Interview with Paul Johnson on his decision

By BILL WAGNER, For The Capital

Capital Gazette Communications

Published 12/07/07

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Naval Academy football coach Paul Johnson announced to his players during a team meeting this morning that he had accepted the same position at Georgia Tech. Johnson made the announcement in the Bellino Auditorium of Ricketts Hall. Bill Wagner, Navy football beat writer for The Capital, interviewed Johnson immediately after he left the meeting and headed for his car. Here is a complete transcript of the interview.

WAGNER: Is that the hardest thing youâ€™ve ever had to do in your life?

JOHNSON: Pretty much. It wasnâ€™t easy, thatâ€™s for sure.

WAGNER: Ultimately, what led to your...

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The Supe - 2007-12-08 00:33:18

I believe that VADM Fowler drove Coach to this decision. Paul said, "There are just certain built-in restrictions here (at the Naval Academy)." I know that the Supe changed many rules and I believe in his basic construct. However, VADM Fowler does not support NAVY football, and I do not support him.

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Dennis O. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Commitment - 2007-12-07 20:17:54

Bill, too bad that the USNA Administration, this year, did not offer the Commitment to Coach Paul Johnson that Paul Johnson has given the USNA during the last five years. Hopefully, they (the Administration) will realize that winning will produce excellent morale and good leaders for the future.

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d. kennedy - lake city, FL - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 0

Its NOT fair - 2007-12-07 18:47:39

Bo Pelini is coaching LSU in their bowl game despite recently being named as the Cornhuskers' new head coach. I expected the same loyalty out of Coach Johnson. His decision is a disappointment.

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Martin Hahn - Bellevue, NE - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 0

Not coach the bowl game!? - 2007-12-07 16:00:57

How is that "fair" to abandon your players less than 2 weeks before a big game!!!?

GT would certainly understand a commitment to finish the season ... give me a break!

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Rob M - q, CT - Karma: Neutral

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