Paul Johnson was hired for one reason. It wasn’t his record as a COLLEGE coach or his marquee wins at less than stellar programs or the fire and passion that he displayed and that was so dearly lacking on the flats, no. Paul Johnson was brought here to beat Georgia. In the time before Saturday’s game I find myself in a familiar situation every year. I wonder why it is such a big deal to win this game over any other? I should be happy with a winning season and wins over teams like Clemson, and Florida State and Miami, right? Then I remember that this is why we are Tech fans. None of those games matter because this is our rival. Light does not exist without the darkness and so we will be forever linked. Then I try and remember the last time we beat the Dogs. I find myself more and more frustrated at the lack of fire in my Georgia counter-parts. Then I realize they have fallen into the same void; it’s been too long.

In the O’Leary days, the last time Tech managed to beat Georgia, the goal was there, 1. winning season 2. bowl game 3. beat UGA. Since that time of overt conservatism and a believe it or not regress into uber-conservatism in what will forever be referred to as “the Gailey ordeal,” the team has managed to blow a lead three times in the fourth quarter, three times in the second half, and barely show up for one outing.

The reason? Priorities. It has long puzzled me why the position of Tech head coach is not as sought after as many other coaching spots. It has to be one of the lowest stress positions out there. All we Tech fans ask for if we were to be truly honest with ourselves is a chance at winning the conference every year, no worse than the peach bowl ( a game in which Tech by comparison rarely plays in given the number of bowl games that are created solely for one team to play there, usually in there home state) and we want to ruin Georgia’s fun at least two out of every five years. Truthfully we want that last one every year and any Wreckie worth his weight in Old Gold would gladly trade any season for a win against the Dogs. These are surely not overwhelming demands and finally we have a coach who understands the key to the Jacket fan’s heart. We want to feel like we are relevant.

Tech sports some of college football’s greatest tradition and pagentry yet we are often forgotten for up and coming programs or programs that have been around but have only recently found the spotlight in this “what have you done for me lately society.” I was in attendance for the basketball game between the Jackets and eventual champion Kansas Jayhawks the night Paul Johnson was introduced as head coach. It was stirringly brief and to the point. He promised that his team would be a team Tech could be proud of and that they would be ready each and every week. He ended by saying the words that echoed from a day in 1893 when a team known as the blacksmiths pummeled the team from Athens in their first ever meeting 28-6. When John Heisman and his Golden Tornado swept home undefeated in 1917 giving Tech its first Championship. When William Alexander gave up only 27 points all season and “wrong way” Reigels gave Tech a Rose Bowl and the 1928 National Championship. When Bobby Dodd won eight straight and the 1952 Championship. When Bobby Ross, just two years after a two-loss season brought the Jackets out of the dark ages and into the forefront with a 1990 National Championship.

Coach Johnson said: “…and if there is one thing I’ve learned since walking on this campus, it’s TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!”

That’s all we’ve ever wanted to hear.

III,