CFB notebook: Georgia Tech's Johnson expected to retire

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson is expected to step down and announce his retirement after 11 seasons with the school, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday. Per ESPN, Yellow Jackets assistant coaches have been informed to return from recruiting trips for meetings. Johnson is expected to meet with his players and make his plans known to the team, which finished 7-4 following a 45-21 setback to Georgia on Saturday. The three-time ACC Coach of the Year is expected to be on the sideline for the team's upcoming bowl game. The 61-year-old Johnson owns an 82-59 mark (51-37 in ACC) at Georgia Tech with four division championships and the 2009 ACC conference crown. His 82 victories with the Yellow Jackets are fourth in school history, behind Bobby Dodd (165), William Alexander (134) and John Heisman (102). Georgia Tech has posted a 12--11 record over the last two seasons, including 9-7 in conference contests. Johnson posted a 189-98 overall record as a head coach. Prior to being at Georgia Tech, Johnson coached six years at Navy and five at Georgia Southern. He led the Eagles to back-to-back NCAA Division I-AA championships in 1999 and 2000. Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who played at Georgia Tech, is expected to be a candidate for the expected vacant position, per ESPN. --Bowling Green hired Boston College offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler as its head coach, the school announced. The head coaching position will be the first for Loeffler, who has served as offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach at Central Michigan, Michigan, Florida, Temple, Auburn, Virginia Tech and Boston College as well as for the NFL's Detroit Lions. "Bowling Green has a rich football tradition along with an incredible academic reputation," the 44-year-old Ohio native said in a statement. "I'm honored to be a part of this great University. My family and I look forward to developing a program that will make all BG faculty members, students, former players, alumni and fans proud! My family and I are extremely excited to begin our mission!" Loeffler replaces Mike Jinks, who was fired in October after posting a 1-6 mark this season and 7-27 record over the last three years. Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini served as the interim head coach for the Falcons, who finished the season with a 3-9 mark. Under Loeffler's watch, the Eagles averaged 32.0 points per game this season. Boston College was ranked 25th nationally in rushing offense and 18th in total plays. --Gus Malzahn apparently will keep his job as head coach at Auburn, but will have to agree to at least one change to his current contract, 247Sports reported. According to the website, Malzahn will have to agree to a reduction of the current buyout of $32 million in his contract, although the new number was not revealed. "Malzahn is on the verge of accepting a reduced buyout and other limitations to remain for his seventh season as Auburn's head football coach," according to Phillip Marshall of 247Sports.com, who added that Malzahn also could be asked to make some adjustments to his coaching staff. The report came one day after rumors circulated that Bob Stoops, former Oklahoma coach, might be a candidate to replace Malzahn at Auburn. Stoops vehemently denied he has met with anyone at Auburn about the head coaching position. Malzahn has posted a 52-27 record overall in six seasons at Auburn, including a 28-20 record in Southeastern Conference games. The Tigers reached the BCS Championship Game in his first season, but reached double-digits in wins since only at 10-4 in 2017. Auburn entered this season ranked in the Top 10, but finished the regular season at 7-5.