Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Johnson to Retire After 11 Seasons

Johnson won 82 games for the Yellow Jackets during his 11 years with the program.

Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson is retiring from coaching, the team announced Wednesday.

“After 40 years of coaching, it’s time to take a break,” Johnson said in a statement. “My family has sacrificed a lot over the years. I want to watch my daughter [Kaitlyn, a professional opera singer] perform and do some things with my wife [Susan] that we’ve never had a chance to do. It’s been a great run for the last 11 years here on The Flats. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and am looking forward to having the chance to coach this team one last time at our bowl game next month.”

Johnson, 61, spent 11 seasons at the helm of the Yellow Jackets' program after joining the team in 2008. The three-time ACC Coach of the Year led Georgia Tech to an 82–59 record during his tenure and a 7–5 season this year, finishing second in the ACC coastal. The Yellow Jackets have gone just 12–11 over the last two seasons, including 9–7 in conference contests. 

Georgia Tech won an ACC Championship under Johnson in 2009 and appeared in two other ACC title games, losing to Florida State in 2012 and 2014. 

“I was saddened when Coach Johnson informed me that he was going to step down as our head coach,” Georgia Tech director of athletics Todd Stansbury said. “Not only is he Georgia Tech’s winningest head coach in more than 50 years but he is also an incredible mentor for the young men in our football program and has helped develop countless student-athletes that have gone on to great success after graduation. I wish him and Susan nothing but the very best as he steps away from coaching football for the first time in 40 years and ask the entire Georgia Tech community to join me in thanking him for his hard work and contributions to the Institute over the past 11 years.”

Johnson will continue to serve as Georgia Tech's coach through its upcoming bowl game before stepping down.

Before joining the Yellow Jackets, Johnson previously served as the head coach at Georgia Southern from 1997-2001 and Navy from 2002-2007 before taking over Georgia Tech's program.