Ga. Tech's Johnson receives strong endorsement from new AD

Published Nov. 30, 2016 5:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

ATLANTA (AP) Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson has received a strong endorsement from the school's new athletic director.

Todd Stansbury attended the regular-season finale at Georgia last weekend before officially taking over on Monday. The Yellow Jackets rallied for a 28-27 victory, improving their record to 8-4 and boosting their chances of landing a more prominent bowl bid.

Stansbury said Wednesday that beating the Bulldogs in Athens is ''a heck of a statement.'' The new AD also says that ''nobody out there wants to play us,'' which he considers a testament to Johnson's coaching ability.

Johnson has been at Georgia Tech for nine seasons, leading his team to eight bowl appearances. His job security was in question after going 3-9 last season, but the Yellow Jackets rebounded strongly in 2016.

---

For more AP college football coverage: www.collegefootball.ap.org