Candeto set to coach quarterbacks, B-backs

Craig Candeto has been named Georgia Tech’s quarterbacks and B-backs coach, replacing Bryan Cook. Candeto has been Tech’s assistant operations director since last offseason. Cook was hired in December as offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern.

Candeto played quarterback for coach Paul Johnson at Navy and has experience coaching the position. Candeto, who flew fighter jets in the Navy before he was discharged for medical reasons, was a graduate assistant for Johnson at Tech in 2010 and then left to coach quarterbacks and B-backs at The Citadel. He went from there to Division III Capital University, coaching quarterbacks and B-backs from 2013-15.

“I’m excited to have Craig move into a coaching role on our staff,” Johnson said in a statement. “His understanding of our offense as a coach and a player, his wide range of coaching experience — from graduate assistant to head coach — and his knowledge of Georgia Tech make him a great fit. I think he’ll do a great job.”

Candeto left the Columbus, Ohio, school in the offseason after concluding his heart was at the FBS or FCS level and out of a desire to return to the South. He is from Florida, and his wife, Maribeth, is from Alabama.

After Cook accepted his job at Georgia Southern, Johnson said he already knew who he would hire.

With Candeto’s hire, Johnson now has three former quarterbacks on his staff. The other two are A-backs coach Lamar Owens, who played at Navy, and graduate assistant Tevin Washington, Tech’s starting quarterback from 2010-12.