New Tech coach plays to home crowd

ATLANTA -- It didn't take Paul Johnson long to make his feelings known about Georgia Tech's in-state rival.

Johnson received a standing ovation when introduced at halftime of the Yellow Jackets' basketball game against Kansas tonight.

Johnson quickly earned another ovation with his brief comments as he held a microphone at midcourt. Johnson said he has been busy recruiting and working on building his staff at Georgia Tech in his first week on the job.

He said the one thing he has learned is ``to hell with Georgia!'' That drew an immediate response from the Georgia Tech fans.

Johnson, the former Georgia Southern coach, was hired on December 7th after six years at Navy.

Johnson will not be involved in Georgia Tech's December 31st Humanitarian Bowl. Jon Tenuta, the defensive coordinator under former coach Chan Gailey, is the interim head coach for the bowl game.