5 reasons Paul Johnson isn’t going to Notre Dame
1. He’s a little too much like Charlie Weis. Meaning: He’s blunt, and he can’t be coached in the gentle art of public relations. That works in Atlanta, where there’s one daily newspaper, but might not in South Bend, where the college team is covered by the Chicago papers in addition to the South Bend folks. Notre Dame is going to want a charmer this time around, someone who can schmooze with Regis about the big game. PJ has never heard of Reege, let alone Kelly.
2. Notre Dame isn’t just a program; it’s a TV show. Meaning: Appearances matter. NBC might not be thrilled about the prospects of airing a team that runs the football 83 percent of the time. (Understand: I admire Johnson’s offense. But I’m not a network programmer.)
3. Notre Dame cares about recruiting rankings. Johnson famously does not. The subway alumni wouldn’t like it if their adopted team didn’t show up in Rivals’ top 10. (Understand: I’m with Johnson on this one, too. Recruiting rankings are overblown — ask Mark Richt — but I don’t contribute to anyone’s program.)
4. He’s happy at Georgia Tech. In two years Johnson has become not just a hero but something approaching a legend. If the final fourth-down gamble against Wake Forest had failed, he wouldn’t have been second-guessed one bit. Because Tech people love PJ, and Dan Radakovich is about to put yet another bumped-up dollar figure on that love. And Johnson doesn’t want to live in South Bend. He’s a Southern guy who has a nice spread in Vinings — “Inside the Perimeter,” he always takes pains to say — and doesn’t even have to take an Interstate to work.
5. Notre Dame once hired a coach from Tech. The perfect union, right? A feisty Irishman coaching the Fighting Irish. It lasted 3 1/2 days. Even Cher and Gregg Allman made it past a week.
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577 comments Add your comment
Trembling Chihuahua
November 18th, 2009
3:10 pm
Reality – I have to hand it to you. You are the wittiest and sharpest I’ve ever seen. I know you, though. Isn’t your last name Bites? By the way, can’t your Joe Cox arm hit my driveway with the newspaper? It’s all in the foolow through. Just because your sorry coaching staff is in disarray, ours isn’t. Wish all you want. Your’re still a loser.
Dave from GT
November 18th, 2009
3:11 pm
You are fogiven, my son.
ZZ
November 18th, 2009
3:11 pm
Gravy Train, maybe you’ll find some happiness one day, but when all you can do is trash successful people, you’re just a poor miserable wretch. Join L-Dawg and go looking for a job.
Lindsey
November 18th, 2009
3:12 pm
Please do not call him PJ, it sounds like a five year old. To most Tech fans he is affectionately known as CPJ (Coach Paul Johnson)!!!!
Notre Ain't
November 18th, 2009
3:13 pm
HBTD – wishing on a star? Too bad we can’t meet up and see exactly how much confidence you have in your wallet. Good luck this Saturday. You’re gonna need it.
CPJ
November 18th, 2009
3:16 pm
Why would I want to go to ND, they won’t allow any of my thug drug dealers on campus, let alone play foosball.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
November 18th, 2009
3:17 pm
once again tech fan congrats on a great season one more point in a couple of year CPJ has all his own players but also all the other coaches at real schools Fla st , clemson, Va tech,Miami and yes UGA to name a few have that much more tape to watch and prepare for his offense will he still win sure he will he is a great coach but will you still love him with 7, 8, or 9 wins a year you should.
main reason he won’t go to ND he hasn’t been offered the job.
and I am not talking about willie preparing for him I have already come to terms with this years outcome of the tech UGA game.
GO DAWGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hamad Meander
November 18th, 2009
3:17 pm
The thing about Paul Johnson at Tech – he is a perfect fit for the following reasons: 1. Geeks love the offense. It’s hard to understand and harder to run well, so it fits this school like an calculus equation on a Friday night in the Engineering School Library. 2. Johnson wouldn’t have an easier time recruiting @ ND vs. Tech – the highly ranked kids want to run a pro-style offense, but the slightly less talented kids can be sold on winning. 3. Notre Dame needs a good looking coach. Now, I’m not saying that PJ isn’t good looking, but the camera’s aren’t going to focus on him and stay too long.
Having said all of that, I have the perfect candidate for Notre Dame: Mike Shula! He’s a former QB, good looking, likes to pose (very still-like) for the camera before commercial breaks, and has a bankable name.
John Fox
November 18th, 2009
3:17 pm
Man! Wofford is good. Where is Wofford anyway?
PonPJ
November 18th, 2009
3:19 pm
In other words, Mr Bradley, NOTRE DAME doesn’t want PJ. Why hire the man they used to beat every time out, even with Ty Willingham at the helm? ND once hired a guy away from a lesser school on about the same low tier as Atlanta’s North Avenue Trade School, but they hired that man (Ara Parseghian) because he beat them. PJ has a 1-8 record against ND … I don’t blame them for not wanting him!
Dave from GT
November 18th, 2009
3:19 pm
John, as Barney Frank would say…… What planet are you from !!??
BTW I think Barney is a butt sniffer.
CPJ
November 18th, 2009
3:20 pm
Wofford is in South Carolina I coached GSU against them in the Southern Conference
WTH
November 18th, 2009
3:20 pm
South GA,
You don’ think they can get seven or eight years worth of film form CPJ’s offense now? MY God, think before you blog.
VegasGT
November 18th, 2009
3:20 pm
The only people talking about CPJ leaving are the people that might benefit from it the most, our opponents. I take that as a good sign.
CPJ
November 18th, 2009
3:21 pm
Oh and Coach Fox I thought your firs name was Mark
G-Man
November 18th, 2009
3:21 pm
Good classy post UGAX, much more objective (and elightened) than those of some of your UGA brethren. I don’t think he’s going anywhere; MB and other writers look for every opportunity to “stir the pot.” So I’ll comment no further on it, as it is a non-issue. The important question is where will UGA and Tech be in say 5 years? With the same coaches? (I say yes, at least head coaches). Both in the top 25? (yes, in fact likely both in the top 10). What will the end of the year game look like? (remember FSU and UM, and I think better than the Iron Bowl). So who wins? (Both schools, both programs, both sets of fans). Great time to be a Yellow Jacket (but not bad time to be a Dawg).
WTH
November 18th, 2009
3:23 pm
PonPJ,
So it is no great feat that Navy has defeated ND with the offense two times in three years adn those two times are, I believe, the first times they have beaten ND. Do you think that Navy has anywhere near the quality of atheletes that ND has?
HBTD
November 18th, 2009
3:25 pm
NotreAint.
Not really. Three things.
1. The dawgs kind of have a long history of beating up on the weaker Jackettes in case you’re new around here.
2. For all I’ve read about how bad UGA’s defense is, I’d have to say that tech’s is worse statistically and they’ve been playing some really weak offensive teams to boot.
3. Dawgs are battle tested and have had their backs against the wall all year. Tech has played a JV schedule for the past month (Va., Vandy, Wake, Duke) and has been lulled into a false sense that they are a really good team. The speed, size and physicality will be a rude awakening for Pee Jay and his troops. The superior athleticism of the dawgs will be obvious for all the nation to see compliments of ABC.
As noted earlier, this one should be over at the half with the tech faithful stampeding the exits early in the 3rd quarter.
Sterling Smith
November 18th, 2009
3:26 pm
I think it’s so strange to listen to the talk of a PJ having “legend” status and such when he’s only been there 2 years. I can think of a lot of coaches that have done good for a year or two and then…… well, look at Weis…. good first year, extend his contract, the man’s a hero… what about their hero now? And, it only took 5 years. If PJ is winning 10 games a year for the next 5 years, then elevate his status.
JF McNamara
November 18th, 2009
3:28 pm
He’s probably leaving after they win the national championship in January. We won’t be able to match the 10 million dollars they put up to get him.
As a Tech man, I’ll be a little upset, but I can’t be all that upset at a man who took Tech to a title.
CPJ
November 18th, 2009
3:28 pm
Sterling I am a legend and I don’t need no five star recruits to prove it. I can beat anybody with Chan Gailey’s players!
HBTD
November 18th, 2009
3:29 pm
Sterling. I think it just tells you how desperate that program. The strange thing to me is just how much “smack” that fan base talks after only one year. The beatdown they receive on the 28th will be well deserved.
UKnowY
November 18th, 2009
3:30 pm
McNamara the only way yeck wins the MNC is if they get to play a team like Cincy. I don’t think the nerds could beat Bama, FU, Texas, or TCU. You think yeck will make after losing to UGA?
Gern Blanski
November 18th, 2009
3:32 pm
Paul Johnson is not going to Notre Dame – it does not fit the profile of a job that it appears he would take.
However, I do think that he should be South Carolina’s #1 target if/when Spurrier leaves Columbia. His offense coupled with the physical and talented defense that South Carolina seems to have every year would be a lethal combination in the SEC.
Plus if he wins there he is the king of the state in terms of recruiting fanbase etc. I know there are those who say that if he beats GA and goes to the BCS he is the king of Georgia, but the reality is that in college football terms UGA is one of the most valuable properties in America. It is the MOST valuable sports property in Georgia and will continue to be for a long time.
Though SC does not have the “history” of a ND or Auburn, I would bet that in two seasons he would have USC on top of the conference, ahead of Clemson in the pecking order of his own state, and a player for the National title.
There are just enough recruits, a strong high school football system that runs offenses similar to his, consistently good to great defenses, and unwavering fan support.
styles
November 18th, 2009
3:32 pm
PJ, go to a school where you can win a NC. Tech, bring back Bill Lewis…he was a stunna!
Notre Ain't
November 18th, 2009
3:35 pm
Not even one of those points was real. You are living in a smoky haze. But, that’s the way fleabags are and always will be. Rich Brooks is gonna send his best regards to you boys this weekend! And after they claw the little mutts up real good, you can always use your old excuse about everybody being hurt.
John Fox
November 18th, 2009
3:37 pm
I’m Mark’s brother.
Techster
November 18th, 2009
3:42 pm
Man, the dogs are really hurting. They are throwing the smacktalk around trying to delude themselves One NC 30 years ago and they think they are a Florida. I sure do hope Tech wins again on Nov 28th. Total meltdown in the trailer parks and Walmart will have a buy one get 10 sale! BWWWWAAAAAAAHAHA!!!!!
Lewis G from the grave
November 18th, 2009
3:43 pm
He won’t go becuase the only good things coming out of Atlanta, are Delta, I-85.I-75, and I-20. I’d check his resume’ though just to make sure the didn’t have any fraudulent entires like you last much ballyhooed coach Tech motto, if you can’t beat em, cheat em.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
November 18th, 2009
3:43 pm
WTH
I dont want to think before i blog why should i be different than most other people on here , but really my point is watching tape of navy and gsu will not give you a true measurement of what he is doing at tech , because i believe the atheletes are superior at tech than the other two schools, and you are limited by your talent see UGA this year , and also coaches didn’t take this “high school offense” serious well they are now and if you don’t think those are valid points that your opinion and you can have it .
Joe Hamilton
November 18th, 2009
3:47 pm
Anyone on the sidelines here want to by some crack?
UKnowY
November 18th, 2009
3:47 pm
OK nice to meet you John can you get me some free tickets?
Bill Curry
November 18th, 2009
3:49 pm
I would be interested in the ND job, anything to get me out of Atlanta again.
Bill Curry
November 18th, 2009
3:50 pm
At least this time losing to UGA won’t be why I was fired.
Pete
November 18th, 2009
3:52 pm
This is a bit hysterical.
Notre Dame wouldn’t have a clue what Paul Johnson is about, or what to do with him. He doesn’t have ONE phony bone in his body. He’d be a total misfit at that over rated, over blown Bingo Parlor.
Whatever
November 18th, 2009
3:54 pm
Pete are you still mad that yeck lost that game in the movie Rudy?
Technophobia
November 18th, 2009
3:56 pm
Dawg fans are in full blown panic about Johnson. They’re gonna say anything to try to make themselves feel better. If Johnson brings home a NC that would be 2 for Tech since UGA’s almost 30 years ago. UGA’s still trying to figure out how to beat Florida.
UKnowY
November 18th, 2009
3:56 pm
Pete I don’t think PJ would know what to do in a real college town like South Bend. I mean there aren’t many strip clubs to visit and no drug dealers standing on the sidelines at ND’s football games.
UKnowY
November 18th, 2009
3:58 pm
Yechno you right, thats why yeck is 1-7 the last eight years against UGA, we already know how to beat the nerds.
Tech75
November 18th, 2009
3:59 pm
Three weeks ago Schultz, Bradley, and Barnhart each sat down and wrote down 10 topics that they each knew would get the fans at each other’s throats and generate a lot of blog entries.
Whenever they run dry on real stuff to write, they pull one off the list and throw it out there, and we’re the suckers for falling for it.
Such cr*p.
gsu95
November 18th, 2009
3:59 pm
Good column Mark
I’ve been saying this for years to anybody who’d listen …. Paul Johnson is the best football coach in the country. PJ knows his offense better than anyone, is a competitor and a man of integrity.
I’d prefer he was back at GSU, but since that isn’t going to happen I hope he stays at GT. If he does, sooner or later he will bring a BCS title to Atlanta.
HBTD
November 18th, 2009
4:00 pm
I’m envisioning a tech repeat of 2006……………..lose to the Dawgs, lose to a far superior Clemson team and then pull the tech standard no show in a bowl game with less than 500 fans. Still a very successful season by tech standards.
re: HBTD
November 18th, 2009
4:02 pm
COFH over early in the 3rd quarter? That kind of attitude worked out real well for the Dawggies last year!
Techster
November 18th, 2009
4:02 pm
UKnowY – ya’ll forgot last year didn’t you?
UKnowY
November 18th, 2009
4:03 pm
HBTD, amen couldn’t have typed that better myself!
UKnowY
November 18th, 2009
4:03 pm
Yechter, no that’s where the 1 came from.
Technophobia
November 18th, 2009
4:06 pm
1998, 1999, 2000 Wonder why those years get left off the UGA posts. lol
Chan
November 18th, 2009
4:06 pm
I could have done what Johnson is doing now if given just one more year. Those are my recruits that you see every Saturday. Shucks, I might take the ND job if offered. I’m a good coach and would like a chance to beat GT.
Techster
November 18th, 2009
4:07 pm
UKnowY and HBTD will disappear from thse blogs after that stompin’ in the Flats on the 28th. The anonymity of a keyboard makes fools speak when they would keep it shut in person. There’s two shining examples for you. Listen to ‘em howl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Technophobia
November 18th, 2009
4:07 pm
Chan and Willie – separated at birth.