ATLANTA – Paul Johnson, the longest-serving Georgia Tech football coach in a half-century and the architect of a run-heavy offense that was an anomaly among Power Five conference programs, announced his retirement Wednesday after 11 seasons with the Yellow Jackets.
The 61-year-old Johnson revealed the surprising decision after meeting with his players. It came just four days after Tech closed the regular season with a lopsided loss to No. 4 Georgia.
Johnson, who also coached at Georgia Southern and Navy, compiled a career record of 82-59 at the Atlantic Coast Conference school, including eight bowl appearances and three trips to the league championship game. He will stick around for another month, leading the Jackets one more time in their bowl game. Most projections have them going to the Military Bowl on Dec. 31.
“After 40 years of coaching, it’s time to take a break,” Johnson said in a released statement. “My family has sacrificed a lot over the years. I want to watch my daughter (Kaitlyn, a professional opera singer) perform and do some things with my wife (Susan) 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.”
Johnson planned to discuss his decision at a news conference Thursday morning. During an interview with WXIA-TV outside Bobby Dodd Stadium, he said the decision to retire was entirely his but didn’t rule out a return to coaching.