i read that it was between g.t. & duke for johnson....wonder why other schools didn't go after him...
Mids coach sets sail for ACC after leading Academy to five straight bowl games
Paul Johnson compiled a 45-29 record at Navy, including six consecutive wins over rival Army.
By Don Markus | Sun reporter
Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk knew it was a matter of time before Paul Johnson received the right offer to coach at another school.
That time has come.
Gladchuk confirmed today that Johnson, 50, is leaving Annapolis after six years to become the head coach at Georgia Tech, which recently fired Chan Gailey
"I know he really has had tremendous feelings and allegiance to the Naval Academy, but Georgia Tech is something he really wants to do," Gladchuk said. "Paul is really intent on taking what he does to that level of play. He aspires to be a champion on the national level."
Gladchuk said that Johnson would not coach the team's Poinsettia Bowl game against Utah in San Diego on Dec. 20. Gladchuk said he was meeting with the coaching staff and would announce shortly who would take over for the game.
Both assistant head coach Ken Niumatalolo and defensive coordinator Buddy Greene are likely candidates for that assignment, and could be candidates to succeed Johnson if they don't join him at the ACC school.
"I think it's really important to keep as much of this glued together as I possibly can," Gladchuk said. "We've got a really good program here in terms of facilities, resources, fans, television, bowl opportunities. Five years ago it was all a vision. Today it's a reality."
According to a school spokesman, Johnson informed his players of his decision at a meeting before flying to Atlanta, where he was to be introduced this afternoon as Georgia Tech's new head coach.
In going to Georgia Tech, Johnson is returning to his coaching roots. Running the same explosive run-oriented offense he brought to Navy, Johnson won two national championships at Georgia Southern while winning two national championships and compiling a 62-10 record.
Johnson came to Navy in 2002 to rebuild a program that had gone 1-20 the previous two seasons, including 0-10 in 2001. Johnson's first Navy team went 2-10. Since then, the Midshipmen have gone 43-19 and have won five straight Commander in Chief trophies.
His teams lost only once in 12 games against Army and Air Force.
The offer from Georgia Tech to Johnson came after his name was linked with a number of other vacancies, including those at Duke and SMU.
Mids coach sets sail for ACC after leading Academy to five straight bowl games
Paul Johnson compiled a 45-29 record at Navy, including six consecutive wins over rival Army.
By Don Markus | Sun reporter
Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk knew it was a matter of time before Paul Johnson received the right offer to coach at another school.
That time has come.
Gladchuk confirmed today that Johnson, 50, is leaving Annapolis after six years to become the head coach at Georgia Tech, which recently fired Chan Gailey
"I know he really has had tremendous feelings and allegiance to the Naval Academy, but Georgia Tech is something he really wants to do," Gladchuk said. "Paul is really intent on taking what he does to that level of play. He aspires to be a champion on the national level."
Gladchuk said that Johnson would not coach the team's Poinsettia Bowl game against Utah in San Diego on Dec. 20. Gladchuk said he was meeting with the coaching staff and would announce shortly who would take over for the game.
Both assistant head coach Ken Niumatalolo and defensive coordinator Buddy Greene are likely candidates for that assignment, and could be candidates to succeed Johnson if they don't join him at the ACC school.
"I think it's really important to keep as much of this glued together as I possibly can," Gladchuk said. "We've got a really good program here in terms of facilities, resources, fans, television, bowl opportunities. Five years ago it was all a vision. Today it's a reality."
According to a school spokesman, Johnson informed his players of his decision at a meeting before flying to Atlanta, where he was to be introduced this afternoon as Georgia Tech's new head coach.
In going to Georgia Tech, Johnson is returning to his coaching roots. Running the same explosive run-oriented offense he brought to Navy, Johnson won two national championships at Georgia Southern while winning two national championships and compiling a 62-10 record.
Johnson came to Navy in 2002 to rebuild a program that had gone 1-20 the previous two seasons, including 0-10 in 2001. Johnson's first Navy team went 2-10. Since then, the Midshipmen have gone 43-19 and have won five straight Commander in Chief trophies.
His teams lost only once in 12 games against Army and Air Force.
The offer from Georgia Tech to Johnson came after his name was linked with a number of other vacancies, including those at Duke and SMU.
