Tech in 2012: It’s a chance for Paul Johnson to look smart
That's Paul Johnson on the right, in case you wondered. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
On the morning of Nov. 28, 2009, Paul Johnson was poised to become the unchallenged king of football in a state that takes the sport seriously. He was 19-5 in two seasons as Georgia Tech’s coach. That night his Jackets would play Georgia, whom they’d famously beaten 45-42 in Athens the year before.
Tech was 10-1, ranked No. 7 nationally and champion of the ACC Coastal Division. Georgia was 6-5, having just lost at home to Kentucky. Not since George O’Leary was working against Jim Donnan had Tech beaten the Bulldogs twice in a row – Chan Gailey, O’Leary’s successor, hadn’t done it even once – and now Johnson was roundly favored to make it 2-for-2 against the hated Mutts.
But Georgia won. The Bulldogs pounded the Jackets on the ground, and Tech’s final chance was wasted when Demaryius Thomas dropped a fourth-down pass. For Tech and for Johnson, nothing since has been nearly as good.
From Johnson’s 19-5 start, Tech has gone 15-14. (The sweetest of those 15 on-the-field victories – the 2009 ACC championship game over Clemson – was vacated by NCAA sanctions involving Thomas’ eligibility.) Tech went 6-7 in 2010, 8-5 last season after starting 6-0. Tech hasn’t beaten Georgia since 2008 and hasn’t won a bowl game under Johnson. All of which means …
This is a mighty big year for Tech and its coach.
The first blush of success has faded. The big names Johnson inherited from Gailey are gone. Tech hasn’t fallen to pieces — on Oct. 15, 2011, it was ranked No. 12 in the land, and two weeks later it would beat No. 6 Clemson by two touchdowns – but it hasn’t consolidated the gains of 2008 and 2009.
Which isn’t to say it’s in complete retreat. Tech has been picked to finish second in the ACC Coastal Division, and if the Jackets can beat Virginia Tech on Labor Day night in Blacksburg they’ll become the front-runner. (The Tech-Tech winner has taken the Coastal every year of its existence.)
Speaking at Tech’s media convocation Saturday, Johnson nodded to his opener and also beyond, to early games against Virginia and Miami. “Clearly the month of September is going to be huge,” he said. “We may be the only team in America with three division games in September.” (Actually, it’s not the only team in Georgia that does. Check UGA’s schedule.)
The Jackets have an incumbent quarterback in Tevin Washington, an excellent A-back in Orwin Smith and a defense that has, in two seasons under coordinator Al Groh, made incremental improvement. Johnson called this team the deepest “since I’ve been here,” but depth isn’t to be mistaken for top-end talent.
Going on available manpower, this wouldn’t seem much different than last season’s team, or 2010’s. Once again, Tech isn’t apt to out-talent many ACC opponents. If you handed this roster to another coach, you would hope he could bleed out six wins. But Johnson by himself constitutes a mighty X-factor.
He is, as has been noted, a really good coach. He’s capable of winning games you’d swear he shouldn’t. (Clemson last season is the most recent example, though Clemson offers the flip side of that X: On any given Saturday, it can lose to just about anybody and yield 70 points in the process.) Johnson has always come across as the smartest guy in the room, and through the 2008 season and most of 2009 he seemed the sharpest coach in this state.
But those seasons were a while ago, and the clock’s ticking. Georgia Tech has again assumed also-ran status in the not-exactly-top-heavy ACC and, having lost three consecutive in-state collisions, is again staring up at the Bulldogs. This remains a proud and resourceful program, but it could stand a jolt.
That jolt could arrive Labor Day night. (Full disclosure: I think it will.) Even as Johnson tried to downplay the Virginia Tech game – “Is it the end-all be-all to the season? I would doubt it,” he said Saturday – there’s no doubting the opportunity it presents. It’s a big game on the road against a brand-name opponent, which means it’s a prime-time chance for Paul Johnson to remind us he’s still Paul Johnson.
By Mark Bradley
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454 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:12 pm
@ fbGuy…..and with UGA’s creampuff schedule, they should lose only to USC, Auburn, and the SEC championship game which they will probably get into through the back door. But I think they will also lose to Tech, for the same reasons that you think they won’t
St Richt
August 4th, 2012
10:13 pm
Not to mention that chuck Oliver is an inter-galactic d bag and GT hater. I wouldn’t talk to him either.
fbGuy
August 4th, 2012
10:14 pm
Yep, if UGA loses those three, they also likely won’t matter either
fbGuy
August 4th, 2012
10:15 pm
I have no investment in either state team. Just offering a likely outcome
Ol'JacketFan
August 4th, 2012
10:17 pm
In all honesty only teams with 0 or 1 loss are truly relevant to the polls and bowls,
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:17 pm
@ fbGuy…..fair enough. But I DO think we will beat VT and UGA. Clemson and UNC worry me more than anybody else
Ol'JacketFan
August 4th, 2012
10:18 pm
But a 10 or 11 win season is nothing to be ashamed of either
fbGuy
August 4th, 2012
10:21 pm
Maybe. Talent-wise they will be hard pressed against VT and GA. But i see Clemson as not as certain a loss, but then i think GA will beat Mizzou and lose to Auburn and FL.
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
10:22 pm
How bout the attempt to ruin a young mans life for what had to be one of his happiest moments!!
That would be the lowest thing I have ever seen an internet troll do. I still don’t know what he was hoping to accomplish.
Big Crimson 75
August 4th, 2012
10:23 pm
Tech will improve over last season.
They’ll catch 1, maybe 2 more wins.
I wanna see a big bad dominant mid-90s Nebraska style running game from this team.
If Johnson goes down, go down swinging!!
You can win at the highest level in college running an option offense.
Tommie Frazier couldn’t throw a spiral 20yards & he was a dominant player.
Johnson needs His offense running @ 100% capacity!!
Ol'JacketFan
August 4th, 2012
10:23 pm
The Mizzou/GA is going to be wild one, the Mizzou players and crowd will be sky high for their 1st SEC game.
fbGuy
August 4th, 2012
10:24 pm
A 9 win seaon for GT and GA is my best guess, but im not a coach or even a good guesser. Since I’m in state it would be nice to have a meaningful tech-GA game.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:24 pm
@ fbguy…..UGA will lose to SC, because Spurrier always beats UGA
GSUStud
August 4th, 2012
10:24 pm
Paul Johnson and the word “smart” should not be used in the same sentence. If he were smart, he would not be using the outdated offense that he is using. Also, Ga Tech does not belong on the same field and in the same talent category at Virginia Tech. I was good planning for Virginia Tech to start off with a patsy. Paul Johnson makes a better air-conditioner repairman than a coach.
fbGuy
August 4th, 2012
10:25 pm
And by meaningful i mean a game whose outcome has some meaning nationally
fbGuy
August 4th, 2012
10:26 pm
Actually Spurrier doesn’t always win, just a lot of the time.
Ol'JacketFan
August 4th, 2012
10:28 pm
GSUStud…………..what an oxymoron!!! Or is it just moron, whatever it is why don’t you go and crawl back to the GSU blog, assuming there is such a thing. Sheesh what a loser.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:28 pm
@ GTBob……did you read what he posted the other day about Angelo Taylor? Sure, Taylor screwed up a few times, and pretty badly too, but that’s all behind him now, and he is representing the USA. I posted the fact that Taylor had been elected team captain by the US Men’s track and field team, and the loser tore into him. His teammates trust and respect him, but WnE calls him out on his past. That was the absolute last time I will ever read anything that he posts or acknowledge what he says at all.
Logan
August 4th, 2012
10:28 pm
Sporting News has GT at #21 pre season, so Mark, you’re not alone, although I thought we might be in the top 10.
Big Crimson 75
August 4th, 2012
10:28 pm
Is Tom O’Brien capable of Coaching a Team to 10 wins??
I wonder if the Pack feel they are getting their $$$s worth from that guy.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:29 pm
@ GSUdud……you posted a few days ago that Tech would win no more than 6 games this year, and I challenged you to accept a $10,000.00 wager on that. Are you a man or a mouse? Put your money where your mouth is.
Excited Fan
August 4th, 2012
10:35 pm
THEY WON’T NEED TO BE FLASHY THIS YEAR. THE TALENT AND EXPERIENCE IS FINALLY MATURING ALL CPJ need to do is coach the kids to be consistent and control the clock a much as possible Our O-Line is the best he’s ad and we’ll probably spend more time on offense than the refs spend on the field during. Our kicker is another year wiser and stronger, so our offense should be able to break ACC offensive records like their breaking glass. The D finally has some hosses up front and the 3-4 should finally help limit points. I could see GT winning games on average of 14pts due to clock management alone. This team doesn’t need to do anything flashy but may complete a pass or two during a critical down to help keep offense moving the chains. We won’t finish in the top 10 but this team has the capacity to go toe to toe with FSU and Clemson.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:35 pm
@ GSUdud……I’m waiting? Put up or shut up
biggtfan
August 4th, 2012
10:38 pm
@Malcolm mack – you are pathetic. What joy do you get from making such inane comments about Georgia Tech? There was a sizable crowd of GT fans at the stadium today with a long line to enter and long lines at each position area to meet the players. Just sad that you are so petty.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:41 pm
@ biggtfan……did you go today? How was it?
ole yeller
August 4th, 2012
10:42 pm
Hey super, I’m there with you. GSUdud, there’s at least two of us waiting on you. Want to respond?
That’s $20,000.00 now.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:43 pm
@ ole yeller……I don’t even have $10,000.00, but I’m willing to take that risk, because I know I’ll win. GSUdud is a cowardly POS
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:44 pm
well, I have it, but I don’t need to be spending it. But that’s a moot point in this case
ole yeller
August 4th, 2012
10:44 pm
I do.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:44 pm
Give some to me then. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:45 pm
BTW, ole yeller…..enjoyed seeing your pics. You need to give me some lessons
CLAM
August 4th, 2012
10:46 pm
WOW, I havn’t seen this many criticis on the Tech site in years, UGA fans must be fearing the Bee!
ole yeller
August 4th, 2012
10:47 pm
My wife got most of it already.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:47 pm
well, damn. lol
Ol'JacketFan
August 4th, 2012
10:47 pm
Hey SS you mean it’s not a mute point? LOL!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:48 pm
LMAO @ OJF
ole yeller
August 4th, 2012
10:48 pm
Staying in Ga. Buying a house in Fl. as a second home. So I will be attending Tech games after all.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
10:49 pm
Good deal, ole yeller. Look forward to seeing you
Gman 84
August 4th, 2012
10:52 pm
Ol’JacketFan: UGA will not be relevant if we lose those 3, or any 3 for that matter. You are correct that with few exceptions undefeated or 1 loss teams are the only teams figuring into the mix (2007 was a fluke year). Think the Jackets will be pretty darn good if the D improves. Hope winning the GT/UGA game means big things (national relevance) to the victor.
I believe that CPJ’s offense is perfect for GT as it neutralizes the recruiting disadvantages GT may have. Need a better defense though.
ty webb
August 4th, 2012
10:53 pm
Johnson will never win an ACC championship at Tech.
1 4 GT
August 4th, 2012
10:54 pm
Hell, gsu 2X4 couldn’t lay his hands on $20,000 if he was gonna be shot between the eyes if he didn’t pay up.
Ol'JacketFan
August 4th, 2012
11:02 pm
@Gman, I would love for THE game to have national relevance. It would be an absolute frenzy if both teams were undefeated or only one loss. I don’t see it happening but wouldn’t it be fun if it did? Tech needs to win against GA for any numbers of reasons not the least is the impact on recruiting, When Tech won in ‘08 I feel the coaching staff didn’t take as much advantage as they could have in recruiting, The only way Tech is going to beat GA on a more consistent basis is if recruiting continues to improve and a win or two over GA would helps that
Ol'JacketFan
August 4th, 2012
11:03 pm
and another moron heard from, thanks for not disappointing us Ty LOL! troll hard my friend
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
11:05 pm
@ ty webb……I might remind you that, NCAA petty penalty or not, Tech won the ACC in 2009 under Johnson. It will happen again, and again.
ty webb
August 4th, 2012
11:14 pm
in all fairness to PJ, I don’t think any coach could. Gailey missed a golden opportunity against Wake…the tens of tech fans(including some that “laugh out loud”) should just be happy with 7-6, and ecstatic with the occasional 8-5 season.
ole yeller
August 4th, 2012
11:15 pm
ty webb, where were you in 2009? The NCAA rules committee once again showed their arrogance and stupidity. Now they stripped Penn.State of the rightful owners of wins because of one sick person. The NCAA committee needs to be stripped of some of the clout and investigated as a governing party of college athletics.
ty webb
August 4th, 2012
11:16 pm
“Tech won the ACC in 2009 under Johnson”
I don’t want to call you a liar…
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2012
11:17 pm
@ ty webb……again I remind you that he has already won an ACC championship at Tech. The totally absurd NCAA penalty for a petty offense does not negate the fact that Tech DID win the championship in 2009. And I guarantee you we will again, if not this year, then definitely next year. However, you are right, Gailey totally blew it, because he didn’t force Reggie Ball to throw the ball to a constantly wide open Calvin Jones.
ty webb
August 4th, 2012
11:17 pm
ole yeller,
I agree with you 100% regarding the NCAA.
Ol'JacketFan
August 4th, 2012
11:19 pm
Ty Webb, the more you type the more ignorant you appear. 9, 11, 6 and 8, do you have a clue what those numbers represent?