MWBATL
Helluva Engineer
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- 6,522
Extremely well said, I will always love CPJ, even if I felt a change might be needed.I have taken some time to write, just so I could digest this thing. I am happy for Paul Johnson and his family, but I am sad for myself and I am sad for his players. 11 Years ago, I was not in favor of Gailey getting fired. I had felt for several seasons he was a QB away from having great great success. However when DRad selected CPJ, I was ecstatic because he picked my very first choice for the gig. I wanted CPJ because if he could take NAVY, who was a mess at the time, and turn them around, then he could help us. NAVY, who also happens to have many future Marines on the field, is not an easy place to coach. Neither is GT. It wasn't about scheme for me (at the time), but rather about character and leadership. At this point, I can honestly say, Paul Johnson has fulfilled all of my expectations in those areas, and then some. Having been a TECH student athlete, in that order, I greatly appreciate the Homer Rice model. CPJ forces kids to do the right thing and buy into the GT system. Don't think for a minute that our grad rates would be where they are without his influence on, and support of, our kids.
In a selfish way, I am really going to miss this spread option stuff from under center. I became way more interested in the XX and OO of CFB after CPJ came here. I don't know why, but that scheme, combined with his brilliant play calls and adjustments during the flow of a game really drew me in. I began watching hours and hours of replays analyzing the responsibilities of every player. I learned more and understood more about the game, mostly because of that darned scheme that many of us seem sooo anxious to get rid of. I guess I am the polar opposite of those of you who feel that way.
As much of a fan as I am of Paul Johnson, I am even more a fan of my Alma Mater. I will be firmly behind the next coach, but I am not sure I will ever have the same depth of interest. Most likely, I will just simply return to watching and cheering while following the football. It won't be the end of the world for me, but it will certainly be the end of a special era.
GOOD LUCK COACH! I feel pretty sure you will return to coaching some day before too long. When you do, your team will be my third most favorite, behind TECH and whoever plays U(sic)GA that week.
The critics of his system, imho and as expressed by CPJ in today’s press conference, generally don’t know what they are talking about. GT’s decline on the field May have MUCH more to do with little support from MBob and The Hill, and FAR less than the TO offense. In which case, a coaching change will be very unlikely to change our current trajectory.
I agree I will support the new coach, but I do find myself resenting some posters who simplistically attribute all our troubles to the triple option offense.