Tech defense by the numbers
Georgia Tech’s statistics from the first six games compared to the final eight games. A few words of comment below.
TOTAL DEFENSE
431.0 331.3
RUSHING YARDS, YARDS PER RUSH
163.3, 4.5 129.9, 4.1
PASSING YARDS, YARDS PER ATTEMPT
267.7, 7.2 201.4, 7.2
PASSING EFFICIENCY
128.3 132.0
YARDS PER PLAY
5.8 5.6
POINTS
30.2 26.9
POINTS PER POSSESSION
2.26 2.24
THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY
47.8 34.1
POINTS PER RED-ZONE POSSESSION
4.5 5.2
SACKS PER GAME
1.7 2.3
TAKEAWAYS PER GAME
1.8 1.8
BIG PLAYS (20-plus yards from scrimmage) PER GAME
4.8 3.4
FOURTH-QUARTER SCORING
11.8 3.9
It’s interesting how similar some of the numbers are. For a story I wrote prior to the Sun Bowl, I noted that the yards-per-play stats were virtually identical (5.84 when Al Groh was defensive coordinator and 5.85 after the hire of Charles Kelly as interim).
In this chart, points per possession (which, arguably, is the most informative statistic about a team’s efficiency) is almost the same and yards per play is close.
But, a couple numbers jump out for their difference, fourth-quarter scoring and third-down efficiency. Tech’s inability to get off the field led to a lot of the Jackets’ problems in the first six games and ultimately played not a small role in Groh’s dismissal.
By getting off the field, Tech was more able to enforce its pace of play. Opponents ran 73.8 plays per game in the first six games, 59.6 in the final eight, a fairly staggering difference. Opponents averaged 13.3 possessions in Groh-coached games and 12.0 in games coached by Kelly. It isn’t much, but 1.3 extra possessions at 2.24 points per possession is three points a game.
Further, you could make a strong case that the second half of the schedule (4/7 if we’re going to be precise) was tougher.
Total-offense rank* of first six opponents, in order, not including Presbyterian: 82, 65, 37, 67, 8. (Presbyterian finished 110th in FCS. Yikes.)
Last eight opponents, in order: 99, 61, 120, 15, 56, 27, 22, 30.
That’s the second and third worst, but also four of the top five.
* Rankings through games of Dec. 29
All that said, and I realize I’m not the first to say this, but I think the defense passed the eyeball test more than anything, particularly in the final two games. The tackling was better, the play faster. We’ll never know what USC would have done with Matt Barkley at quarterback and without 30-mph winds. But we do know that Tech held an offense averaging 155 rushing yards per game to 98 rushing yards and fewer points and yards than it produced against Notre Dame with Max Wittek at quarterback.
There is no getting around that the BYU and Georgia (and North Carolina) games took place under Kelly’s watch, but the way the Jackets played in the final six quarters of the season was vastly better than how they played earlier in the season. For that, Kelly and his staff deserve credit.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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203 comments Add your comment
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
6:43 pm
Nice work, Ken.
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
6:46 pm
Time to hire Charles Kelly as DC.
GIVE ME A BREAK
January 3rd, 2013
6:46 pm
Ken, you’re working too hard. Thanks.
Full Metal Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
6:48 pm
Thanks for the stats breakdown, Ken. Have you heard ANYTHING about the DC search or process. I think CPJ must be considering Kelly, hence his delay in making a hire, and the Sun Bowl performance wouldn’t have changed that.
Relieved Fan
January 3rd, 2013
6:49 pm
I think kelly deserves a shot at defensive coordinator next year. In the byu game, the defense gave up a lot of points but it also gave back some points with that pick 6. A lot of the scoring also was due to the poor play selection by paul on offense. The defense did not play very good in the first half of the unc game, but in the second half they only gave up 7 points on one play and played lights out the rest of the game. A lot of the scoring in the first half can also be attributed to the high rate at which the tech offense was scoring which gave the defense less time to rest. The uga game was a lot closer than the score showed and was probably the worst the defense played under kelly, but lets not forget that same uga offense put up 30+ against alabamas greate defense. If the offense had finished off a few more drives than the game mightve gone differently.
Kelly was a part of Groh's staff...
January 3rd, 2013
6:53 pm
I can’t for the life of me understand why people act as if Kelly had no part of the bad defense in the first half of the year. Wasn’t he a defensive coach the past 7 or so season at GT? The last 6 quarters were good. But then again so were the first 11 of the year under Groh. The fact is, the defense was not significantly better under Kelly than it was under Groh. And why would it be? It’s the same staff. Kelly has now been on two failed coaching staffs at GT. Let’s not make it a third. Gut the entire defensive staff.
Jacket Man
January 3rd, 2013
6:58 pm
Let’s take these numbers a few steps further and see how far Tech progressed Nationally since Kelly took over:
Through Six Games December 2nd
Scoring Defense 83rd (30.2) 77th (29.9) 28.3
Rushing Defense 68th (163.3) 46th (147.7) 144.2
Passing Defense 98th (267.7) 68th (239.2) 229.8
Total Defense 89th (431.0) 52nd (387.0) 374.0
Sacks 78th (1.67) 50th (2.15) 2.0
*Final national rankings released after BCS national championship
You can see significant improvements in every category…
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
7:03 pm
I don’t know that I am ready to say that Kelly should be DC; let’s wait and consider ALL the points that Ken made, and actually also what was just posted at 6:53. Don’t just jump on the first available option, no matter how good it might look TEMPORARILY. I definitely think Kelly should receive consideration, and, no matter what, I would like to see him remain in some position on the coaching staff; he certainly deserves that.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
7:18 pm
I am leary of anointing Kelly as DC simply because of a good bowl game (windy, backup QB) and the second half against FSU (did any one else watch them underwhelm in the OB?). Would prefer to see us go after a known commodity but the reality is we can afford Kelly.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
7:19 pm
What we need is a lights out recruiter for DC.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
7:25 pm
Hey there, Augusta Jacket. I agree with you
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
7:28 pm
How was the bowl game SS? I am sure you enjoyed it, balmy weather and all.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
7:30 pm
balmy, right….LOL I nearly froze my tail off at the game. My body was literally shaking. And I had on what I thought was pretty warm clothes. Anyway, the game was great, and the trip was equally great. Really glad I went.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
7:35 pm
LOL. Glad you enjoyed it. Wish I could have been there.
gtkenz
January 3rd, 2013
7:36 pm
It’s hard to say from afar. I know that I intently watch every game, most from the stands home and away. I watch most of the replays. I read most of the articles and listen to/hear those so called experts. Personally, I look for speed to the ball and pressure up front. Tackling is a given, but intensity before and after plays especially on the sideline or lack thereof always catches my eye.
If we can call it the Kelly defense, then clearly his defense did all the little things better and more consistently than did any of the Womack or Groh defenses. However, there was still the absolute beat down in Athens. And again the 1st half against FSU. To me, that exemplifies much of the exact same sporadic effort we’ve seen by GT defenses since O’Leary ran the D under Ross.
There are thousands of comparisons, but I’ll give just one, Clemson. Kevin Steele versus Brent Venables. I’d like to see that comparison by the numbers. So if there are any Tech alum with a few extra million sitting around to spend, get Tech a Brent Venables, because we have gotten what we have paid for at Tech and we haven’t paid much.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
7:40 pm
@gtkenz: Thats exactly what I think the problem has been.. We aren’t willing/able to spend for a proven DC so we keep hoping to find a diamond in the rough.
NYJacket
January 3rd, 2013
7:41 pm
When you are an assistant you may provide advice but you do what the boss wants you to do. When you are in charge, you do it your way.
Ho hum
January 3rd, 2013
7:41 pm
Tek better look beyond Kelly. Augusta nails it – you need a recruiter more than anything else. Something else to consider some teams don’t fear tek and therefore take them lightly (FSU & USC come to mind) and therefore Tek appears to be better than reality. USC didn’t want to play Tek or play in the Sun Bowl and the results were obvious.
Tek needs PLAYERS on both sides of the ball – especially on defense. Groh was given chicken poop and told to make chicken salad – nuf said.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
7:47 pm
@Ho hum: Tech does need players but Grohs failings I lay directly at scheme. The 3-4 was never a good idea.
White&Gold
January 3rd, 2013
7:58 pm
@Ho Hum: So you’re saying the only reason we kept it close against FSU and beat USC was because they didn’t want to play us? Out of curiosity, what mental illnesses do you have?
GTPhenom
January 3rd, 2013
7:59 pm
Exactly Augusta. We may need some better players, but the 3-4 was a terrible idea. There is a reason that few teams in the FBS run the 3-4, and it’s because the athletes required on the D-Line (300+ pound 6′3″+ strong D-Linemen), and in the linebacking corps (have to be supremely athletic and great pass rushers) are some that very few schools can recruit consistently (teams like UGA, and Bama come to mind). Oh, and Ho hum, say what you will, but you can’t take away what GT did against USC and FSU.
ignition
January 3rd, 2013
8:05 pm
Man I wish people would shut up with the 3-4 4-3 talk, it doesn”t matter that much good defense is good defense no matter the scheme. Notre Dame & Stanford both run 3-4 for the same reason’s Tech run it. It’s easier to recruit linebackers than D-Linemen and that hasn’t changed.
Tech was bigger at the line than Stanford & Notre Dame matter of fact and they have top 5 Defenses. It’s coaching coaching coaching, Kelly did well with the limited time he had available, he deserves to be considered.
CPJ spoke to 790 the Zone and stated he will be interviewing 3 to 4 people for the position including Kelly.
http://www.790thezone.com/podcasts/Episodes.aspx?PID=2611
Buford T. Pusser
January 3rd, 2013
8:12 pm
This is not going to be a popular comment but the reason our D is so bad is because of the caliber of atheletes on that side of the ball. Unlike the O which gives you a schematic advantage even with lesser athletes; not the case on the defensive side.
Nowhere was this more apparent than in the UGA game, they manhandled Tech on both sides of the ball and the difference in talent level was apparent to anyone paying attention.
Hence, I agree with what others have said, keep Kelly on staff but hire a DC who has a proven track record as a recruiter in the state of GA and in the Southeast. The only way we are going to get better is improve the level of athletes on both sides of the ball but it is much more important for the D.
ignition
January 3rd, 2013
8:15 pm
I stand corrected Stanford is not a Top 15 as the 14th ranked defense In total Defense.
per: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/stats/byteam?cat1=defense&cat2=Total&conference=I-A_all
Notre Dame
Alabama
Florida
Rutgers
BYU
Boise St.
Florida St.
Utah St.
Bowling Green
Michigan St.
4 Teams in the Top 10 have 3-4 Defenses including the TOP 3 !!!!
1 runs a 5-2-5 (Bowling Green)
1 4 GT
January 3rd, 2013
8:18 pm
I have thought CKelly deserved a serious look & hard thoughts by CPJ and a chance to have a serious interview for the job of DC since the end of the UNC game. Did he turn the defense around? Not completely. Has the defense played better. I say yes! For the poster going by the name “KELLY WAS A PART OF GROH’s STAFF…..” (caps so he might notice it and read). You must remember who was the boss when you ask that question? Groh was the boss. He made the defensive calls much as CPJ made the offensive calls. Groh installed his scheme. Groh had them coached the way he wanted. How long would you last at your job if you went against your boss and his/her “system”. Assuming you are not at the top of the heap. There has been marked improvement from game to game, excluding the Georgie game. The quickness of Tech getting down by 3 or 4 scores (among other things) took the starch right out of Tech, which I perfectly understand. In each game after the half, the GT defense played better, even in the Georgie game. Good adjustments were made during the halftime break. In round numbers UNC had outscored opponents by 150 to 50 in the second half. Tech held them to 7 points. Tech shutout FSU in the second half. They were fired up and ready to play in the Sun Bowl. They played hard the entire USC game. They like Coach Kelly. He has them believing they are capable of playing with anyone. When have we seen the enthusiasm from the sideline that we saw for the Sun Bowl. They made plays. They made tackles. They batted down 8 (I believe that is the number I saw in a blog) passes at the LOS. They had 3 INT’s. They pressured the QB. All of Wittek’s play was not because of his youth & inexperience. I could go on. Yes, Coach Kelly has earned serious consideration and I think wants the job of DC for CPJ & GT! It will be OK with me if he gets the job. FWIW!
GT Lee
January 3rd, 2013
8:31 pm
Speaking of defensive coaching staffs, this is interesting…..
http://espn.go.com/blog/acc
1 4 GT
January 3rd, 2013
8:32 pm
For those that don’t like option football and don’t think it is exciting, tune into ESPN and watch KSU & Oregon. The game is close to KO. Tech & CPJ runs the TOption about 20-30% of the time. With a better passing attack, I can see us looking more like these two in the future. We are also watching the NFL metaphorize into a limited option offensive system.
Paul in NH
January 3rd, 2013
8:41 pm
@ignition
5-2-5 is a very difficult defense to score against. I loved GT’s 5-3-5 that they used at the end of the first half against UGA back in 1985.
technut
January 3rd, 2013
8:47 pm
bring tenuta back
chas_jacket
January 3rd, 2013
8:50 pm
I don’t think it was a coincidence that the USC QB Wennick (sp?) had a bad day – it looked like we had people in the right position to make plays the vast majority of the time. That was by far the biggest problem I think Groh had – the schemes were too complicated for college. How many times did you see 2 or 3 of our LB’s/ DB’s looking lost in the same coverage area with no receiver within 20 yards under Groh? Groh’s system was OK in the pros when you had players with college experience that could spend 12 months a year learning the system, but it was not suited to the college level.
With respect to recruiting, it seems like Kelly has been one of our most active recruiters – I definitely would not want to lose him. The players also like and respond well to him. I say give him a short contract as DC and see how he does.
ignition
January 3rd, 2013
8:51 pm
I’m not familiar with the 5-2-5 defense. If I recall Charlie Strong used to coach a 3-3-5 when he was with USC.
No matter who is hired I would love for CPJ to use his relationship with Mike Smith and have the new D coordinator pick Mike Nolans brain on disguising coverages and being multiple.
chas_jacket
January 3rd, 2013
8:54 pm
I am no football guru but a 5-2-5 or 5-3-5 does seem like it would be effective if you can field 12 or 13 players on defense????
1 4 GT
January 3rd, 2013
8:54 pm
I don’t think anyone knows the 5-2-5 defense! Not even the coaches!
ignition
January 3rd, 2013
8:55 pm
lol. 5-2-4
chas_jacket
January 3rd, 2013
8:56 pm
sorry – I misread ignition’s post , a 3-3-5 is OK , but a 5-2-5 stills adds up to 12?
chas_jacket
January 3rd, 2013
8:58 pm
USC could probably have got away with a 5-2-5 wih the Sun bowl refs
Tech93
January 3rd, 2013
9:10 pm
I’m also excited about next season, but I am still concerned about the Defensive line. I do not think we can continue to run the 3-4 with our personnel. You have to have a big and deep D line to run this. I don’t think we have either. If we are not willing to pay much for a DC then I would give Kelly the job vs getting a “hopeful”. If we are willing to pay then we need a DC that can coach and definitely recruit.
ignition
January 3rd, 2013
9:16 pm
Do people actually look at the roster before they post.
dry dirt road
January 3rd, 2013
9:18 pm
I would’nt let CPJ hire a DC. He proved he could’nt hire one when he hired Groh. And there’s no AD to hire one, so Kelly should stay on. I’m just wondering how the old timers from the ‘71-2 D such as tackle Perdoni, tackle Brad Bourne, db Jeff Ford and linebacker Bill Flowers would do at DC. Those guys were good, and so were their coaches Jerry Glanville and Maxie Baughn.
George Stein
January 3rd, 2013
9:19 pm
Tenuta took a position at UVA, technut.
I am pleased that the tackling improved over the last two games, but I don’t know whether it warrants the position. The issue is made difficult because of games like Carolina where we were gashed in the first half but shut them down in the second half. UGA had a special team this year, so I don’t really read much into that game – they were clearly better and deserved to win.
I wish I had a better idea what to do, but I don’t. Johnson needs to get it right this time, though.
fuzzybee78
January 3rd, 2013
9:28 pm
I think CKelly did a nice job tweeking the 3-4 because thats all you can do in the middle of the season.
I also hope CPJ has seen enough of the 3-4 at GT and will bring in a DC who runs an aggressive 4-3.
Also curious what defense CKelly ran when he was the DC at the Nichols and others??? We have the personal to make the change during the spring to a 4-3.
Shame Tenuta left, just hired as DC at UVA.
atlxman
January 3rd, 2013
9:29 pm
too funny,,tech will never look like ore or ksu..pj doesnt run that offense. plus he cant land those type of recruits. also it would require pj to have a offensive play sheet in his hand while stomping around the sideline. we all know he doesnt like to handle a play sheet.
GT1990
January 3rd, 2013
9:30 pm
Guys, you can not base this hire off the last two games! The D did play better but im still not sure kelly is the guy. We need someone who can recruit alot better than kelly.
atlxman
January 3rd, 2013
9:31 pm
all about players fellas..and you guys dont have enough on either side of the ball to scare anyone. hope you like winning 7 to 8 games a year with pj at the helm.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
9:45 pm
@ altxman……apparently the mutts don’t scare South Carolina or Bama or LSU either, since you are o-fer against them over the past 5 years. But keep feeding your ego with wins over Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Coastal Carolina, Ga Southern, Kentucky, Miss State, and Vandy (and that’s probably coming to an end next year).
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
9:47 pm
I really can’t believe anybody in their right mind would want Tenuta back. The guy is a total a-hole. Sure he had some good defenses at Tech—–FOR ABOUT HALF THE GAMES. Do y’all not remember how he couldn’t defense UVA under Groh, of all people??? And we never beat UGA while he was the DC. I could go on.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
9:54 pm
Whether we elevate Kelly or hire a new DC, there is one staff position to fill. Whoever that is needs to be able to recruit the southeast, particularly GA and FL.
HighTech
January 3rd, 2013
9:59 pm
Kelly is a young coach who is hungry for the opportunity. Also, he is already deeply involved in recruiting and knows the landscape. People point to the poor play of the secondary earlier in the season. How do you explain the improved play of the secondary after Kelly became DC? Maybe we should hire whoever took over as position coach for Kelly.
Anyhow, Kelly has my endorsement but I trust Coach Johnson will do what is best for the team.
ignition
January 3rd, 2013
10:10 pm
I happen to like 3-4 defenses and I feel it’s the perfect scheme for Tech which has a history of having trouble recruiting D-Line players even when O’Leary was coach. (One of his big complaints)
Tech hasn’t even played their D-Line recruits for the 3-4. (most were redshirted)
Plus we don’t have any players for a 4-3
94 Izaan Cross DE 6-4 300 SR Flowery Branch, Ga. Flowery Branch HS
41 Roderick Chungong DE 6-3 246 FR Silver Spring, Md. Good Counsel
91 Patrick Gamble DE 6-5 262 FR Carrollton, Ga. Central Carroll
93 Emmanuel Dieke DE 6-6 270 RS JR Riverdale, Ga. North Clayton HS
99 Euclid Cummings DE 6-4 275 RS JR Atlanta, Ga. Centennial HS
61 Adrian Gardner DE 6-2 260 RS FR Dawson, Ga. Terrell County HS
95 Christopher Crenshaw DE 6-3 256 RS JR Louisville, Ga. Jefferson County HS
92 Francis Kallon DE 6-5 289 FR Lawrenceville, Ga. Central Gwinnett
98 Jimmie Kitchen DE 6-3 270 RS FR Lithonia, Ga. Lithonia HS
56 Anthony Williams DE 6-4 264 RS SO McDonough, Ga. Union Grove
96 Adam Gotsis DL 6-5 300 FR Abbotsford, Victoria (AUS) Kew
97 Shawn Green DL 6-0 280 RS SO Grayson, Ga. Grayson
67 Ben Keith DT 6-1 269 RS JR Gainesville, Fla. Buchholz
90 T.J. Barnes DT 6-7 345 RS SR Enterprise, Ala. Enterprise HS
versus the amount of linebackers recruited
62 Ryan Sparlin LB 6-0 238 RS SO Kennesaw, Ga. Harrison
11 Brandon Watts LB 6-2 238 RS JR Tennille, Ga. Washington County HS
31A Joshua Rogers LB 5-9 202 RS SO Canton, Ga. Sequoya
39 Chaz Cheeks LB 6-4 232 RS FR Gainesville, Ga. East Hall HS
32 Jabari Hunt-Days LB 6-3 252 RS FR Marietta, Ga. Hillgrove HS
59 Beau Hankins LB 6-1 228 FR Birmingham, Ala. Jackson-Olin
43 Kyle Travis LB 6-3 240 SO Cumming, Ga. South Forsyth HS
65 Corey Alford LB 5-11 223 RS JR Conyers, Ga. Heritage
47 Tyler Stargel LB 6-3 237 FR Orange Beach, Ala. Gulf Shores
45 Jeremiah Attaochu LB 6-3 240 JR Washington, D.C. Archbishop Carroll
46 Tremayne McNair LB 6-2 230 SO Jacksonville, N.C. White Oak HS
57A Blake Hembree LB 6-0 205 RS FR Canton, Ga. The King’s Academy
48 Nick Menocal LB 6-3 238 SO Miami, Fla. Belen Jesuit Prep School
66 Matt Serpico LB 6-4 228 RS FR Fayetteville, Ga. Whitewater
35 Tyler Marcordes LB 6-4 235 RS FR Normal, Ill. Normal Community West HS
30 Daniel Drummond LB 6-3 245 RS JR Flowery Branch, Ga. Flowery Branch HS
54 Quayshawn Nealy LB 6-1 232 RS SO Lakeland, Fla. Lakeland
51 Anthony Harrell LB 6-2 235 RS FR Tampa, Fla. Jesuit HS
53A Rusty Scott LB 6-3 215 RS FR Lincolnton, Ga. Lincoln County
14 D-Lineman
19 Linebackers
ignition
January 3rd, 2013
10:14 pm
correction
we don’t have enough d lineman for a 4-3.
Reality
January 3rd, 2013
10:27 pm
I don’t really think he is ready for the defensive coordinator position. He has been on the staff for a while and just has not shown a lot of growth.
I think that there are many out there that could do a better job. Look at the Rutgers coaching staff, for example. Or, how about someone from the Louisvill coaching staff?
Overall, regardless of who PJ names as defensive coordinator, we simply must recruit better on the defensive side of the ball. Our players seem to be undersized year-in and year-out.
fuzzybee78
January 3rd, 2013
10:44 pm
@ignition
Yes we do. And while height doesnt usually change in college, weight can change dramatically depending on what coaches want you to play. These guys gain or lose 10 lbs at dinner. Kallon put on 40 lbs this year.
Plus what do you think most of these guys played in HS? 4-3 or 5-2 more than likely, not a 3-4.
With 12 D lineman returning we certainly have 6 or 7 who can play next year and then fix the numbers in 2014 -15.
Here’s my rotation line up—
DT: Gottis Green Cummings rotation inside
DE: Dieke Kallon Gamble — on the edge– Maybe Hunt-Days at 6′3″ to DE with another 10 lbs.
LB: Attachoo Nealy or Hunt-Days Watts
Others will emerge after Spring as competent backups.
Use some of the better LB on STeams and get that beefed up.
fuzzybee78
January 3rd, 2013
10:49 pm
Recruiting is huge, Kelly deserves a chance to interview for the job. We need a DC with a plan that will work at GT and can recruit big time. With also need Gif Smith back at Tech from Gailey’s staff. Class of 07 was his masterpiece.
gt40pinhd
January 3rd, 2013
10:50 pm
i like kelly but to me the important part of being dc is recruiting. kelly was on groh’s staff. did he recruit well? was he successful?
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
10:51 pm
@Fuzzybee: With Gailey canned in Buffalo, now is the perfect chance to get Giff back.
fuzzybee78
January 3rd, 2013
10:53 pm
@Augusta Jacket—
Amen! Gif back may be more important than the new DC.
gt40pinhd
January 3rd, 2013
10:54 pm
speaking of recruiting: usc had four decommit from the 18 commitments they have.
however, of the 14 left, 13 are in the “army” high school all star game. oh yes, the 14th: he’s in the underarmour all star game. next year, they will be like us, 15 scholarships.
oh well….
so far kiffin’s job is safe.
5150 UOAD
January 3rd, 2013
10:55 pm
Not Sure KELLY is the answer.
Need to really see who is available and who is interested.
Sad to see Randy Shannon is already gone to Arkansas.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
11:06 pm
Shannon might have worked out but it would be hard to sel the fan base on a second failed ACC head coach as DC.
Like I said earlier, I am not sure Kelly is the answer either but the reality is he is probably what we can/will afford.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
11:06 pm
*sell
fuzzybee78
January 3rd, 2013
11:10 pm
I do believe CPJ will really look at this carefully. The right guy is the difference in staying competitive in the ACC or looking for another team.
fuzzybee78
January 3rd, 2013
11:13 pm
There is still “booster smell” on Randy Shannon, he knew or was willfully ignorant.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
11:14 pm
I wonder how much the absence of an AD is impacting the timing/choice of DC hire. Does CPJ have the authority to hire a DC on his own?
fuzzybee78
January 3rd, 2013
11:17 pm
@Augusta Jacket-
We have an acting AD who knows the budget. For the right guy they will figure it out within reason.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
11:18 pm
@ Augusta Jacket….pretty sure the head coach makes the calls as far as hiring staff. Maybe an AD has some voice of approval or consent, but I doubt the absence of one matters at all.
Augusta Jacket
January 3rd, 2013
11:20 pm
@Fuzzybee: “For the right guy…” Exactly, and I am wondering if CPJ could promote Kelly on his own. A new AD might want some say for a promotion whereas you can get forgiveness for an outside hire. Either way NSD is about a month away and I would think we would want a DC in place by then.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
11:21 pm
I would venture to say that we will have a DC by the end of next week.
HOJO
January 3rd, 2013
11:24 pm
No brainer! Hire Giff Smith as DC and recruiting co.
fuzzybee78
January 3rd, 2013
11:37 pm
Super you might be right. You want the right guy, but you better hurry because lots of folks want the right guy too!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 3rd, 2013
11:40 pm
@ fuzzybee…true, plus remember, we’ve known we needed one for a couple of months. I doubt very seriously that CPJ has been twiddling his thumbs
yeller bug
January 4th, 2013
1:30 am
It’s all about performance on the field and part of that is the athletes that play. Groh knew his stuff—just couldn’t successfully implement it with the players on the field. Kelly did a decent job of taking over a demoralized group and getting better play out of them. Tech doesn’t have a lot of money to spend—I think the key is finding a good recruiter. THat’s the slot that needs to be filled—if to get a good recruiter, you need to offer the DC position, then offer it and move Kelly to asst head coach. If they want asst head coach, then leave Kelly at DC. The players seemed motivated, Kelly is hungry, the scheme seems to work…mostly….so get us a coach who can recruit in the Southeast and that would provide the best ROI for GT football.
ToeMeetsLeather
January 4th, 2013
7:04 am
Key statistic is third down efficiency. If we get off the field on third down at the “Kelly” rate early in the season, we beat VaTech, Miami and MTSU. That is a 10-4 year, and with most everyone back and unleashing Lee next year we are all talking about a top fifteen preseason ranking. I say give Kelly one year to see how he does and reevaluate at the end of the season. We were a young team this year and the guys responded well to Kelly’s leadership. Bring Giff in as DLine coach/recruiting coord. and pay him accordingly.
Tokyo jacket
January 4th, 2013
7:15 am
@5150, Randy Shannon is the LB coach at Ark. I bet he’d jump for a raise.
@Augusta, I think you’re right on Giff Smith. But, as someone else said, if we can’t afford a bigger name, go with a known commodity vice trying to find a diamond in the rough. If you’ve got money, go after a bigger name. I’m thinking Giff Will command 350 as a position coach and 500-700 as the DC. Not sure what we can afford right now.
Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing Shannon at DC, Smith as DL coach, and Kelley as DB’s + assistant Head Coach to keep him around. That’s probably a pipe dream, but it’s my pipe dream.
00Burdell
January 4th, 2013
8:06 am
Ken – don’t know if you are still reading comments but it might be interesting to see a comparative stat of the percentage of opponent’s possessions that did not result in points. Not the same as points per possession, it would indicate the rate that our defense is stopping the opponent’s offense short of a score via turnover, punt, half-time or end of regulation. That is really the defense’s job – stop the other guy before they score/get the ball back.
Thanx for the outstanding coverage – much appreciated.
GTBob
January 4th, 2013
8:24 am
Tech doesn’t have the guts to play Georgia Southern!
molar roller
January 4th, 2013
8:29 am
What we need plain and simple is a good recruiter and defensive coordinator like Giff Smith. Maybe there are others who fit the bill but CCK is not the guy. Keep him on the staff but utilize his talents as a line coach.
Guru
January 4th, 2013
8:33 am
Hey Supersize
How did your prediction for the season turn out? Think you called for 11-1, 10-2 at worst! LMAo!!!
I’m sure next year will be 12-0!!!
Idiot
molar roller
January 4th, 2013
8:34 am
Tokyo Jacket,
That’s just the point. We have to spend the money if we are to get better.
Eisendawg
January 4th, 2013
8:47 am
First, congrats to Tech for playing a solid bowl game, and I’m sure all Tennessee fans were very pleased also. Secondly, I want to thank Ken Sugiura for putting “PUT IN TIMEOUT” in timeout. Now, if we can just get Bill King and Chip Towers to REALLY ban this idiot, I think that would be more than “slightly loved” by Jeff Shultz and the rest of the readers on here.
GTVegas
January 4th, 2013
8:52 am
Bottom line, it’s not our decision to make and CPJ knows it’s his responsibility now.
I think the D’s performance with Kelly at the helm has at least earned him a spot for consideration. It gave CPJ some point of reference to see what he would do and can do when given control. I think that needed to be done for Kelly to be given a shot and I believe that may have been part of the thinking when Groh was let go mid-season.
It’s all part of supply and demand. It’s CPJ’s job to evaluate the supply giving consderation to what GT can afford.
I think CPJ knows he needs a DC who can run the defense, command respect, get results, inspire top performance and recruit. It’s his job to find the peg that fits the hole. Ultimately, it’s his head/job at risk.
As for a 3-4 vs a 4-3, I have to believe that whoever takes this job will have the ability to evaluate the players available and decide what will work best. I personally think it’s the 4-3, but what do I know, I’m a finance guy.
gt45
January 4th, 2013
8:53 am
Kelly deserves a shot. The boys play for him, and he is obviousley emotional about his job. CPJ asked Groh to tweak his system, and he refused. Don’t blame Kelly for Groh’s pride. Giff Smith needs to be top priority for RC, period!
dawgfan
January 4th, 2013
8:57 am
Congratulaitons to the Tech defense for playing well for 6 quarters. What a tremendous achievment. I tell you right now folks. If Tech can face 2nd string QBs and play in 30 mph winds every game next year it could be a special year for the Tech defense. 7 or 8 wins would not at all be unrealistic.
Georgia Tech=JOKE
GTVegas
January 4th, 2013
9:04 am
Dwagfan – Thanks for spending so much time here on a GT blog, it’s the ultimate compliment. It shows you care so much…
1980 was so long ago
January 4th, 2013
9:09 am
It doesn’t matter who the DC is, just get a bunch of 4 and 5 star thugs (get them out on bond), and folks will even think a guy like Todd Grantham is good, regardless of the offensive onslaughts of a less than mediocre UT, Nebraska, not to mention the second half adjustments against Bama. There’s your JOKE!!
El Paso Jewelry, Pawn Tatoo, and Piercing
January 4th, 2013
9:10 am
Yeah, congrats. Also, your rings are ready.
Billybuzz
January 4th, 2013
9:11 am
I liked what I saw under Kelly as the DC. You can not evaluate him as an assistant under Groh. I was really impressed the way tech’s linebackers and db’s tackled in the Sun Bowl. Great drive with their legs. First time I’ve seen them not waving their arms and missing the tackle. Kelly has made steady progress. He also developed a scheme against USC that they had a lot of trouble solving.
If there isn’t a proven DC out there (proven successful – not Tenuta), Kelly can do the job. CPJ is so loyal to his people and players, I think Kelly will be his pick.
Birmingham Jacket
January 4th, 2013
9:36 am
I don’t buy any improvement, whatsoever.
USC’s QB played horribly, and their entire team was unmotivated to say the least.
FSUs offense isn’t that good. They struggled at times against N. Illinois.
If you want a reality check of our D after Grohs departure, look at the UGA game. Georgia moved the ball AT WILL against us for 4 quarters. Any decent-to-good offense would.
It’s not coaching as much as it is lack of recruiting. And that failure falls squarely on Paul Johnson.
Our defensive players are small, slow and undersized. None would start, and most would have difficulties making 2nd string for a legitimate top 20 program.
5150 UOAD
January 4th, 2013
9:42 am
Eisendawg………………..not Put in timeout anymore…………Stop crying and do your job and the AJC will do their job how they see fit.
dawgfan
January 4th, 2013
9:43 am
It doesn’t matter who your DC is, you can just lie about UGA players, call them names, and make crybaby sore loser no class excuses about how they’re all “thugs” when they beat your sorry butts on the football field.
10 points by the mighty triple option offense. Your program is a disgrace.
Georgia Tech=JOKE.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
9:50 am
Nice comparisons, Ken.
IMO, the most telling thing is that GT’s defensive #s IMPROVED, despite playing more games AND more highly-ranked offenses with CK as D-coord.
1980 was so long ago
January 4th, 2013
9:52 am
1980 was so long ago
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
10:00 am
Dawgfan ……
Beating Nebraska is nothing to brag about, a team that had gave up 63 to Ohio St., and 70 to 6-loss Wisconsin.
Your Dawgs are similar to GT …. look great against bad teams, but can’t cut the mustard vs. the big boys, plain & simple.
But a fact that you, and most DDFs are afraid to admit is if PJ had a roster loaded with 4 & 5 star players like Richt & Co. have you’d be seeing GT playing this coming Monday before you would see UGA.
Oh, and the Dawgs only beat Nebraska b/c the Huskers “didn’t want to be there” and there were high winds in Orlando that day.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
10:06 am
ToeMeetsLeather
January 4th, 2013
7:04 am
Key statistic is third down efficiency. If we get off the field on third down at the “Kelly” rate early in the season, we beat VaTech, Miami and MTSU. That is a 10-4 year, and with most everyone back and unleashing Lee next year we are all talking about a top fifteen preseason ranking.
———-
TML, don’t forget Clemson’s 13 of 19 3rd conversion rate vs. the Jackets … that would make 11-3….
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
10:06 am
Good grief, the Kool-Aid is flowing here. The defense is NO better than it was under Groh. Everyone forgets the BYU, North Carolina, and Georgia games…utterly wretched. Boston College had one of the worst offenses in the country, Maryland was using a LB for a QB, and USC’s backup was lost.
And why does anyone actually think that clown Johnson will make a good DC hire? He’s already botched the first two.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
10:11 am
TML,
3rd downs (5 for 16) weren’t the problem vs VT …. it was Groh’s defensive scheme on the 4th & 4 play where he had his DBs 8-9 yds off the LOS, making the 1st down conversion one of the easiest LT & the Hokies have converted under Beamer.
Stop VT on that ONE play, and GT wins 17-14. That’s totally on Groh for putting his DBs in that alignment.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
10:16 am
Don’t let the facts “distort” your opinion, Southern Troll (I’m sure a UGA fan). What flavor Kool-aid do the Dawg fans prefer? That Dawg D, purportedly consisting of 9 or more NFLers gave up 30+ how many times this season?
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
10:19 am
@GT Fan – Wrong, dunce. I’m a Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern fan. Tech’s defense is awful and that’s entirely Johnson’s responsibility. Yet you delusionoids on here won’t hold that clown responsible for what he’s done to Georgia Tech football.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
10:31 am
Johnson’s record:
1-4 versus Georgia
1-4 versus Virginia Tech
1-4 versus Miami
4-2 versus Clemson
1-4 versus bowl opponents
No ACC Championships, no top 25 finish in three years, wretched defense, awful kicking game, embarrassing beatdowns at the hands of Middle Tennessee State and Georgia, etc.
Now tell me – how has a coach with a record like that NOT earned his firing?
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
10:39 am
Southern Troll …. which coach has the best winning percentage in GA Southern’s history?
Which Coach, with D-II talent, has finished 1st or tied for 1st in the ACC coastal 3 of his first 5 seasons?
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
10:41 am
Southern Troll,
While I was out “picking cherries” I found these:
2-0 vs Miss St
2-0 vs Vandy
2-1 vs FSU
1-0 vs USC
www
January 4th, 2013
10:52 am
good article, ken. lots of useful info.
www
January 4th, 2013
10:53 am
btw ken, i heard u on the radio while driving home last night and u acquitted yourself well. nice job.
92.9 the game, i believe.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
10:56 am
@GT Fan – Johnson has the best record in Georgia Southern history, largely thanks to Tracy Ham recruiting Adrian Peterson to play at Southern and all of the talent that he inherited from Tim Stowers and Frank Ellwood. So what, though. Johnson isn’t the coach at Southern, he’s the coach at Tech and he’s floundering.
And being tied for first in the ACC Coastal is kinda like winning the Sun Belt Conference, not that there’s anything wrong with the Sun Belt.
5150 UOAD
January 4th, 2013
11:01 am
“And being tied for first in the ACC Coastal is kinda like winning the Sun Belt Conference, not that there’s anything wrong with the Sun Belt.”
=======================================
All you can do is play the games scheduled and win the conference you are in………….to quote many a Dwag fan on their season.
Ho hum
January 4th, 2013
11:06 am
The way I see it…………. Kelley WILL be the DC next year. Why you ask? Well I see very little if any stability in the program. Tek is working under an interim AD.
It is almost a given that when a new AD is hired he will make changes. He will be asked to change the face of the football program and FILL the stadium (15,000 per game doesn’t work) and he will clean house. No good DC is going to want the job with the prospect of being canned in a year or two.
Ho hum
January 4th, 2013
11:11 am
Southern Troll is on to something. CPJ does well with OTHER coaches players and falls flat on his ugly mug when his players are inserted. CPJ cannot recruit on the level required to win big boy football.
Looks like CPJ is really pulling in the talent this year – NOT. Tek is so screwed…………….
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
11:18 am
@GT Fan – Wow, 2-0 versus Mississippi State and Vandy! Actually, Johnson only played Vandy once, and they were a dumpster fire at the time. The thrillers over FSU were nice but let’s be honest: the Seminoles were a shell of what they were when O’Leary’s teams faced them (6-6 in 2009).
The four consecutive losses to Miami are really concerning, particularly when you consider that Miami hasn’t been all that great recently and even Gailey owned the Hurricanes. The four losses to Georgia (in particular), four losses to Virginia Tech, and four bowl losses are reason enough for Johnson to be canned.
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
11:19 am
Thanks for your continued interest in GT football, Ho hum.
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
11:21 am
And with whom would you replace him, HRST?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:25 am
You jerks are the same ones who 2 weeks ago were claiming that SC would beat Tech by 4 to 5 touchdowns. I don’t care whether Barkley (sp?) played or not, he didn’t play defense for the Trojans, and he didn’t play on either line. They pretty much contained Tech’s outside game, but they couldn’t stop Sims and Laskey up the middle. Whenever they appeared to have something figured out, Johnson pulled something different out of his bag of tricks, and they Trojans had no answer for it. The fact is that Tech was the better team on the field Monday, and by far the better coached team. Deal with you effing bunch of losers.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:27 am
Sorry…..Deal with IT, you effing bunch of losers
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:31 am
Stein,
Southern Troll knows NOTHING of GA Southern Football. He’s too young to know that it was OC Paul Johnson who installed the T.O. at GA Southern back in the early 80s that Erk Russell used to win lots of games.
Then he fails to see what happened to GA Southern in Win column after PJ & Erk were gone, and what happened in the Win column at GA Southern (and Navy & GT) when PJ became HC at these schools.
I’d like to hear his suggestion for PJ’s replacement too….. What say you, Southern Troll??
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
11:37 am
@George Stein – I would like to see George O’Leary return, if not as coach then as AD. Of course, given his age and the circumstances surrounding his departure in 2001, that is probably unlikely. Ralph Friedgen might make a good choice, too. Then again, you have his age and health concerns, not to mention the results were mixed at Maryland.
To be fair to Johnson, I think his success at Southern and Navy were nice and we all appreciated what he accomplished during his time in Statesboro. I also thought he was a good hire at the time he replaced Gailey. A lot of people did. But we have to deal with reality – something’s clearly not working at Georgia Tech and Johnson’s record against the Yellow Jacket’s biggest opponents is pretty bad.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:37 am
From Southern Troll …..
“largely thanks to Tracy Ham recruiting Adrian Peterson to play at Southern and all of the talent that he inherited from Tim Stowers and Frank Ellwood.”
Wow! I never knew Hamm (it has 2 Ms, BTW) was the RC as well as the QB (in PJ’s offense) during his time at GSC (Yes, HRST they were called GA Southern COLLEGE back then).
How many “cherry trees” do you have HRST?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:40 am
Somebody actually wants O’Leary the LIAR and CHEATER back??? Good grief, the level of stupidity amongst these bloggers is astounding!!!!
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:41 am
Supersize,
I guess their “USC didn’t want to be there” spin got worn out. Now I’ve seen them saying stuff to the tune of “30 mph winds is why GT won”
These guys better not let George Washington in their yards or their “cherry trees” are gonna get chopped!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:42 am
@ GT Fan……I guess if one EXCUSE doesn’t work, you dig around looking for others. Apparently the wind only blew in Tech’s favor for 4 quarters.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:43 am
Exactly, Suprsize.
I’m done with Southern Troll – A guy who thinks he knows so much about GT (and GA Southern) then solidifies his stupidity by saying he’d like O’Leary as GT’s HC!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:44 am
@ GT Fan……even worse than that, he wants O’Leary as AD. O M G !!!!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:45 am
Some of these guys are not even bright enough to get into UGA
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
11:45 am
The whole “biggest opponents” thing bugs me. Bowl games are not relevant, whether we win or lose. We lost to VT this year, but we won the division anyway. Does Clemson count as a big opponent? Miami hasn’t done jack since they joined the conference. What makes them different than Carolina?
As for UGA, I’ve said before that they are enjoying the longest period of sustained success in their history. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do better, but at some point you have to give Richt a little credit, I think. It also means that they will eventually regress.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:47 am
I wonder if HRST has his own computer, or if he’s at a Kroger or Publix job-kiosk computer?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:49 am
@ George Stein……I think that regression starts next Fall. After losing so many to graduation (assuming they actually graduate) or to the pros, with Garner now recruiting for Auburn (and I think he was the most valuable member of the UGA staff), and since they will finally have to play a representative schedule (Clemson, USCe, LSU, and an emerging Vandy), it could get pretty grim in the cesspool next year.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:50 am
Exactly right, Stein. They love to cherry-pick Miami, VT, UGA & bowls, but leave out UNC, Clemson & FSU and the other S E C (is greater than the ACC) teams.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
11:51 am
@GT Fan – Actually, I know a good bit about Southern football. Erk Russell would have won with or without Johnson. I’m also quite aware of what happened to Southern after Johnson’s departure.
Johnson’s replacement (Mike Sewak) was a pretty good coach. He won two Southern Conference championships and made three playoff appearances in four years. Unfortunately, he ran afoul of Erk (fired his son). When Sewak’s 2005 team lost in the first round of the playoffs, AD Sam Baker fired him. Two first round playoff exits were the excuse but everyone knew the real reason.
Sewak’s departure was followed by two really spotty HC hires (Van Gorder and Hatcher) with the Eagles going 21-23 in four years. Since Jeff Monken arrived, the program has been rejuvenated.
JM
January 4th, 2013
11:51 am
3 points per game may not have been a big improvement, but If GT had that stats in the first 6 games, they would have avoided 2 OT games and had 2 more victories.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:52 am
Supersize,
Had Nebraska beat them it would already be grim by many Dawg fans’ standard. Or it would’ve been b/c UGA “didn’t want to be there”
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:54 am
OMY, he is precognitive too — “Russell would have won with or without Johnson.” And just how can anyone possibly know that that is true?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:54 am
LOL @ GT Fan
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:55 am
JM,
Put the Clemson game in the win column too if GT’s could’ve played 3rd D like they did vs. FSU & USC. Clemson was 13 for 19, and had 93 offensive plays to GT’s 60.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
11:55 am
@GT Fan Idiot – Tracy Ham was on staff at Southern for a short while before returning to the CFL. He stated in an interview that he personally recruited Peterson.
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
11:55 am
I’m not so sure, Supersize. Georgia had a young offensive line this year and will only be better next year, and Gurley could probably play on Sundays right now. I think their defense will require time, but they aren’t devoid of players. Richt has done a nice job of building a program, not a team. Whether Murray comes back or not (I think he will, and he should) will not matter.
GT Fan
January 4th, 2013
11:57 am
Amazing isn’t it, Supersize.
“Erk would’ve won with or without PJ” (i.e. PJ’s T.O.)
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
11:58 am
I think that HRST should change the “R” in his name to “repugnant” or “retarded”
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:00 pm
@ George Stein, I hope you’re wrong. I definitely think the more difficult schedule next year is going to hurt them, and hurt them early.
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
12:00 pm
Not to be that guy, but can we not use retarded as a pejorative?
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
12:02 pm
Perhaps, SS. A young defense won’t help, but we play them in November, when the kids won’t be kids anymore.
Augusta Jacket
January 4th, 2013
12:03 pm
I am a CPJ supporter, as SS and several others on this blog can attest. That being said, The continued losses to UGA, VT and Miami are disturbing. Specifically this years loss to what proved to be a very beatable VT team. The last 44 seconds of that game and overime were a nightmare and pretty much indicated exactly where this season would go.
But lets get real here. CPJ is here for a couple more years at the minimum (barring the wheels completely falling off next season) and for all you who would can him because of his recruits, exactly where would that get us? We would bring in a coach to run a more traditional offense with offensive recruits ill equipped (as you say) to run it? Basically you sign GT over to 3-4 years of losing football.
Personally, with the exception of a couple of the Miami games and one UGA game, our offense was not the problem. The fact that Mark Richts grandma could sit in the pocket for 8-9 seconds and wait for coverage to break down is. We generated little to no pass rush and God help us trying to stop the run. Bad defenses kill you, and ours has been worse than bad. If it weren’t for the fact that CPJ’s offense is capable of eating so much clock we would probably be much worse off.
Either way, we have one staff position open. Hire a recruiter and give him whatever title he wants.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:05 pm
@ George….I apologize. I tried to find a more acceptable word to use, but I couldn’t think of any. But remember, the word does not have to be understood as an insult to the truly disabled ones among us. I know that it has in recent years become “politically incorrect.” But I didn’t intend it to be taken that way. Again, I apologize.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
12:06 pm
@Supersize – You’re consistently the stupidest, most ill-informed poster on here. And that’s saying something. What was that you dropped on us last week? Johnson was hired to be DC at Southern or some similar idiocy.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:07 pm
@ AJ….well put
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
12:07 pm
I think I agree with Augusta.
Fair enough, SS.
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
12:09 pm
I think he was hired to be a defensive line coach, HRST. Someone can probably check me on that, but do recall hearing that was his original position in, like, 1985 or something.
1 4 GT
January 4th, 2013
12:09 pm
Can we say that HRST’s engine has a retarded spark or timing?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:09 pm
Thanks, George !!!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:11 pm
@ HRST……Johnson WAS hired as D-line coach by Erk. I mistakenly claimed it was DC. But he DID coach the D-line at Southern, either before, or in addition to, his offensive duties.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:12 pm
@ Augusta Jacket…..check your email
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:13 pm
Someone who wants O’Leary as AD calling somebody else stupid. WOW, does that take gall or what?
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
12:13 pm
Wow! Throwing O’Leary under the bus is really low, even by delusional PJ-supporters’ standards. The only coach since Dodd to beat UGA three times in a row and the guy that pulled the program out of the Bill Lewis ditch is now a liar and cheater because he padded his resume when he was a young coach. I’m sure he’s the first coach ever to have done that!
Newsflash: plenty of Tech fans would trade Johnson to have O’Leary back.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
12:18 pm
@Supersize – Shut up, moronicus. You were repeating some drivel you heard and then tried to argue with me when I called you out on it.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:18 pm
You want to know about throwing somebody under the bus? Ask Joe Burns how O’Leary treated him. Also, O’Leary was responsible for a lot of academic deficiencies among the players he recruited at Tech. And since so many people try to compare Notre Dame and Tech when it comes to academics, if Notre Dame didn’t like the fact that he padded his resume, why should we at Tech be willing to accept that?
George Stein
January 4th, 2013
12:19 pm
I always liked George, but I wouldn’t want him or his staff back. That ship sailed a long time ago.
Augusta Jacket
January 4th, 2013
12:21 pm
I liked O’Leary. Still do. I am not sure that he would be a good AD though. Personally, if you want to go that route, grab Whisenhunt while he’s available.(wishful thinking)
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
12:26 pm
@Supersize – So now O’Leary was responsible for a lot of the academic deficiencies among the players he recruited! How exactly was that, brainiac? Is this something someone “told” you?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:26 pm
Don’t think we could afford the Whiz
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:27 pm
Check the records, troll. He had no academic standards, and the APR under him proves it.
go42
January 4th, 2013
12:28 pm
I like Kelly and think he did an admirable job with the defense the last part of the year but if you think about it Coach Johnson probably had a lot to do with it. I’d like to keep him but we may have to part company to bring in a new DC which is what I think is needed. We’ll see.
Augusta Jacket
January 4th, 2013
12:28 pm
@SS: I know. Unfortunately, I think finances will ultimately dictate who our next DC is.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:28 pm
Don’t get me wrong; I liked him too when he was at Tech, other than the inexcusable Joe Burns incident. It wasn’t till after he left that all the facts came out about his questionable tactics and personal history.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:30 pm
@ Augusta…..I am hoping that if CPJ finds someone Tech might not be able to afford, that some influential alum like Taz Anderson will step up and foot the bill. He has done similar things in the past; he is apparently loaded.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
12:33 pm
@Supersize – So now O’Leary set Tech’s academic standards while he was coach there! Incredible! This keeps getting better.
Folks, if Supersize writes something you can just about be guaranteed that it’s wrong!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:33 pm
Is anybody here going to the basketball game tomorrow? I was given a ticket and will be there. Would be nice to see any others who might be there too.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
12:37 pm
No, you idiot, O’Leary didn’t SET the academic standards at Tech. He recruited and signed players who were only marginally academically eligible, and he didn’t hold them to any required standard while there—-including class attendance. The fact that they were even able to stay in school is remarkable. The number of deans list athletes now on the team, and the high graduation rate now speaks volumes for how Johnson approaches the whole STUDENT-athlete thing. O’Leary obviously didn’t give a damn.
Pro fan
January 4th, 2013
12:53 pm
WOW…I saw where dawgfan made his way onto yet another GT blog,and leaving his pathetic ,childish remarks proves yet again that there is NO doubt ,his age is below 12 or he refuses to take the meds.I really believe that the young man is mentally disturbed(hide your guns) and for some reason hates his life.,leaving him very bitter,ALL at the tender age of 12…I enjoy watching Uga and GT(especially GTs baseball team)…I think GT is on the verge of being a very good football team.They need to add a couple top notch D line players,and a couple more of those GREAT wideouts that GT puts out and I think they will be VERY hard to handle..btw need a GOOD DC also…I did watch the Sun bowl and GT looked very good on D.I saw NO indication that USC didn’t want to be there.LOL that’s kinda funny when you think about it…Hey guys lets go to the Sun bowl and lose…GEEZE. ..Congrats to GT on your bowl win and good luck next year……sorry about the remarks about dawgfan..that guy is on every blog leaving childish ,bitter remarks…he is a PUNK!!!!….OUT
NCAA Football
January 4th, 2013
12:59 pm
But these stats are misleading. As an ACC f.an I watched GT in about every game they played. UGA easily could have put up about whatever number they needed against Tech and took the gas off when winning by a large margin. So to be fair add about another 100 yards and 2 scores to the last 8 games; Next, something similar should be done for the FSU game. FSU was pretty vanilla on their play calling in the 2nd half because they were up by over two scores. Had this game been close for the majority they would have played more typically and also would have scored more. Credit Tech for making a game of it late. And USC…did their offense even show up? Teams don’t take games off early in the season. Groh would have held USC just as well! Shoot just about any team in the nation at any collegiate level would have whipped USC on that date. Tech’s defense just looks slow in the front 7. How many sacks did they get? Likely get the fewest of any major program per pass attempt and give the QB’s just a huge amount of time to make a play. This area will have to be improved before true improvement occurs. Even against USC did they get a sack? That QB had all day to throw an yet seemed to hurry his throws. Inexperienced for sure.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
1:16 pm
@Supersize – You said that O’Leary “had no academic standards”. Maybe if you would learn how to write and express yourself clearer… Never mind!
Oh, the whole academic thing is a nice little crutch to cover for Johnson’s ineptitude on the field and his crappy record over the past three years.
Ol'JacketFan
January 4th, 2013
1:31 pm
HRST sounds a lot like our dera preciois WNE
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
1:33 pm
@ OJF……no, he’s stupid, but not that stupid
Stephen
January 4th, 2013
1:39 pm
Ken, do you know of any Sun Bowl replay coming up. I do not see where CSS is showing the replay.
Thanks
TechApp fan
January 4th, 2013
1:49 pm
The cost for assistant coaches now seem…beyond what I used to think coaches were worth.
Jon T just signed for five years @$500k. Ex head NFL coaches that were making 2-3? mill
surely would not be happy making less than half a mill and Tech does pride itself as a phrontistery
instead of a party school might never be willing to pay those amounts….I don’t know.
So what would the present guys new salary be? if he were promoted?
1 4 GT
January 4th, 2013
2:04 pm
Since CPJ’s $$ is about 1/2 what the top paid coaches get, I would guess CCK would expect/hope for the same standards to apply to him.
5150 UOAD
January 4th, 2013
2:05 pm
UGa fans are like Jonah Hill to LEONARDO DICAPRIO’S Bama…………If you are the ugly Wingman you can still get the LOVE/ hot chicks that get rejected by LEO/Bama.
http://www.tmz.com/2013/01/03/leonarda-dicaprio-jonah-hill-yacht-party-topless-women-tmz-tv/
Kicking it with Cremins
January 4th, 2013
2:14 pm
Wow, all these D experts on the board; make sure yall post a follow up after your interviews & let us know how it went!
1980 was so long ago
January 4th, 2013
2:17 pm
It’s been a long, long time since 1980
Ghost
January 4th, 2013
2:34 pm
Super, Georgias regression happened in 2009 and 2010,unfortunately for GT they didn’t have the right coach in place to take advantage of it. I understand your wishful thinking but UGA will be loaded again next season, almost the entire offense returns.The defense will again be very talented, hopefully in 2013 they will play together better as a unit. Losing Gardner really isn’t that big, Georgia has the resources to hire whomever they want to replace him as D line coach and this whole staff recruits very well. Gardner was very good but his time had come to move on.My 17 point offer still stands .
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
2:38 pm
@Ghost – Don’t waste your time. That idiot is impervious to facts and logic.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 4th, 2013
3:34 pm
@ HRST…..why is that you are the only one slamming me, and yet everybody who was in here earlier slammed you. I would say that you have an awfully inflated opinion of yourself, that nobody else shares. Ghost and I differ on things, but he can at least carry on an intelligent conversation. That is more than be said of you.
5150 UOAD
January 4th, 2013
3:55 pm
Highly Respected Southern Troll………………….Come see US….the TECH BLOGGERS that Tailgate at the games. If you come to the games and you are a TECH fan we would love to have you stop. You can count most of the regular TECH blogger to be at the games and we all meet on game day. Would LOVE to have you.
old dog
January 4th, 2013
4:12 pm
@Supersize……..
Don’t sugar-coat it!!!! (ha ha)
Y’all finally realized what defense is….congrats. Next year could be a much better year for y’all…………………..
All the way Turnt up
January 4th, 2013
4:27 pm
Remember when GT lost to Middle Tennessee State and their defense gave up 49 points?
Ho hum
January 4th, 2013
4:27 pm
Hey stupid size I stopped slamming you because I felt bad pummeling a defenseless wanna be – same can be said for 5150…………….fence post offer a more insightful discourse.
5150 UOAD
January 4th, 2013
4:47 pm
Hum a Ho………is as BRITE as a 3 watt bulb……….you haven’t slammed ANYTHING since you got your lil dwag stuck in a light socket.
As I said after Groh was fired...
January 4th, 2013
4:59 pm
…the schedule got significantly easier after the firing so there would really be no good way to guage what Kelley produced vs what Groh produced. So, Ken’s research just proved that Kelley is probably a worse coordinator than Groh, based, STRICTLY, on the numbers outlined above…
Ho hum
January 4th, 2013
5:06 pm
Nice well thought out retort 5150 – amazing display of your tek education.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
January 4th, 2013
5:24 pm
@Supersize – I was trying to have an intelligent conversation but apparently that’s impossible if you point-out that Johnson’s turned into a disappointment at Tech. Also, I didn’t slam anyone until they started in on me. I even gave Johnson credit for what he accomplished at Southern (my team even more than GT) and Navy but the fact remains that his prior success is largely irrelevant to the current situation at Tech. Sorry, but the Jackets don’t play in the Southern Conference (fine FCS conference) and they don’t play a Navy schedule, either.
Johnson has lost the game that matters most four times in a row, he’s lost three times in a row to Virginia Tech, and he’s lost four times in a row to Miami. He’s also lost two of the last three to Clemson. The bad thing is that two of those UGA teams were nothing special (unranked 8-5 and 6-7 finishes) nor were any of the Miami teams really great. Heck, even Gailey beat Miami when he was at Tech.
I just don’t see how those records combined with Johnson’s consistent inability to put decent defenses and special teams on the field do not concern some people. The expectation for Tech should not be 7 or 8 win seasons while whipping-up on Duke, Wake, UNC, and Presbyterian.
Everyone have a safe weekend.
5150 UOAD
January 4th, 2013
5:42 pm
Highly Respected Southern Troll…….stay in contact with the same name and come see Supersize and many others at a tech home game…or you can be a WnE ball sack that is full o crap and hide on the blogs but never attend games.
Ken Sugiura
January 4th, 2013
5:57 pm
Stephen – I know it was on CBS Sports Network the 1st or 2nd, but I don’t know about any future broadcasts. Anyone have any idea?
5150 UOAD
January 4th, 2013
5:59 pm
It is on YouTube.
Ho hum
January 4th, 2013
6:19 pm
Typical 5150 childish comment – “Highly Respected Southern Troll…….stay in contact with the same name and come see Supersize and many others at a tech home game…or you can be a WnE ball sack that is full o crap and hide on the blogs but never attend games” must everything you say be laced with gutter drivel? You need to invest in a dictionary and thesaurus – your style is juvenile at best.
GT Lee
January 4th, 2013
6:19 pm
Didn’t see a broadcast scheduled, but for 12.99 you can get it on DVD…..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Sun-Bowl-DVD-Georgia-Tech-21-USC-7-/110995781020?
Smyrna Gold
January 4th, 2013
6:22 pm
OH how I LOVE this. I have no idea who should be hired for the next DC (neither does CPJ) But, I definitely feel Super Size should be on the search committee.
BTW, who in the heck is in charge???? Surely not CPJ.
Smyrna Gold
January 4th, 2013
6:38 pm
5150 should also be on the search committee.
SUN BOWL
January 4th, 2013
7:11 pm
you can see the entire game on youtube, here’s first half and then 2nd half:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRfjNgEcTF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMl2IZo7mE
SUN BOWL
January 4th, 2013
7:14 pm
another comment, just wondering if any of you ever email CPJ with your suggestions like hiring back Giff Smith as recruiter or do you just post your opinions on this blog because I doubt CPJ reads these comments or has time…
Smyrna Gold
January 4th, 2013
7:27 pm
Don’t think CPJ has a computer.
Tech93
January 4th, 2013
9:22 pm
Just food for thought—when Mac Mcwhorter served as interim coach for GT when we won the now defunct Seattle game which they were not picked to win, the team played lights out. After the game it was apparent that all the players wanted Mcwhorter as head coach. Fast forward a couple of days later and we pay big money to get chan gailey who was a flop as a head coach. It seems like the D really wants Kelly as DC. Sometimes you need to listen at who the players want to play for. So, before we pay some big name big bucks to come in, just a little caution in the wind. Just seems eerily similar to when we hired Gailey.
Tech93
January 4th, 2013
9:25 pm
I have said but doubt it would be possible now to take Bill O’Brien in as Head Coach who used to be on GT staff and where Mcwhorter is now coaching under him as OL coach at Penn State.
jojatk
January 4th, 2013
9:33 pm
From far away my sense is that Coach Kelly has done a very creditable job, is hungry for the responsibility and has the respect of the players. Unless there’s somene else really special out there, hiring Coach Kelly sends the team a very positive message. Players’ comments post game seemed genuine and upbeat. Unless CPJ needs to wait until an AD hire, I’d sure hire him.
Andrew
January 4th, 2013
10:11 pm
How about the Defensive Coordinator at Utah State? Why not go after him?
GT Fan
January 5th, 2013
10:29 am
Andrew
January 4th, 2013
10:11 pm
How about the Defensive Coordinator at Utah State? Why not go after him?
———————
B/c, Andrew, USU’s DC was really their HC (Gary Anderson), and he was hired by Wisconsin.
GT Fan
January 5th, 2013
10:36 am
Supersize & George Stein ….
Re: PJ & DLine @ GSC (GA Southern College as it was back then).
PJ was Erk’s DL coach for 1 season (’83 or ‘84). He became OC and persuaded Russell to let him [PJ] install his T.O. And we all know what GSC did running the T.O. while ER was HC. And then again when PJ returned to Southern as HC.
Does GT finally have their Tracy Hamm (Vad Lee or Justin Thomas)?? We’ll see. If they do, opponents beware!
GT65
January 5th, 2013
10:50 am
Coach Johnson better get the right man…his job depends on it!
Stephen
January 5th, 2013
10:15 pm
Thank you all for the replay information.. That was the most complete game Tech has played in years and I am going to check it out again