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Geoff Collins hired to replace Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech

Nick Bromberg
College football and motorsports writer
Geoff Collins has led Temple to two bowl appearances in two seasons. He came from Florida, where he was the team’s defensive coordinator. (Getty)
Geoff Collins has led Temple to two bowl appearances in two seasons. He came from Florida, where he was the team’s defensive coordinator. (Getty)

Georgia Tech has found its next coach.

The Yellow Jackets have finalized a deal to hire Geoff Collins, the head coach at Temple the past two seasons, to replace Paul Johnson. The team made the hire official Friday morning and said an introductory press conference would be held Friday afternoon.

Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel reported that Collins met with school officials in Atlanta on Thursday.

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Collins, a native of Conyers, Georgia, replaced Matt Rhule with the Owls after Rhule left to become the coach at Baylor. Collins’ team went 7-6 in 2017 and Temple is 8-4 in 2018. The Owls will face Duke in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 26.

Before coming to Temple, Collins was Florida’s defensive coordinator. He was with the Gators for two seasons after a four-year stint on Mississippi State’s defensive staff. He also had two stints as an assistant at Georgia Tech, serving as a graduate assistant from 1999-2001 and recruiting coordinator in 2006.

Johnson, 61, announced that he was stepping down at the end of the season. He said it was time to “take a break” after 11 seasons at Georgia Tech and 40 years of coaching. Johnson’s teams have been known for the triple-option offense, and Georgia Tech was the only FBS team outside of Air Force, Army, and Navy to use the offensive style.

The option will likely disappear along with Johnson. Temple’s offense has thrown the ball nearly 400 times in 2018. Anthony Russo has thrown for 2,335 yards and 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and Ryquell Armstead has rushed for 1,098 yards and 13 scores.

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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