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Georgia Southern Football: 3 potential head coaching candidates

By Payton Wilkerson

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - SEPTEMBER 18: Justin Tomlin #17 hands off the ball to Gerald Green #4 of the Georgia Southern Eagles in the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - SEPTEMBER 18: Justin Tomlin #17 hands off the ball to Gerald Green #4 of the Georgia Southern Eagles in the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Paul Johnson of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Paul Johnson of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. Paul Johnson, former Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern HC

Speaking of Paul Johnson, why not bring him back to the place that jumpstarted his head coaching career? He is available.

Of all the candidates on this list, this is probably not going to happen since Johnson retired at the end of the 2018 season. However, he had this to say when asked about whether or not he was done coaching for good:

"“I’m not sure I’m done coaching, but I need a break. I’m going to take some time off with the family and decide if I like it. If it works, it’ll be great. If it doesn’t, I’ll resurface somewhere else.”"

For his career, Johnson is 189-98. He has been the head coach of Georgia Southern, Navy, and Georgia Tech.

Johnson was 62-10 with the Eagles. He won two FCS national championships in 1999 and 2000 and helped the Eagles make other appearances in the FCS playoffs.

While with the Yellow Jackets, he was 83-60 and 3-6 in bowl games. He did win the ACC Championship once,  but it was vacated by the NCAA.

Another triple-option guru, Johnson would bring big-time appeal back to Statesboro. He is already a legend in the city from his early success with the Eagles, and fans would be hyped at the possibility of seeing a man who helped GSU win national championships (at the FCS level) roaming the sidelines of Paulson Stadium again, not to mention the impact of recruiting for the school.

Would one last run with the Eagles be the perfect opportunity for Johnson to get back into coaching? Don’t completely rule it out.

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