Georgia Tech first-year coach Paul Johnson was given a new 7-year, $17.7 million contract yesterday.

The school said Johnson, who led a team picked to finish near the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference to a 9-3 record and its first win in eight years over rival Georgia, will receive $2.3 million for 2009, plus incentives.

Johnson was voted ACC Coach of the Year. The Yellow Jackets are ranked No. 15 in the AP poll and will meet LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Dec. 31.

"The future of Georgia Tech football has never been brighter," athletic director Dan Radakovich said, "and we are thrilled that Paul Johnson will be leading our program for a long time."

Johnson, a former University of Hawai'i offensive coordinator (1987-1994), won more games than any other first-year coach in Georgia Tech history and has the fourth-most wins by a first-year coach in ACC history.

"I look forward to continue being a part of the Georgia Tech family for years to come," he said.

Georgia Tech flourished under the spread offense that Johnson brought with him from Navy and Georgia Southern. He is 116-42 during six seasons at Georgia Tech, Navy and Georgia Southern.

BALL STATE

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR PARRISH NAMED COACH

Stan Parrish, Ball State's offensive coordinator the past three seasons, signed a four-year contract yesterday and promised a smooth transition as the new coach of the 23rd-ranked Cardinals.

Parrish replaces Brady Hoke, who resigned this week to become head coach at San Diego State, and his first game will be on Jan. 6, when the Cardinals play Tulsa (10-3) in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

FCS AWARDS

APPALACHIAN QB EDWARDS IS TOP PLAYER

Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards won the Walter Payton Award last night as Football Championship Subdivision's top player, while Eastern Washington defensive end Greg Peach took the Buck Buchanan Award.

Also, James Madison coach Mickey Matthews received the Eddie Robinson Award.