Once again: Georgia Tech lacks a ’special’ brand of expertise
"Well, my kickers might not be very good, but at least I've got a cool hat." (AP photo)
Back in October, this correspondent suggested Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech would be wise to hire a full-time special teams coordinator. Being Paul Johnson, he wadded up the advice and hurled it toward yonder trashcan.
This was PJ, speaking the day after the outrageous suggestion saw print:
The whole thing is ridiculous. Guys calling for special teams coordinators don’t have any idea. You know how many teams in the ACC, SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten have special teams coordinators that don’t coach another position?
Six. You know who it is in our league? Boston College – which is helping them a lot – and N.C. State. And the Big Ten, it’s Purdue. In the Big 12, it’s Kansas State. I think it’s coach [Bill] Snyder’s son. Most staffs are set up the same as ours.
Coach Charles Kelly is quote-unquote the special teams coordinator, which means he collects and puts things together for the book. He has the punt team [and] punt return team. Other coaches are assigned areas of special teams. It’s been that way everywhere I’ve ever coached for 32 years. Sometimes, you’re better than others. It’s like Coach Kelly. I asked him today: Are you coaching the punt team any different than you did with [2007 second-team All-American punter] Durant Brooks? “No, coaching ‘em the same.”
Update: Georgia Tech lost the Sun Bowl to Utah in overtime after missing three field goals, yielding a 68-yard kickoff return (that didn’t hurt) and a 31-yard punt return (that engineered the Utes’ tying touchdown).
If you’re keeping score, that made two losses, Miami being the first, traceable to failures by Tech’s special teams. Yes, the defense yielded two late touchdowns to Utah, and no, Johnson’s offense couldn’t make a first down when one first down might have sealed the deal, but the offense gained 448 yards and the D held the Utes to 339 (and that’s counting overtime). Those units weren’t awful. Yet again, special teams were.
The only category pertaining to special teams at which Tech excelled this season was punt return defense. (Right up until its final punt of the year, anyway.) It entered the Sun Bowl ranked 50th nationally in kickoff return defense, 55th in net punting, 63rd in punt returns, 109th in kickoff returns. It finished 11 of 18 on field goals and didn’t make one longer than 41 yards. It had two blocked. It managed eight touchbacks on 80 kickoffs.
This wasn’t it just been a seasonal aberration. An incisive October post from Coaches By The Numbers illustrated the difference between the special teams of other prominent coaches — Nick Saban, Bob Stoops, Frank Beamer and especially Les Miles — and Johnson’s. And that difference, it would appear, translates to a game or two a year. At the highest level of college football, that’s a major gap.
Tech finished 8-5. Flip the two games undone by special teams – of Miami’s three touchdowns, two came on a muffed punt and after a long kickoff runback near the end of the first half — and Georgia Tech would have been 10-3. That’s Top 25 territory, probably Top 15.
OK, and now you’re saying: Saban and Stoops and Beamer don’t have designated special teams coordinators, either. Neither do they employ Johnson’s stylized offense, which doesn’t keep him from doing it. (And please note that LSU, which is unbeaten in large measure because of its special teams, does have a designated coordinator.)
Me, I’d suggest Tech take one of its two offensive line coaches and make that position a special teams coordinator. (Don’t coaches — some coaches, anyway — say that special teams are one-third of football? Should that one-third be allocated piecemeal?) But that’s just me, and I’m guessing PJ would say I’m being ridiculous again.
By Mark Bradley
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166 comments Add your comment
Big time???? NOT!
January 1st, 2012
1:39 pm
Four tickets four hot dogs four cokes.
Joey
January 1st, 2012
1:40 pm
Mark, you should know PJ is way, way smarter than you . . . and everybody else in the room.
J Clay
January 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
The world is now seeing CPJ is much over-rated….by the way MB maybe you want to update the article where you said he is a better coach than Richt? Do you still believe that? His one big season was with Gailey’s players…he still loses bowl games and still lose to UGA…status quo….
Anyway agree with your article and also think the Dawgs should have a full time special teams coach also.
Mark Bradley
January 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
I still think Johnson is a good coach. But do I still think he’s better than Richt?
Richt’s team is 10-3. Johnson’s is 8-5. This year, there’s no question who did the better job.
Mark Bradley
January 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
I’m in Tampa, by the way. Made it in time for the Mark Richt press conference.
GFF
January 1st, 2012
1:49 pm
THE Genius……0-4 in bowls at Tech.
steve brown
January 1st, 2012
1:49 pm
The forward pass is legal and effectively used by many a fine football team. Someone please explain this to Johnson. Many of us are becoming bored and frustrated with his style and would prefer a more pleasing type of entertainment.
Joey
January 1st, 2012
1:49 pm
Mark, just think where Tech, as well as UGA would be sitting with ST coordinators. Probably both would have games later in the bowl season.
I read where UGA was last in the SEC in punt return, giving up 4 TDs, while the REST of the SEC gave up 9 combined.
I’m thinking Richt is gonna study, cutting-edge-special-teams-football, this off-season. Haha.
Steve
January 1st, 2012
1:50 pm
Mark, do you think Tech will break the all-time record for most bowl losses in a row?
Lack of Special Teams = Lack of Special Seasons
January 1st, 2012
1:50 pm
[...] he nailed this one concerning our special teams (our lack of a special teams coach is debatable): Once again: Tech's Johnson lacks a special brand of expertise | Mark Bradley I know special teams have cost us a few games this seasons, and the Sun Bowl was a microcosm of [...]
buzzwax
January 1st, 2012
1:51 pm
Better players = better special teams > special teams only coach. The 3-4 defense along with the spread option offense SHOULD put more special teams type bodies on the roster but it doesn’t seem GT is there yet. The biggest problem – THREE MISSED FG!! Make ONE and the game is WON!!
byrddawg62
January 1st, 2012
1:53 pm
Coach turkeyneck is a genius…..if you don’t believe me just ask him!
BananaJacket
January 1st, 2012
1:54 pm
Mark, respect your opinion and not taking up for Coach Johnson…and maybe Coach Richt did a better job, BUT any reasonable, knowledgeable fan would have to admit that Richt had a much, much more talented team (with far more depth) than Johnson. Richt’s schedule was not tremendously more difficult either.
At least Richt is willing to listen and make changes
January 1st, 2012
1:55 pm
Johnson, on the other hand, looks, sounds, and appears to be the smartest guy in the room. Coaching hubris!
Joey
January 1st, 2012
1:55 pm
Good point, buzzwax. Doesn’t UGA know it too (see SC).
J Clay
January 1st, 2012
1:55 pm
Jacket – who recruited the talent to each school? Is Johnson not responsible for that? As for schedules, was Tech’s difficult? Come on man
J Clay
January 1st, 2012
1:57 pm
Yes Joey and buzzwax – that is one thing both the schools have in common. UGA is in much need of special teams coach full time
Mark Bradley
January 1st, 2012
2:03 pm
There’s also no question Georgia was the more talented team, BananaJacket. I think 10-3 — or even 9-4 — would have been a great achievement for Georgia Tech this season. And the Jackets almost got there.
misterwax
January 1st, 2012
2:03 pm
I think old Bobby Dodd used to rely on his mentor Gen. Neyland at Tennessee…..Any team can move the ball and score… what matters is defense and the kicking game…playing for field position is one thing should not be over-estimated. This edge in field posotion allows the defense to shut down opponents more successfully, stretch the field to your advantage. CPJ does not seem to care about this…He’ll be gone soon and so will DRAD… Warm up the Greyhound, Chandler Gailey is coming back to Atlanta.
BananaJacket
January 1st, 2012
2:10 pm
J Clay–you make a good point re: recruiting but that is not the discussion here. And I made no claim that Tech’s schedule was difficult. I merely said that UGA’s was not all that MUCH MORE difficult, especially considering talent level. C’mon man!
Paul Johnson
January 1st, 2012
2:13 pm
I am still the smartest coach in football. Tech is a great service academy program.
yellow britches
January 1st, 2012
2:14 pm
Mark, I think you make a good point. CPJ seems oddly detached from every aspect of the football team but running his particular offense. You have said this before and I think it was pretty evident on the field yesterday. GT just does not have that many top flight athletes. When Julian Burnett went down the Utes started to run the ball with greater success. When Preston got hurt the dive just evaporated. I know Utah made adjustments and we did not have any answer, as has been the case much of year. We don’t have enough play makers and I just don’t get it. Why would a decent football player not want to come to tech. Engineering Schools used to attract men, you know real men. We complain about the curriculum but egads, are we all cowards when it comes to math? I am frustrated as hell. We should be doing better in a state that until Georgia State started recruiting only had one other first rate program in state. You know, Virginia used to export most of its football talent until Frank Beamer got there. Now they raid us.
Steve
January 1st, 2012
2:17 pm
Mark at least the AJC did not punish you and make you go to El Paso to do a live blog from the Tech game. Lucky for you, you get to go to Tampa to cover a real football team.
Bill
January 1st, 2012
2:19 pm
Paul Johnson is a moron. In Tech’s last two series prior to OT all he needed was a first down to win but he refused to pass the ball. With 10 men in the box he refused to throw and made nothing. He should be fired if Tech ever wants to return to respectability. No I am not a Georgia fan.Just a hard headed poor coach.
georgiadawg70
January 1st, 2012
2:19 pm
Coach Johnson,
Do you feel a slight increase in the temp of your seat this morning?
David S
January 1st, 2012
2:21 pm
We TECH fans just need to shut our mouth… 6-0 then end up 8-5!!! PJ must go now!! The whole damn staff needs to go… 37 years old been a Tech fan all my life, I must be insane. Would convert to a MUTT fan but so many of there fans are just idgiots… But then again a lot of my fellow so called TECH fans are nerdy losers who have not a lick of fight in them… No TECH cant be in the thick of things every single year, no one can, but the facilities are there, world class city, only thing missing is a requirement to achieve excellence… PJ has had time to bring in his players and when you see what’s coming, not to mention what has already been happening on the field… WOW!!! here we go again… Cant take in any more… Please Lord get it in PJ’s heart to admit he’s not up for this… All mouth he is…
P B Orr
January 1st, 2012
2:22 pm
The sneer and arrogance of CPJ has officially alienated this Tech grad. I’m almost as sick of those losers as I am of the dawggers (mom’s basement dwelling dawg fans).
georgiadawg70
January 1st, 2012
2:24 pm
BananaJacket,
In regards to your comment about Richt having more talent. Thats the point. Johnson can coach but he can’t recruit. Chan Gaily did a much better job of recruiting.
And the bad thing is next year all of his players will be gone.
HotAir
January 1st, 2012
2:31 pm
Another point – those teams without Special Team coordinators have far deeper talent. Teams like Ohio State, LSU, etc can make up for it with just superior speed and size in coverage.
ty webb
January 1st, 2012
2:32 pm
but, but, but, he’s a genius…just ask him…or Bradley.
bitter QB
January 1st, 2012
2:33 pm
as a dawg fan i would trade or give away aaron murry to tech if i thought tech would be better off
truth be known——-murry is 0-12 against top 25 teams—-he would run up # against bad teams
—————-telvin washington and aaron murry are —-2 peas in a pod
collegeballfan
January 1st, 2012
2:35 pm
I believe Johnson has always been reluctant to hand out scholarships for kickers and punters. Someone check me on this.
Also he tends to put the younger players on special teams to give them real game experience. I say put the 10 best tacklers on the team on the coverage units, the 10 best blockers on the return units.
But them I haven’t been coaching for over 30 years.
ty webb
January 1st, 2012
2:36 pm
I would give “murry” away too…Now Murray, I’d keep.
Dawg48
January 1st, 2012
2:36 pm
Bitter
Dude come up with something else!
All you do is post about Murray……
ty webb
January 1st, 2012
2:38 pm
and “as a dawg fan”, you’d know his name was Murray.
Worm
January 1st, 2012
2:40 pm
Paul Johnson wearing the Golden Sombrero is equal to Micheal Dukakis in a Tank!
Golen Sombrero-0-4 in Bowls-wear it proudly Paul-”Players just didn’t make plays”!
GIVE ME A BREAK
January 1st, 2012
2:42 pm
Defense gave up only 17 points in regulation after you subtract the pick 6. Offensive play calling in the 4th Q was awful. CPJ still needs some help calling short quick passes to use when the rushing game is stopped. I still like our players except for kicking. CPJ has one more year to prove that he’s a FBS coach.
Garyl
January 1st, 2012
2:44 pm
Bill Lewis about put GT into the Southern Conference, Gailey was so intimadated by Richt and now PJ thinks he has a Defensive Coordinator in Groh, that he plans on sitting on a 14 point lead and expects groh to hold them. PJ has to go along with Groh, next year which bowl do we lose in? Belk ? Music City ?, we havent been to those New Years Day bowls yet. Cant get recruits, because PJ only wants the super talent that Elon, Ball State, UAB or Troy offers. Need to replace Georgia on schedule with Ga. State, we will never beat UGA again–sad to say.
PJ
January 1st, 2012
2:45 pm
I knew GT was going to lose even ahead with 2 TD. PJ start making some extreme conservative play calling rather than running their ususal offense. Any other coach would have been fire with a 0-4 bowl record.
duronimo
January 1st, 2012
2:52 pm
Both Tech and UGA are enigmatic. Georgia rarely plays an entire game and Tech at times takes a whole game off. I watched Auburn last night. They looked fantastic. The play calling was truly innovative. Virginia played well too. In fact almost all the bowl games have been entertaining. That will end tomorrow when UGA plays yet another 1/2 game.
K
January 1st, 2012
2:53 pm
Good article, Mark.
And all that being said, Johnson is paid a lot of money to deliver more than he is delivering.
Just frustrating as a Tech fan.
K
January 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
Must decline any bowl game next year!
If even” bowl eligible.”
GT65
January 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
I’m for the first time since 1966 starting to lose all confidence in GT sports program except baseball and womens Basketball.
UGA = Yawn
January 1st, 2012
2:56 pm
Do I think Johnson is a good coach? Yes.
Do I want him as the GT coach? No.
Garyl
January 1st, 2012
2:57 pm
Is there a reason when you are 6-0, Orwin Smith is your leading rusher, but yesterday he handled the ball one time ????, PJ, do you remember the old saying, ” you stick with who you went to the dance with ?” Getting tired of Grohs 3-4 and PJ’s play calling, and wasting talent like Orwin.
UGA = Yawn
January 1st, 2012
2:57 pm
K, I agree. I actually think we should have declined a few others in the past also.
Garyl
January 1st, 2012
3:00 pm
GT65, Get ready for Danny Halls yearly choke. Every season, preseason top 10, every year in NCAA regional playoffs at his own home field, he chokes and GT loses to the number 4 seed. This season we are picked at No. 9, remember that when season ends with Hall losing the Atlanta regions.
Mark Bradley
January 1st, 2012
3:00 pm
I believe Orwin Smith was hurt yesterday.
Bozydeco
January 1st, 2012
3:06 pm
Mark – you are correct regarding special teams coordinator. Compare Tech’s game to Auburn’s game. As an Auburn fan at the game, anyone will tell you that it was the special teams which made the difference with 2 blocked punts, 1 onside kick recovery, 2 made field goals, and a long return. Oh, Jay Boulware is Auburn’s special teams coordinator.
Snellville Jacket
January 1st, 2012
3:08 pm
Come on, Tech fans. I was as frustrated as anyone after yesterday’s loss, but let’s get real. CPJ is averaging almost nine wins a season (2008 – 9 wins; 2009 – 11 wins; 2010 – six wins; 2011 – 8 wins). No other coach in Tech history has done this well in his first four years. Yes losing stinks, but fire PJ? You guys must be nuts!
Mark Bradley
January 1st, 2012
3:11 pm
I would never suggest that Paul Johnson should be fired. But I do think he can stand to tweak a few things.
UGA = Yawn
January 1st, 2012
3:14 pm
Snellville. Forget 3 or 4 years ago. Last year 6 wins. This year 8 somehow and about 3 or 4 just AWFUL games – VT, UGA, Utah, Virginia / Miami. I don’t really see improvement and 2009 seems sooo long ago now.
UGA = Yawn
January 1st, 2012
3:17 pm
Mark, he should be fired or maybe accept a job at another school. 0-4 in bowls. 1-3 vs UGA. 1-3 vs VT. He is 2-10 in the 3 biggest games we play. What exactly are his metrics that he is judged to? I would suggest these 3 games. If so, he is a total failure. Anyone of us, if we did this bad at our jobs, would be let go immediately. Add another metric, ticket sales. Awful this year and will be even worse next year.
swarmi
January 1st, 2012
3:20 pm
Garyl follows Tech ball closely. He surely knows Smith re-injured his turf toe on his first/only carry.
MB, even without a ST coach, all Johnson had to do to win was just play to win…he seemed to play not to lose.
Angus
January 1st, 2012
3:24 pm
It doesn’t matter who Tech’s coach is – Tech will always be a 7-8 win team with the occasional really good season and the more frequent stinker of a season.
That being said, I don’t like watching bad football and Tech played a bunch of bad football this year.
How’s the hoops team this year?
It’s tough times for the Jackets.
Steve
January 1st, 2012
3:25 pm
“Snellville Jacket,” excited about 9 wins. Says a lot about Tech fans expectations. UGA would never be happy with averaging 9 wins a year.
Sugar Hill Dawg
January 1st, 2012
3:30 pm
Sure seems like Dave Braine knew what he was talking about. Maybe Chan and Reggie can return and work some more Joke Magic!
wreckmaniac
January 1st, 2012
3:30 pm
9-4 would not have been a great achievement. Lose to Miami ? Virginia ? Explain those. And any team that can convincingly beat Clemson should beat Va Tech, UGA and especially Utah.
wreckmaniac
January 1st, 2012
3:33 pm
Mark the ” tweak” needed here is radical. I hope DRAD can’t sleep . It starts with him.
Atlanta Native
January 1st, 2012
3:33 pm
Take out all of the wins against Division II teams (and Duke) and see what Paul Johnson’s Won-Loss record is.
Not too impressive, is it?
wreckmaniac
January 1st, 2012
3:34 pm
The second half collapse of this team is worse than that of the Braves.
UGA = Yawn
January 1st, 2012
3:37 pm
And Snellville misses a big point. We were 6-0 in our 1st 6 games and 2-5 in out last 7. That isn’t progress.
curt moore
January 1st, 2012
3:38 pm
CPJ crossed over into CPH territory on Saturday. The feeling toward him will be forever etched in this total collapse of GT team. I’m a TECH fan of 61 years, this is one of the worst ever. Lots of frustration regarding the management of our football program. Our PK(MOORE) who is on scholarship, was not good enough to call to win the game. CPJ called on a kid from Dawsonville to attempt his first FG of the year. What a revolting development this is. It appears the kid is a better kicker than Moore. Whats the deal. Frustration is at a high level. CPJ makes jokes about ST coach and even said to me one time that he didn’t give much thought to the kicking game. It’s about time he gets interested. Our PK and P are not of the caliber to perform at the level necessary to be at this level in college football. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wreckmaniac
January 1st, 2012
3:40 pm
The college bowl setup is designed to breed mediocrity. When you send Miss State, Wake Forest, Tech, Auburn, and Virginia to bowls you are reducing the standard for high achievment. The “good old days” of 5-6 bowls set a high standard of achievement. Lets go back to that. College football should not humiliate itself just because a few advertisers want to spend money. Let these advertisers buy NFL TV time of give it to Google.
We Own You....
January 1st, 2012
3:41 pm
It never gets old.
wreckmaniac
January 1st, 2012
3:43 pm
Steve: If a team had UGA’s schedule, it shouldn’t lose any games.
Mark...
January 1st, 2012
3:56 pm
if you are so smart regarding football…. why arent you coaching anywhere? It seems the best you can do is write about it
Snellville Jacket
January 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
Sorry UGA=Yawn, I’ve been around too long and seen too many cases where a good coach has been fired to get the team off some imaginary performance plateau. Think Leeman Bennett (Falcons) and Joe Torre (Braves) just to name a couple. Am I happy with our season? Not especially. Is it time to do something stupid like firing a good coach? Not a chance.
Mark Bradley
January 1st, 2012
3:59 pm
I’d suggest that Clemson is a fairly big game for Tech. And I believe Johnson is 4-1 against CU.
JoeFan
January 1st, 2012
4:00 pm
Yep Tech tossed this game away and one or two during the season because of defensive and special team lapses. Really think Johnson can win consistently at Tech and occasionally have a monster season but first he needs to improve in the two areas just sited and add a few more wrinkles to the offense just to keep defenses honest. Lets hope he is not to hard headed to make changes.
Douglas
January 1st, 2012
4:01 pm
Mark: I believe you are correct in that teams need to designate a coach as special teams coach. UGA needs to choose someone because special teams play definitely hurt UGA this year. We had an all American kicker who suddenly missed many FG’s. Our coverage was pathetic against LSU.
Mark Bradley
January 1st, 2012
4:02 pm
You’re right, Douglas. I wouldn’t hold Georgia up as the paradigm of special teams, either. I covered the game in Jacksonville.
Douglas
January 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
Bananajacket: you play in the ACC and that is the best you can do? Try playing in the SEC.
Ted M
January 1st, 2012
4:23 pm
Has Johnson ever had team that was at least average on special teams?
jackdog
January 1st, 2012
4:27 pm
As a long time Jacket fan, I am tired of Tevan Washington, the option offense, and a coach that is content with mediocrity. CPJ will probably get another year, but GT should cut his pay as he is without a doubt not a 2 million dollar coach. GT deserves better but now there is no respect for the school and Georgia fans do not even take the GT football team seriously. It is too bad that our Yellow Jackets have sunk this low and I don’t see it getting any better with the current coaching assembled under Radakovich, and CPJ. I think i will pull for LSU!
BigGAdawg
January 1st, 2012
4:38 pm
Please do not fire CPJ–as a UGA fan that is who we want to play against every year til he retires.
However, Tech, you have officially become an embarrassment to the state. SEVEN Bowl losses in a row. Just not acceptable. I expect that sort of play against our guys in bowl games you are not just playing for yourselves you are playing for the state as well.
So, until you figure out how to win a bowl game we are going to have to change your name–you may no longer use the name Georgia. We will call you the “Tech School in the Hood.” When you learn to win a few bowl games we may revisit this issue you silly little nerds.
UGA = Yawn
January 1st, 2012
4:54 pm
Clemson is one of those anomolies. A big rivalry for Tech that we seem to win. VT is a bigger game now as that usually decided who wins our division. UGA is a super big game and the bowl game is the last game of the year. Those 3 are the true biggies and he is horrid in those 3. He must go ala Hewitt. Let’s not wait 2 or 3 more years like we had to do with Hewitt.
GTfan..
January 1st, 2012
4:57 pm
Special teams & Open up the Offense …Defense has got better but ?
I didn’t say fire Johnson but I’m like Mark, alot needs fixing. Go Jackets next year!
T-Bone
January 1st, 2012
4:57 pm
No matter what CPJ says, he pulled the reigns back in the fourth qtr. Not being able to milk the clock with 4+ minutes left and a 2 TD lead, is inexcusable . . . and that’s coaching.
Mark Bradley
January 1st, 2012
5:04 pm
I was surprised that Tech seemed to get so conservative. But the core of option football is making the read. Apparently — I say “apparently” because I wasn’t in El Paso — the Jackets were getting a certain look and then not being able to block it.
yeller bug
January 1st, 2012
5:08 pm
A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool. –Prov 17:10
I like CPJ and GT football is better than what we had in the Gailey era. That said, there are some special team deficiencies that keep popping up and it should be obvious to most that as Mark has stated just a few key plays here and there during a game can make the difference between a win and a loss–a 10 -3 record vs. a 8 – 5. We’ll see if CPJ takes notice and takes action in 2012. That said, the coach can’t kick the ball for the player and having a dedicated coach may not resolve that. Perhaps a kicking consultant or mentor may provide greater improvement or simply find better talent. Tech’s high quality academic degree should entice the best kickers and punters to come to our school as our unique offense has no bearing on the kicking game—-we score a lot of points so kickers should want to come here. Also, consolidating all special teams under one coach doesn’t necessarily imply better special teams performance. What commonalities or synergy is gained by having the same coach do kick off returns and punts? The two are as different as offense and defense.
wes
January 1st, 2012
5:35 pm
However, I agree that our special teams stink.
CPJ just needs to do gooder in recruiting.
Kudos on all of your predictions in 2011. You pretty much nailed it.
Dacusville Bill
January 1st, 2012
5:41 pm
Never thought, I’d say “I miss Gomer Gailey” Only Coach worst that the Fat man occupying the position would be Bill Lewis–He loses 4 straight to Jawgie and lose another bowl game, maybe Lewis will be given a 2nd chance–
Dacusville Bill
January 1st, 2012
5:43 pm
Enter your comments here Bring back Gomer Gailey or give Bill Lewis a second chance
CPJ
January 1st, 2012
5:56 pm
We won the first three quarters, so it was a moral victory for us.
BILLDAWG
January 1st, 2012
7:41 pm
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU HIRE A COACH AWAY FROM A MILITARY ACADEMY? IT’S NOT LIKE HE EVER DID ANYTHING OTHER THAN LOOK GOOD AT GA SOUTHERN AT THAT LEVEL AND WIN SOME AT NAVY. LOOK AT THE NAVY SCHEDULE WHEN HE WAS THERE — NOT A REAL TOUGH SCHEDULE.
IF JOHNSON WAS AT ANY SEC SCHOOL WITH HIS RECORD AND ATTITUDE, HE WOULD BE READING THE HELP WANTED ADS TODAY.
GT Grad
January 1st, 2012
8:40 pm
Paul Johnson was about to go for it on 4th and 2 in OT…really? All Utah needed was to get into field goal range if that little gimmick did not work out…He actually thought about going for it…
Former 1990 Champ
January 1st, 2012
9:04 pm
@Snellville Jacket. PJ is 0-4 in bowl games. 1-3 against UGA. That is not good enough.
The Ole Ball Coach
January 1st, 2012
9:16 pm
I am so glad I am not a Georgia Tech fan,,,,,,how much misery they must have……How many different ways can you lose a game…..
Sugar Hill Dawg
January 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
CPJ’s primary task for the next month is to evaluate talent, “close the deal,” and work with his kids. Look at what happened to Bama vs. LSU – I find it hard to believe Nick Saban told Les Miles at midfield “Gee, it never occurred to me to recruit a competent place kicker.” The kickers are human – some rise to the occasion, some choke. Tech’s on the right path – now if the APD can keep the student body from being daily shooting gallery targets I’d say Tech’s on the way up! (My boys are at Auburn – I gladly pay the out of state tuition to keep them safe in a college town environment. My math major son told me he’ll transfer to Tech to ease out financial burden – while I’d be proud of my son for earning a Tech degree, I’d rather him survive for the remaining two years he needs than to eliminate the tuition costs.)
Ga Tech Old Timer
January 1st, 2012
10:14 pm
Mark – I’ve been a Tech supporter since the Bobby Dodd days and a season ticket holder for not quite as many years. You’ve “hit the nail on the head” both in terms of your suggestion and Coach Johnson’s attitude. The problem with Coach is he thinks he can be defensive about his attitude, coaching hires, play selection and allocation of personnel do certain necessary functions like “Special Teams” but the truth is that only works with the fans and the support base that recommended him to the AD if you continue to show improvement every year – in every phase of the game. Bobby Dodd had some great teams back in the day. He didn’t win them all every year but his teams were coached a hell of a lot better than what Tech has today and with a lot better attitude toward fans and media alike. Johnson’s refusal to even consider a different approach shows the lack of leadership qualities that will eventually be his demise on the Flats. Johnson doesn’t have to try everyones ideas – but what he does have to do is overcome his stubbornness. When he first came to Tech – his attitude was perceived as confidence – today – it’s arrogance and it’s hurting the team and that translates to fans and money (ticket sales) for the school which is the bottom line. Please keep plugging away with your analysis and one of these days maybe either Coach Johnson or the institution – or the fans will have their eyes opened – one way or the other.
GTforever
January 2nd, 2012
1:34 am
GT doesn’t have the athletes. CPJ is not getting the job done in recruiting. Bottom line. No coach can succeed with inferior athletes. CPJ’s first two classes 2008, 2009 have been flops as a whole. Gailey was a very good coach but he could not recruit a very good QB, so far CPJ hasn’t put any Playmakers at all on the field (his recruits). He had better find some Playmakers or he is gone.
Mama says
January 2nd, 2012
6:36 am
Facts we cannot deny and post corrections.
We did not have 2 of our starting rb’s. 1 starting lb, 1 starting corner and 1 starting o lineman.
During the game we lost another lb and our fill in b back hurt his ankle. And 1 starting o lineman was suspended.
Washington cannot throw the ball and was only slightly better at it than Nesbitt. CPJ was right to try to run the ball in the 4th when we were winning by 14 with 8 mins left- it’s football 101.
Orwin Smith did suit up and start, one of you complained because he was benched , he reinjured his turf toe and took himself out with that pain.
Finally like Snellville Jacket said, we have won more now than in the past and I will add this question, do any of you remember the predictions for the team at the start of the season ? I do 6-6 would have been an accomplishment according to most.
Bottom line in this game and others ? Nealy told us- they let up on defense, so they lost.
Buzz2011
January 2nd, 2012
7:03 am
That ’s just you Bradley ” once again”.. Stick to your ovrated leghumpers with the high school schedule . Lert’s see how much expertise the Dawgs have. Maybe you could get the Dawgs field goal kicker to help us at GT..I understand he had a big year!…………………
Having a Eureka moment here
January 2nd, 2012
7:57 am
After reading some of the positive (if misguided) GT comments regarding the could’a- would’a- should’a approach they use in assessing their program I notice my dog has some pretty large ears. Now if they were only a little bit larger and he could learn to flap them a little harder I bet he could fly or at least hover.
Hey Buzz2011 that kicker has a chance to leave the program as the all time scoring leader in UGA kicking history. You might want to look into the All American kickers that have traveled through Athens before you make embarassing commnets.
mdp1985
January 2nd, 2012
8:18 am
I am a true Tech fan. I went to school there; walked on in football and graduated in 1985. To all the aggravated Tech fans, who on the bench did CPJ have to kick the ball? He had no one. Justin Moore simply has not done very well. Remember Luke Manget and Scott Scisson. Tech has had some great kickers in the past. CPJ simply has not found a gem kicker yet. The kid from Calhoun would have been great but he chose Alabama. Kicking is about individual performance and Tech does not have that kid. Due to the lack of a great kicking recruit coming to Tech perhaps a specialist might just be the ticket. I heard that Scott Scisson was in town for the Calhoun game.
JetBuzz
January 2nd, 2012
8:23 am
For this grad, I share in the frustration and disappointment of many Jacket alumns and fans. This annual end-of-season gut bomb is more than old. It’s unacceptable. Coaching miscues (4Q O & D) combined with player miscues leads to Loss. And many of these very issues (ST, QB efficiency, D backfield, etc.) were hot topics LAST January 2nd….
The second half of our typical season is a better metric of evaluation. The Div II FCS games in Sep help get us IN the bowl games, but don’t prove we can WIN the bowl games.
Some recruits look very promising – but let’s talk after signing day, not now. First area for evaluation – QB. TW is a good kid but not Top 25 calibre, and this was obvious LAST season. Without a very talented QB, this option offense doesn’t win many big games, and we haven’t.
Second area for evaluation – special teams. ST were horrible LAST season. Again nothing much has changed.
Defense – year to year improvement, questionable.
Next year is now. Time for change and major progress.
Technically Correct
January 2nd, 2012
8:45 am
Tech will continue to experience attrition of its fan base, if CPJ’s teams continue to under-achieve. He needs to either do a better job of recruiting to increase his talent level or do a better job of coaching and preparation to get more out of the talent level that he has or, better yet, both. It can start with a quality, dual-threat QB on offense and pass rush on defense. It might be time for CPJ to learn to kowtow to some 5-star egos…
Albert
January 2nd, 2012
8:46 am
@Buzz2011: Looks like you guys could use some help. Seven in a row is pitiful.
Trade School FTW
January 2nd, 2012
9:18 am
I aint feelin it on the Flats for next year. I figure 8 wins(maybe) a loss to Ga and another third tier bowl loss. At that point Drad will have to save his own neck and fire CPJ. Turkey neck is too old and too prideful to change. He cant recruit, and he doesnt care about defense OR special teams. Frank Beamer have a son interested inna job at all?
Paul's Gone
January 2nd, 2012
9:22 am
johnson’s offense doesn’t work against good defenses—it’s time for Tech to bring in a coach who runs a traditional offense instead of this high school option. It’s time for pj to go!
Tech Man
January 2nd, 2012
9:23 am
Bradley, other than special teams, what else would you recommend? Surely a man of your intellectual capital can deliver on more than just one. Looking forward to others.
Jerry
January 2nd, 2012
9:39 am
How many of you geniuses are making $2.4 Million a year? I’d say Paul Johnson has done more with his talents and abilities than 100% of his critics. Opinions are like rectums everybody has one and most of them stink. So rail on into the night on nothingness. Only your fellow cyber crybabies are listening.
Go ahead express your opinion which matters not. Paul Johnson will continue to Coach the way he sees fit. So far it has made him a wealthy man.
By the way, I notice most of you internet dimwits re-hash the same crap over and over. Do you just have things stored on you hard drive and copy and paste them after each game? At least try some creativity and constructive criticism.
Tech Man
January 2nd, 2012
9:40 am
Pretty odd that we call Johnson “arrogant” and praise Richt. Isn’t Richt the one with the plantation mentality? Where is Wayshaun? King? What is the arrest record? Where does the Fulmer Cup reside annually? What happens to former Dawgs? What meaning do they achieve post football? And Richt is a leader? Hardly. He is a user. He returns nothing to those who play for him. Nothing.
Aiken Jacket
January 2nd, 2012
9:46 am
I lay this loss squarely on the shoulders of the Coaches. After getting ahead by two touchdowns, we played not to lose instead of playing to win.
Technically Correct
January 2nd, 2012
9:48 am
Ironically, CPJ only needs five quality recruits to see marked improvement: A dual threat QB, three pass rushing madmen on the D-line and a reliable kicker.
Smyrna Gold
January 2nd, 2012
9:53 am
I think CPJ has set this program back 10 years. Don’t think it will ever survive and I, for one, am depressed as hell.
Ted M
January 2nd, 2012
10:01 am
I’m not to happy Johnson’s performance. But I don’t think they should fire him. That could change though in a couple of years.
If Johnson should be fired in a couple of years, I don’t think GT will be able to b/c of his contract buyout.
Ted M
January 2nd, 2012
10:03 am
TC – I don’t think Johnson puts much importance or effort into recruiting.
Albert
January 2nd, 2012
10:05 am
Where is SuperSize? We miss his daily drivel.
BananaJacket
January 2nd, 2012
10:17 am
Douglas-don’t really understand your point about “try playing in the SEC”. And, I am not trying to be argumentative. We did once play in the SEC and did quite well (yes, that is old history but…). And, yes, UGA is better than Tech at present; the SEC is better (overall) than the ACC. Still don’t get what that has to do with my simple original observations. I would also mention to all those who continue to say that Gailey was so much better at recruiting. It has been shown many times that he had ONE stellar recruiting year and PJ’s have been as good or better the other years. That being said, neither did, or have, sustained really good recruiting classes. Some of Tech’s excuses for this are relevant, but not acceptable as a whole. Happy New Year and good luck tonigt.
BananaJacket
January 2nd, 2012
10:18 am
Enter your comments here
Coach Fish Fry
January 2nd, 2012
10:18 am
Come on Mark…..don’t waffle…..Johnson is still a better coach than Richt…..I thought the headline of this piece would be “Tech Loses But Paul Johnson Still Outcoaches Mark Richt”.
Wild Bill
January 2nd, 2012
10:23 am
Hmmmmm – what was wrong with my post concerning the real embarrassment to the State of Georgia being its educational system to which UGA deserves the credit?
Wild Bill
January 2nd, 2012
10:41 am
I am not ready to fire Coach Johnson or Coach Groh, I think both have the athletes’ best interest at heart and try to get the best performance out of each one.
@Mama says – thanks for bringing up the excellent points about the injuries to key players just before and during the game. I think losing Julian Burnett hurt the most, particularly in the fourth quarter and over time.
UGA will always have a better opportunity to recruit good players than Tech will, just look at the ratio of male students to female students.
Although Tech alumni may not fill the seats at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Grant Field our alumni are ranked as the most generous in donations to our alma mater.
Inferiority complex
January 2nd, 2012
11:09 am
Looks like CPJ must have gotten under Bradley’s skin somewhere along the line.
If Sculley hits the long field goal at the end of regulation…CPJ is a genius. As fate would have it, Sculley is wide right, so CPJ is a dunce.
Come on Bradley, grow up.
Coach Fish Fry
January 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
Come on guys, I am a PE major from Western Carolina and the smartest man in the world….do not question me about my decisions or I will call you retarded or punch you in the face. I have bigger fish to fry, namely recruiting A-Backs and B-Backs…..i gotta get ready for Middle Tennessee State so we can rush for 700 yards to boost our per game rushing average……I have a triple chin and I am an arrogant, rude, jerk who yells at sideline reporters…..I am coach Fish Fry
William Casey
January 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
THIRD TRY AT POSTING. LOL
William Casey
January 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
Gentlemen. Some observations without rancor.
1. GT was an extremely young football team this year with little margin for error. In the larger scheme of things, the team’s personnel losses for the bowl game were the underlying reason for the loss. However, the game was still winnable.
2. CPJ has forgotten more football than I ever knew in spite of the fact that I coached quite a bit at the high school level. However, I disagree with him on the need for a true special teams coach. It promotes accountability for the players. Hire an “up-and-coming” young guy looking to break into college football coaching and give him absolute final say concerning special teams. In spite of the denigration of high school and small college football seen on GT blogs, there are a lot of smart guys out there who would love such an opportunity. If $ is a problem, I’ll donate $100. Are there 1000 other GT fans willing to do so? If not, we should give up football.
3. OFFENSE: Lost in our disappointment is the fact that our young and thin OL played remarkably well against a solid defense until they simply wore down. And that was WITHOUT our best OL.
4. QB: We all know that Tevin Washington has limitations, most importantly, the ability to get the tough 1-2 yards at crucial times as Nesbitt did. Tevin played well against Utah. He’s just not good enough to be a game changer at this level. Hopefully, he’ll accept the role as mentor to Vad Lee next year, ready to step in if Vad’s not ready. An option team always needs two QB’s. I don’t know what to make of the Days situation.
5. The use of the shotgun (limited) shows me that CPJ has an open mind.
Technically Correct
January 2nd, 2012
11:23 am
Since it is universally agreed that recruiting is a major key to college football success, and since some coaches are better at recruiting than others, maybe CPJ should look into hiring the best recruiting coordinator out there to improve our results.
There is a Reason Giff Smith Left
January 2nd, 2012
11:30 am
Giff Smith was an excellent recruiter, but he chose to coach under Chan Gailey in lovely Buffalo, NY rather than stay in the frozen tundra of Atlanta, GA with Coach Paul Johnson. Johnson is a rude jerk who is not likeable and could not keep the most important coach on his staff.
There is a Reason Giff Smith Left
January 2nd, 2012
11:32 am
Technically….. Johnson had a great recruiting coordinator in Giff Smith. Giff did not like Johnson and went to coach under Chan Gailey in balmy Buffalo, NY.
William Casey
January 2nd, 2012
11:48 am
MORE:
6. DEFENSE: We obviously need a big, mean guy in the middle of the DL who requires double-teaming on occasion.
7. OVERALL: GT is not that far from being a good football team, not SEC West good, but good. We are three years away from being in “panic” mode. There are many people here who don’t like CPJ for personal reasons (hence the dumb comments about his appearance.) I get that. NOT a reason to fire a competent coach. WHO do we get to replace him? I’d like to see a “short list” from those calling for a change. GT is a different kind of institution, hasn’t changed much since I attended 40+ years ago. Keep that in mind. Let’s see if CPJ can fix our obvious problems.
Wild Bill
January 2nd, 2012
12:14 pm
@ William Casey – I totally agree, we were probably walking up the Hill together at some point, I got out in 1970. People who did not attend Tech just do not understand the difficulties involved and I think it is probably harder today than in the late ’60’s. If I were a student now I would have to pack heat because there were many late nights spent in the architecture building. Of course, some of my friends and I would also probably spend some nights roving the streets looking for hoodlums.
We just need to be patient, Coach Johnson and Groh are not perfect but they want to win just as much as we do, probably more after letting the Utah game get away.
this dawg want hunt!!
January 2nd, 2012
12:21 pm
MB, stop sugar coating the loss, and put the blame where it should be. That is on Tech’s pathetic defense. Even in overtime, Tech couldn’t stop a run up the middle for a T.D., nor could it stop a pitiful passing team from converting a T.D. to tie the game on 4th down. Tech will never win against a good offense. Tech can’t stop the run, and their secondary is awful. Bottomline, until your favorite coach can recruit good defensive players, Tech will never beat a good team with a good offense. To all you arrogant Tech fans, get accustomed to getting your asses handed to you by UGA or anyother good offense. CPJ is a joke, and so is his buddy M.B.
William Casey
January 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
@WILD BILL: I well remember sometimes parking over in the “projects” (Techwood Homes?) and trudging up the hill. Campus looks a lot better today but I’d be much more careful than I was back-in-the-day.
@This Dawg: I wonder if the Utah RB scores if Burnette was in there. Guess we’ll never know. Being in man coverage on the TD pass was AN AWFUL ERROR. We’ve (anyone who has ever coached) all made them. I remember a game I coached back in 1980… LOL
RambleOn84
January 2nd, 2012
1:38 pm
I completely understand Johnson’s point on the issue…but after all of the special teams woes, why not give it a try?
We don’t employ an offensive coordinator, so why not use that money on a top-notch special teams coach?
With that said, I’m not sure any amount of coaching can help a guy make a field goal.
Technically Correct
January 2nd, 2012
1:52 pm
Tech must recruit from a smaller universe of quality players due to academic considerations. Georgia will always get the 5-star football, but marginal students. Our problem of late is that too many qualified, quality recruits from our typical recuiting areas are going to other great academic institutions, places like Stanford and Notre Dame and, even, Vanderbilt. Get some of those to attend Tech and you will see improvement on the field.
Oldhoopster
January 2nd, 2012
2:25 pm
Forget special teams coaching. The problem is lack of fast athletes. GT has no depth and that really shows up on the special teams and the defensive backfield. The big football schools have stock piles of good athletes who are waiting their turn and playing special teams or being converted to defensive backs. If you are a good athlete with speed at GT you are already playing. This is why GT has been poor on special teams and pass defense since the fifties when GT was a big football school. If GT could recruit more quality athletes the problem would go away.
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
2:26 pm
Boykin 8, Sparty 0.
Robert Barron
January 2nd, 2012
2:33 pm
Yes PJ makes 2.4 mil and I don’t but as a non grad, I don’t have to contribute to paying him either.
The bowl loss (which one?) was exactly like the Falcons playoff loss to Dallas in 1980.
Whoever called the plays stopped the offense, not Utah or Dallas.
I don’t want to hear any more knocks on Tevin.
He had his best game and hit his receivers in stride.
To stop throwing the ball was as dumb for Tech as it was for the Falcons then.
This was a Paul Johnson choke just like Leeman Bennett choked the Falcons to a loss.
Tevin does not get the credit he deserves.
Without the bad call at the goal that allowed a fumble when offsides should have been called, Tevin leads a blowout win over Clemson.
Tevin had us to a likely tie vs Uga in 2010 until the placekicker missed the extra point.
Tevin has done a good job and it is about time so of u noticed it.
One of the weaknesses at Tech is not at the QB position.
Robert Barron
January 2nd, 2012
2:39 pm
Season ticket holder football 2009, 2010, 2011.
Basketball 2009, 2010.
No more.
PJ is way overpaid.
He just ruined Tevin’s breakout game, refusing to let him win it after he revealed that he can pass the ball well and hit receivers in stride.
Maybe Tech is a dead end job and we can’t get anyone very good.
But I don’t have to pay someone for choking the game away and then failing to man up.
You do it.
Thank you coach Johnson for some “found” money though.
Robert Barron
January 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
Georgia’s talent is saving their mediocre coaches again.
Robert Barron
January 2nd, 2012
2:52 pm
Jamea Thomas played the ball vs Clemson and got a pick in the endzone.
So he does know how to do it.
Who is coaching him not to look back and knock the ball away?
Scrod
January 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
Tech may lack a “special” brand, but CPJ does not. His brand is “arrogant loser”. Time for him to go.
UGA = Yawn
January 2nd, 2012
4:22 pm
I log in once a day hoping I will see the headline ‘Johnson fired’ or ‘Johnson steps down’. WTF!? What are they waiting for. The same thing that happened in Hewitt’s last years (empty arena) will start happening next year for football. We hardly sell that many tickets to begin with – next years will probably be even worse.
TechMan90
January 2nd, 2012
5:35 pm
@ Mark- Write up something about CPJ not being able to hire good coaches around him. Also write something about the lack of GT being in the top 25 in recruting(rivals,scout,and Espn)If johnson want to be at GT then he will make the changes that good coaches do.RECRUTING SHOULD BE HIS NO.1 GOAL.
LawDawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:02 pm
Just like UGA, Tech’s HC thinks “If it is horribly, unbelievably broke, don’t fix it.”
Bodidley
January 2nd, 2012
6:22 pm
Mark,
Not sure we need a special teams coordinator but we sure need to recruit a kicker and punter!
dogearedblutic
January 2nd, 2012
7:38 pm
too obvious to ignore; CPJ is incompetent, if you plan on doing Nothing but running a Rushing Offense then you’d Better Get More Backs, or 2012 will be 5-8 if you’re lucky.
GT Fan
January 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
TOTALLY agree with MB on this one! PJ is a stubborn SOB when it comes to not employing a special teams coordinator/coach.
It’s not just the bowl game or Miami that special teams killed us on either. Remember the 2 punt fumble in last year’s bowl game? How bout the 90 KO return TD vs VT last year that ended up being the winning score? How bout the 60 yd return by GA’s Boykin to start the 3rd qtr this year. How many crappy punts did they have this season? And on, and on……
MB, I think ALL coaches say it….Three phases of the game:
Offense
Defense
SPECIAL TEAMS
GT Fan
January 2nd, 2012
7:51 pm
And how did Florida beat Ohio State (24-17) in the Gator Bowl????
B/c the Gators had a 99yd KO return TD and a blocked punt returned for a TD.
GT Texas
January 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
Mark – I was at the Sun Bowl and from what I saw, we started to play what my wife (Tech Grad and also at the game) seemed to be “prevent” offense. We ran Tevin up the middle on a quarterback keeper (3) times and had 4-5 minutes left on the clock. I am not sure if it was the lack of a B-back with Lyons hurt or what, but CPJ looked to be giving it back to the defense to win.
When the defense got back on the field, they were not making as many blitzes as before. There was much more zone in the middle of the field.
Overall, I think we lost the game on conservative play calling. Utah was calling very aggressive plays to win and our coaches got conservative.
Dave from GT
January 3rd, 2012
7:06 am
Parity in college football will probably result in many games being decided by special teams and stupid plays. GT was not the only loser after Monday evening that could say the exact same thing. Good competition exposes weakness in the losers…… extended losing exposes weakness in the coaches.
bob
January 3rd, 2012
10:03 am
My boy was a West Pointer. I watched Johnson kick Armys butt for 4 years. Glad to see him taking some similar losses that he summarily delivered to Army on a yearly basis. Hopefully losing will change his attitude. He does need some help on special teams, but will he take the advice´??
gt4ever
January 3rd, 2012
10:18 am
dogearedblutic,
We don’t play 8 good teams in a season to end up 5 – 8… We still have people that think 8 wins for this season really meant anything… It’s pretty pathetic, actually….
G
January 3rd, 2012
10:46 am
When you have a “One Trick Pony” on offense, and given the time from the end of regular schedule to bowl time, the other team will stop the Triple Option. Tech needs to move to the Div II so they can win. Need another COACH !!!
merril hog
January 3rd, 2012
10:50 am
Bradley, your so smart, why don’t you apply for a coaching job. You are not woth a flip as a journalist.
GT Disgusted
January 3rd, 2012
11:42 am
I am gald to see some of these posts. I was beginning to wonder where are the true Georgia Tech fans and alumni who are sick of losing to Georgia and not winning bowl games? Paul Johnson is an a**hole who is nasty and condescending to the players, and never takes accountability for their losses. That’s not the way you motivate players, genious. If you are a high school player with talent, why would you want to come and play for a coach who can’t win a bowl game? Stand up, Georgia Tech fans and demand change now.
tech
January 3rd, 2012
12:23 pm
Reasons Jonnson has to go!
1. He closed practices cutting off the true fan base! (college football in the south is all about fans!
2. system (players want to play in a system the prepares them for the NFL). They all won’t make it to the league but hey still want a chance.
3. enviorment- It is no fun. For players or fans! He dosen’t care either. (all about him)
4. His coaches are puppets! (scared of him) (NOt Grogh- they never speak)
5. Already going to be years behind when he’s gone!
You had Calvin Johnson and after he left numerous players were wanting to be the next Calvin. Pro style qb’s were even intrested in Tech. What does Drad do? Brings in a guy who turns qb’s and receivers away (no tight ends). All the talk about Navy and Hawaii (are you kidding me) who ever cared about either one of those schools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
foartebuna
January 3rd, 2012
12:49 pm
To me PJ has to go along with that POS Groh. Tech will never return to prominence with PJ. His attitude sucks just ask the players who he chewed out on Nat TV. Me I wish I’d never heard the name Paul Johnson. PJ get out of town now and take those misfits you call assistants with you.
molar roller
January 3rd, 2012
2:16 pm
Will S Days be the quarter back next year? We have got to be able to pass the ball when they got 9 in the box.
BuzzKill
January 3rd, 2012
3:55 pm
Well it appears that there are several here that need to return to there daily jobs or whatever they do and leave the coaching to our football coach. I for one support CPJ I mean come on guys he cant kick the field goals for them can he? I also would like to draw attentiont to this being a very young team. I mean how many starters return and we were down 4 on offense when the game started and lost a huge player on defense in jullian burnett. That matters trust me. Ill go ahead and say that next year were going to be a very very much improved team all the way around. On offense vad is here with a heck of a qb coming in, the line will have another year under there belt. On defense we return 3 very good linebackers and got a huge defensive end coming in. fred Holton will be back with louis young and johnson and the only question i see is a kicker and lets see what happens on signing day.
Golf-One
January 3rd, 2012
9:27 pm
GT was doing O.K. until they lost their best two defensive players and all three running back
just asking
January 4th, 2012
1:05 am
is GROH fired yet? If not, he needs to be.
It is what it is
January 4th, 2012
1:09 am
CPJ was hired because he had favor in the college coaching world winning wherever he was…but when you bring on staff members who were losers and fired from some place, then you are bringing that losing mentality with it and adding it to your team. Now GT is a loser.
I do not care who was hurt or out, we need a staff who can coach around that and get these players mentally to hang on and suck it up. Geez what is wrong with some of you people.
Whiskey Breath
January 4th, 2012
9:12 am
So Paul is a jerk and CMR is the cool guy, right Mark? So much for expecting a little objective journalism. Paul is probably the best coach, but doesn’t have the people skills. Truth be known
Richt has his smart arse days.
South Ga Jacket
January 4th, 2012
3:56 pm
Hey Bark, you are right about tech and special teams. Now, are you going to write an article about UGA special teams being so bad?
GT Jeff
January 4th, 2012
4:12 pm
CMR is a fine person, great recruiter and good coach. However, regarding his 2011 performance, any reasonably objective college football observer would have to agree that UGA lost to ALL FOUR of the true challenges on their final 2011 schedule. Yes, I am saying that UF, Auburn and GT were not true challenges to UGA in 2011. If CMR had had the misfortune of playing LSU and Alabama instead of Ole Miss and Miss State when his team was turning their season around, it is very possible he would no longer be the UGA coach today.
unajacket
January 4th, 2012
6:07 pm
Snellville, you are 100% on target. Miles & Saban would do no better with the same recruiting issues & limitations.
Gtlover
January 4th, 2012
6:39 pm
Of course jawja has more talent! One must be able to read and do math to play at Tech!
We just don’t have a weed-eating major.
Why, we are doing it like we did for 32 years
January 4th, 2012
10:40 pm
“I coached at GA Southern, Elon College and Army and Millsaps College and then at Ga Southern again and we are doing it no differently now than over the last 32 years”.
Yep, he is right. Look at these powers and it splains it all.
Buzzman
January 4th, 2012
10:50 pm
You showed how many games special teams gave up, but how many games did Big Al’s defense give up. I count 4, plus the bowl game. We had the game with 2 touchdown ahead, and what does Big Al do, sit back and watch them throw and run all over us the last 8 minutes. As long as he is our defensive coach we will lose at least 5 games every season..
The ACC is the laughing stock of all athletics
January 5th, 2012
8:52 am
Everyone knew it was beyond foolish for the NCAA to dole out 2 BCS invites to the worst football conference at any level play, and what do they have to show for it? A Va. Tech team that lost in OT to a horrible Michigan squad with a first year coach and then a historic beatdown of epic proportions in the Orange Bowl with a coach who still goes by his baby nickname.
The final nail has been blasted into the ACC coffin! It is time to strip the ACC of their undeserving automatic BCS invite once and for all.
Chicken Farmer
January 5th, 2012
9:47 am
I understand after the Orange Bowl blowout plus the other losses suffered by the ACC in this years bowl season, that a push is in place to change the conference name to NNCC (Nowhere Near Competitive Conference).
In 2012, the biggest concerns for Tech and UGA will be ... | Mark Bradley
January 5th, 2012
10:54 am
[...] are scheduled to return.) But there’s a bit of doubt that will nag at both programs, and it has nothing to do with special teams. In each case, it’s a broader-based [...]