Tech’s Paul Johnson: A coach who dares to be great
Josh Nesbitt after scoring the game-winner in overtime. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
The surprise wasn’t that Paul Johnson went for it on fourth-and-inches with Tampa on the line. The surprise was that, for half a minute, it seemed Paul Johnson wasn’t going for it on fourth-and-1 with Tampa on the line.
Down three points in overtime, ball nuzzling the 5: What else would PJ do? “If we can’t get half a yard,” he said, “we don’t deserve to win.”
First Georgia Tech faked everyone out. The Jackets lined up as if to run a play but did the ol’ draw-’em-offside bit to no avail. They called timeout and trotted to the sideline, and your first thought was, “PJ just chickened out.” But PJ doesn’t chicken out. He talks the talk and goes on fourth down.
“If you ask the kids to play to win,” he said, “you’ve got to play to win.”
He’d asked his quarterback what he thought, and Josh Nesbitt, who’s as bold as his coach, said: “I can make it.” And PJ said: “I know you can.” And then Nesbitt did, and one play later he was in the end zone and Tech had climbed a couple of rungs up the BCS standings and drawn within one win of the ACC title game. So you can’t say there was nothing at stake. But PJ’s way is to play to win no matter the consequences, no matter the history.
Four times Tech had gone on fourth down already, and four times it had failed. Nesbitt had fumbled the snap and slipped in the backfield and gotten stopped at the line and thrown a pass Anthony Allen dropped. One more slip and Tech would lose. But this time nobody slipped. This time Nesbitt ducked his head and got the yard.
Tech wobbled Saturday. It started nicely but began to commit penalties at a Georgia-esque rate, and a quick 10-point lead became a 17-10 halftime deficit. It could have been worse, but Dave Wommack’s underwhelming defenders stopped Wake Forest at the end of the first half and then limited the Deacs to one first down over the next 25 minutes.
And then, even after Wake tied it, the D made a stand near the end of regulation to force overtime, and once beyond 60 minutes, PJ and Nesbitt weren’t going to let the Jackets lose. “You just will your way to win,” Johnson would say, and that’s what happened here.
Derrick Morgan had three sacks, all essential. Jonathan Dwyer rushed for 189 yards, 59 coming on Tech’s first snap of the second half when he burst up the middle on a tweaked play for the tying touchdown. (”Something I saw,” said Johnson, the archduke of adjustments.) Wake being Wake, it would never simply slink away into the gathering dusk, but Tech matched the Deacs in heart and trumped them in skill and gall.
Into overtime. Tech held Wake to a field goal and the game was the Jackets’ to win or lose, which meant it was PJ’s and Nesbitt’s, and was there ever any doubt how it would end? Said Johnson: “I don’t think [his players] expected anything else [than going for it on fourth down]. Our defensive guys knew we were going for it.”
Said Dwyer: “Who wouldn’t want to play for a coach like that?”
Before the game, Johnson had given his men an impassioned speech. He told them “not to put the horse before the cart” and ponder what might be waiting down the road. This prompted someone to ask: Doesn’t the horse generally go before the cart?
“Horse before the cart, cart before the horse,” Johnson said. “Maybe that’s why we came out flat.”
No matter. It all worked out in the end. PJ dared and Nesbitt made it work and Tech’s cart and horse, in whichever order you prefer, drew another hundred miles closer to a title game in Tampa.
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552 comments Add your comment
TechMD
November 7th, 2009
10:20 pm
I think we’ve got 1 more scholarship to give Delbert.
TechMD
November 7th, 2009
10:21 pm
Hewitt’s been screwed by early departures. Look at all the former players in the NBA. But hey, it’s football season, leave that for later.
Delbert D.
November 7th, 2009
10:21 pm
The 12 commits are heavy on defense…
Sane Tech Fan
November 7th, 2009
10:22 pm
Willie, I would advise you cut off your Captain Morgan and ginger ale drinks and get to bed…
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
10:22 pm
Just got back yellow jacket fans, what a game. We had to defeat two opponents today, which were the Deacons and Zebras, and that is no suprise with ACC officiating. So very bad calls, but GT did what a good team does, which is overcome odds.
Go gators
November 7th, 2009
10:23 pm
That PJ has them the size of coconuts, nize win guys, see you in the BCS.
E-Dog
November 7th, 2009
10:23 pm
Wake lost the game because Jim Grobe, when it mattered most late in the 4th quarter, didn’t have the guts to play to win. You never play for OT when you are a bad football team and a huge underdog with a chance to win on the road. The result in OT was a mere formality. Like him or not, Paul Johnson played to win when the opportunity was there.
ESPN
November 7th, 2009
10:24 pm
ESPN has a stat and a record for everything. Every game, they have someone who has a record at something. “Smith is the only player to score a TD, wear #35, major in English, and to wear white shoes in NCAA history”. Pathetic.
Wouldn’t want to face Clemson and Spiller again. Go FSU. Would rather face a Boston College team in Tampa…they way our defense is playing. BUT, we find a way to hold offenses just enough to win. I’ll take it any day!!
Delbert D.
November 7th, 2009
10:24 pm
Didn’t Air Force have a 5′3″ kid a few years back? Also, there was one in one of the Texas schools, I think.
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
10:25 pm
TechMD that’s funny. But Delbert deserves it!
M Richt, we do understand the statement you want to make. Thank you for the tip.
TML
November 7th, 2009
10:25 pm
This man – CPJ – indeed is the greatest Tech coach since Bobby Dodd. “I can get it.” “I know you can.” Tell me – what other coach in these United States deserves coach of the year honors more than Paul Johnson???
One more to go before punching the tickets to Tampa. Dook – your judgment day is coming next Saturday. GO JACKETS!!!
StinGTees’ biggest “endorsement” was received this week…FROM THE BIGGEST JACKET OF THEM ALL! Search S C Q Art & Apparel on Facebook and check the Photos to see his note! The note is also posted under “News > Articles” at http://www.stinGTees.com!
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
10:27 pm
Hey, is the Old “Scott Blair kicking for Clemson tonite? Oy!
db
November 7th, 2009
10:28 pm
What a game! Just watched it from the dvr.
I don’t have any fingernails left.
Go Jackets!
Delbert D.
November 7th, 2009
10:29 pm
TML – Coach Johnson’s already got one, at Navy. Double down?
Bootlegger
November 7th, 2009
10:31 pm
Delbert – The kid reminds one of another undersized back who played at Kansas State and is now creating havok for San Diego in the NFL.
jd for gt
November 7th, 2009
10:32 pm
Too many years of GT losing the late game in the season to put a damper on the whole thing has made alot of us nervous about any game that we don’t have a two score lead. Our ability to run out the clock on teams (never happened with Reggie Ball) led to many killer loses. I am no longer nervous now that we have Coach Johnson. He wills the team to win and Nesbitt, Dwyer and the rest go out and do it. The defense even came through today.
Really, how many times in the past would the past would the opponent taken that last minute and driven down for the winning field goal.
Ramble On!
November 7th, 2009
10:32 pm
Congrats UGAG on your unbelievably hard victory today against Tenn Tech. LMFAO. UGA suxs and loses to Auburn, KY and Tech for a 5-7 season. What a shame.
Delbert D.
November 7th, 2009
10:33 pm
db – If I’d had the mind to record it, I would have hit “pause” on the 4th and 1, and drained three glasses of whiskey. Clear, of course.
a question
November 7th, 2009
10:33 pm
what’s the big deal about commenting “first”?
IndyGT
November 7th, 2009
10:33 pm
Good win.. but this is the type of game that had me worried. Good QB that could pick apart our offense, and allow them to be within striking distance of our offense. Luckily we pulled it out though. I’m still worried about UGA though… Cox and AJ could pick us apart. We just can’t seem to get much pressure on the QB, asides from D. Morgan. Lets get the win at dook, and go into a bye week, and beat UGA!! Great Win though!! As CPJ said, 30 > 27.
DawginLex
November 7th, 2009
10:33 pm
Defense wins titles and Tech’s is not good, except for Morgan. I’m watching 2 teams right now that GT doesn’t want a rematch with in Tampa.
Good win though as Wake is well coached although snakebit-6 losses by 13 points?
I don’t know if Cox is good enough to take advantage of the defense. My guess is the game will be a war. Lots of football in between could determine the psyche of the teams, especially UGA.
IndyGT
November 7th, 2009
10:34 pm
And watching this Clemson- FSU game is making me hope we get our problems on defense figured out quick..
PN
November 7th, 2009
10:34 pm
I’m not even gonna read the hate that is probably flying from the anti-White-and-Gold folk. All I have to say YEAH!!!!!!!! Georgia Tech baby, Georgia damn Tech!!!!! Maybe we should have crushed’em today, but we played poorly. Bottom line, even at our worst, we pull one out. Go Jackets!!
Bootlegger
November 7th, 2009
10:35 pm
Hate to look ahead to next year with this great season still going strong, but just imagine if all the Juniors stick around for another year, WOW, the good time will keep comming !! We will be preseason ranked in the top 5 !!
TechMD
November 7th, 2009
10:36 pm
Anybody that watched the Wake-Miami game last week would’ve realized this could be a tough game. Wake has a lot of heart.
Delbert D.
November 7th, 2009
10:36 pm
Boot – Oh, yeah…Mr. Sproles…I think Pemberton is on Tech’s radar.
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
10:36 pm
IndyGT, no offense but Cox couldnt pick his own teeth. Now any of the freshmen would be better than Cox.
uberVU - social comments
November 7th, 2009
10:37 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MarkBradleyAJC: Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson: A coach who dares to be great. (And go for it on fourth down in OT.) http://bit.ly/2sauwG…
IndyGT
November 7th, 2009
10:38 pm
DawginLex – my guess is its a shootout.. Like GT-FSU was earlier. I don’t see us blowing out UGA. They’re too proud of a team. And their offense is likely to give us fits.
GT Metro Mon
November 7th, 2009
10:38 pm
TML-I looked at your stiGtshirts site, and I must say those are the dumbest and tackiest GT t-shirts I’ve seen. Give it a rest, pleeeeease!
IndyGT
November 7th, 2009
10:39 pm
Joe Schmoe – I hope you’re right, and I’m wrong.
booger
November 7th, 2009
10:40 pm
bradley is a bandwagoneer – whoever is winning is who he loves
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
10:40 pm
I think we match up better against teams that run a traditional pro style versus a spread offense. Just weird look at how we played agaisnt wake forrest vs. UNC.
45ACP
November 7th, 2009
10:40 pm
Ramble On – Thanks for the UGA comments.
Delbert D.
November 7th, 2009
10:41 pm
You go crazy watching FSU and trying to figure them out. That said, I’m outta here.
Don't Fire Willie M.
November 7th, 2009
10:43 pm
Gotta LOVE collapsing the North Goal Posts right after the WIN!!! LOL…
Anyone else’s ears STILL RINGING after that flyover?!?! I swear they were only 200 feet off the ground when they came over…I could see one of the pilots giving Grobe the finger…They were THAT close!
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
10:45 pm
Howdy DawginLex. So Cox at full strength? I’m sure it will be a good game. I’m pulling with my jackets though.
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
10:46 pm
“Dont Fire Willie M.” you’re funny dude!
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
10:48 pm
45ACP, where’s Cuz? I see POAD from time to time on the blog.
Damn, Clemson scored………….. Oy!
DawginLex
November 7th, 2009
10:48 pm
Cox actually played well today and Gray looked horrible so once again, Coach Richt was right about continuing to play Cox. Ealey is going to be great and Samuel will be a LB in 2010.
Clemson is now winning and they are going to be hard to beat in Tampa.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 7th, 2009
10:48 pm
come on FSU big stop here. No Clemson TD. Spiller needs to sit before they get him hurt.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 7th, 2009
10:49 pm
Blair is a better kicker than this Clemson kid.
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
10:49 pm
Don’t Fire Willie M., yea all the fans were saying why the hell would we rush the field, its just Wake. I guess they cant take chances.
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
10:50 pm
Damn POAD! Low blow on the Kicker!
what we've learned
November 7th, 2009
10:51 pm
We knew CMR couldn’t carry CPJ’s jockstrap, now we know CMR’s jockstrap couldn’t even begin to carry CPJ’s twin playcallers
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 7th, 2009
10:52 pm
Mark “and your first thought was, “PJ just chickened out.”
No way, never thought it for a second.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F7672DzkHY
Gailey Can't Coach
November 7th, 2009
10:52 pm
How IRONIC that Grobe “pullled a Gailey” at the end of regulation and PUNTED on 4th down in Tech territory! Remember Gailey’s Gift to Grobe…The 2006 ACC Championship when the MORON PUNTED on 4th down with like 2 min left on the clock and Tech was DOWN BY 3 POINTS?!?!?
MOST BONEHEADED COACHING DECISION IN COLLEGE FREAKIN FOOTBALL HISTORY!!!
So Grobe, suffering from a severe shrivel-up factor, PUNTS TO LOSE!! Something he learned from Chan Gailey…LOL!!! Johnson throws his balls in a wheelbarrow and GOES FOR IT on 4th and 1 with the game on the line, when 4th down had failed 4 times in a row already!
What a BEAUTIFUL DAY! Johnson HAS TO BE ACC Coach of the Year, and SHOULD BE NCAA COACH OF THE YEAR……VOTE, VOTE, VOTE for HIM!!!! He truly desreves it after laying it on the line today — OLD SCHOOL STYLE!
TechMD
November 7th, 2009
10:55 pm
Yeah, Gailey can’t coach, but Grobe wasn’t behind and he didn’t lose in regulation. He lost in overtime.
Tim
November 7th, 2009
10:55 pm
Great game Jackets! Watched the 2nd half at a restaurant, and when Tech got the first down in overtime then scored the TD to win it, I came out of my chair yelling. People at the table next to us asked the waiter to move them to another table. The entire family was wearing UGA gear!!! THWG!!! Go Jackets!!!
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
10:56 pm
Thanks for link Ramble ON! Nice theme song.