Report: Kelly leaving Tech for FSU
Georgia Tech’s search for a defensive coordinator took a left turn Monday. Interim defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, who was a candidate for the job after a strong finish this season, was hired by Florida State to coach linebackers, according to Rivals.com. Spokesmen for both schools could not confirm the move.
Kelly was receiving serious consideration for Tech’s coordinator position, which he took over six games into the past season after the firing of coordinator Al Groh. Coach Paul Johnson said Friday that he thought he would reach a conclusion in the next couple of weeks after he had met with candidates.
It is a considerable loss for Tech. Johnson planned to retain Kelly, one of the staff’s top coaches and recruiters, even if he weren’t made the full-time coordinator. The move makes something of a prophet of Johnson.
“This time of year, I’ve learned through the years you never know what’s going to happen,” Johnson said Friday. “You’re one phone call away from losing a guy or two or three guys. You just don’t know.”
Kelly joined the Tech staff in 2006 as special-teams coordinator, then switched to cornerbacks and then the secondary after Johnson’s hire after the 2007 season. He was the final remaining holdover from coach Chan Gailey’s staff.
As interim coordinator, Kelly closed the season emphatically. The Yellow Jackets held FSU scoreless in the second half of the ACC Championship game and then beat USC 21-7 in the Sun Bowl for their first bowl win after seven consecutive defeats.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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144 comments Add your comment
Jacket Jordan
January 8th, 2013
10:41 am
This is going to really hurt recruiting. The defensive recruits especially the secondary were excited about having him as the coordinator. I am worried that they will go elsewhere now that he is gone and we are starting from scratch on that side of the ball. But hey, who is excited about Kallon?!?!?! Possibly the next Clowney!
Here’s to hoping!
GO JACKETS!! THWG
William Casey
January 8th, 2013
10:52 am
It seems to me that GT’s chances of getting a quality DC improve if the new DC gets to bring his own assistants. Also, dig deep and pay $500,000+. This hire is THAT important.
Bobby Dodd Jr.
January 8th, 2013
10:52 am
JB, UGA is usually in the top 10 in recruiting but what happens at the end of the season? I welcome dog followers on our blog but don’t be a jerk with your 11 out 12. I know you and your dog brethren can’t help. It’s like a normal impulse for y’all. Just keep it under check here.
Joe
January 8th, 2013
11:02 am
Time for Paul Johnson to move on. Not a very good recruiter and nobody wants to work got him.
Peadawg
January 8th, 2013
11:10 am
Thank goodness y’all still have Paul Johnson. That guy is a legend here in Athens! He has a statue next to Reggie Ball.
Peadawg
January 8th, 2013
11:11 am
“but what happens at the end of the season?”
We finish top 5?
fsuguy
January 8th, 2013
11:27 am
@Reality
As for pay and prestige you questioned. Al Groh made 312k last year while FSU LB coach Greg Hudson made 310K. Jimbo Fisher has made it clear he wants to be known as a coach that gets other coaches better positions and is why he has 5 positions to fill this offseason. I think it is a decision based more on that then anything else the reports I read said Kelly wanted a change of scenary
dawgfan
January 8th, 2013
11:38 am
“JB, UGA is usually in the top 10 in recruiting but what happens at the end of the season?”
We play and beat Georgia Tech.
“I welcome dog followers on our blog but don’t be a jerk with your 11 out 12.”
But you just asked what happens at the end of the season. I think 11 of 12 answers that question. Typical Techie asking questions and then crying when he doesn’t like the answer that he gets.
wreckbuzz
January 8th, 2013
11:44 am
JB,
I hate to break it to you but Chan Gailey was NOT the source of those great recruits. It was Giff Smith, the recruiting coordinator. He’s available due to Gailey’s firing in Buffalo. He’d definitely get an interview if it were up to me. The guy has worked the state of GA for years, and well. Plus he was a DL coach that produced all those NFL DL that came from GT (Michael Johnson, Vance Walker, Daryl Richard, Derrick Morgan, and all-ACC guys like Greg Gathers and Joe Anoai).
If the Bama coach doesn’t pan out, Giff should be the guy.
GT Fan
January 8th, 2013
12:03 pm
Fellow GT fans … you’re better off ignoring trolls like JB.
GB's Hamburgers
January 8th, 2013
12:06 pm
Kelly wasn’t a one game wonder. The defense got better the longer he coached them. All other candidates will have to be assessed on how they did somewhere else (like Groh). Kelly showed what he could do here, in this situation. So why the delay, why bring in others …. just hire the guy.
If he didn’t have something going on FSU wouldn’t have wanted him.
GT Fan
January 8th, 2013
12:10 pm
And any TRUE GT FAN knows it was GIFF SMITH who was responsible for 95% of “Gailey’s recruits” and the other 5% to other coaches not named Chan Gailey.
Gailey was a JOKE of a head coach … unless 7-5 or 7-6 is what you aspire for. AMAZING that a guy like Gailey continues to get HC jobs when his W-L Resume is so WEAK! Zero winning seasons in Buffalo, bad at Miami, barely over .500 at GT & Dallas, when the Cowboys were LOADED, and GT had players like Calvin Johnson, Tashard Choice, and PJ Daniels plus Tenuta putting sub 20 ppg Ds on the field!
GT Fan
January 8th, 2013
12:21 pm
After seeing how the D played the past 6 quarters (against 2 teams loaded with NFL talent) I hate to see Kelly leave.
IDK, maybe it took 6 & a half games for Kelly to “wash-out” Groh’s influence, however, I was still gun-shy on him being the DC. Now, it’ll be some time before we’ll know if Kelly should’ve been named the DC. But with him pulling this apparent blindside and accepting a LB coach position at FSU, it’s obvious PJ was not giving Kelly the DC job.
Notre Dame was in the NC game b/c their D surrendered 10.3 ppg, not b/c they outscored everybody (GT Joe).
THE DC HIRE FOR PJ IS AT UTMOST IMPORTANCE FOR PJ! HE NEEDS TO GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME….3rd time’s the charm???
Jacket Dad
January 8th, 2013
12:34 pm
Get us GIFF SMITH!
GT Fan
January 8th, 2013
12:41 pm
3 mins ago: AP sources say….
Georgia Tech names DC from the original Longest Yard movie as it’s new DC
GT TN
January 8th, 2013
12:50 pm
@einstein..I don’t believe a single thing you say about “your sources”..you are stating things that aren’t fact before that..it hasn’t been decided yet if GT will play FSU next year because of the new schools coming in..so you might want to go back and check your sources about what AG said
Al Bundy
January 8th, 2013
12:51 pm
dawgfan you are one heck of a fishman. You put the bait out there and someone always takes it hook, line and sinker and you reel them in! You crack me up! Keep posting for my entertainment if for no other reason.
I do think our chances of landing a good DC are slim. Our moron for a coach has waited so long all the top choice are gone. Time for CPJ to go dumpster diving for coaches!
GT TN
January 8th, 2013
1:04 pm
@dawgfan..it is funny how you bring up 11 of 12 against a team that you say is no good..I don’t understand why it is so fun to pick at Tech..I guess you have to to cover up your horrible record in big games..that is why UGA will never be on the same level as Alabama..do you really think Nick Saben cares what his record is against certain teams..all he is worried about is his team being in position to win the National Championship at end of year..keep on worrying about GT and you get the final at the end of the year..NO SEC Championship and NO National Championship
TeknocratNOTdemokrat
January 8th, 2013
1:13 pm
Who the frick would want vangorder? another ugag reject.
Jacket Man
January 8th, 2013
1:21 pm
Here’s the “real deal” on Tech’s improved defense the second half of the year after Groh left. Paul Johnson went to Kelly when he named him interim DC and TOLD HIM to SIMPLIFY. He also sat in on those team meetings and added HIS input. Coach Kelly implemented PJ’s game plan.
So, Coach Kelly did a great job doing what Groh DIDN’T do, and the players responded. There will be changes in the coaching staff on the defensive side, which was planned all along, with the 1st coach maybe even being named in the next few days. The new DC won’t be far behind, perhaps even 1st so he can set up his own staff. Expect Coach Speed to stay because he did a great job and has done a good job recruiting as well.
And all of these people making the negative comments about Paul Johnson are just reinforcing he’s the right man for the job…
El Paso Jewelry, Pawn, Tatoo, and Piercing
January 8th, 2013
1:22 pm
Once again, your rings are ready. If they are not picked up in the next 10 days, you will forfeit the $10 dollar deposit.
Herschel is 50 and 1980 was a long time ago...
January 8th, 2013
2:42 pm
It it amusing that the puppy dogs struggle so mightly to find some way to validate themselves.
Has UGA consistently been fielding a better team than GT? Absolutely – and their won/loss records supports that observation.
If UGA had been able to achieve the level of success the puppy dogs believe they so richly deserve, you would not find them spending time on the GT blogs.
So GT fans, let’s give the puppies a chance to vet their frustrations. After all,Herschel is 50 and 1980 was a long time ago……
GTman
January 8th, 2013
3:10 pm
Good riddance. Never was a CK fan. As for recruiting, what has he done. None of these guys can recruit. That is why we do not have any 4 or 5 star recruits. Special teams were terrible under CK and so were the DBs. CK coaching linebackers? Really? So you are a 4 or 5 star stud linebacker playing for FSU and CK is telling you how to play linebacker. I hope the FSU players can hold back their laughter.
CPJ better get this defensive hire right. He certainly knows nothing about defense and obvious that he does not care. His offensive genius is so good we can just outscore everybody – yeah right.
kingster
January 8th, 2013
3:13 pm
Yep, Kelly is gone, its a sad day for Tech, football is very much on the down side, how sad is it when we as fans think having a 500 season is good, playing a USC team that minds were still in L.A., Rad should not have given CPJ that kind of money for so long, now we are stuck with this guy with his crazy ways, Kelly should have been given the job, I expect other team to start raiding Tech’s recruit (the few 3 star players we have on defense), I just don’t see a up side with this team with Paul Johnson being the coach, I just don’t!
Paul in NH
January 8th, 2013
3:14 pm
JB
I think Randy Shannon would be a terrific DC for GT. The guy can recruit and as DC at the U he put a good defense on the field. His players graduated and he was also untainted by the shenanigans in Miami
CapitalOne Bowl
January 8th, 2013
3:15 pm
El Paso Jewelry, Pawn, Tatoo, and Piercing
January 8th, 2013
1:22 pm
Once again, your rings are ready. If they are not picked up in the next 10 days, you will forfeit the $10 dollar deposit.
_____________________________________
And UGA’s rings are ready as well; you know, the ones that say “5 yards from a National Championship”.
By the way, What’s In Your Wallet?
Dacusville Bill
January 8th, 2013
3:22 pm
Wish Pitful Paul was gone—Wish Cotton was a monkey
FAN
January 8th, 2013
4:18 pm
42-10
GT TN
January 8th, 2013
4:29 pm
@FAN..still at home watching BCS games..just like the last 5 years..will be the same way again next year as you lose your best defensive players..like I have said many of time..if you worried about yourself as much as you worry about GT then you might get closer to an SEC championship or a National Championship
now that Giff is availalble
January 8th, 2013
4:49 pm
GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH
GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH
GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH
GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITHGIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH GIFF SMITH
now that Giff is availalble
January 8th, 2013
4:52 pm
What’s Next for Georgia Tech? Choose Giff (Smith)
October 3, 2012 | 8:16 PM Comments: Comments Off
By Joseph Wyatt
After a crushing loss like the one Georgia Tech endured last Saturday the Yellow Jacket nation and local media have been taking stock of where the program is, where it should be and whether it can get there under the current management. Calls for the head of Al Groh and now even Paul Johnson have become louder. The same arguments that were made under former athletic director Dave Braine resurface that GT has a limitation and the type of success (or mediocrity as it were) under Chan Gailey is about where this program can expect to be. I’m here to tell you it’s a false premise, drastic changes are not needed and one only needs to do some quick investigation to find where things went off track and what can be done to maximize this program’s potential once again.
Paul Johnson has been as successful a coach in his 5 seasons at GT as anybody not named John Heisman, Bobby Dodd or Bobby Ross. So cutting him loose is an irrational option. But his success has tailed off since the end of the 1st half in Blacksburg in November 2010. You’ll remember that’s the moment Josh Nesbitt’s career ended at GT. That would seem to give credence to the argument that Johnson won with Gailey’s players. However, that ignores the majority of Gailey’s tenure where the program’s mediocrity was only matched by the mediocrity of the players recruited to it. But “what about Calvin Johnson?” you would say. It is well known that Calvin wanted to be an engineer and was from the Atlanta area. So GT had a great chance of getting him regardless of who was coaching there. Well then, “what about Jonathan Dwyer, Roddy Jones, Morgan Burnett, Derrick Morgan, Demaryius Thomas?” you’d say. But I don’t consider that group of players to be Gailey recruits. I’ll come back to this in a moment.
One of the strengths of GT’s defense in recent times was the defensive line. It was not that long ago that GT fielded a defensive line that contained four future NFL players. DE’s Michael Johnson and Derrick Morgan along with DT’s Vance Walker and Daryl Richard were a force. Morgan was the last one left in 2009 and he was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. But GT hasn’t developed a difference maker on the defensive line since.
So what do these two things have in common? Giff Smith. Smith was the defensive line coach from 2004-2009. So that all time line I mentioned above, along with All-ACC performers like Eric Henderson, Joe Anoai and Adamm Oliver were coached and developed by Smith. In addition, Smith became the recruiting coordinator for GT in 2006. By his second recruiting season, he brought in the single greatest recruiting class in GT history. Smith had great relationships in the state of Georgia among the high schools and knew how to create a sense of community among the recruits. That’s why I don’t call those guys Gailey’s recruits.
In January 2010, Giff Smith decided to take the defensive line coaching job with the Buffalo Bills, reuniting with Gailey. What event immediately preceded his departure? The hiring of Al Groh as defensive coordinator. I have no idea if Smith was ever interviewed or considered for the job or if he didn’t see himself as a fit to coach DL in a 3-4 scheme. But I do know Smith wants to be a head coach one day. Getting a coordinator job would seem to have been a logical next step for him.
That was the moment GT lost its best recruiter and its best position coach. Who knows maybe the past two years would have been different. Paul Johnson has lifted GT’s offense to as high a level as it has ever been. The offense, for all its built in disadvantages, is one that can continue to succeed in the ACC. So I think he has earned the right to remain head coach here. But wouldn’t it be interesting to see where GT could take its program if they could once again marry Johnson’s offense with Giff Smith’s recruiting and ability to develop NFL quality defensive players? I seem to recall a local team that had some success hiring an NFL defensive line coach, but the team escapes me at this point. Smith worked with Johnson at Georgia Southern, so presumably they have a relationship beyond the two years overlap at GT. In my opinion this is a realistic idea that could reinvigorate the program. We saw what the combination did in 2008-2009. I’d choose Giff.
Read the source article
Copyright © 2012 Chuck Oliver.Net
atlnole
January 8th, 2013
5:28 pm
It is reported official. Welcome to Noles Kelly. For peoples info on here is being reported in insider blogs that move was made due to wanting to be closer to family in south AL and FSU wants him to teach LB’s better coverage skills to deal with high octane offenses. (hmm clemson) Just waiting approval of contract from the boosters since they cover all salaries for coaches
Papa Doc
January 8th, 2013
9:58 pm
Good bye, enjoy, and hope it helps our offense when we play the Noles. God knows our D couldn’t stop a good running game.
Old Dog
January 9th, 2013
7:02 am
To Hell with Tek,today,tomorrow and every other day!
Old Dog
January 9th, 2013
7:02 am
To Hell with Tek,today,tomorrow and every other day!
MC
January 9th, 2013
8:02 am
Interesting. A guy being “considered” as a coordinator takes a job at a rival school as LB coach? Maybe Al Groh was spot on about the football program being an unprofessional, dysfunctional mess. The noose could also be tightening around PJ’s neck and Kelly knows it.
MC
January 9th, 2013
8:04 am
To bad GT can’t afford Randy Shannon, Paul.
Born2Buzz
January 9th, 2013
10:06 am
Who knows what we can and can’t afford? We have no AD. Sure I want a DC in as soon as possible, but we better get an AD.
jj
January 9th, 2013
12:09 pm
CPJ will be unemployed this time next year.
TechApp fan
January 9th, 2013
4:54 pm
guess the speculation on reaon for leaving is answered…the roof fell in…
BuzzBelle
January 9th, 2013
5:03 pm
WooHoo – We got Ted Roof back!!!!!
Pelican
January 9th, 2013
5:31 pm
Great! Another DC re-tread! Heading in the right directon….NOT!
Silly Mutts
January 9th, 2013
5:45 pm
Great hire Jackets!!!! Roof will get it done at GT!!!!! Top 20 defense here we come!!!!!
beezit
January 9th, 2013
5:48 pm
/That is by far your best literary work to date…