Paul Johnson leaving Navy for Georgia Tech? (updated)

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I’ve been hearing internet chatter that 680 AM in Atlanta is reporting that Paul Johnson is leaving as head football coach at Navy for the vacant job at Georgia Tech. The Midshipmen are fresh off their 6th straight victory against the Cadets of Army and scheduled to play the Utah Utes in the Poinsettia Bowl on December 20.

Johnson’s name has been on the wish-list of several teams with openings since most teams’ regular seasons ended. It was even reported last week that SMU was in the running for his services and would probably get him. Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel had also been mentioned for the Tech job.

If the reports are true, Johnson would still be making occasional football trips to the area when the Yellow Jackets visited the Maryland Terps.

UPDATE 6:23 p.m. EDT
Scott Farrell of Rivals reported earlier today (before the 680 report) that there’s not alot of really new information on the Paul Johnson sweepstakes. Duke, Georgia Tech and SMU all have Johnson as their primary candidate. Farrell reports that Johnson flew from BWI to DFW last night and toured SMU today before returning to BWI. He also reports that Duke talked to the Navy coach before he left for Dallas.

The Dallas Morning News has extensive coverage of the Johnson trip to SMU and even includes the fact that two athletic department officials for the Mustangs were in Annapolis in the USNA athletic department when Johnson was the offensive coordinator (prior to him going to Georgia Southern.)

There is also news coverage of Duke’s interest in the Navy coach. The News & Observer reports that the Duke meeting with Johnson took place Monday. Johnson is a graduate of Western Carolina in Cullowhee, NC and is a native of the Tarheel State.

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