Long time lurker, first time poster (and after this, you may decide it should be the last time). Quick disclosure, Georgia Southern grad from Erk/PJ days in the 80's, followed GT passively until PJ came, became a season ticket holder for many years contributing to the Tech fund and will be a Tech fan for life. My 10 year old daughter is the biggest Tech fan alive as we live here in the upstate of SC, practically in Clemson. Disappointed to see PJ retire but was exacerbated at times with his playcalling, or at least the execution of his playcalling, but when things were rolling, it was a beautiful thing to behold. I would be fine hiring Monken or Bohannon (or even Ivin Jasper) all off the PJ tree, but would be just as fine and maybe happier moving in a different direction as long as it is exciting to watch, and preferrably different than what everyone else is doing.
Here's a suggestion that no one has thought of and will certainly not happen, but would be interesting. Dell McGee, current assistant head coach at the cesspool (where I suffered last Saturday). Lots of potential upside reading his bio. Played DB at Auburn and a few years in the NFL. Was on staff at GSU as RB coach for 2 years after Monken left and the offense transitioned to Willie Fritz "option out of the gun" offense. I'm sure you remember how GSU ran and passed up and down the field in 2014 against the Jackets. It's more of a wide open offense than PJ's version and certainly more palatable to potential recruits. Still it lead the nation in rushing yards, TD's and YPC by a wide margin that year (more than GT has ever rushed ). It would easily fit the personnel on hand right now. When Fritz left for Tulane, McGee was the interrim head coach for the bowl win against Bowling Green and the players lobbied hard to have him be named the permanent head coach. Instead GSU hired the worst possible candidate and McGee moved to the Dwags as RB coach. This year was promoted to assistant HC. Named the #1 recruiter in the COUNTRY by Rivals and 24/7 Sports. This would put an end to all the complaining about recruiting, or at least if it didn't you would know once and for all that it's not the staff that's holding recruiting back. He's only 45 which is a plus too.
Downside - he's never been a head coach on the college level save for the Go Daddy Bowl win, was head coach at Carver HS. Still, Dabo had less coaching experience, but he has turned out to be a good CEO. He's successful at Clemson because he knows how to sell Clemson, and they have a ton of money to throw at assistant coaches (and who knows, players too?) Completely unknown if McGee could do the same as an organizer and head of a program. Still, he is hugely popular with players and has coached in an offensive system that would fit the DNA of Tech. He doesn't have to be a play caller like PJ, just get the coordinators that he has worked with to come on board. This could be a complete bust or a jackpot.
Whatever the decision is, I just hope they throw a wide net and take a good look at a bunch of candidates and get the one that ends up moving Tech to the next level GO JACKETS!!
