Tuesday, August 19th, 2008
As a follow up to this post, I wanted to post my thoughts on some of the reasons why I think hiring Paul Johnson was a great move for Georgia Tech. For the record, I am a Tech alumni and a HUGE Tech fan so I’ll state again that my post should be considered to be biased but hopefully well thought out and logical. Lest we forget, there are plenty of naysayers out there that will digress and try to focus on “BCS vs. the option” but I would like to put the spotlight on “BCS vs. Paul Johnson” instead.
Instill Confidence
The future of Yellow Jackets football is bright. Why? It’s not because of the option-based offense that is often called ‘gimmicky’ by American football followers. It has more to do with the new Head Coach that is not installing this so-called gimmicky offense but because he is instilling new and pure confidence to his new football team. Everyone whose ever asked Paul Johnson about his “system” or heard him talk about it understands how much rock-solid confidence he has in it that some would even go as far as calling it being stubborn. I wouldn’t argue with that whatsoever but what I like reading and seeing is Paul making the players believe and build faith in something that they are not used to. He’s like an powerful evangelist for the experience he gained over his college football career. Confidence flows from the leader to the followers; from the head coach to the assistant coaches and players. Paul Johnson exudes confidence and it will show in our football team.
Turn-around Winner
I even have caught myself questioning where this confidence comes from but a quick google to see Paul Johnson’s history in college football shows his impressive résumé of turning around programs and being a winner. The thing that impresses me most is his ability to find ways to win with the tools he’s been given which so far has been limited at best. There’s always been doors that prevented him from recruiting the best in the nation and that door has been kicked wide open. Right now, I don’t think it’s the question of whether or not he will maintain his winning record because I have no doubt that he will at Tech. The question is how far will he be able to surpass that by winning the games that matter: bowl games, championship games, and rivalry games. With Paul’s track record, I have faith that as the Yellow Jackets matures, the fans will savor the answer to that question.
MacGyver of Football
Paul Johnson is the MacGyver of American Football. It’s funny to metaphorical say that but it’s true. He takes whatever is available to him as a resource without taking anything for granted and maximizes the usefulness of everything to come out with wins. PJ is always quoted as saying that he needs to learn what his team can do. From what I can find, he uses that and molds his “system” so that it fits. The Naval Academy lead the nation in rushing last year because that is what they were best at; he saw no point of putting balls up in the air and risk interceptions. At Georgia Tech, he technically has better resources in the rushing and passing attack so I would be very surprised if we don’t see Calvin come out for snaps or see designated option-pass plays from Josh and Jaybo. Naysayers, be aware of Paul Johnson’s MacGyver-ism. 
GO JACKETS!
THWG!
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Monday, January 8th, 2007
It’s a sad sad yet inevitable day for Yellow Jacket fans everywhere. Calvin Johnson (#21) has declared for the NFL draft foregoing his Senior year of eligibility at Georgia Tech. Calvin brought all Jackets fans a lot of excitement over the past three years and will be missed. I hope you will be paired with a reliable quarterback. Good luck, Calvin!
As for Georgia Tech fans, don’t fret. We have a spectacular Class of 2007 coming in and our outlook is pretty good.
p.s. Boo, what a boring BCS ‘Championship’ game but in the end, good job Gators.
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Monday, November 27th, 2006
So for the sixth year in a row, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets fell to U(sic)GA. Like last year, it was a close game and came down to the last minute which ended with an interception of Reggie Ball’s pass (hey, isn’t that how we lost last year?). I was pissed off all night and most of the day today. Not really just because our offensive wasn’t connecting (just like during the Notre Dame and Clemson games where we lost as well) but because HOW we lost.
I have yet to see in my life a college or NFL football game where the referees do not blow the whistle as soon as a pile is created by players after a fumble. There was a referee already there at the pile ready to pull off the players to see who recovered the ball but no one blew the whistle. Why? There was no possible way to determine whether or not the ball was still loose or not in the pile; I have never seen officials not blow the whistle when a pile is created after a fumble. Yes, it looked like the most likely team to have recovered the ball was U(sic)GA but the fact that there was a fumble and no whistle within seconds of a player pile is, to me, ridiculous. And it’s not like the SEC officials are going to admit to this mistake.
It’s okay though. In the end, we still deserved the loss because our offense wasn’t clicking – we seem to do that every few games. It’ll just mean that our offense be good to go on December 2nd, for the ACC Championship game against Wake.
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Monday, March 14th, 2005
Filled out a bracket for the tournament…
Final Four:
Illinois vs. Georgia Tech
UNC vs. Kentucky
Championship:
Georgia Tech over UNC (76 – 72)
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Monday, March 14th, 2005
Georgia Tech has been selected as the #5 seed in the Albuquerque regionals.
The selection committee recognized the talent our players showed against UNC and Duke this weekend.
I was sad to see the clock running down and none of our 3-pt attempts falling through for the tie… now I felt how McCants felt when his 3 didn’t go in for the tie.
Tech was trailing Duke throughout the entire game but they came back within the last few minutes of the game to show what they were made of…
Yes, Tech’s shots just weren’t falling… but the most amazing part of the game is that Duke’s shots WERE falling in and Tech’s defense maintained its integrity to keep Duke’s offense checked. I was very proud of that fact – it’s a fact that paved Tech’s road to the National title game last year.
Paul Hewitt was right; Tech’s victory over UNC was most definitely not an upset just as Tech’s loss to Duke wasn’t a blow out as some would have expected before this past Friday.
Congratulations to Duke on the ACC Tournament championship and the #1 seed.
Congratulations to UNC on the ACC regular season championship and the #1 seed.
NCAA tourney’s going to be crazy this year March Madness… no other phrase for it!
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Sunday, March 13th, 2005
Today, in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament 2005…
Georgia Tech (#4 seed) defeated UNC (#1 seed): 78-75.
I couldn’t watch the game but according to those watched it (even the UNC fans, mind you)… most thought that the refs’ calls were very unfair to Georgia Tech. Even Vitale, who would be normally all over UNC (or Duke) commented on the possibility of the refs favoring UNC.
You gotta hand it to both teams – it was a ferocious fight throughout the entire game but GT wanted it far more than UNC did… Tech had something to prove, UNC already proved it throughout the regular season. Tech deserved the win and I am sure they will be able to show college hoop fans that GT has what it takes to make heads turn after tomorrow’s game…
Now, I know Tech wants far more than what they worked for so far… they will work hard for it tomorrow.
GO JACKETS!
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