Tommy Thigpen’s last season at North Carolina was coach Paul Johnson’s first season at Georgia Tech. And although you wouldn’t guess it by the final score, Johnson’s flexbone offense made a powerful impression on Thigpen.
Thigpen, who now coaches Tennessee linebackers, is helping prepare the Vols for their season opener against Georgia Tech on Sept. 4. His memory of the first encounter with Johnson’s offense nine years ago is still sharp.
Never mind that North Carolina held the Yellow Jackets to seven points in a three-touchdown victory. The game wasn’t that easy for the Tar Heels defense.
Georgia Tech rushed for 326 yards, including 157 by Jonathan Dwyer, and outgained North Carolina by more than 100 yards.
“What he does in college football is really to be respected,” Thigpen said of Johnson. “He runs the ball as good as anybody does in college football.
“He has the ability to adjust and adapt as well as anybody I’ve seen. We go out every single day trying to think like him.”
Flexbone Association 
Leave a Reply