Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson is retiring after 11 seasons with Georgia Tech.

Paul Johnson lifting up the 2009 ACC Championship Trophy (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, this most likely spells the end of the Triple Option at Georgia Tech. A lot of Georgia Tech fans wanted him out but to a few, like me, this news is bad. Georgia Tech has many reasons they aren’t a powerhouse or top program anymore and Paul Johnson wasn’t high on the list. The problems come with the Athletic Department. Granted, Todd Stansbury has done a great job with the department so far, there are still a lot of problems.

The new coach will have to deal with a low budget, poor fans, and the academic requirements that plagued Georgia Tech’s recruiting but will have a lot to work with.

Quarterback

At the quarterback position, the new Georgia Tech coach will have some options to work with assuming no decommits and transfers.

Tobias Oliver — Sophomore; Option; Great runner

Lucas Johnson — RS Junior; Option; Runs the offense well and has impressive size

James Graham — RS Freshman; Dual-Threat; Most athletic according to Paul Johnson

Jordan Yates — Freshman; Dual-Threat; Best all around and best passer

Above is what the depth chart at quarterback will look like next year assuming no decommits or transfers. It’s possible any of these transfer but i doubt Graham and Yates transfer.

Jordan Yates’ commitment announcement (@jor_yates on Twitter)

Yates is the best QB on the roster although he may not be the best option QB. I’ve watched all of his film on his Hudl and have been to 2 of his games. He scored six first half TDs on his senior night including 3 rushing. He’s the real deal. Whatever coach comes in will be lucky to have him in any scheme.

James Graham (#4) was a 4 star coming out of college and maintains his redshirt status (Danny Karnik/ Georgia Tech)

Paul Johnson called 4 star James Graham one of the most athletic QBs he’s had, High praise from someone who coached Joshua Nesbitt and Justin Thomas. Graham could also become a big player in this conversation although I don’t think he will excel like Yates in a passing scheme.

Lucas Johnson is also an option but as a junior without any meaningful experience, I doubt Georgia Tech’s new coach will use him.

Skill Positions

Georgia Tech’s 4 ABs on the roster are upperclassmen and the two starters are seniors. With that being said, the new Georgia Tech head coach will be able to use the two juniors (Ohmari Jarrett and Nathan Cottrell) next year but will also have the young runningbacks. Tech currently has 3 A back commitments in the 2019 class along with 2 freshmen A Backs. The new coach will be able to implement his own scheme in those young ones.

Dontae Smith (Freshman) finished with over 2,000 yards in his senior season in Tennessee (@Dontaeksmith on Twitter)

Wide Receivers won’t change much with the scheme change but the two starters are both upperclassmen. Their backups are Malachi Carter (Freshman) and Stephen Dolphus (Sophomore).

Malachi Carter celebrating his first touchdown vs. Duke (Hyosub Shin/ AJC)

One source of worry is with Georgia Tech’s B-Backs. Kirvonte Benson is a junior but may be able to submit an injury waiver for an additional year of eligibility. The B-Backs are essentially hybrid backs so it is possible all or a majority of them stay but different schemes could change that.

Georgia Tech will certianly have a surplus of talent at the running back position for whomever the next coach is.

Offensive Line

Paul Johnson has always recruited fast and undersized linemen so this will be the worst part for the head coach. The biggest lineman (weight wise) is sophomore Connor Hansen and he is only 310 pounds. For comparison, the smallest lineman on Georgia is 308 pounds. Not only is it the size and the pass blocking ability that will set the OL back but also technique. Georgia Tech cuts so the offensive line will need to do a full turnaround on their technique (expect a lot of penalties). The offensive line will be the biggest setback to the new head coach other than recruiting.

Defense

Nate Woody will close out his first year as a defensive coordinator this year. His defense has already shown signs of improvement in regards to physicality and speed. Once he gets his players, this defense will be great. Thankfully, Georgia Tech’s new head coach will not have to bring in a new defensive coordinator (hopefully) and will allow this defense to continue it’s improvement.

Charlie Thomas (Freshman) celebrates (Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)

Unfortunately for Georgia Tech’s new head coach, recruiting will be the hardest setback. Most casual fans don’t realize truly how hard the job is at Georgia Tech. The Athletic Department spends very little money, there are only 35 majors so it will be hard to hide students not as academically inclined in majors like African-American Studies or Sports Management, you have to compete with UGA, Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, and more all for the state of Georgia, and the fans are not the greatest.

Barring a phenomenal first year like Paul Johnson’s in 2008, I expect Tech to be right around bowl eligible for the next couple of years. There is enough talent on this team to the point where a coaching change won’t put as at 3 or 4 wins.

Paul Johnsons triple option offense has been the main stabilizer for Georgia Tech. His offense has allowed a less talented team to compete with teams full of 4 and 5 stars. When Georgia Tech completes their coaching search, hopefully it is a coach who can recruit those players despite the setbacks or is an offensive genius that can put up points despite those talent differences.

Right now, the names I’ve heard from my sources have been Tony Elliot and Brent Key of Alabama with Tony Elliot becoming the focus. Ken Whisenhunt has been brought up but it’s purely spitballing (It would be an awful hire too). Another name I hope to hear in the next few days would be Scott Satterfield of Appalachian State. Both he and Tony Elliot could excel here.

I am extremely saddened by the news of Paul’s retirement and it sounds silly but meeting him 11 years ago when I was only 7, having multiple signed things from him, and interacting with him as a media member for the last two years has led me to well up while writing this.

Paul Johnson has great success while at Georgia Tech despite the setbacks and it is with sadness that I say thank you Paul Johnson! You will be missed!

**All class designations are based on what year of school they are in right now**