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
Papadawg
November 18th, 2009
8:07 am
CPJ won’t be at GT long with his personality he will tick off one of the spoiled alumni and be gone. Look at the history of some pretty good coaches in the past who are gone just because some alumni got his feelings hurt. Sorry GT but if he gets the opportunity to go to Nortre Dame he should get on the next flight to South Bend. As a DAWG I’m impressed with what he has done with GT with such a small pool of players to choose from and can’t imagine what he could do with the huge amount of players available to him at Nortre Dame. Hate to see the Irish improve at all but the money, resources and national exposure are there so who wouldn’t take a serious look at it
Techman
November 18th, 2009
8:07 am
PJ might go to the pro’s one day if some owner will take a chance, but I doubt he’ll ever leave here for another school like Bill Curry to Alabama. Greg Allman? Yeah man, the best white guy to ever sing the blues.
Dawg Fan 74
November 18th, 2009
8:08 am
There is a reason the triple O died.
GT will find out why when the Dawgs kick them 49-7!
F-105 Thunderchief
November 18th, 2009
8:09 am
Off topic: Lane Kiffin may set a record by having his entire freshman class in jail by the end of the season.
mm
November 18th, 2009
8:09 am
Georgia needs to put some money in the Urban Myer to ND salary pot. Then, maybe they can beat Florida.
Tech Tony
November 18th, 2009
8:10 am
6.) If he was in South Bend, Wofford beating Georgia wouldn’t be quite as funny to him.
10-1 Jackets vs 6-5 Dawgs
November 18th, 2009
8:15 am
Joe Cox runs a high school offense.
Big Tech Fan for the first time since graduating in 1989.
November 18th, 2009
8:15 am
Tech Tony…Wofford beat Georgia? That is hilarious. Stupid UGA loses to Wofford. It must be because they are just so stupid. Ha ha ha ha. Stupid.
Big Tech Fan for the first time since graduating in 1989.
November 18th, 2009
8:16 am
10-1 Jackets vs 6-5 Dawgs…it is because he is stupid. Ha ha ha ha.
Tru Dawg
November 18th, 2009
8:18 am
Georgiadawg70 – Check out picture of Dawg Fan “Drake Scott” on AJC UGA sports. Could this guy be the source of all our trash?
Big Tech Fan for the first time since graduating in 1989...even bought a hat this season (at the mall not at Walmart)
November 18th, 2009
8:18 am
Stupid.
MechGT03
November 18th, 2009
8:18 am
I’m sure CPJ would not like the idea of playing Navy every year. He has far too much respect for them to do that. That would probably weigh pretty heavy on him.
Brad
November 18th, 2009
8:18 am
Hey Mark…
We Gator fans would just like to thank you for not mentioning Urban Meyer’s name in an article that speculates on the Notre Dame head coaching situation. We really appreciate it, especially since Meyer has addressed this issue several times over by stating clearly that he has no interest in coaching the Irish… yet, the media is so starved for the next big story that they continue to bring it up… but not you, Mark Bradley… you wouldn’t dare stoop so low… I know it may be tempting, what with you writing for the AJC and all. In fact, we Gator fans are so grateful that we will even throw in a complimentary 2009 SEC Championship tee shirt, complete with a pair of jorts… don’t thank us! The pleasure is all ours!
Big Tech Fan for the first time since graduating in 1989...even bought a hat this season (at the mall not at Walmart, because only poor UGA fans get gear at Walmart.)
November 18th, 2009
8:19 am
Ha ha ha ha. Stupid UGA people can’t read. Ha ha ha ha.
Notre Shame
November 18th, 2009
8:19 am
George OLeary was your man, not sure what the big deal was about a resume…I would have said “what of it” if I were OLeary. Not sure why media consider ND to be the promise land, it’s a $hitlole to me…
Irish Fan 19
November 18th, 2009
8:21 am
If Notre Dame is winning again with Paul Johnson as their head coach…and that’s a BIG IF, and they are a running, option team, I believe it will make for great TV because EVERYONE will want to tune in to Irish games and watch them option up USC, Pitt, Michigan. You don’t need the very best recruits to run an offense, let alone the option. Get a clue Bradley!
Aunt Jemima
November 18th, 2009
8:21 am
I hope 6-4 Notre Dame hires Willie and Bobo from 6-4 UGA.
Aunt Jemima
November 18th, 2009
8:23 am
South Bend is a slum.
Tech '06
November 18th, 2009
8:23 am
Yeah this offense is so boring to watch. Here are Tech’s offensive ratings among BCS teams:
Passing Eff. #2
Yards per pass #1
50+ yard passes #1
Rushing offense #1
Yards/rush #2
Rush TD’s #1
20+ yard rushes #1
10+ yard rushes #1
Rushing 1Downs’s #1
3D conversion #1
TD’s/game #5
Time of possession #1
Total Offense #6
Scoring Offense #7
Yards/play #3
Punts/game #2
Papadawg
November 18th, 2009
8:24 am
Big Tech Fan keep your closet comfortable so you’ll have somewhere to go WHEN GT starts losing again and by the way yard sale will be a good way to get rid of your precious hat
Georgiadawg70
November 18th, 2009
8:24 am
KG, I have been to every home game this year except Tenn Tech. The season is sold out as always and every game I attended the stadium was full inspited of the fact the season sucks
GA Tech Insider
November 18th, 2009
8:26 am
One more comment about the Notre Dame job versus the GA Tech job.
At Notre Dame, every game you play will come under scrutiny. As an independent, you are responsible for selecting every opponent you play, year in, and year out, and although Notre Dame seems to get added “consideration” when it comes to BCS selection time, the botto line is that if they ever start to slip up against any of their opponents, or their strength of schedule gets called into question, the only ones they have to blame is themselves.
Being affiliated with a conference, a team is required to play other teams within that conference, and then fills in games around their in-conference opponents. This can show a stronger BCS strength schedule, and if the conference is strong, help pull a particular team back up in the rankings if they happen to lose to an in-conference rival.
Looking at the two schedules this season between Notre Dame and GA Tech, the Jacket’s are deemed to have had the more difficult schedule than the Fighting Irish, in large part, to GA Tech’s ACC affiliation. Granted, if both teams would be undefeated today, Notre Dame would be a darling of the sports Nation right now (probably top 5 or 6), but so would GA Tech. The question then begs itself; where’s the advantage in being at Notre Dame if this was the case? Paul Johnson would be ranked right up there with Notre Dame, and would be there without the hassles. Heck, he’s there today without them…
Notre Shame
November 18th, 2009
8:26 am
CPJ will back the train up and run over you again, it is a challenge for CPJ to see how many times he can beat UGA and win a NC with these players. Plus CPJ has a bag of tricks and never underestimate him, depends if he wins here on out…team would be primed to strive for the national title in 2010.
John J
November 18th, 2009
8:28 am
I can’t wait for tomorrow when you write your stupid 5 reasons he is going. How about this reason. HE JUST CAME HERE and he’s not the kind of coach to leave before he gets the ball rollin
Big Tech Fan for the first time since graduating in 1989...even bought a hat this season (at the mall not at Walmart, because only poor UGA fans get gear at Walmart.)
November 18th, 2009
8:29 am
Papadawg, I am not ready to come out of the closet yet. Although I feel like I can with your support. Maybe you can come over sometime and my Mom will make us some coffee and we can tell her about us together.
Chris
November 18th, 2009
8:29 am
Someone mentioned at the top that Paul Johnson would’ve made Reggie Ball’s career at GT better. While he did never win the one game that mattered, he does rank near the top in just about every QB statistical category in Tech history. Don’t think that would’ve been better with CPJ.
UGA cr@p
November 18th, 2009
8:30 am
IF CPJ wins on out, football fans will be watching GT games, he doesn’t have to coach at Notre Shame to have a tv audience. What arrogance, do not get why people think it is the promise land. Hasn’t been for years and several coaches failed to accomplish anything there. Honestly, it is a step down…
Baba O'Riley
November 18th, 2009
8:32 am
Hilarious to see the UGA trolls on a CPJ blog. They are so jealous when any team but the state runners-up get any kind of pub. Beano Cook seems to think the odds-on favorite for the ND job is the Northwestern coach and seems to think the ND may take a run at Harbaugh at Stanford.
aztec
November 18th, 2009
8:33 am
im a u conn huskie fan this week, last week i was a pitt fan, on the 28th i will be a stanford fan, get my drift, i hate notre dame
Gator Forever
November 18th, 2009
8:34 am
Mark, you forgot a sixth reason. Notre Dame is a big time school and can get any coach they want. I travel all over and Paul Johnsons name is never mentioned when the discussion of top college coaches are brought up. ESPN never mentions his name when they refer to top coaches.
The only people that seem to think he can coach are the “Bandwagon” GT fans that will once again go into hiding real soon. I know these comments will sting but the truth is the truth! Go gators! By the way I would love if you guys were able to sneak in and play us in the championship game. Not going to happen!
Papadawg
November 18th, 2009
8:35 am
Big Tech Fan, You graduated in 89 and still live with your Mom
Motts
November 18th, 2009
8:35 am
The ND job is way overblown. It has lost so much luster. And playing in the ACC where CPJ can win it each year along with a Nat champ. Plus living much closer to where he grew up and coached and being in the south. I hope he stays here until he retires. I enjoy watching this team and what he runs. And the best part is even if we have a bad game or two, he will fix it and win unlike previous coaches. I just can’t wait to see what he assembles over the next 2-4 years. He’s this good with other recruits. I think a Nebraska type dominance in 95 is coming.
AMG
November 18th, 2009
8:37 am
I think CPJ is smart and knows how the people in southbend will treat him. ND has done itself in. They do not show support for there coach unless he wins 10 games every year and they are ready to fire you at the first problem. Also they are a program divided, half for this guy, half for that guy. CPJ loved his years at Navy and would not take the job of there biggest rivals. It may not be Army, but it is a big game every year. As an old Navy coach he does not like ND. He will also not leave Tech for UGA,
SadDawg
November 18th, 2009
8:38 am
UGA fan here who is not a sour-puss not jealous of Tech’s success with PJ. Also not offended by the immature fans of both teams talking (or writing) smack. I’ve got a couple of Tech and Gator fans for friends. Anyway, I think the PJ is a great coach. Saw a couple of his games in Statesboro back in the day and I thought then and think now that the option is a thing of beauty. Who cannot like 500 yds and 40 points of offense, regardless of how those yds are acquired…
And Brad (8:18), unless Bama has pulled out of the SEC Title game, you may want to hold off on ordering those 09 SEC Championship shirts….. I mean, y’all do have to play them, right?
Prather
November 18th, 2009
8:39 am
gator
every team has bandwagon fans. i don’t see any more here. just typical for fans to come out of the woodwork when the team is doind better. just wait til your team hits a slump like fsu has. it will happen and we’ll be seeing much less of your team on tv and thus your fans will go back into hibernation.
DScottGT91
November 18th, 2009
8:42 am
I was listening to Fox Sports Radio on the drive in to work this morning. A guy named Chris Landry was on one of the shows explaining that Notre Dame would not pick CPJ because his offense is only good to “make more out of less.” He then stated that if ND wanted to win 8-9 games every year, they would pick CPJ. If they wanted to win National Championships, they would need a different coach and offensive style.
The entire time I was listening, I was thinking “YES!! Keep on talking, brother!” I for one am more than willing for the prevailing theory nationwide to be that CPJ’s system can’t work at a “big time” school.
We’ll keep him over at the North Avenue Trade School, thanks very much.
AMG
November 18th, 2009
8:42 am
This is the last year of the Gator and I will repeat this again. Alabama will beat Florida and then Florida will lose there bowl game. Just the way it is going to go.
A Rob
November 18th, 2009
8:48 am
Dawg70,
give it a rest, you just admitted your program is not top tier anymore (I think you still are personally along with GT), yet you still come on here and talk about how our program has no “top tier players”. Yeah, none of the “top guys” would want Thomas, Dwyer(GA), Hill(GA), Morgan Burnett, Derrick Morgan(PennState), Nesbitt(GA), JC Lanier, Chris Jackson (Alabama), not to mention PJs new class, many of whom were and are getting attention from the so-called “big boys”. Granted the classes as a whole are not top 10, but your theory of us landing no top recruits is an incorrect one, sir. And I hope your wrong about PJ leaving after success. Something about his no nonsense approach tells me he doesn’t care about the next best thing!
Papadawg
November 18th, 2009
8:51 am
As a Dawg Fan I give credit where credit is due but who is going to step in when Dwyer & Co. leave and I agree most anybody can win the ACC right now.
Paul's Johnson
November 18th, 2009
8:52 am
Weak reasons, Bradley….Very weak.
ND isn’t gonna care how rough Johnson is as long as he wins.
ND being a nation-wide TV program will only help Johnson recruit better.
ND isn’t gonna care about recruit rankings as soon as the “Ws” start piling up.
Johnson was “happy” at Navy, too….until a better job came along.
Comparing O’Lardy the ‘Ol Liar to Johnson is ridiculous. I think YOU just want the guy to stay so that you AJC writers will always have something positive to write about regarding the Tech football program.
GT21
November 18th, 2009
8:56 am
Hey Gaydawg 70 maybe “your” top tier programs dont want the likes of nesbit,dwyer,burnett,morgan,thomas,jones,ect. But the NFL sure seems to like tech’s players. Give me a break you are a MORON!!!
Justafan
November 18th, 2009
9:02 am
Dawg Fan 74= If UGA steam rolls anyone it will be a miracle…HAHAHAHAHA
notafan
November 18th, 2009
9:03 am
I have “inside” info that if Weiss is fired MARK RICHT is the leading candidate to fo to ND, and can’t wait to get out of red neck, trashy Athens. His talented son is also going to transfer to ND to play QB and lead the Irish back to glory by beating powerhouses like Purdue, Air Force,Michigan, Navy. Richt will also be scheduling Vanderbilt, Miss. State, and Tenn Tech so he is guaranteed three easy wins each year.
collegeballfan
November 18th, 2009
9:05 am
If not Notre Dame then some other school with deep pockets. GT just cannot afford to pay what some teams pay.
Enjoy the wins (and losses), for there will be losses. Very few teams go 13 – 0. At most one or two a season, the other 100+ lose at least one game.
juvenal
November 18th, 2009
9:05 am
since the Obama degree disgrace many former subway alums think of it as notre shame..worst case, higher the Navy coach..
5 Reasons Charlie Weis is not fired
November 18th, 2009
9:05 am
1. Notre Dame is stupid
2. Notre Dame is stupid
3. Notre Dame is stupid
4. Notre Dame is stupid
5. Notre Dame is stupid
A Rob
November 18th, 2009
9:06 am
Papa, If Dwyer leaves it will be a big loss…But he may be the only piece from the offense that does leave. There is plenty of talent to fill in that is already there, plus the redshirts and freshmen class. The system is being built.
Tech82
November 18th, 2009
9:06 am
Georgiadawg70 – You lost all credibility with your posts after your 6:33am post stating that the UGA cheerleaders were ugly. I’m a die-hard Tech fan but even I will concede that the UGA cheerleaders are babes. You’re an idiot.
Big Ten Sleeper
November 18th, 2009
9:08 am
I told you all awhile ago the deal is alredy in place. He is going to PURDUE!
Tech82
November 18th, 2009
9:09 am
Nevermind. I just re-read that 6:33am post and you didn’t say the UGA cheerleaders were ugly. You said they suck. You’re probably right.