<p>Time to celebrate at AFA
By
David Ramsey
Colorado Springs Gazette</p>
<p>Paul Johnson has departed Navy to coach football at Georgia Tech.</p>
<p>That means it’s time to party at the Air Force Academy. Johnson owned the Falcons during his six seasons at the Naval Academy. If he had stayed in Annapolis, chances are he would have continued to own the Falcons. Johnson departs NAvy with an 11-1 record against his former service-academy brethren.</p>
<p>Johnson can be arrogant and paranoid. He fills his players with stories - most only vaguely based on truth - about disrespectful words spoken by opponents.</p>
<p>But he’s a master at building a winning football team. He converted the Midshipmen from one of the worst teams in college football to the undisputed kings of service-academy football. His triple-option offense, which borrows heavily from Fisher DeBerry, is a thing of beauty.</p>
<p>He fills his playes with belief. Earlier this season, Navy had apparently beaten Notre Dame in overtime before an awful interference call rescued the Fighting Irish. Johnson could have been stomping in anger, but when TV cameras found him on the sidelines, he was laughing. His players could sense his confidence, and the Midshipmen stopped the Irish on the next play to win the game.</p>
<p>No doubt, the man can coach. Johnson will build a winner at Georgia Tech. Meanwhile, Air Force football can celebrate the departure of the program’s greatest nemesis.</p>