teams he’s playing now put 22 athletes on the field, not 5 or 6 and his offense can’t compete when they put 8 defensive players on the line of scrimmage. Tech’s futile end over end passes are no threat to any good team so they don’t have to defend it. PJ is trying to play little league in the major leagues.
Dr.EB
November 28th, 2012
11:35 am
I have always been for Tech and will be very honest. Saturday’s game was very ugly. It was a good old fashioned behind or ___ whipping (or whuppin’ if you prefer). The talent gap is huge. In my opinion the game was not as close as the score indicated.
billdawg
November 28th, 2012
12:05 pm
CPJ needs to learn the difference between “didn’t” and “couldn’t”. Maybe a symantics class at UGA would help. Obviously the “buzz”ards were not repared in any way to meet an angry ‘Dawg.
oledawg
November 28th, 2012
1:43 pm
Competing???????? It’s called RECRUITING! Running an antique offense, and signing DIV II quality athletes, spells trouble on the Flats.
But I think Coach Constipation deserves a raise—-afterall, I thought we’d never get Reggie Ball to come back and play much less coach. Keep PJ around for the next several years, as it is hilarious to watch.
Tech needs a real football coach
November 29th, 2012
1:17 pm
Johnson’s own words are why he should be fired!
Tech needs a real football coach
November 29th, 2012
1:18 pm
BRING BACK GEORGE O’LEARY AS TECH FOOTBALL COACH!
Militerryman
December 1st, 2012
9:25 pm
Why is he blaming the team. Its his stupid “triple option” play calling that has the worst offensive team in the Nation. With this style of playing we will never compete at this level!