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
Randy Carson, IMGT '83
August 4th, 2012
11:57 pm
There’s slow but steady evolution at work here.
Problem: CPJ’s offense scores a lot of points but Tech’s defense wasn’t good enough to win big games against the upper ACC/SEC opponents consistently. Solution? CPJ hired Al Groh, a recognized defensive guru. (I still have my doubts about the three-man front with three-star linemen.)
Problem: Tech’s special teams failed to execute. Solution? CPJ hired his first-ever special teams coach.
Problem: Tech’s players tended to wear down in the fourth quarter against bigger teams. Solution? CPJ hired a new strength and conditioning coach.
Problem: Tech is not getting its share of the blue-chip/four-star talent. Solution? Unknown.
Overall, I think the jury is still out on whether CPJ can win more than 7-8 games each year consistently, and getting better players is the key to greater success.
However, if and when CPJ recognizes that he can’t win with the talent level he went after at Georgia Southern and Navy, then things could get very exciting.
The encouraging sign is that he’s recognized the shortcomings listed above and addressed them. I hope he decides to make recruiting of better players a priority, also.
ole yeller
August 4th, 2012
11:59 pm
Pretty much assured, that us G.T. fans don’t give a rats azz what the NCAA thinks. I attended or watched all the games that year. They won what the record said at the time.
ty webb
August 5th, 2012
12:01 am
supersize,
I apologize. I meant I “recommend” your optimism…tech fans could use much more of it, and much much less “living vicariously through anyone who beats UGA”-ism…optimism/confidence is the cure for “little brother” syndrome.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 5th, 2012
12:03 am
@ ty….we don’t live any more vicariously through anyone who beats UGA than MANY UGA fans live vicariously through anyone who beats Tech. That’s just part of “Ole Fashioned Hate.”
Bugs Bunny
August 5th, 2012
12:05 am
“and just because I said it wouldn’t happen, it doesn’t mean I don’t want it to happen…though to be honest, I do hope it doesn’t happen”
You are carrying around all the fecal matter and you want to keep it? You are stranger than I thought. A good bowel movement never hurt anyone tied.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 5th, 2012
12:05 am
damn, what’s with the filters……ty, we don’t do that for UGA any more than many UGA fans do that for Tech
Supersize that order, mutt
August 5th, 2012
12:09 am
@ ty…..for some screwy reason, the filters are blocking my response to your last response. I don’t know how else to post that I disagree in part with your last post
Ol'JacketFan
August 5th, 2012
12:09 am
@Randy Carson, your assessment is accurate for the most part. I disagree with your notes on the players being recruited/signed by CPJ. If you go back and look over the last couple of classes along with this year’s class you’re seeing players recruited by major D1 programs. The days of having to recruit the players at Navy or Ga Southern are far behind Tech. Speed and size are major components of Tech’s recruiting focus. Winning seasons, a win or two over GA and a bowl wins will all assist in improving recruiting at Tech!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 5th, 2012
12:09 am
UGA has fans who do the same thing directed towards Tech opponents
Supersize that order, mutt
August 5th, 2012
12:11 am
@ ty…..I hope you get the gist of what I was trying to say, but that the filters blocked
Supersize that order, mutt
August 5th, 2012
12:14 am
Good night, guys. Have a good one. And Go Jackets!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 5th, 2012
12:14 am
Later, guys
Supersize that order, mutt
August 5th, 2012
12:15 am
GO JACKETS !!!
Matt
August 5th, 2012
12:15 am
Why isnt the fact that tech players have been suspended for the 1st game not on the main page? If it was a UGA player, it would be all over the front page for days. They also closed comments on the page. Why? They never do for UGA news. The ajc is a joke, just like the terroristtechies
ty webb
August 5th, 2012
12:16 am
supersize,
I get your gist…though the difference is that UGA fans don’t have to live vicariously through teams that beat tech.
Bugs Bunny
August 5th, 2012
12:20 am
I’m sorry tied. Nothing personal but I know what kind of animal you are. There’s really no reason to try and talk to you in a polite manner. You love the gutter and I am sorry you brought me to that level. Don’t worry, MB will ban me. You know, the stuff you love. You are a great “big brother”.
Bugs Bunny
August 5th, 2012
12:24 am
“The ajc is a joke, just like the terroristtechies”
If I get banned and deleted then this clown should be as well. Yes, I wear a turban.
Everyone knows the course Terrorism 101. What a complete idiot. Represents U(sic)GA so well.
Bugs Bunny
August 5th, 2012
12:31 am
Hey Matt (numbnuts), you guys have already made a big production of Drummond. The other guy is also old news. Sorry to burst your bubble…boy. You can rant on here though. Tell us how it compares to Crowell and all the other criminals at U(sic)GA. There is a direct and complete parallel. Of course that is only in delusional dwag world.
WnE
August 5th, 2012
1:16 am
re:
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.
_____________-
Taylor had sex with 15 years girl(s), as in more than one!
Why are you so quick to allow Taylor to have a “past” and put it in his past, but not that perv up at Penn St., Taylor probably got a “sweetheart plea deal” because he either paid off their Mommas, OR, poor black 15 y/o Females from Public Housing don’t make good “victims” for the Prosecution to base their case on.
IF Taylor had had sex with multiple 15 y/o Females from “East Cobb or Alpharetta” with 2 parents that both had Advanced Degrees, do you think he would have avoided JAIL TIME and would be the captain of the US Track Team?
I guess guys like you hide behind “situational integrity” if “your guy” screws up, then you want to put it in the past and then move on , but let someone else do it and then you want to respond differently!
Not a good look for a GT Alum to DEFEND a “grown @$$ man” having sex with 15 y/o children.
Maybe you can get a job on the Penn State Board of Trustees?
GTBob
August 5th, 2012
1:30 am
Comparing Angelo Taylor to Jerry Sandusky. The legend of WnE continues to grow.
patience
August 5th, 2012
2:10 am
To WnE, who cares about the “talent drain” as long as we win college football games?
1 4 GT
August 5th, 2012
2:21 am
I wonder if “Carnack” even thought the girls might have been hookers. I seem to remember the famous LT from UNC & the NY Giants FB team getting arrested for having sex with underage girls somewhere. He took their word that they were 18 or 19 Y/O’s. I don’t know if that was the case or not with A Taylor. Just wondering?? For “Carnack” to equate what AT did with J Sandusky’s escapades of more than 15 years and many more victims is a huge stretch. Some of the victims of JS weren’t even 10 years old when he ruined them. AT paid the piper in some way and paid a pretty big price according to what was in the AJC a few weeks ago. That’s good enough for just about everyone. But it seems not to satisfy “Carnack”. And CPJ didn’t have a thing to do with it. That proves “Carnack” HATES all things GT!!! To me anyway!! Apparently, in “Carnack’s” mean spirited, small minded little world, if you are associated with GT at all, you are lower than dirt to “Carnack”. Pitiful excuse for a human being. I can’t call him a person, much less a man. That requires some modicum of compassion and allowing for atonement of ours errors in life. But then, I don’t imagine “Carnack” has ever erred in life. Jesus said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
BW
August 5th, 2012
2:24 am
Just take a step back and think about GT football over the past 15 years. Under O’Leary, a Defensive Coordinator, the Jackets had their best success with Friedgen running the offense and outscoring opponents, more than the defense holding opponents to lesser scores. Under Gailey, an Offensive Coordinator, the Jackets had their success with Tenuta’s defense holding the opponent to a lesser score than the offense. Under Gailey, if the Jackets scored 20, I felt really good about their chances of winning, and in college football, 20 is not a great offense. Gailey’s teams were about the power running game and forcing turnovers on defense. O’Leary’s teams relied on outscoring the opponent. For both of those coaches, it was the success of the coordinators on the opposite side of the ball winning the games for them. Under Johnson, the offense has not been a problem(minus the first half of 2008, Johnson’s first year). And in this regard, Johnson has lived up to his billing as an offensive coordinator. Johnson has yet to find a Joe Hamilton and offensive line to match what Friedgen had in 98/99/00. Another consideration is that Gailey did not have success in recruiting until his 6th recruiting class. 2012 was Johnson’s 5th class. 2013 is supposed to be like 14 players. 2007 was 20 players. Johnson’s liberal use of redshirting is in opposition to Gailey’s lack of redshirting. Johnson has at least 8 or more wins in 3 of 4 years. Gailey won 8 games once in 7 years.
Yes, the 2007 recruiting class provided the players that helped GT win the conference in 2009. 2008 was also shaping up to be a stellar class before Gailey was fired. The best reason not to fire Gailey was these two recruiting classes. I look at Johnson now, and his offense is what we expected. The defense was going to be a question mark as long as Tenuta opted to leave, and that’s exactly what has happened. Nothing about Johnson’s tenure has been surprising. This is unlike the fact that Gailey was supposed to be an offensive coach, and his teams won with defense, and O’Leary was supposed to be a defensive coach, and his success came with a prolific offense.
I look at GT now and on defense, I love the secondary, I think they are massively underrated. I saw them rated 6th in the conference in a preview mag, and I think that’s a horrible rating. Young is clearly NFL material. Thomas keeps surprising and could make the NFL. Johnson looks like NFL material too. And there are more. The linebackers are solid, and it’s possible they are better than that. Attaochu is definitely an NFL caliber player, and the rest of the corps should be quite strong(Nealy may be NFL material), and I don’t yet know how good Hunt-Days is. The defensive line is the question mark. I like Cross and think he has a potential shot at the NFL. If Barnes is really in shape, he may turn into an NFL prospect. It’s the ends that never panned out that are the problem(who’s the DE who’s career is over? he was the best of the bunch). A lot of recruiting successes were because of the “athletic” ends that GT picked up. They have not panned out, and that’s a big problem. Maybe they all come on this year, but that’s where the defense is in trouble.
On offense, I think the Lee, Thomas, Days trio is better than the Nesbitt, Shaw, Washington trio of 3 years ago. And Washington is the starter now. This is not to belittle Nesbitt’s tenure, because he has so far had the best performance under Johnson. I just think that depth wise, GT is in a much better position than 3 years ago. The offensive line appears to be in much better shape as well. Go back and watch the 2008/2009 team, and the offensive line stunk much of the time. The last two years have been a result of a young o-line not always knowing what to do and also not being in shape enough to do what they need to do. The o-line may be the key to everything this year and next. But they are much older and much more experienced, so hopefully, that will pay off. A-back and B-back are also areas of concern. Orwin is clearly a star at A-back. The other A-backs seem to be lacking in size, this year, but Johnson has recruited some bigger A-backs this year and next, so that may change. I really hope Bostic can return to form, because I think he can be the explosive small A-back that they need. Zenon looked good last year, and Snoddy may be a good one as well. And if Andrews and Days end up being A-backs, there’s plenty of athleticism there for the future. At B-back, if Perkins comes on this year, I have no problem with a Sims/Perkins platoon at that position. I don’t trust Laskey yet, based on his returns last year. If Allen can solidify himself this year, he can be the B-back of the future. I may be the only one who says this, but I love the receiving corps. There’s tons of size and plenty of upside. Just need 1-2 of them to standout this year, and the receiving corps will be fine. Greene and Waller seem like the obvious choices, but then there’s Jackson, and Moore, and the freshmen.
One of the great things about the Johnson teams is that you can’t just pencil in losses. Georgia is probably the hardest game. VT is probably the second hardest, and Clemson, the third hardest. But Clemson is usually a tossup. VT has always been tight. If I’m being realistic, GT should be no worse than 7-5, and really, 8-4 is quite realistic. And really, with the right breaks, I see no reason that 9-3, 10-2, or even 11-1 not being possible. A disaster would probably be 5-7. I love the over/under of 8.5 for GT wins because I think it represents a totally realistic scenario where if GT is really good this year, they go over, but if they are just what they are expected to be, 8 seems highly likely.
The final comment: You picked GT for 9 wins Mark. A slightly optimistic pick, but this is CPJ, and his offensive weaknesses appear to be at positions where he can plug and play. His defensive weakness is on the d-line, where he can’t plug and play. Get the D into the 40s or 30s nationally, and this team makes some noise. The D still in the 50s or 60s, and it’s another 8-4 or 7-5 year. I don’t think this is a referendum year on Johnson, but below 8-4 is going to keep the rumbles going. A bowl win would help mightily too.
1 4 GT
August 5th, 2012
2:30 am
A very good analysis, if somewhat lengthy BW. I AGREE!! GOOOO JACKETS THWGeorgie
GTBob, Jr.
August 5th, 2012
4:00 am
BW may be a Bulldog….Coach has done some good things and has won some big games but are we IMPROVING and getting towards an ACC or NATL Championship”? NO. The writing is on the wall for Mr. Intelligent.
dc74
August 5th, 2012
6:08 am
Bradley you are the only one who thinks Johnson is the smartest guy in the room. He has done absolutely nothing to justify your constant talk of his “genius”
Arras
August 5th, 2012
7:01 am
It’s really sad that UGA alumni and fans have only their football team to take pride in. It’s even sadder that this pride depends on the performance of illiterate dummies who don’t even come close to meeting minimum academic requirements. 94% of UGA football players are what UGA calls “special admits,” which is just a euphemism for admitting bozos who can’t even read.
This sorry practice not only cheapens all UGA degrees (which are pretty worthless to begin with), but embarrasses the State of Georgia and its citizens. And Mark Richt is the one behind the atrocities at UGA.
So enjoy your victories, and be kind to your former players when you see them working menial jobs in custodial or sanitation services. Or pushing a shopping cart around, looking for a warm place to sleep at night. That’s your UGA reality.
heeldawg
August 5th, 2012
7:37 am
@NCAA fan: Pardon me, but your ignorance is showing. The Dawgs will lose a few players after this season, but they will return loads of talent on both sides of the ball. They will most assuredly not fall behind UT, Vandy, etc. next season. Talent-wise, they’ll be an even match for South Carolina and Florida that season. If you think 9-3 is a down year, then yes, the Dawgs may be a little down in 2013–but not any worse than that.
heeldawg
August 5th, 2012
7:39 am
BW, good analysis…
Buzzzzzzzz
August 5th, 2012
7:42 am
In the 1986 Jan Kemp trial, O. Hale Almand Jr., a lawyer for UGA, offered a justification for the favorable treatment accorded the athletes, citing a hypothetical UGA player. “We may not make a university student out of him,” he told the jury, “but if we can teach him to read and write, maybe he can work at the post office rather than as a garbageman when he gets through with his athletic career.”
That trial exposed UGA for the football factory that it was, and exposed Vince Dooley as a fraud and a sleazebag. It also derailed Dooley’s plans for a political career. That’s why we see the decrepit old fraud doing TV commercials even now.
Mark Richt is just the latest in a line of sleazy UGA coaches who coddle athletes and discard them after four years of football. He recruits illiterate morons he knows aren’t smart enough for college, but he doesn’t care, as long as they help him line his pockets with millions of dollars each year.
Suntanned Saint Mark isn’t all he appears to be, is he?
Nativebird
August 5th, 2012
7:51 am
My jackets will never be an elite college football program, not even in their own conference, as long as the goal of this coach and those who gush over him (MB) are about his “brilliance” and not recruiting top football talent. The past 4 years have proved it…and the next one will as well. This “system” is not capable of it, period. You 2 guys need to get a room.
the voice of truth
August 5th, 2012
7:53 am
well said Buzzzzz….Dooley is a money grubbing old fool who needs to fade away
SuperB
August 5th, 2012
7:56 am
Sounds like Johnson is conceding the Virginia Tech game. Face the fact: he won with Gailey’s players. He is a horses ass who can’t recruit. Good luck ground dwellers.
OldGold1964
August 5th, 2012
7:57 am
Steady, folks. Tempered enthusiasm: let’s not be quick to pat ourselves on the back until something good is accomplished. Keep heads on straight, prepare, play hard, concentrate and eliminate mistakes and this can indeed be a very productive and rewarding season. “Engineering success” !
heyberto
August 5th, 2012
8:15 am
Mark Bradley hearts Paul Johnson. How sweet.
Jfreak13713
August 5th, 2012
8:19 am
I love Tech and love to watch this offense when its working but I can’t see them being on level with top teams in the country. Its a little easier to beat some of the schoold in the ACC like Duke or NC State than it is to beat Georgia or Alabama with this offense. The TOP schools are all really fast on defense and can simply run to the ball fast enough to shut down this offense. And when you can’t throw the ball that hurts in big games against Top schools. However, I sure do love to watch it when it works! A thing of beauty!
wreckbone
August 5th, 2012
8:27 am
Go ahead bash the man and our program. We’ll see what happens… This is going to be a great year. I think tech has done well. More losses than I would have liked but competitive. Chan and o leeway would get blown out of more large games. Hating the post season record. What does tech do that Uga and others do not (Miami does it too I am told) they don’t practice during finals…I think that’s a huge disadvantage. But having gone through tech finals, i’m sure the players are happy about that. And I commend hon fort being the your of coach he is. All you idiots who day he can’t coach are delusional. Gallery had a few more 4 stars that’s it. Tech has had only 1 5 star in since 99. I agree with Johnson the school determines the recruiting more than anything..
Mark Bradley yearns for happier times. | Get The Picture
August 5th, 2012
8:33 am
[...] Mark Bradley’s latest fellatio-fest of Paul Johnson may be his magnum opus. And given the author and the subject, that is not meant as faint praise. [...]
Wilson Pickett
August 5th, 2012
8:37 am
Hope GT has a great year. If they can improve a bunch in the passing game it sure would make a huge difference for them in the big games. You have to be able to make the defense respect the pass!!!!
There is no doubt running the Bone gives GT and advantage since teams can’t prepare in a week for the scheme but with that said recruiting is a struggle and it shows. Risk vs Reward.
Jon Koncak
August 5th, 2012
8:43 am
Buzzzzzzzz ….. Way to take shots at 18-22 year old kids that you don’t even know by using generalizations and attacking their intelligence. Only a real moron would do that. It’s losers like you that we all laugh at.
I'm CPJ and you're not
August 5th, 2012
8:47 am
Thanks Bradley! Nothing better than starting a Sunday morning with a good belly laugh – GT wining the Coastal ha ha ha. The best thing GT has done – dodge FSU once again.
What does the term WIN a bowl game mean?
Tony Clifton
August 5th, 2012
8:54 am
Jon Koncak is butthurt because the coach made fun of his Walmart job.
Jon Koncak
August 5th, 2012
9:06 am
Nice Tony. WalMart employs over 1.5 million people. Given the level of unemployment in the country, at least that company is pulling it’s load. Also it’s pretty funny that you and your beloved football coach take shots at people that work at WalMart and the guy that runs WalMart is a Tech Grad. I doubt he feels that way about the employees that he manages.
Spike
August 5th, 2012
9:10 am
If he is so smart, will he figure out a way to win a bowl game anytime soon?
Birmingham Jacket
August 5th, 2012
9:14 am
Its not rocket science… Dude can coach, but is a horrible recruiter.
He will leave Tech having been fired, with a losing record.
Recruiting is as important as coaching in CFB. And Johnson stinks at the former.
GT
August 5th, 2012
9:17 am
Good take, well written.
biggtfan
August 5th, 2012
9:27 am
@jfreak – Can you list the offenses that are run by other teams that will beat Alabama? You seem to ignore the fact that the offenses run by every other team in the country are also going to struggle with the best defenses they face. Did the dwag offense guarantee a win vs. Boise or SC or Mich St.?
biggtfan
August 5th, 2012
9:34 am
@Birmingham jacket – let me make sure I understand your comment. Recruiting results are determined by coaching effort and CPJ isn’t trying hard enough. Saban tries MUCH harder and that’s why his classes are #1. The academic requirements have nothing to do with the results. Did I get that right? If so, then no Tech coach since 1975 has cared much about recruiting.
The conclusion of the matter is ...
August 5th, 2012
9:35 am
`
… Mark Bradley predicts Georgia Tech will beat the Hokies
on Labor Day night.
biggtfan
August 5th, 2012
9:38 am
@super size – yes, I met Gotsis yesterday. He was taking some ribbing from Dieke, who said AG is a great rapper. I welcomed AG to America and wished him luck on the field AND with his teammates.