Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson stepped down on Wednesday after 11 seasons with the Yellow Jackets.
He compiled an 82-59 record since 2008, and that included four ACC Coastal Division championships and an ACC championship in 2009. Georgia Tech, however, slipped to 21-15 the last three seasons.
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Now, the Yellow Jackets have three questions to ask as they hire a new coach. Do they want to continue using the triple option? Who is the best fit to challenge in the ACC? Who is the best fit to challenge in-state rival Georgia? This job could attract a multitude of different styles as a result.
Here are 10 possible candidates to keep an eye on:
Mike Norvell, Memphis
Norvell is a good fit. He’s 26-12 with the Tigers, has developed All-American skill-position players and runs an offense that would excite Georgia Tech fans. He has Memphis back in the American Athletic Conference championship, too.
Scott Satterfield, Appalachian State
We’re surprised Satterfield didn’t get more run with the North Carolina job, and this would be a chance to move up after compiling a 50-24 record with Appalachian State. Satterfield is young, successful and runs an exciting offense. This would be a good step up.
Neal Brown, Troy
Brown is 30-8 the last three years at Troy, and he has led the Trojans to some big-time upsets along the way (LSU in 2017, Nebraska in 2018). He has been patient before taking the next step up, and this is the type of job where he can have success. What coach doesn’t want to recruit with Atlanta as the main recruiting hub?
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Mel Tucker, Georgia
This would be a bold move to go after Georgia’s defensive coordinator, but Tucker knows the area and seems ready for that first head coaching job. Georgia Tech has hired coaches with NFL backgrounds in the past, and Tucker fits that description. It’s one to get after the Bulldogs.
Bill Clark, UAB
Clark has Alabama roots, but it’s impossible not to recognize the job he’s done with UAB the last two seasons, given the circumstances in which the program returned to the FBS. He’s 23-14 in UAB’s last three seasons.
Chad Lunsford, Georgia Southern
If the Yellow Jackets want to stick with option approach, then Lunsford would be an interesting hire. He’s a Georgia native and has led the Eagles to a 9-3 season in his second season. He could maintain good relationships with the high school coaches in the area, but is he the right fit?
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Tosh Lupoi, Alabama
Would Georgia Tech be willing to pull yet another assistant off the Nick Saban tree? Lupoi has been a defensive assistant with the Crimson Tide since 2014, and he would be an interesting foil on the recruiting trail to Smart, who has dominated in-state recruiting.
Kliff Kingsbury
The former Texas Tech coach appears to be in high demand, but a philosophical change of this magnitude on offense would take at least two to three years to materialize. Kingsbury is a bright offensive mind, but his next step might be as a coordinator in the FBS – or even the NFL.
Tony Elliott, Clemson
Elliott would be tough to pry away from an ACC rival in Clemson, but he's due for a head coaching job and the Yellow Jackets should be interested. Elliott would help make an easy transition within the conference in recruiting circles.
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Lane Kiffin, Florida Atlantic
Lane in the ATL? The headlines would be tremendous, and he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama under Saban before leading FAU to a Conference USA championship in Year 1. The Owls regressed to a 5-7 team, however. This would be a step up, and Kiffin is a bright offensive mind. But is he fit for this kind of rebuild?
