Smu Coaching Search

Smitty · December 4, 2007

ESPN radio reported that Paul Johnson is visiting with SMU. I believe they said he is also being courted by Georgia Tech and Duke.

NCMeanGreen · December 4, 2007

ESPN radio reported that Paul Johnson is visiting with SMU. I believe they said he is also being courted by Georgia Tech and Duke.

Interesting.

SMU + Duke...still doesn't equal GT.

KRAM1 · December 4, 2007

Why would anyone leave Navy for SMU????? It can't all be about the dollars, can it? What a great place to coach and live. Have you ever seen the Naval Academy and Annapolis? I know I have a "soft spot" for the service academies and the young men and women who attend these universities, but, really...SMU?????

GoMeanGreen1999 · December 4, 2007

I thought SMU had already hired someone - still have no idea what happened with Fran. If they could get him they should move on that one.

nautique · December 5, 2007

SMU's AD and assistant AD have huge ties to Navy. Paul Johnson has to be number 1 on their list.

UNTflyer · December 5, 2007

My source at SMU, who has been spot on all season on the goings on over there, told me today that Paul Johnson is the guy.

Expect an announcement shortly after the bowl game.

NT03 · December 5, 2007

My source at SMU, who has been spot on all season on the goings on over there, told me today that Paul Johnson is the guy.
Expect an announcement shortly after the bowl game.

He WAS , but my people in Georgia told me that the Yellow Jackets rose the antee up today. Looks like it might be a bidding war and I think GT can offer more $$$$

Dodge2007 · December 5, 2007

If Paul Johnson does get the job, the interesting question is whether he sticks to what SMU has been running (spread with some TE and two back) or does he go to the triple option and pound the rock???

UNTflyer · December 5, 2007

If Paul Johnson does get the job, the interesting question is whether he sticks to what SMU has been running (spread with some TE and two back) or does he go to the triple option and pound the rock???

I imagine he will play to the strengths of the team. Navy is kind of limited as far as recruiting.

Smitty · December 5, 2007

IF Georgia Tech is pursuing Paul Johnson, they've got the huge advantage of being a BCS program with a successful tradition. Its the kind of place a coach would go to win a national championship.

But it would be interesting to see what Justin Willis would do in Johnson's running game.

NT80 · December 5, 2007

IF Georgia Tech is pursuing Paul Johnson, they've got the huge advantage of being a BCS program with a successful tradition. Its the kind of place a coach would go to win a national championship.
But it would be interesting to see what Justin Willis would do in Johnson's running game.

Johnson has a history in Georgia. It might come down to his preference of locality, but there is no contest between BCS Georgia Tech and death-row Smut as far as potential on the National scene.

NT80 · December 5, 2007

Navy coach Paul Johnson visits SMU

09:17 PM CST on Tuesday, December 4, 2007

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News

khairopoulos@dallasnews.com

Navy coach Paul Johnson visited the SMU campus on Tuesday, according to a source familiar with the school's search for a new football coach.

No agreement has been reached. Johnson was in town to check out the situation at SMU, which has been looking for a coach for more than five weeks.

Johnson has also been linked to job openings at Georgia Tech and Duke.

An SMU spokesman declined comment.

Johnson, 50, is in demand after leading Navy to five straight bowl games. The Midshipmen were 1-20 in the two seasons before he took over.

SMU athletic director Steve Orsini has said SMU is aiming high in its search and will be willing to pay up for an experienced coach. Johnson reportedly makes $1.5 million at Navy. Former SMU coach Phil Bennett made about $500,000 a year.

Johnson, who is 45-29 in six seasons at Navy, is acquainted with Orsini and Mike Vaught, Orsini's right-hand man and the executive associate AD, through their time at Navy.

Orsini was the associate AD and treasurer at Navy in the mid-'90s, when Vaught was an assistant coach of the football team. Johnson was Navy's offensive coordinator in 1995 and '96 before going to 1-AA Georgia Southern.

Johnson is known for his triple option offense, which has resulted in Navy annually being among the nation's leaders in rushing.

ADLER · December 5, 2007

Duke, Georgia Tech, SMU, or stay at Navy?

The soap opera that is the four way tug-a-war for Paul Johnson's services can be followed at: Navy Sports Blog

As jtstang so eloquently stated on the SMU board, "If anybody can win a Johnson-pulling contest, it's SMU."

KRAM1 · December 5, 2007

I say saty at Navy! Like I said...I love the academies and what they stand for and would love, if I were a coach, to be the "head guy" at one of those great universities. But, $$$$$$ talks...it might just be whose $$$$$$ talks the loudest in this case. hard to believe someone would take SMU over Georgia Tech and its BCS conference tie-in. With that in mind, just what does SMU have to offer????? Not much in my "ever so humble" opinion.

Legend500 · December 5, 2007

For those whom aren't feeling like clicking a link....Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that Johnson has left SMU for a second interview at Georgia Tech. He is one of only two coaches left in the running for GT.