Fort Benning: Beware of low-flying robots

Georgia Tech teammates wrestle the probe boom and attached robot (seen in the metal cage at the bottom of the image) into place on the underside of the helicopter. (Dave Bender)

Two Georgia universities are among ten college engineering teams from the US and other countries at Fort Benning near Columbus this week. They’re all taking part in an annual aerial robotics competition.

The Georgia Tech helicopter takes flight. In the background is the mock village it will autonomously reconnoiter. (Dave Bender)

The scene: an open field deep in the piney woods of the massive Army infantry training base. The target: hidden in a two-story building, somewhere in a full-sized mock up of a small village.

The teams are here with miniature helicopters and a small fixed-wing plane, chests full of electronic testing and radio gear, and control trucks nearby.

But these aren’t your dad’s old radio-controlled planes: over the next three days they’ll take off and fly their craft, which carry different tries at the same goal: a small, self-guided robot probe.


A team member checks the charge on the internal battery on the robot probe, "Rover," after its sortie. (Dave Bender)

The aircraft drop the robots near the entrance to the targeted building. From there, they’ll send back recon data via cameras and microphones -- all without human intervention, and in 15 minutes.

Georgia Tech team member Nimrod Roos described the scene, as their gold and white helicopter buzzed by just a hundred feet overhead after takeoff:

“There’s a bunch of waypoints around, and it’s basically flying the waypoints, and this would represent if you were flying to your destination… they want to see that they can actually give us points, and we can follow them and traverse.”

GT and the other teams have four tries to win the $80,000 grand prize. But Roos says getting the prize will take a very clever robot:

“We want some kind of an autonomous vehicle that can go in, survey the site and make it’s own decisions about where to look for stuff.”

The helicopter, unaided and correcting for wind skewing the boom aside, cautiously lowers the robot probe on a dual electric winch. (Dave Bender)

The Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International began the competition in 1991 at Georgia Tech. The organizers say the craft are meant to be used in biohazard and nuclear inspections missions, search and rescue, and military hostage rescue, intelligence and reconnaissance missions.

But successfully designing, programming, building and flying an autonomous robot is a lot harder than playing Wii or PS3.

Georgia Tech team leader Claus Christmann talked about their second time trial on Tuesday, as they recovered the helicopter and two-wheeled, football-sized probe:

“We successfully released the Rover; it came out, unfortunately, on the outside – but it did what it’s supposed to be doing. Immediately after the drop, it self-righted itself, and then started doing a 360-degree panorama shot for the first glimpse of where we are – but it was on the outside, so [there was] no chance of getting a picture done.”

Claus Christmann and team members reset the probe boom, and carefully rewind the rope onto the winch after the flight. (Dave Bender)

The vehicle was stopped cold by a four-inch step in front of an open doorway.

But while Georgia Tech's team didn't fully succeed, at least they're still in the running. Southern Georgia Polytechnic's entry crashed on takeoff, and they pulled out of the race.

Later in the day West Virginia Tech's helicopter got a little too autonomous, and flew away up to 1,800 feet. The approved flight ceiling is 500 feet.

The craft flew a seemingly random path around the field, and over the crews, as worried teammates and bemused judges looked on.

But crews and judges alike ran for cover when the craft started a drunken roll, and appeared to be nosing down into the center of the testing area. After the mock dive, a team member took manual control of the craft via a standard radio control box, and brought the craft to a safe landing to applause from the other teams.

The competition continues through Thursday, when the winning team will be announced.

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Georgia sports for Wednesday, May 23rd

It was a good opening for the Braves in their series against the NL-East leading Mets, as the Braves won 8-1 last night. Kyle Davies threw 8 strong innings on the mound, and added his own 3-run homer in the 6th inning at the plate. Davies improved his record to 2-2 with only a run and 6 hits allowed in his 8 innings of work. Scott Thorman added a home run, and there were 2 hits each for Kelly Johnson, Brian McCann, and Andruw Jones. The Braves are back to within a game-and-a-half of the division lead.

The NBA Draft lottery was held last night. The Atlanta Hawks will have the 3rd overall pick for the draft, which comes in late June. They'll also have the number-11 pick in the 1st round.

Georgia and Georgia Tech each won a sports championship on Tuesday. The NCAA team tennis championships from Athens concluded yesterday. It was victory for the Georgia Bulldogs in the men's tournament--they won their 5th title with the win over Illinois. Georgia Tech won the women's team title, their triumph over UCLA. It's the first championship for Tech women's tennis.

Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, and Georgia State are all involved in their respective conference baseball tournaments today. Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets are the number-7 seed for the ACC Tournament in Jacksonville. Tech faces North Carolina at 1pm this afternoon. The Eagles of Georgia Southern are in Charleston for the Southern Conference tourney. The Eagles take-on Elon College at 4 o'clock.
Georgia State's Panthers lead-off the Colonial Athletic Association tournament in Wilmington--they face Old Dominion at noon today.

Wal-Mart names Ga. Tech grad to be CEO

Mike Duke (AP)

Wal-Mart announced a surprise change in leadership Friday, naming a Georgia Tech grad as its new CEO.

Mike Duke, who joined Wal-Mart in 1995, will take the reins from Lee Scott, currently the company’s CEO, on Feb. 1.

Duke landed his first job at Rich’s department store in Atlanta — and stayed in the department-store business for 23 years as an executive at department-store operators May Stores and Federated Stores Inc., now known as Macy’s Inc.

As Wal-Mart’s vice chairman of its international division, Duke, 58, has made some key moves, including pulling out of some countries and expanding in others, such as Brazil and India.

Before that, Duke had held various senior logistics, distribution and administration posts since joining the company in 1995.

That makes Duke a “capable” executive who knows the company “inside and out,” said Adrianne Shapira, an analyst with Goldman Sachs.

Duke became chief executive and president of the Wal-Mart Stores U.S. division in 2003 and switched over to head the international division two years later as Wal-Mart increased its focus on international growth.

Duke, who has two daughters and a son with his wife, Susan, graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in industrial engineering in 1971. Duke also has served on the Morehouse College board of trustees since 2005.

Barrett H. Carson, vice president for development for Georgia Tech, said becoming Wal-Mart’s CEO places Duke as the highest-ranking Georgia Tech alum.

“Taking the top position there, I think, puts himself certainly first among peers at this juncture,” he said. “I have goosebumps.”

Carson said that Duke is a very humble and self-effacing guy, the kind who will look for your golf ball in the rough. Carson, who has known Duke since 1997, said Duke was very active on the Tech advisory board, and kept Tech football memorabilia in his Bentonville, Ark., office.

“This will all be very embarrassing for him. At the end of the day, he simply is a really good guy.”

In 2003, Duke helped inaugurate Tech’s Technology Square development in Midtown with Gov. Sonny Perdue and others. In his speech that day, Duke said Wal-Mart couldn’t handle its massive supply chain or millions of daily transactions without innovations led by schools such as Tech.

In 2006, Duke was involved in major changes in the company’s international strategy, including exiting the German and South Korean markets, where the company was faltering before Duke took over.

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(AP)

Dawgs wreck Tech, 31-17

Georgia Tech quarterback Taylor Bennett (13) is sacked by Georgia's Dannell Ellerbe (33) and Geno Atkins during the second quarter of a football game in Atlanta, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia won't get a chance to play for the Southeastern Conference championship. At least the Bulldogs still have their state title. Matthew Stafford ran for one touchdown and threw for another, Thomas Brown rushed for 139 yards, and No. 6 Georgia seemed to catch every break in stretching its winning streak to seven in a row over Georgia Tech with a 31-17 victory Saturday.

Late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs (10-2) learned their hopes of winning the SEC East ended when Tennessee defeated Kentucky 52-50 in a four-overtime thriller. Both Georgia and the Vols have 6-2 records in the conference, but Tennessee won the tiebreaker with its 35-14 victory over the Bulldogs in early October.

Georgia Tech (7-5) hasn't beaten Georgia since 2000, and there's plenty of speculation that this latest loss could cost coach Chan Gailey his job. He dropped to 0-6 against the Yellow Jackets' biggest rival, and athletic director Dan Radakovich has said he'll evaluate the program after the season.

Stafford caught Georgia Tech off guard by running for a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter, one of four lead changes in the first half. The last of those came with 1:02 left in the second quarter, when Stafford hooked up with Mohamed Massaquoi on a 9-yard touchdown that sent the Bulldogs to the locker room up 16-14.

There would be no more lead changes. Brannan Southerland powered over from the 3 after Stafford threw 55 yards to Sean Bailey. Brown finished off the Yellow Jackets with a 32-yard run down the right sideline with just over 11 minutes left.

A 2-point conversion provided the final margin, the first time in four years the game wasn't decided in the closing minutes.

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Georgia sports for Thursday, January 17th

Men's college basketball from last night had action for Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia Southern. Georgia's Bulldogs were 61-54 winners over Alabama in Athens. Billy Humphrey led Georgia with 13 points. The Bulldogs improved their record to 10-5 overall. It was oh-so-close for Georgia Tech on their home floor in Atlanta, as the Yellow Jackets fell to top-ranked North Carolina, 83-82. The Tar Heels at 18-0, are off to their best start since 1986. Georgia Tech's tough season continues as their record went to 7-9. Georgia State's club lost on the road to Drexel last night, 58-51.

In pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks were beaten at Milwaukee, 87-80.

To the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons had a second meeting with Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett for the Falcons' head coaching job.

Former Georgia Tech head football coach Chan Gailey has found employment. He's been hired by the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator.

Georgia Tech baseball player found dead

Georgia Tech pitcher Michael Hutts was found dead Friday afternoon inside his apartment near campus. He was 21 years old.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports no cause of death can be determined right now. An investigator says an autopsy is planned for Saturday.

Georgia Tech athletics director Dan Radakovich released this statement:

"The tragic news of Michael Hutts' sudden passing can not be justified in words. Michael was an outstanding student-athlete, but more importantly an outstanding young man who had a deep impact on his teammates, coaches, classmates and the entire community. Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to his parents, Mark and Vicky Hutts, and the entire Hutts family."

Hutts was a junior from Dunwoody, majoring in Georgia Tech's College of Management. He starred in baseball for Wesleyan High in Norcross. With the Yellow Jackets, Hutts this season played in 9 games.

Georgia Tech's game tonight against Miami has been postponed.

G-T President to head Smithsonian

Clough. (Georgia Tech)

Georgia Tech President G. Wayne Clough -- a former dean of engineering at Virginia Tech -- has been chosen to lead the Smithsonian Institution.

Clough will become the 12th secretary of the world's largest museum and research complex on July 1. At 66, he has served as president of Georgia Tech since 1994.

The Smithsonian has been in turmoil, but Clough says he believes the Smithsonian can get through the current challenges quickly. The Smithsonian's previous secretary, Lawrence Small, resigned last March amid an investigation into his spending.

Cristian Samper has been serving as acting secretary. He'll go back to being the director of the National Museum of Natural History after Clough takes over.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News coverage about Georgia Tech.

Two Tech professors suspected of fraud

Georgia Tech has asked the State Attorney General's office to consider legal action against two professors. The school has not released the names of the faculty membrs, but in a press release the University says its investigation shows that $100,000 are not properly accounted for.

The faculty members are suspected of dual employment and double billing their time to Georgia Tech, falsifying travel reimbursement documents, and other potentially illegal actions.

Tech officials call this an isolated incident and say that it does not reflect the character of the Tech faculty. The University has initiated the tenure revocation process for the two faculty members.

Georgia Tech will work closely with the Attorney General's Office as the investigation continues.

Georgia Tech Closer to China Project

Georgia Tech has gotten preliminary approval to launch a second joint degree program with Peking University in Beijing, China. The full state Board of Regents is set to vote on the measure Wednesday. A committee approved it unanimously Tuesday. University officials say the program will be a doctoral degree in material sciences and engineering. The two universities would hold academic exchange programs, providing students and faculty opportunities to travel overseas and gain a global education. Georgia Tech already has a joint program in biomedical engineering with Atlanta's Emory University and Peking University. Georgia Tech also has similar programs with universities in South Africa, Mexico, Germany, Great Britain and Italy.

(Associated Press)

Georgia sports for Thursday, November 1st

There is college football action ahead tonight for Georgia Tech. They'll be on their home turf in Atlanta to tangle with Virginia Tech. Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets enter the game with a 5-3 record, looking for a win to bolster their post-season bowl game hopes, and a chance to win the ACC's Coastal Division. Virginia Tech comes into tonight on the 6-2 mark. Georgia Tech has an injury problem at running back with their top two options both out for this evening: Tashard Choice and Raushaun Grant.

Georgia sports roundup--Wed, Dec. 31st

Bowl games for Georgia Tech/Georgia--

Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets look to wrap a successful season under first-year head coach Paul Johnson with a win in tonight's Chick-Fil-A Bowl from Atlanta. Tech is aiming for its first 10-win season since 1998. Johnson earlier this month earned ACC Coach of the Year honors. Tech, ranked 14th in the nation, will face LSU in the bowl game tonight from the Georgia Dome.

Georgia's Bulldogs put their #16 ranking on the field in Orlando tomorrow afternoon for the Capital One Bowl matchup against Michigan State. The Bulldogs began the season with ultra-high expectations, ranked as a preseason #1. Georgia fans will wonder if this will be the final game for quarterback Matthew Stafford and tailback Knowshon Moreno, who both might consider leaving school for the NFL Draft.

Atlanta Falcons--

The Falcons are deep in preparation for their first NFL playoff game in four years, this Saturday afternoon in Phoneix against the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, an honor for rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. The first-year QB earned Associated Press honors as Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Boston College product helped lead the Falcons to an 11-5 regular season record, following a dismal 2007 for the franchise.

Georgia sports for Friday, December 28th

A former Atlanta Braves coach has died. Jim Beauchamp lost his battle with leukemia—he was 68 years old. Beauchamp was in the Braves organization for 22 years, within a 50-year baseball career. He was a bench coach with the team from 1991 to 98.

Men’s college basketball last night—Georgia Tech at home routed Tennessee Tech, 83-63. Jeremis Smith scored 16 points to help improve Tech’s record to 6-5.

The football teams of Georgia and Georgia Tech continue their preparations for their bowl games next week. Tech’s Yellow Jackets will face Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl December 31st in Boise-Idaho. For Georgia’s Bulldogs, a third workout in New Orleans’ Superdome is on tap for today. The team is getting ready for its matchup against Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl New Year’s Day evening.

Pro hockey last night—the Atlanta Thrashers fell at home to Florida 5-3.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, May 7th

Atlanta Braves win 5th straight--

The Braves won their 4th straight game last night, taking the 1st of a 3-game series against the San Diego Padres in Atlanta. Jair Jurrjens pitched another strong game in earning the victory. Jurrjens went 6 innings, with 7 hits, a run and 8 strikeouts on his line. Offensively, Chipper Jones knocked his 10th homer of the season, while Mark Kotsay homered as well. Tim Hudson takes the mound tonight as the Braves aim for a 5th straight victory.

Atlanta Hawks' GM Knight resigns--

Billy Knight this morning announced his resignation as general manager of the Atlanta Hawks. It comes after the team just completed its first NBA playoff appearance in nine seasons--a 1st-round, 7-game loss to the Boston Celtics. Knight's resignation is effective July 1st. The 55-year-old Knight spent six years with the organization.
His best season came this year, as the Hawks had a 37-45 regular season record and broke a nine-year playoff drought. Knight says in a statement he's "leaving the organization in much better shape than it was in when I took over."

Former Tech football star arrested--

Former Georgia Tech star quarterback Joe Hamilton is facing multiple charges following a traffic stop early Tuesday. The 31-year-old Hamilton was charged with marijuana possession, driving under the influence of alcohol, hit-and-run, and possessing an open container. Georgia Tech police pulled over Hamilton’s black Ford Expedition, as it matched the description of a vehicle that had been involved in a hit-and-run accident nearby. Hamilton led Georgia Tech to an ACC football championship in 1998, and had just been hired by the school’s football program last week as assistant director of player personnel.

Georgia sports for Thursday, May 8th

Atlanta Braves--

It was a 5th straight win recorded by the Braves last night in Atlanta, after the 5-2 decision over the San Diego Padres. Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 7th inning, newcomer Greg Norton delivered a bases-loaded single for the Atlanta lead--the Braves added 2 more runs in the inning. The offense supported the pitching of Tim Hudson who got the victory with 7 strong innings of work on the hill. The Braves at 17-15 are now 2 games over .500 for the first time this season. They own the best home record in the major leagues, at 13-4. This afternoon in a 1:05 start from Turner Field, the Braves go for the 3-game series sweep of the Padres.

Georgia Tech-Joe Hamilton--

Former Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton has stepped down from his new position at his alma mater after he was slapped with drug and alcohol charges earlier this week. Hamilton said Wednesday he will immediately resign as the school's assistant director of player personnel. Hamilton was charged with marijuana possession, driving under the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run early Tuesday. The charges came less than a week after he was hired as a coach at the school. The 31-year-old Hamilton also was charged with having an open bottle of beer in his Ford Expedition when arrested by Georgia Tech police shortly after midnight. Hamilton starred for Tech in the late 90's, and led the program to the 1998 ACC football championship.

Georgia sports for Monday, September 15th

Atlanta Falcons--

The Falcons suffered their first loss of the season, falling 24-9 on the road at Tampa Bay Sunday afternoon. The Buccaneers built a 17-0 lead in the game, helped by a pair of interceptions thrown by Falcons' rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. After a tough 1st-half passing in which he went 3-for-15, Ryan rebounded with his 2nd-half passing numbers: 10-for-18. Tampa was able to stifle the Atlanta-running attack, holding Michael Turner to only 42 yards. A week ago, Turner set an Atlanta single-game rushing mark with 220 yards. The Falcons are 1-1 through 2 games--they'll host Kansas City next Sunday.

**Breaking--Monday morning: Falcons' veteran safety Lawyer Malloy was booked on charges of DUI and speeding early Monday morning. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Malloy was booked into the Gwinnett County jail around 4:30 this morning. He reportedly posted bond in the 9am hour. Falcons' head coach Mike Smith is expected to address the situation in his regularly scheduled afternoon news conference.

College football weekend--

The weekend past saw wins for Georgia and Georgia Southern, while Georgia Tech lost their game on the road. The Georgia Bulldogs did enough to win 14-7 at South Carolina in the SEC-opener for both schools. Depsite the victory to improve to 3-0, Georgia fell to a #3 national ranking.

In other games, Georgia Tech was a 20-17 loser on the road at Virginia Tech. The Yellow Jackets suffered their first defeat under head coach Paul Johnson to drop their record to 2-1. Georgia Southern improved their early-season record to 2-1 with a win over Northeastern in Statesboro Saturday.

Atlanta Braves--

The Braves completed their weekend in New York with a comeback 7-4 win over the Mets Sunday afternoon. Trailing 4-2 in the 9th inning, Greg Norton blasted a 3-run homer to turn the game, stunning the Mets. The series marked the Braves' last visit to Shea Stadium.

Georgia sports for Monday, October 8th

The Atlanta Falcons fell to 1-4 on the NFL season, after their 20-13 loss to the Titans on the road at Tennesee. The scoring difference was a 76-yard interception returned for score by the Titans defense. The Falcons missed several opportunities handed to them in the form of 5 Tennesee-turnovers on the afternoon--Atlanta scored only 13 points off those turnovers. Atlanta also missed 3 field goals. Late in the game, the Falcons still had the chance to tie, but were stopped on the Titans' 1-yard line.

Recapping the college football weekend, Georgia and Georgia Tech suffered losses, while Georgia Southern scored a victory. The previously 12th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs were dominated at Tennessee Saturday afternoon, 35-14. The Bulldogs fell to a record of 4-2, and 2-2 SEC for the season. Georgia also learned they'll be without running back Thomas Brown for 4-6 weeks, after he suffered a broken collarbone. For Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets fell to a 1-3 ACC mark after a 28-26 loss at Maryland. Tech is 3-3 overall for the season. Georgia Southern held-on for a win over visiting South Dakota State, 41-38. The Eagles improved their record to 4-1, and 1-1 in the Southern Conference.

Georgia sports for Monday, November 12th

The Atlanta Falcons have won 2-straight games to improve their record to 3-6 overall. Sunday afternoon, the Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers on the road 20-13. The decisive score came with 20 seconds left, as QB Joey Harrington connected with tight end Alge Crumpler on a 30-yard touchdown strike.

The college football weekend wrapup included wins for Georgia and Georgia Tech, while Georgia Southern lost their contest. Georgia's Bulldogs pulled away in the 2nd half to beat Auburn in Athens Saturday, 45-20. The Bulldogs in the new Associated Press rankings have moved up to number-8. Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets won their game on the road Saturday at Duke, 41-24. Tech running back Tashard Choice ran for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns. Georgia Southern's Eagles lost their game to Furman 24-22.

Women's college basketball from Sunday included Georgia's Lady Bulldogs scoring the victory over George Mason, 84-56.

Gailey out as Ga Tech football coach

After six seasons, Georgia Tech is in the market for a new head football coach.

Tech athletics director Dan Radakovich made the announcement Monday afternoon that Chan Gailey will not return to lead the Yellow Jackets. Radakovich cited several factors for the change, including a need for renewed energy for the program and whether fans were inspired by Tech football. In then end, Radakovich said there wasn't one particular moment that prompted the change.

"I don't know that I can pin down to one day or one week...I think that it was an evaluation of the entire year".

One main criticism of Gailey was that his teams were consistent, but around average. Except for 2006, none of Gailey’s teams won more than 7 games, and every year under Gailey Tech lost at least 5 games. Also, Tech alumni were not pleased that Gailey's Tech-teams never beat Georgia. The Yellow Jackets have lost 7-straight games to the state rival Bulldogs in their annual matchup, including last Saturday's 31-17 defeat.

An hour after his firing was announced, Gailey defended his record.

"I’ve got to be a little unique...I’m not sure there’s any coaches out there that in the NFL went to the playoffs and got fired, and been to a bowl game 6-straight years and got fired. There’s not many of those".

Gailey for his six years at Tech posted an overall 44-32 record as head coach.

Tech expects a bowl invitation this season. Defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta will coach that game.

Georgia sports for Monday, April 14th

There is a new champion at the Masters. Trevor Immelman earned the green jacket Sunday, becoming the first South African to win a Masters title in 30 years. Immelman faltered a bit with a '75' in the final round, but it was enough to hold-off a gaining Tiger Woods. For his day, Woods carded a '72' Sunday to finish 5-under-par for the tournament--Immelman finished 8-under. Stewart Cink and Brandt Snedeker tied for 3rd place, finishing 4 shots off the pace.

From major league baseball, after wins in the first 2 games of their series in Washington D-C, the Braves faltered in the finale Sunday with a 5-4 loss. Made tougher was the exit of starting pitcher Tom Glavine in the 1st inning after facing only 4 batters. Glavine left the game with a right hamstring strain, and hopes to avoid the disabled list for the first time in his career.

Georgia Tech has cancelled its Tuesday baseball game against Georgia Southern in Statesboro. The Yellow Jackets are dealing with the death of their teammate, junior pitcher Michael Hutts. The team will attend the funeral for Hutts on Tuesday. Michael Hutts' body was discovered Friday afternoon in his apartment in Atlanta. The initial report from the coroner found there was no obvious violent cause of death. A full report may not come for a few weeks. Tech expects to face Georgia Southern in a scheduled game Wednesday. Over this past weekend, Georgia Tech lost all 3 games to visiting Miami. Tech had postponed their Friday night game upon news of Hutts' death.

Johnson Leaves Navy for Georgia Tech Job

Johnson. (AP Photo)

Navy football coach Paul Johnson is headed to Georgia Tech after turning around a struggling program in six years at the military academy.

Johnson informed the team at an 11:45 a.m. meeting at Ricketts Hall, where the football offices are located, said Scott Strasemeier, Navy's associate athletic director for sports information.
Georgia Tech has scheduled a news conference for Friday at 5:30 p.m. EST, when athletic director Dan Radakovich will announce a new head coach.

Johnson, a former Georgia Southern coach, also negotiated with Southern Methodist and Duke this week.

He will replace Chan Gailey, who was fired one day after a 7-5 regular season ended with his sixth straight loss to Georgia. Gailey had four years left on his contract at $1 million per season.

The Midshipmen had a miserable 1-20 record in the two seasons before Johnson took over. He had a 2-10 record in his first season, but turned things around quickly. He led the Midshipmen to five straight bowl games, a school record. Navy will play Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 20 in San Diego.

Johnson was 45-29 at Navy. He was also successful against the other service academies. He got his sixth straight win against rival Army last week, an unprecedented streak.

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(The Associated Press)