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
10:57 pm
lol, great story Tim.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 7th, 2009
10:58 pm
Clemason is looking a little banged up. Clemson has no bye week left. Keep bang with Spiller and he may not make it to the ACCCG. Big holding on the outside on that spiller run.
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
10:59 pm
Looks like Clemson to me……………….
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
11:00 pm
Cj don’t have that break away speed tonite….
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
11:01 pm
Holy sheet the place kicker missed again for KLempson.
TechMD
November 7th, 2009
11:02 pm
Clemson’s kicker is gonna have nightmares about this game lol.
Not Disappointed!
November 7th, 2009
11:02 pm
I sure hope Clemson brings that Kicker…………
Pi$$onaDawg
November 7th, 2009
11:02 pm
Game over Clemson up by 9 missed another F…. PTA. That is getting too funny watching this kid kick.
abc
November 7th, 2009
11:02 pm
Appears that we will be playing Clemson in the ACCG (should we beat Duke)
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
11:06 pm
Game over…. Klimpson hillbillies intecepted the ball.
ambushed
November 7th, 2009
11:06 pm
Ya’ll do realize that as WAKE FOREST (4-6) that took you to overtime…
G. Tampa Bedwetter
November 7th, 2009
11:06 pm
I tried to tell you tumblebugs before last year that you were getting a great coach in Johnson, at least the best since Bobby Dodd, but all you girlie girls wanted Pepper Rodgers back.
TechMD
November 7th, 2009
11:06 pm
Gotta beat Duke first. After that I don’t care if we gotta beat Clem AND Clem’s son we’ll get it done.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 7th, 2009
11:07 pm
Tampa will be Gold and pumpkin colored. Bet Clemson will not wear the purple uniform to play us in Tampa.
BG
November 7th, 2009
11:07 pm
Dwyer and Bay Bay. Please come back next year.
TechMD
November 7th, 2009
11:08 pm
Looks like Mickey Andrews and, possibly, Bowden’s last game coaching may be in the Swamp against the Gators and Tebow. Ouch!
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
11:08 pm
ambushed
November 7th, 2009
11:06 pm
Ya’ll do realize that as WAKE FOREST (4-6) that took you to overtime…
You find a way to beat all the teams. You do realize alabama beat UT with all field goals right? Does that make them crappy? No, just found a way to win.
Gee-Why
November 7th, 2009
11:09 pm
Mark, What a great article, to capture the essence of the game so precisely. I have said for years (about 40), to whoever would listen that ATL has had the privilege of having the greatest sports section in the USA at the AJC. To put this in perspective, I kept a clipping that Daddy Furman wrote about the Falcon’s 2nd 20-17 win over NO for YEARS. It perfectly expressed, in a very short, succinct column the essential moments of that game. AND made you feel PROUD.And for perspective I Think the SH column on Munsen’s heart surgery set the bar. But since it was only being grudgingly mentioned, I felt it needed to be said– Thanks again for capturing the excitement and intensity of the moment with that ability of yours to focus when needed. (No I’m not the stalker. Also, Willie Martinez is such a tool. No wonder the UGA defense sux).
CRAZYTRADEMAN
November 7th, 2009
11:16 pm
cincy 40 uconn 38 5:00 min to go come on UCONN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
11:16 pm
Clemson fans are so classless, chanting to FSU’s tomahawk chop deal.
Gailey Can't Coach
November 7th, 2009
11:17 pm
TechMD…One of the reasons Grobe lost in OT is because there was an OT in the first place…With 4th & 12 at the Tech 40 yd line and 1:07 left on the clock, his opportunity to go for the WIN was right then and there! Either give Skinner a chance to pop a receiver on the sidelines for a 1st or go for the 57 yard attempt. He was SPOOKED by the 60 yd miss at the end last week.
It’s not a high percentage play either way and the punt pinned Tech at the 3…But it was also the conservative call. Johnson having the 4th and 1 and NOT kicking the FG to go into another OT period was anything BUT conservative. He rolled the dice and Tech WON…Grobe didn’t roll the dice and LOST. Gailey, at the ACC CG in 2006, was heard to say, “Dice…What the hell are dice? We’re late for our bus ride back to ATL…So PUNT!”
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
11:18 pm
What channel is UCONN game on? Haha Clemson fans rushing the field after beating FSU?
CRAZYTRADEMAN
November 7th, 2009
11:19 pm
espn 360 uconn at cincy
the mar
November 7th, 2009
11:19 pm
good job for tech to find a way to win…..all we need is cincy to lose next week to WVU or on 12/5 @PITT and UT to get upset by either Baylor, Kansas or Tex A@M….and either UF or Ala will lose the SEC Championship game…..AND TECH PLAYS FOR THE natl Championship……and there is no way the BCS can put TCU or Boise in the championship game….
The new Tech lexicon
November 7th, 2009
11:22 pm
Fourth…and BALLS
Sane Tech Fan
November 7th, 2009
11:23 pm
The new Tech lexicon: that’s good. new mantra.
CRAZYTRADEMAN
November 7th, 2009
11:23 pm
Don’t know if GT will be able to jump both tcu and Boise St. in your senario.
Old School
November 7th, 2009
11:24 pm
Just saw a ground level replay of Nesbitt’s winning TD. But notice Dwyer’s block. He absolutely leveled the WF player in his path. Spiller certainly showed his stuff tonight in the win over the Noles, and he is a great all-around player, but JD is The Man! Looks like we’re headed for a rematch with the Tigers.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 7th, 2009
11:26 pm
We have to beat DUKE and then worry about the game after Duke AFTER WE BEAT DUKE.
Reality
November 7th, 2009
11:26 pm
While I do think that Tech will (and should) be ranked #5 after today, we CANNOT forget what is ahead….
We have to beat Duke at Duke. This Duke team is not the Duke of old – to just roll over and play dead. They have a lot to play for and will put it all out onto the field.
We have to beat UGAY. They will want revenge for last year. They need to make a statement to make up for their horrible seasson. They need a win to go bowling.
We have to win the ACC Championship game. It looks like we will play Clemson again. And, Clemson is now playing like a great team, just destroying FL State.
I will not be making my plans to the Orange Bowl until after all is finished. I hope that the players feel the same way!!!
CRAZYTRADEMAN
November 7th, 2009
11:28 pm
damn!!!!!!!!!!!! cincy 47 uconn 38 1:50 left to go
45ACP
November 7th, 2009
11:28 pm
Are the Jackets going to play Clemson in the ACC Title game?
Good news out of Athens
November 7th, 2009
11:29 pm
Tech’s win has provided an economic stimulus to the Athens’ economy.
Between the fourth down and the touchdown in OT, farmers report that fertilizer production in Willie Martinez’ trousers increased 86%
whatever
November 7th, 2009
11:29 pm
Engineering
Joe Schmoe
November 7th, 2009
11:29 pm
45ACP
November 7th, 2009
11:28 pm
Are the Jackets going to play Clemson in the ACC Title game?
If Clemson doesnt lose anymore, then yes.
45ACP
November 7th, 2009
11:30 pm
POAD – Who will the Jackets play for the Title?
45ACP
November 7th, 2009
11:31 pm
Thanks Joe.
Tampa Wreck
November 7th, 2009
11:31 pm
Great win for the jackets. The D still needs work, but I did think it showed some improvement from last week. Gave Skinner way too much time to throw most of the night. Can’t blame the D-backs when the quarterback gets to roam around for a minute at a time. When we put pressure on, we were successful, and the run D was pretty good.
Some big plays by Dwyer really saved us on offense. I really didn’t think this was one of CPJ’s better games. I saw someone comment early on that it looked like CPJ came out determined to pass the ball, and that was my impression too. We were controlling the game with the dive and pitch. I’m not sure what provoked CPJ to try all the passes, but they nearly cost us the game. Josh and the receivers definitely weren’t sharp tonight
Overall, it was ugly, but a win is a win and I’ll take it. Thanks to the UNC folks today! I’m much more confident about next week knowing that Duke isn’t playing for a shot at a bowl. Let’s hope they come out totally deflated, and lay an egg for us. Also, thumbs up to Navy. Great win over my second least favorite team in the world (although the V Tech is pulling closer).
Go Jackets and THWG. You’ve given us quite the ride this year.
45ACP
November 7th, 2009
11:37 pm
Great game today Jackets. Congrats.
Time to get horizontal. Nite nite.
CRAZYTRADEMAN
November 7th, 2009
11:41 pm
Reality……
Tech wont move to #5
#1.UF #2.TEX #3.ALA #4.CINCY #5.TCU #6.BOISE #7.GT #8.IOWA #9.USC #10.PITT
Pi$$onaDawg
November 7th, 2009
11:42 pm
45 I think So. We have just Duke then a bye week before UGA. Clemson has NCSU and UVA left.
CRAZYTRADEMAN
November 7th, 2009
11:43 pm
CINCY’s defence might be worse than ours. CINCY 47 UCONN 45
superDawg
November 7th, 2009
11:49 pm
laugh all you want your day is coming.Nov.28,2009!
macrotech
November 7th, 2009
11:51 pm
Fourth and balls!!! Now THAT’S funny!!! Anybody else cool with calling this our ‘trap’ game?! This may have been the MOST anxious game I’ve seen….since the FSU game!!! GO TECH!!! 9-1!!!
Billy
November 7th, 2009
11:52 pm
Mr “Dodd” (or some derivative of the name)…,
I apologize. I’m living in a place where a good win for the local team is always looked down upon. I’ll agree that the defense is our Achilles’ heel. At the same time, I (like you) watched the ‘98-00 Jackets, and I think that this offense is better, and the defense is, too. The current defense is never going to “Wrecking Crew” or “Blackshirts”, but I feel like they’re improving.
Billy
November 7th, 2009
11:53 pm
good lord, people. get a grip. you’re all acting like a bunch of drunk frat guys.
Sane Tech Fan
November 7th, 2009
11:53 pm
superDawg, go have your final Captain Morgan and ginger ale and get to bed…
Pi$$onaDawg
November 7th, 2009
11:56 pm
I think Bobby B is gone at FSU. He might make the announcement of the New Defensive Corridnator, but I am sure Jimbo will be making the pick of who is hires.
DR DMAN
November 7th, 2009
11:59 pm
I see the Athens puppies found a TECH they could beat…!
GT Alum
November 7th, 2009
11:59 pm
Its great to have a coach that has a big brass set on him. In PJ we trust. Wake is a talented and well coached team, and regardless of their record its a good W. I’d prefer to avoid nailbiters like that going forward, though.
Go Jackets!!