New DMN Article on Johnson
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:56 pmSource: SMU interested in Navy coach Johnson
Orsini, Vaught have connection to Johnson
08:41 PM CST on Thursday, November 29, 2007
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
SMU is interested in Navy's Paul Johnson as its next football coach, according to a source familiar with the search.
Athletic director Steve Orsini has said SMU would be willing to aim high – and pay up – for a proven winner. Johnson's annual compensation package at Navy is reportedly worth about $1.5 million. Former SMU coach Phil Bennett made almost $500,000 a year.
Navy spokesman Scott Strasemeier said no schools have asked permission to speak with Johnson. Calls to Jack Reale, Johnson's agent, were not returned. SMU, which has been searching for a replacement for Bennett for almost five weeks, declined comment.
The annual Army-Navy game, Navy's regular-season finale, is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.
Johnson, who is in his sixth season 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.
Johnson, 50, is known for his option flexbone offense, which has resulted in Navy annually being among the nation's leaders in rushing, including 357.4 yards per game this season.
If Navy wins Saturday, Johnson (44-29 at Navy) will have led the Midshipmen to five straight eight-win seasons. They are already slated for their fifth straight bowl – the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 20. Navy (7-4) beat Notre Dame this season to break a 43-game losing streak to the Irish.
Navy, which has limited talent because of the academy's academic and service requirements, had gone 1-20 in the two seasons before Johnson's arrival. Johnson won Division I-AA titles in 1999 and 2000 at Georgia Southern.
SMU went 1-11 this season and fired Bennett with four games remaining. The Mustangs have had one winning season since 1989.
Johnson has been mentioned in several coaching searches, almost exclusively at schools in BCS conferences.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 8a196.html
Orsini, Vaught have connection to Johnson
08:41 PM CST on Thursday, November 29, 2007
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
SMU is interested in Navy's Paul Johnson as its next football coach, according to a source familiar with the search.
Athletic director Steve Orsini has said SMU would be willing to aim high – and pay up – for a proven winner. Johnson's annual compensation package at Navy is reportedly worth about $1.5 million. Former SMU coach Phil Bennett made almost $500,000 a year.
Navy spokesman Scott Strasemeier said no schools have asked permission to speak with Johnson. Calls to Jack Reale, Johnson's agent, were not returned. SMU, which has been searching for a replacement for Bennett for almost five weeks, declined comment.
The annual Army-Navy game, Navy's regular-season finale, is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.
Johnson, who is in his sixth season 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.
Johnson, 50, is known for his option flexbone offense, which has resulted in Navy annually being among the nation's leaders in rushing, including 357.4 yards per game this season.
If Navy wins Saturday, Johnson (44-29 at Navy) will have led the Midshipmen to five straight eight-win seasons. They are already slated for their fifth straight bowl – the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 20. Navy (7-4) beat Notre Dame this season to break a 43-game losing streak to the Irish.
Navy, which has limited talent because of the academy's academic and service requirements, had gone 1-20 in the two seasons before Johnson's arrival. Johnson won Division I-AA titles in 1999 and 2000 at Georgia Southern.
SMU went 1-11 this season and fired Bennett with four games remaining. The Mustangs have had one winning season since 1989.
Johnson has been mentioned in several coaching searches, almost exclusively at schools in BCS conferences.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 8a196.html