November 30, 1999
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN'S JOHNSON NAMED GTE
REGION II COACH-OF-THE-YEAR

GREENVILLE -- Furman University head football coach Bobby Johnson has been named 1999 GTE Region II Coach-of-the-Year in voting by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), it was announced today.

Johnson, who directed Furman to a 9-3 record, Southern Conference championship, and berth into the NCAA I-AA playoffs this year, will now compete with four other regional coach-of-the-year selections for national coach-of-the-year honors, which will be announced on Jan. 12 at the AFCA Convention in Anaheim, Calif.

The national coach-of-the-year for Divisions I-AA, II, and III will be invited to serve as assistant coaches at the 2000 Hula Bowl All-Star Football Classic on Jan. 22 in Maui. In addition, the four schools represented by the GTE National Coach-of-the-Year will each receive a $10,000 academic scholarship from the AFCA.

"It's particularly special to be recognized by fellow coaches, but the honor is a real indication of the hard work of our assistant coaches and players," said Johnson on Tuesday. "I consider this a team award."

In six seasons as head coach at Furman, Johnson has compiled a 39-30 record. The Columbia, S.C., native and 1973 Clemson graduate was accorded the same honor in 1996 after directing Furman to a 9-4 record an NCAA I-AA quarterfinal playoff appearance. Last week Johnson was named Southern Conference Coach-of-the-Year by the league's media association.

Johnson's coaching tenure at Furman now covers 22 seasons. Prior to being named head coach in 1994, Johnson, 48, served 16 seasons in various capacities on the Paladin staff, including defensive backs coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant head coach.