Desmond Howard and David Pollack reflect on the legacy of Paul Johnson after the longtime Georgia Tech coach announced his retirement. (1:13)

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, whose 189 career wins rank fourth among active FBS coaches, will step down after this season, the school announced Wednesday.

"After 40 years of coaching, it's time to take a break," Johnson, who is wrapping up his 11th season with the Yellow Jackets, said in a statement. "My family has sacrificed a lot over the years. I want to watch my daughter perform [as a professional opera singer] and do some things with my wife that we've never had a chance to do.

"It's been a great run for the last 11 years here on The Flats. I'm proud of what we've accomplished and am looking forward to having the chance to coach this team one last time at our bowl game next month."

Under Paul Johnson's leadership, the Yellow Jackets rushed for 5,222 more yards than any other major conference team during his 11 seasons at Georgia Tech. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson, 61, is fourth all-time at Georgia Tech with an 82-59 mark, and has a career coaching record of 189-98 over 22 seasons. He guided the Yellow Jackets to the ACC championship in 2009, and he finished first or second in the Coastal Division in seven of his 11 seasons.

The Yellow Jackets lost to rival Georgia 45-21 last Saturday to finish 7-5 overall. They await a bowl assignment, which would be Johnson's ninth at Georgia Tech.

"I've been thinking about it for a while," Johnson told WXIA-TV on Wednesday. "I'm not sure I'm done coaching, but I need a break. I'm going to take some time off with the family and decide if I like it. If it works, it'll be great. If it doesn't, I'll resurface somewhere else.

"It's been a good run," he added. "I'll always be a Tech fan."

His 189 career wins trail only Brian Kelly (231), Nick Saban (230) and Bill Snyder (215) among active FBS coaches. Johnson also served as head coach at Navy and Georgia Southern, where he won two FCS national championships.

Paul Johnson Career Summary • 189 career wins

• 2-time FCS champion at Georgia Southern

• Won 2009 ACC Championship (later vacated)

• 4 ACC championship game appearances (2009 vacated)

• 3-time ACC Coach of the Year

• Georgia Tech, 2008-18

• Navy, 2002-08

• Georgia Southern, 1997-2002 -- ESPN Stats & Information

"I was saddened when Coach Johnson informed me that he was going to step down as our head coach," Georgia Tech athletic director Todd Stansbury said in a statement. "Not only is he Georgia Tech's winningest head coach in more than 50 years but he is also an incredible mentor for the young men in our football program and has helped develop countless student-athletes that have gone on to great success after graduation."

Johnson is one of the few coaches in college football who still runs an option-centered offense with his flexbone spread. He ran the same system at Navy before taking the Georgia Tech job.

The Yellow Jackets lead the country in rushing this season and have been a fixture in the top 10 nationally in rushing each of the past 10 years. Since 2008, Georgia Tech has averaged 301.9 rushing yards per game -- second in FBS behind Navy (308.0).

The Yellow Jackets ran for 5,222 more yards than any other major conference team during Johnson's tenure. They also averaged only 13.0 passes per game -- only Army (9.5), Navy (10.0) and Air Force (12.9) attempted fewer passes during that same period.

Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who played at Georgia Tech, is expected to be a top candidate to succeed Johnson, according to sources. Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, Alabama offensive line coach and former Tech player Brent Key and Army coach Jeff Monken, who also runs the triple option, could be in the mix as well.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg and Mark Schlabach and The Associated Press contributed to this report.