Good news Navy fans!
Head football coach Paul Johnson arrived at his office in Ricketts Hall today and appears set to meet with athletic director Chet Gladchuk at some point this morning.
No players meeting has been scheduled and the assistants are still on the road recruiting, which is an even stronger indication that an announcement of Johnson's departure is NOT imminent.
One source in Atlanta reports that Georgia Tech has scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. to announce its new football coach. The Capital has not been able to confirm that news from a second, more trusted source.
However, if that information is true it would be virtually impossible for Johnson to be the new head coach at Georgia Tech. In fact, the latest information coming from my most reliable sources in Atlanta is that Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich could not meet Johnson's salary demands. In other words, the Yellow Jackets' financially-strapped athletic department could not put together a total compensation package that was better than what Johnson currently has here at Navy.
Remember, Georgia Tech was forced pay a $4 million buyout to fired head coach Chan Gailey.
That leaves SMU and Navy. The Dallas Morning News has already reported that SMU athletic director Steve Orsini is willing to pay at least $2 million to lure Johnson, who is clearly the Conference USA school's top target.
Johnson visited the SMU campus on Tuesday and, by all accounts, came away impressed with the football facilities and other fundamental foundations for the program. Orsini has pledged total and complete support for football and has clearly put money behind his words.
It appears the ball is now in the court of Navy and Gladchuk to improve Johnson's total compensation package in light of the very handsome SMU offer.
link:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/blog_bwagner.html
sorry for the conflicting reports...i am getting no work done at all and i think i am the new KATE Popodopolous!