Paul Johnson has known nothing but success the last five seasons.

As head coach at Georgia Southern, Johnson was 62-10 with Division I-AA national championships in 1999 and 2000, five straight Southern Conference championships and five Division I-AA National Coach of the Year awards to his credit.

So why would he leave such a winning program to come to Navy, a program with just one victory the last two seasons?

"I look at this as an opportunity and a challenge. I know you can win here because we did it when I was coaching here before," Johnson said. "I don’t think you will find any finer people to work and coach with. I just choose to look at all the positives. There is a lot of upside. Once we get in here with our system and our coaching staff and work on a lot of things, it isn’t undoable.

"I am the type of person, and I hope to find a lot on the football team that are the same way, that when you tell me I can’t do something, I like to try and do it. There are a lot of people that say you can’t win here and I think they are wrong and I hope we can show them that they are wrong."

Johnson’s hiring was met with approval from Navy fans who remember Johnson the last time he worked at Annapolis. He was Navy’s offensive coordinator in 1995 and ‘96 and his spread offense made an immediate impact. The Midshipmen broke five school records during a five-victory season in 1995, equaling the most wins by a Navy team since 1990.

Navy came back in year two under Johnson and posted a 9-3 record, including a 42-38 victory over California in the Aloha Bowl. It was Navy’s first winning season since 1982 and one of only two winning seasons the Mids have had in the last 19 years. Navy finished the season ranked fifth nationally in rushing offense (283.6 yards per game), 31st in total offense (407.7) and 22nd in scoring offense (31.8 points per game).

Johnson becomes the 36th football coach at Navy, which was 30-49 in seven seasons under Charlie Weatherbie.

Johnson comes to Annapolis with a long list of accomplishments, none more impressive than his .873 career winning percentage as a head coach. In addition to Georgia Southern’s 62-9 mark under Johnson, the Eagles scored 2,838 points (40 points per game), picked up 25,757 rushing yards (362.8 yards per game), 7,721 passing yards (108.7 yards per game) and 33,478 total yards (471.5 yards per game) in his time there. GSU scored 378 touchdowns with Johnson as coach -- an average of 5.3 per game. The Eagles’ scoring margin under Johnson is +21.5 (40.0-18.5).

Although lost at times amid the gaudy numbers of Johnson’s explosive offensive unit, Georgia Southern also had an excellent defense. This 2001 Eagles’ defense ranked as the best ever at Georgia Southern -- in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense (fourth), total defense (sixth) and pass defense (second). The defense allowed just 12 points per game in 2001, a school record.

Before joining the Navy staff, Johnson spent eight seasons as the offensive coordinator at the University of Hawaii. He helped guide the Rainbows to their first-ever Western Athletic Conference title and their first-ever bowl appearance coordinating a high-powered offense that broke or equaled more than 160 school records.

While at Hawaii from 1987 to 1994, Johnson developed a successful offensive unit which earned top 20 I-A statistical rankings in scoring offense, total offense and rushing offense during six of his eight seasons. He earned Top Offensive Coach-honors in the WAC and was selected one of the top 10 assistant coaches in the country by The Sporting News.

Johnson, who will serve as his own offensive coordinator, reached out to some friends when he took the job. He hired Buddy Green -- formerly the coach at Chattanooga, one of Georgia Southern’s Southern Conference foes -- as his defensive coordinator. Green, who left Chattanooga in 1999, comes to the Naval Academy from North Carolina State, where he had been the defensive coordinator the last two seasons.

The starter will be junior Craig Candeto (5-11, 197), who split his time in the spring between football and baseball, where he starts in left field.

Candeto is Navy’s most experienced quarterback. He made starts against Temple and Georgia Tech last year, rushing 30 times for 26 yards and completing 15-of-33 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns.

"I think Craig has had a good spring and right now he is the No. 1 quarterback,’’ Johnson said during spring drills. "He’s clearly been the best quarterback in spring practice.

"I think he’s handled the baseball thing very well. It hasn’t been a problem. The one thing he’s done is he’s come to practice with a good attitude and he’s a tough kid. I guarantee you he’s tough, because he’s been knocked around.’’

Backing up Candeto will be sophomore Aaron Polanco (6-0, 199).

"I’ll tell you what, Aaron Polanco has really impressed me this spring," Johnson said after the spring game. "I stood behind the line today and that kid took a beating, but he kept coming back and making big plays."

Listed as the No. 1 slot backs after spring practice were junior Tony Lane (5-9, 195) and sophomore Eric Roberts (5-10, 180).

Lane returns after a spectacular sophomore season. He is a versatile performer and one of the better athletes on the team. He is strong and has good quickness. Last year, he carried the ball 39 times for 185 yards and one touchdown. He was also the Mids’ third-leading receiver with 12 receptions for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Lane carried three times for 24 yards in the spring game.

Roberts, who can also play fullback, played high school ball at Hollywood Christian in Miami, Fla. Roberts was impressive in the spring game, rushing for 84 yards on five carries.

Right in the thick of the battle at slot back will be seniors Brad Tepper (5-8, 194) and Donnie Fricks (5-8, 180).

Tepper is a good blocker who has good speed as well. He played in eight games last year, starting two. He had 21 carries for 85 yards and caught two passes for 26 yards. Fricks has 4.49 speed in the 40 and can bench press 327 pounds. He had eight carries for 29 yards last year.

The fullback is an integral part of Johnson’s option offense.

"I have always said this is a quarterback/fullback offense, those are the guys that are featured," Johnson said. "At the same time, when we were here before, we kind of spread the wealth. This offense can do anything. Some days the quarterback is the main guy, some days the fullback is the main guy and sometimes the slot backs and receivers are the main guys. We want to be balanced so the defense doesn’t know where it’s coming from."

The starting fullback after spring drills was senior Bryce McDonald, followed by senior Cee Harris (5-3, 213) and sophomore Kyle Eckel (5-10, 230).

McDonald is a hard-nosed competitor who started four games last year. He carried 29 times for 123 yards and one touchdown.

Claiming start spots at the end of spring practice were seniors Chandler Sims (6-4, 208) and Dominic Bailey (5-9, 152).

Sims is a big target who runs solid routes. He has excellent hands and will be a good blocker in the option. He caught 18 passes for 183 yards last year. He also threw a touchdown pass.

Bailey runs the 40 in 4.51 and needs to become more physical in Johnson’s offense. He caught 11 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown last year.

Also in the mix at wide receiver are senior Mike McIlravy (5-9, 172), and sophomores Lionel Wesley (5-10, 184), Amir Jenkins (6-0, 194) and Aaron Weedo (5-10, 183).

McIlvary had two catches for 38 yards to lead the Blue receiving corps in the spring game. He is a versatile player who missed two games with a shoulder injury last year. He caught three passes for 35 yards.

Senior Brandon Rampani (6-0, 197) had four catches for 29 yards for the Gold in the spring game while Weedo had two catches for 69 yards and Wesley two catches for 61 yards.

Four seniors and a junior were listed as the starters after spring practice.

The left tackle will be senior Derek Jaskowiak (6-4, 270) while senior David Walsh (6-5, 273) will open at right tackle. Jaskowiak moved from defensive tackle to offensive tackle last spring and adjusted nicely. He has good size and quickness. Walsh started last year and has a nice frame. He also has good feet and is one of Navy’s best offensive linemen.

The starters at guard will be seniors Grant Moody (6-4, 274) on the left and Matt Nye (6-4, 280) on the right. Moody is a solid offensive lineman who has good footwork and the speed to pull and block a defensive end. He can play both guard and tackle. Nye came on strong last year and gives the Mids another experienced lineman. He has good size and quickness.

The starter at center will be junior Shane Todd (6-5, 305). He is Navy’s largest offensive lineman, and he moves well for his size. He played in nine games last year.

The place-kicker will be junior Eric Rolfs (6-0, 169) and his backup will be sophomore Geoff Blumenfeld (6-0, 172).

Rolfs was supposed to challenge David Hills last year for the starting job. Rolfs had the stronger leg, but Hills held on to make 15-of-16 field-goal attempts and 16-of-18 extra-point kicks for 61 points.

The starting ends at the conclusion of spring practice were junior Steve Adair (6-2, 231) on the left and sophomore Sam Moss (6-1, 249) on the right.

Adair is a good athlete who will bring experience to the defensive line. He played in 10 games last year.

The left tackle is senior Joey Owmby (6-3, 251) and the right tackle is senior Josh Brindel (6-2, 253). Owmby runs a 4.92 in the 40 and will be a factor. He played in nine games as a backup last year.

Brindel came on strong last year and was one of Navy’s best defensive linemen. He runs a 4.9 in the 40, giving the Mids good speed in the line. Brindel is also strong -- he bench presses 387 pounds and squats 570 pounds. Last year, he started 10 games and finished fifth on the team with 44 tackles.

Junior Ralph Henry (6-2, 259) could be an impact player on the defensive line. He has good quickness and the potential to be an outstanding pass rusher. Henry played in the first eight games last year before tearing the MCL in his right knee. He started four of those games.

During spring drills, junior linebacker Eddie Carthan and senior safety Lenter Thomas caught Green’s eye.

"Eddie and Lenter have stood out among the defensive players thus far," Green said. "They continue to develop their leadership skills on the field."

Carthan (5-11, 223), the starter at "Sam" linebacker, produced 36 tackles, including five for a loss of 11 yards.

"I think the defense is doing pretty well," Carthan said. "We are coming out to practice real intense. We get a chance to go against the offense a lot and we are getting a good look at the option, so we will be ready to play against teams that run the ball. As far as I can see, the intensity is real high, everybody is playing hard."

One of Carthan’s backups will be sophomore Lane Jackson (5-11, 215), who was chosen the most improved player in the spring.

"I didn’t even know they had an award for most improved player, so I was pretty surprised when I heard I had won it," Jackson said.

The other starters will be junior Andy Sinitiere (5-11, 220) at "Mike" linebacker and junior Ben Matthews (6-1, 222) at "Will" linebacker.

Thomas (5-11, 188) was Navy’s top tackler last fall at safety, accounting for 98 tackles, including 56 solo stops. He burst onto the scene last year after spending two seasons on the junior varsity. He’s known as one of the biggest hitters at Navy in recent memory.

Backing up Thomas will be senior Michawn Yuvienco (5-11, 201).

The starter at left cornerback after spring drills was junior Shalimar Brazier (5-10, 198) while on the right was junior Marcus Sanders (5-10, 170). Brazier is one of Navy’s best athletes. He is the Mids’ best cornerback and a solid tackler. Last year, Brazier made 46 tackles, broke up three passes and intercepted one. Sanders played on special teams last year.

Thomas injured his knee during spring drills, but should be 100 percent for fall practice. Johnson suspended safety Clyde Clark for a violation of team rules. Clark is not expected to return.

The punter will be junior John Skaggs (6-0, 202), who will be backed up by sophomore Matt Clark (5-8, 175).

Skaggs had a fantastic sophomore season when he broke a 60-year-old Navy record for punting average. He finished fifth in the nation in with an average of 44.8 yards. He has a strong leg, possesses good hang time and is an All-America candidate.

McIlravy and Bailey will be the punt returners and Lane and Roberts will return kicks.

Senior Heath Sanders (6-4, 257) and Andrew Bazzle (6-1, 211) are the long snappers and the holders are Candeto and Polanco.

Navy does not release the names of its incoming freshman class until the student-athletes have completed summer plebe training.

Johnson said his roster might be close to 140 players in the fall.

"We have some guys out here that probably should spend time doing something else," Johnson said. "We aren’t going to have a large freshman class coming in. What I’m not going to do is cut a guy who has been in the program for three years. That’s not fair to them or anybody else."

Navy has won only two games in the last two seasons. Expect that to change with Johnson and his staff taking over and installing a new system and a new attitude.

The schedule is a tough one, with home games against North Carolina State, Northwestern, Duke, Rice, Notre Dame, Connecticut and Army. The road games are at SMU, Air Force, Boston College, Tulane and Wake Forest.

Rest assured the coaching staffs at all those schools will be looking at film of Georgia Southern and sweating over playing Johnson and the Mids.

Johnson is an offensive wizard and his defensive coordinator, Green, has a fabulous reputation for his ability to shut down offenses.

Navy was lucky to get Johnson. His offense has stood the test of time, and it even worked at Navy before. A return to competitiveness is just a matter of time.