Paul Johnson: Best Coach in the ACC?
The ACC has drastically changed its perception in the college football landscape the past couple of years. From the rise of Florida State back to prominence, to Clemson’s consistently winning play, the Atlantic Coast Conference has once again become a strong league in college football.
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While many pundits often discuss the success of Jimbo Fisher at Florida State or Dabo Swinney at Clemson, there is one coach who has done more with less every season, consistently over-achieves, and runs an antiquated offense: Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson.
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Georgia Tech’s Head Coach Paul Johnson is a rarity in today’s game. He runs the triple option offense, a system supposedly a hundred years behind the times that requires patience and perseverance by the coaching staff and players alike to successfully operate.
Every season, Johnson loses the recruiting battle in his own state to their rivals in Athens and Mark Richt’s report with upcoming high school prospects. Every season, pundits pick the Ramblin’ Wreck to falter in the standings. Yet somehow, Paul Johnson has MacGyver’ed a team lacking perceived talent together to accomplish the seemingly impossible.
“Beating Clemson, defeating an SEC power in Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl, and competing with FSU until almost the final second in the ACC Championship Game is no simple task. “
Looking at Tech’s performance last season, is there any question that Paul Johnson isn’t the best coach in the ACC? Beating Clemson, defeating an SEC power in Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl, and competing with FSU until almost the final second in the ACC Championship Game is no simple task. It demonstrates a sound coaching strategy that gets the most out of the players on the team.
Both Jimbo Fisher and Dabo Swinney perpetually recruit superior talent, even taking top prospects from the state of Georgia to have them play for their respective programs. Georgia Tech is a far cry from a destination for most high school players. Seeing Paul Johnson lead his team to 11 wins, an Orange Bowl championship, and nearly an ACC championship is a testament to his drive and coaching acumen.
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Next season looks bright for the Jackets as star QB Justin Thomas returns behind center, as well as most of a solid defensive squad for the Ramblin’ Wreck. Though Thomas himself was not highly recruited out of high school, he has thrived in Johnson’s triple option offense.
With a lack of talent and low expectations every season, there is no question in my mind that Paul Johnson is currently the best football coach in the ACC. If Georgia Tech can continue to compete with the likes of FSU, Clemson, and Virginia Tech in the rising ACC, respect for Johnson’s skills as a football coach will only grow, as will Tech’s perception on the national stage.
Next: How Many Wins for Georgia Tech Football This Season?
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