Tech’s Paul Johnson: The best playcaller in the business
PJ's adjustments haven't included sending this guy in motion -- yet. (Brant Sanderlin, AJC)
It was the night of Oct. 3. Georgia Tech was playing Mississippi State in Starkville. With 9:21 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Jackets punted.
I mention this for a reason. That was more than a calendar month ago, and the Jackets haven’t punted in a second half since. Not at Florida State. Not against Virginia Tech. Not at Virginia. Not at Vandy.
Eight quarters of football. Not one second-half punt. And you know what this says?
Paul Johnson is the archduke of adjustments.
We hear announcers talking about them all the time. We hear Erin Andrews and her sideline-reporting ilk ask, “Coach, what adjustments will you make at halftime?” Ninety-five percent of the time coaches wind up doing the same thing in the second half as they did in the first.
Not PJ. He tweaks. He brings a guy in motion from a different angle. He splits a guy a tad wider. He runs the same stuff, only slightly differently. And Tech’s offense goes from powerful in the first half to unstoppable in the second.
You might ask Willie Martinez about this. Last November Georgia went from leading 28-12 at halftime to trailing 35-28 — in the span of seven minutes and five seconds. The Bulldogs had the game in hand, and suddenly they were chasing it. (And once PJ gets ahead, forget it. Tech is 8-1 the past two seasons in games decided by five or fewer points.)
“He’s not really coaching,” says Wayne Hogan, the pithy Tech associate AD. “He’s playing a video game!”
And that’s it exactly. Johnson figures stuff out on the fly. Even if the opponent seems to havee a handle on his stylized offense, he performs his little ju jitsu. He wears a headset on the sideline, but it’s just for show. He could make the same mid-course corrections wearing earmuffs.
We’ve known for a while he’s an outstanding head coach, but what sometimes gets lost is that he’s the best playcaller in the business. Hogan again: “Our coach is pretty cool.” And that’s it, too. To borrow Bob Greene’s description of Frank Gifford, PJ of GT is always the coolest guy in the room — even if the room holds 80,000.
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451 comments Add your comment
david
November 5th, 2009
7:57 pm
I agree-tech is hitting on all cylinders– Nesbitt is a man and they probably will run the table and play in the Orange Bowl –they still have to suit up and play all the games. I wish them the best of luck in all the games — until the last one. GATA DAWGS!!!!
James
November 5th, 2009
7:59 pm
Beware, Mark – you’re surely to suffer to wrath of the ‘dogs for saying something good about Tech.
GT Dad
November 5th, 2009
8:17 pm
Here’s a good clip of Paul Johnson in the locker room during last years GA/GT game. What a motivator!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI
RealityCheck
November 5th, 2009
8:23 pm
Enjoy it while you can Techies. You’ve been beating up on also rans. When you play a complete team like Texas, Florida, Alabama, LSU, Oregon, or USC you will get absolutely worked. You’re signature win was against a VT team that will likely finish this season with 4 loses and out of the top 25. You have beaten nobody. You are in the same breath as Hawaii, Boise St, and Utah. I’ll give you credit for this, you have taken care of business and beaten the teams you were supposed to but, I’ve watched every snap this season and you have not been impressive considering your competition. You can’t even sell out a 50,000 seat stadium. Why should the nation care about you when your own fan base doesn’t care enough about you to go to the games. Schedule better. No more of this garbage where you schedule the two worst teams in the SEC and then claim that people said the option would never work against SEC teams. That hardly counts.
VT fan, where are you little baby?
November 5th, 2009
8:26 pm
Calling Georgia Tech a Thug school is quite the irony! Thanks for making my day man. I have the utmost respect for your school, but it’s complete morons like yourself that make it difficult.
Speaking of beatdowns, I got to thinking that if VT ends up going to the Chik-fil-A bowl like most sites are predicting, that would make VT 0-3 in Atlanta this year. You guys must hate this place.
Kane337
November 5th, 2009
8:45 pm
Where were the halftime adjustments against Miami?
Texas Dawg
November 5th, 2009
8:46 pm
We shall se this year Nerds…we shall see…I’m thinking we run the same scheme as say…………….LSU……………………
Texas Dawg
November 5th, 2009
8:47 pm
yea..yea…I should learn to spell…two years in a row….not a chance!
Kane337
November 5th, 2009
8:49 pm
OMG!!!!!
GTDad just Rick Rolled me. I hate you!
GT For You And Me
November 5th, 2009
8:56 pm
Texas Dawg: You have to have the talent of LSU to run their scheme. Sorry, but GA doesn’t have that talent!
GT For You And Me
November 5th, 2009
9:10 pm
Paul Johnson: Eye of the tiger! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FGXrVB8DiU
Darryl Hudson
November 5th, 2009
9:28 pm
PLZ BELIEVE THAT PJ HAS TO BE THE COOLEST GUY DOWN THERE HIS ICE COLD HE LOOKS AT YOUR STYLE THEN HE ATTACK IT 8 WAYS TO SUNDAY IT’S ABOUT ONE ON ONE OLD SCHOOL FOOTBALL !!!! GOT TO LOVE OR GET BEAT BY IT. ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO THE ONES WHO DON’T LIKE IT IS THIS.( THIS ANIT WHAT YOU WANT) …………NEXT PLEASE !!!!!
Gator Forever
November 5th, 2009
9:36 pm
You Tech people crack me up. Since I live in Atlanta I go to several games a year at Bobby Dodd. I have been to several stadiums over the past few years and there are no fan bases that compare to Tech fans. You only support your team when they win. And then you can’t even fill up a small stadium. I hear you say that our people have to work and so forth.
The truth is that all college teams have guys who work and for example I run a Fortune 500 company here in Atlanta. Because trust me I would live in Florida and not anywhere near Athens. So don’t say that you are the only people that work and can’t support your team. Atlanta is one of the largest cities in the country and should support this team. But that don’t and looking at some of these posts I can certainly can see why. And to be honest in going to the games I listen all of the time to fans that don’t have a clue about football. And by the way my friend and I tailgated one day this year with a group of about 50 Tech grads and had a great time. But what I found very interesting was to listen to what some of the people did for a living and where they live. Before you throw things out there about the Dawg Nation, you might better hang out with this group. Speaking of trailor trash!
I guess I am saying you really make yourselves look really ignorant with some of your statements. And you need to quit worrying about the team from Athens.
Put together some winning seasons with a coach that doesn’t run a gimmick offfense, then we can talk! Oh yea… come play us and there would be a lot of humble pie being eaten!
By the way….. bet some of you guys actually work for me! And the ones who do know that they have a UF boss!!!
Kim Z's Package
November 5th, 2009
9:43 pm
UGA VII antifreeze is sweet tasting going down. It goes down almost as easy as a UGA freshman female student.
GT For You And Me
November 5th, 2009
9:45 pm
Gator Forever: If we played you,you would no longer be #1! Is that what you really want?
Eric
November 5th, 2009
9:45 pm
Gator Forever= Stupid ThUGA fan
Kim Z's Package
November 5th, 2009
9:47 pm
GATOR F what fortune 500 co. do you run? Do you talk crap or tell me who you really are. You know me because I am on TV with the other Real House Wives of Atlanta. Who the F are you bit**h? Show out or STFU.
Kim Z's Package
November 5th, 2009
9:54 pm
GATOR I am looking at the Fortune 500 right now and what company in Atlanta do you run? Please get back to me NOW.
Paul in RDU
November 5th, 2009
9:55 pm
Gator Forever – You run a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta???
Every C level person I have ever dealt with had much better language, spelling and grammar skills than you (not to mention leadership abilities).
Boy, I wish I knew which company you “run” one so I could short your stock and make a fortune
Chip
November 5th, 2009
9:57 pm
Yes, Tech is doing well and yes, UGA fans can be asses. I have had enough of the BS, if UGA beats Tech this year then Saint Simons home address gets posted (yeah, I have some geek friends), if UGA loses then I have to suck it up for another year…..
How’s that Mr. 45-42?
Gator Forever
November 5th, 2009
9:58 pm
I would say that I can’t wait to play you guys in the BCS Championship game but guess who won’t be there…. you got it right the answer is you guys!
And as far as what company I run, I guess in whatever you do for a living, you don’t know that a CEO is not allowed to compromise that information in a public setting. Wait… that’s right you wouldn’t know that. But I won’t scoop to your level of intelligence or lack that of!
But here we go again you are only making yourselves look ignorant again!
And don’t put my name in the same sentence with UGA
GT For You And Me
November 5th, 2009
10:04 pm
Gator Forever: Your name fits with UGA. Why,you ask? Because you are egotistical like UGA is!
Ramble On!
November 5th, 2009
10:11 pm
If we only had Herschel back? Although, Tim Tebow just broke his TD record as a QB instead of a running back. Go TENN TECH and THWG!
Remember this UGAG: If I had a daughter Sir, I dress her in white and gold and put her on the campus to cheer the brave and bold, but if I had a son Sir, I’d tell you what he would do, he with yell. THWG like his daddy used to do. GO JACKETS. DAWGS SUCK AZZ!
Paul in RDU
November 5th, 2009
10:13 pm
Quote from Gator Fan
“And as far as what company I run, I guess in whatever you do for a living, you don’t know that a CEO is not allowed to compromise that information in a public setting. Wait… that’s right you wouldn’t know that. But I won’t scoop to your level of intelligence or lack that of!
”
1) Love the poor command of the English language.
2) I never realized that CEO’s were supposed to be incognito. Someone needs to tell Steve Jobs, Steve Ballmer, Jamie Dimon et al
3) Of course, if you really were a CEO demonstrating their language and leadership skills on a football blog your stock would drop like a stone if it became public – not to mention what your BoD would do if they found out.
BTW – Are you quoted on NYSE or NASDAQ and when does your 10Q come out?
Kim Z's Package
November 5th, 2009
10:17 pm
Gator LSU will beat BAMA and then beat you in the SEC Championship Game. I guess you will not be there either. Do You want to bet that Fortune 500 $$$? Come on B***H man up amd tell us who you really work for. Another Gator Puss with bad hair and a fake blonde wife with fake TeaTots.
atl xmen
November 5th, 2009
10:19 pm
pj has all you tech guys snowed..you will begging him to leave in about two years when all you guys are sitting around trying to figure out why this offense was sooo good just two years ago..i mean this offernse was so hard to stop with dwyer and nesbitt running this high school offense…well insert pj 180 pound qb and 190 pound running backs and a defense with a bunch of 4-5 star recruits on there and that high school offense will look just like what it is , a bunch of high school players out there playing against div 1 players…can anyone answer me why this offense is not in the NFL? and why only about 4 percent of colleges run this gimmick offense? it wont win national titles. they run the same 5 plays over and over and then to switch things up a bit he has nesbitt do the hokey pokey and tuns himself around and goes the other way…what 4-5 star guys does tech having coming in offense that is anywhere near the size of dwyer and nesbitt..and bey bey for that matter..not a single player..face it,,tech is living on borrowed time and on gailys pro style players.think about it..if you are a top football player and had a choice to go play for a team where you can show off you running back skills,learn to read and pick up blitzing line backers, like they do in the pros, catch passes out of the back field like they do in the pros..and get about 25-30 plus carries a game or go to a team where you get pummled every play even without the ball, and maybe get 10 touches a game if your lucky and dont learn jack about playing in a pro style offense…like the offense they run in the pros…tech will not have the players to keep up with the big boys..but hey..it sure was fun foryou guys when it lasted…and mark b you can chime in too if you want too..
JacketMan
November 5th, 2009
10:23 pm
Gator Forever—hey I’m CEO of Coca Cola…yeah, that’s the ticket! NO! Wait! I’m CEO of IBM! Yeah that’s right! That’s the ticket!! No…let me think…HomE Depot!!! Yeah! CEO of Home Depot!!! Yeah that’s it! I’m not kidding! You are more full of sh*t than a Christmas turkey! An idiot like you must like these anonymous posts—you get to role play! You probably have on a dress right now, with wig and make up. Go blow!
welcmetopauljohnsonera
November 5th, 2009
10:25 pm
heath-as cpj would say “how many points do you get for playing in a “real” stadium” thats right. none.
bigger stadium. more fans. congrats. we have the better record right now. and IF we beat you again, we’ll have the better program as well.
MattRyanforPrez
November 5th, 2009
10:29 pm
Its fair to say that the GaTech fans are getting very overzealous in all of this. From an objective standpoint, there seems to be underlying jealousy(?) for the GaTech fans to be so boastful and negative towards UGA, especially considering they have only had one win in such a long period of time against UGA.
Gator Forever
November 5th, 2009
10:29 pm
Sorry Paul my Exec. Assistants normally proof my stuff! My Bad! But you might want to check your spelling before you critcize mine. But you know what I do have to work tomorrow and hopefully I will see some of you guys who might be parking my car tomorrow.
And I will now leave this site and not be back! I want to go back to the real site… that would be the Gator site!
But all of this is in fun so with that said …. good luck this year!!!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 5th, 2009
10:29 pm
xmen yes we will leave CPJ but why haven’t the DAWGS done the same to CMR, Bobo, and Willie? HAHAHA because dawgs are DUMB. I hear d. Evans is trying to get Susan Y to coach the foiotball team. She has BALLS and knows how to win. She will make the CMR water girl lick from the SPOUT unlike CMR. HAHAHAHAHA.
atl xmen
November 5th, 2009
10:34 pm
cause richt actually played fotoball and is a proven winner in the best conference in college football ..your great PJ is nowhere near richt…
Pi$$onaDawg
November 5th, 2009
10:40 pm
Where did RICHT play ball? I think he sat on the bench when The Bills QB walked on the Maimi practice field.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 5th, 2009
10:42 pm
Zeier, Greene, DJ are great CLIPBOARD HOLDERS and STAFFOR will learn that job too. Riche never even go to hold a NFL CLIPBOARD. Jim Kelly mad sure of that.
atl xmen
November 5th, 2009
10:53 pm
they also are making a great living unlike your boy ball…pj will be exposed real soon and he will a great assistant for a nice school one day..haha..
GT For You And Me
November 5th, 2009
10:53 pm
atl xmen: Get you head in the bag. Your hyperventilating!!!!!!
atl xmen
November 5th, 2009
10:56 pm
or i could go play for tech where they all suck
GT For You And Me
November 5th, 2009
10:58 pm
atl xmen: Read post at 10:53 pm!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Reinheimer
November 5th, 2009
11:05 pm
You are right on about PJ. I can not believe it took as long as it did for people to realize what everyone knows now and that is PJ is a great coach. I had the pleasure of watching him at Georgia Southern when he was Erk assistant and when he came back to be head coach. I personally know that many times PJ was interviewed by IA schools but no one wanted to take a chance on PJ and the triple option. I hope he puts all the naysayers including coaches, school and media personnel who pooped his offense.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 5th, 2009
11:06 pm
XMEN I do run my own business. I OWN my HOME & 50 Acres no loan. I OWN IT how bout U? HAHA did I spell so U could read IT?
atl xmen
November 5th, 2009
11:08 pm
still no answers to my questions? maybe tomorrow
Pi$$onaDawg
November 5th, 2009
11:09 pm
What were RICHT’s Stats in college at Maimi? I just can’t seem to find what he did in college on the football field.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 5th, 2009
11:10 pm
X are U there hello hello hello X men are you there?
Nate
November 5th, 2009
11:11 pm
Gator Forever,
I will agree our fans tend to be somewhat uncommitted to our team at times. Personally, I’ve always been a Jacket since I was born. You can say all you want about our school, fans, sellout games, stadium size, but what matters is winning and that is what Paul Johnson is doing here. Obviously, we have a long ways to go before we are on the same level as Bama, Florida, and Texas. I think you are taking our fans’ enthusiasm out of proportion. Make no mistake man, we are excited about our team and the future Paul Johnson can bring. You can make fun of our team and what not, but I guarantee you no Tech grad will be parking your car tomorrow. Georgia Tech is one of the best schools in the nation and no offense, but the University of Florida is not. Honestly, I would rather go to Georgia than to Florida if I ever needed a liberal arts degree. Now that is saying something.
atl xmen
November 5th, 2009
11:13 pm
i like his stats against tech..they are much more current..=)
Pi$$onaDawg
November 5th, 2009
11:14 pm
X I thing I gave you the numbers in the blog. GT runs the ball more than UGA and Our players get more touches than your UGA players. GT 521 rushing plays and UGA 242 rushing plays. WOW I want to play at uga behind that great O-line.
Virginia Tech = Hypocrite
November 5th, 2009
11:15 pm
Just saw the East Carolina game. I do believe I just saw Virginia Tech commit a chop block.
atl xmen
November 5th, 2009
11:19 pm
i like the ga tech numbers against uga the past 9 years…
Pi$$onaDawg
November 5th, 2009
11:20 pm
GT 187 1st downs and UGA 128 1st downs. Man those mutts are really kicking some butt. TOP TECH 35:22 UGA 28:30. WOW I get sooooo many more chances to get the ball at UGA. Wait J. COX keeps throwing INTs. I think I want to play D. Wait Willie coaches that team. CMR I think I will just go to BAMA, Florida, Tennessee, or hell South Carolina they are all better than UGA.
atl xmen
November 5th, 2009
11:22 pm
still not better than 7-1 record against uga the last 8 years…