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I just want to say to all of you to keep your heads up.

As I said from the beginning, I am a Paul Johnson fan, and I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.

I'm a little disappointed that he is going to Ga Tech, because they will never appreciate him there like Navy does.

The fact that SMU was in the running for such a high $ coach shows that SMU is ready to re-establish themselves as a major player in college football. You should be proud that your AD and boosters "ponied up" the cash to show coaches out there that ya'll are tired of screwing around.

Good luck to ya'll.

veerbone wrote:I just want to say to all of you to keep your heads up.

As I said from the beginning, I am a Paul Johnson fan, and I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.

I'm a little disappointed that he is going to Ga Tech, because they will never appreciate him there like Navy does.

The fact that SMU was in the running for such a high $ coach shows that SMU is ready to re-establish themselves as a major player in college football. You should be proud that your AD and boosters "ponied up" the cash to show coaches out there that ya'll are tired of screwing around.

Good luck to ya'll.

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veerbone wrote:I just want to say to all of you to keep your heads up.

As I said from the beginning, I am a Paul Johnson fan, and I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.

I'm a little disappointed that he is going to Ga Tech, because they will never appreciate him there like Navy does.

The fact that SMU was in the running for such a high $ coach shows that SMU is ready to re-establish themselves as a major player in college football. You should be proud that your AD and boosters "ponied up" the cash to show coaches out there that ya'll are tired of screwing around.

Good luck to ya'll.

Thank you veerbone. We appreciate the kind words.

veerbone wrote:I just want to say to all of you to keep your heads up.

As I said from the beginning, I am a Paul Johnson fan, and I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.

I'm a little disappointed that he is going to Ga Tech, because they will never appreciate him there like Navy does.

The fact that SMU was in the running for such a high $ coach shows that SMU is ready to re-establish themselves as a major player in college football. You should be proud that your AD and boosters "ponied up" the cash to show coaches out there that ya'll are tired of screwing around.

Good luck to ya'll.

well said. after stepping back from the entire situation, knowing that georgia tech was still in the mix for pj, who in their right mind would come here? nonetheless i think it's great orsini had such a great candidate and we are willing to pay the big bucks to get a legit coach this time around. hope orsini gets somebody soon

As I said earlier, I feel so bad for you guys that Johnson didn't chose SMU. The fans at stingtalk are talking themselves into accepting PJ, whereas everyone here seemed to be excited about him.

I didn't think I'd be as disappointed as I am about this, especially not having a rooting interest in any of the teams PJ was considering, but I am.

With the amount of money you're offering, you'll be able to attract a quality coach . . . I hope you don't go for the "big name," but get someone who cares about the program and wants to rebuild it to the level you all want it to be. Sounds like things are looking up for SMU. I wish our AD was as motivated as yours.

Good luck to SMU with your search. After the warm reception I got here from you all, I'll be a following your search and progress.

Two positive posts from outsiders in the same thread?! The end is most certainly near.

Thanks Eagle apprecaite the words

Eagle01 wrote:I hope you don't go for the "big name," but get someone who cares about the program and wants to rebuild it to the level you all want it to be.

That sure as hell ain't Franny.

And neither one of these guys questioned our courage or honor.

I especially want to thank Eagle for all of the information on PJ that he gave us. Stick around the board and see this coaching search through to the end with us- though that might take awhile.

Pweesey wrote:I especially want to thank Eagle for all of the information on PJ that he gave us. Stick around the board and see this coaching search through to the end with us- though that might take awhile.

We went through a lengthy coaching search a couple of years ago at Georgia Southern. We thought we hit the jackpot with Brian VanGorder (which is the last time his name will be mentioned by me, ever, on this board . . . you only get one.) He was the linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars and had been named coordinator of the year when he was the D-Coordinator at UGA. We were coming off an 8-4 season in which we lost in the first round of the playoffs 50-35 after being up big in the second half.

Well, he who shall not be named came in, changed all our traditions and proceeded to take playoff team and turn it into a 3-8 disaster in one year, and then jumped ship to go be the linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

That's probably my biggest reason for cautioning about going for a "name." Get a young, up-and-coming coach (not currently employed at Georgia Southern, please) and let him work his magic. PJ was an Offensive Coordinator at Hawaii before coming to GSU and he did wonders.

I know you want to make a big splash with the hire, but get someone who fits your program. Good luck, and I'll absolutely stick around to see what happens. Heck, I may adopt you guys as my 1-A team since I don't really have one that I care a whole lot about (yes, there are weird guys like me who follow 1-AA closer than 1-A . . . speaking of which, if you guys want to see the 1-AA team that beat Michigan - Appalachain State - , they'll be on ESPN tonight in the 1-AA semifinals.)

Again, good luck!