“He was glad to see me and I was very glad to see him, just for what he’s going to bring to us – NFL-style offense, NFL-style defense. Just by saying that, with our academics, with what he’s going to bring, downtown Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga., job market, all that. Any kid that wouldn’t want to play at Georgia Tech would be crazy now. You can get it all.”
That struck me. I am not someone who was by any means a Johnson hater. I never agreed with the shade thrown at him for running the option. I grew to really love it, but not enough to keep watching when it wasn't working. I don't see CPJ moving on as some kind of failed experiment. He produced results commensurate to his ability as a coach at Georgia Tech, and often they were quite good.
What this quote does show me is that the negative recruiting (and frankly media) really hit. If not in success on the field than definitely in reputation. Thankfully Collins is changing that, and I think his aptitude in this transition has been unique. I am glad that he is being quite respectful of CPJ. Hopefully he will continue to go down as the HOF coach that he is without needing to be scapegoated in order for us to move on.