Georgia Tech hires Temple’s Collins to replace Johnson

ATLANTA >> Georgia Tech hired Temple coach Geoff Collins on Friday, choosing a Georgia native with a background in defense to replace Paul Johnson as the Yellow Jackets coach.

Collins, 47, is a former Florida and Mississippi State defensive coordinator and Georgia Tech assistant who was 1510 in two seasons at Temple.

Georgia Tech announced plans for a news conference on Friday to introduce Collins, who has a history at the school.

Before his time at Florida (2015-16) and Mississippi State (2011-14), Collins was a graduate assistant and tight ends coach at Georgia Tech under coach George O’Leary from 1999-2001. He returned to serve as recruiting coordinator at Georgia Tech under coach Chan Gailey in 2006.

Collins also spent a season as director of player personal at Alabama in 2007, Nick Saban’s first season.

Temple athletic director Patrick Kraft said assistant coach Ed Foley will serve as interim coach for the Independence Bowl against Duke on Dec. 27.