NCAA will announce Tech findings at 3 p.m.; Cooperation an issue; Thomas, Burnett deny involvement
The NCAA will announce the results of an investigation into alleged violations committed by Georgia Tech’s football program at 3 p.m. today.
The alleged violations occurred within the past several years. The NCAA considers the violations, which included improper benefits, minor. However, Tech allegedly didn’t cooperate with the investigators as enthusiastically as the NCAA would have liked. A phone conference is scheduled with Dennis Thomas, the chair of the NCAA’s infractions committee, at 3 p.m. Georgia Tech President Dr. G.P. “Bud” Peterson and Athletic Director Dan Radakovich will hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m.
At issue for Tech is that after receiving penalties for the 2005 and ‘06 seasons for infractions that occurred in the 1990s, the NCAA said that if Tech commits another major infraction before Nov. 17, 2010, it will be subject to added penalties as a repeat violator. Colleague Mark Bradley (@markbradleyajc) just tweeted, “I’m told nobody is getting fired, but Georgia Tech people are bracing themselves for a big hit from the NCAA.”
Demaryius Thomas, a wide receiver and first-round pick in the 2010 draft, denied a blog report that he is one of the reasons for the investigation. In a text message, Thomas said he was offered things by people not affiliated with Tech, but never accepted. Morgan Burnett, a safety and third-round pick, also denied the report, texting that he “did not knowingly or unknowingly receive any gifts from any agents … These reports are baseless and false.”
Thomas and Burnett signed with Tech when Chan Gailey was the coach. Paul Johnson, who led Tech to the ACC title in 2009, was hired after Gailey was fired by Radakovich after the 2007 season after five years at the helm.
If there are immediate penalties, it would be the second time within five years the Jackets have been punished.
Tech learned in 2003 that it had been misapplying an NCAA eligibility rule and worked with the NCAA to investigate the nature and results of the error. They learned that 17 athletes, including 11 football players, who were academically ineligible were allowed to compete during the 1998 and ‘99 seasons.
As a result, Georgia Tech was on a two-year probation that resulted in self-imposed scholarship cuts (from 85 to 79) and a reduction in signing classes (from 25 to no more than 19) in 2005 and 2006. In addition to those penalties, the NCAA infractions committee added a limit of 79 total football scholarships for the 2006 and 2007 teams, six below the normal maximum.
The infractions committee also recommended that Tech vacate wins from seasons, 1998-2002, plus 2004, which were all winning seasons that ended in bowl trips. Tech appealed and the NCAA appeals committee agreed, allowing the results of those seasons to stand.
The NCAA has been in what appears to be a testy mood regarding alleged violations and lack of cooperation in wake of scandals at Ohio State, Southern California and North Carolina, among other places. The Trojans were forced by the NCAA to forfeit their 2004 national championship and the Buckeyes voluntarily forfeited 12 wins and their 2010 Sugar Bowl victory in an attempt to appease the infractions committee. Penalties against North Carolina’s program haven’t been announced. However, numerous players were suspended for all or parts of last season.
Please keep checking back for news.
– Doug Roberson, AJC. Follow on twitter @ajcgatech
Here’s a step-by-step guide to NCAA investigations.
Here are some stories about Tech’s previous NCAA issues.
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478 comments Add your comment
Tom Shane
July 14th, 2011
1:57 pm
@JB who are your sources Joe Blow and Susie Q?
5150 UOAD
July 14th, 2011
1:58 pm
Tech Wrecker
July 14th, 2011
1:50 pm
July 2002,
ACC releases the 50th Anniversary All Time Team. These are the Tech Players:
Marco Coleman
Joe Hamilton
Ken Swilling
That is a joke. No wonder you are a loser program.
How many TECH players should have been on the 50th year team when TECH had only been in the league since July of 79. A whole 23 years. that is 1 player for every 7 years.
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:00 pm
I have never had a problem with a Clemson fan, 1951.
Heck, most UGA fans a fine. Most of the people writing this nonsense don’t have the stones to say in public or to your face.
Tech Wrecker
July 14th, 2011
2:02 pm
So 2 where on the same team. That means one good player since 1979 that was not part of your fluke title. Again verifying that not only was the title a fluke but you backdoored into recruiting one good player in Coleman and if it was not for Mr. Hype Swilling having a uncle who went ot the school he would not have gone to Tech. Over-Rated and a joke of a program.
dawgmatic
July 14th, 2011
2:02 pm
I’m amused that you keep responding to the name “nerd.” Not incredibly surprised though. Always good for a laugh, those nerds.
Hal
July 14th, 2011
2:03 pm
Well since Burnett and Thomas are innocent it must be Derrick Morgan this is all about.
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:06 pm
I’m amused someone with the handle dawgmatic calls anyone else a nerd. Not terribly surprised, though. Always good for a laugh, those idiots.
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:07 pm
At least we have some hardware from our good players, Tech Wrecker.
5150 UOAD
July 14th, 2011
2:09 pm
Tech Wrecker
The ACC started in 53. TECH had some Great Players in the 40’s-60’s that would be included if Tech were not in the SEC at the time.
Reality Stinks
July 14th, 2011
2:16 pm
George Stein
This is the 1st time I’ve posted on hear since January. Sorry bud but nice try. Just another example of how Tech trolls lie and cheat
Tech Wrecker
July 14th, 2011
2:17 pm
Tech is going down in flames. Face the facts. Hate all you want. Go save some drunks from a DUI. That is a great handle by the way. Something as a Tech fan you should be proud of. A lawyer who gets DRUNKS out of DUI’s.
Also, 5251. I could care less about Tech. I am just typing this horsecrap to ruffle your feathers. Really, I could care less, but wow you guys sure are uptight today.
GA Tech about to get hit hard - VolNation
July 14th, 2011
2:17 pm
[...] NCAA will announce Tech findings at 3 p.m.; Cooperation an issue; Thomas, Burnett deny involvement |… Quote: [...]
Lasso
July 14th, 2011
2:18 pm
How pathetic are you when cheating doesn’t even get you to mediocre status?
RJ Voorhees
July 14th, 2011
2:19 pm
@George Stein, all i said is that I do not consider a player that had a terrible rookie season a star. Hell, BAY-BAY or whatever that preschool nickname is, wasn’t even the third option on your triple-option team. You guys run the ball like it’s a hot potato, tossing it every which way. Thomas was a great athlete and had skills but his talents on the field at tech or in the NFL classify him as a star.
RJ Voorhees
July 14th, 2011
2:19 pm
*don’t classify
dawgmatic
July 14th, 2011
2:20 pm
It seems my comment warranted a response after all. Poor nerd, outsmarted again.
n
July 14th, 2011
2:20 pm
Tech Wrecker – I believe you are looking for ‘could not care less’.
GT1000
July 14th, 2011
2:20 pm
you know that old saying about how when you argue with an idiot, because the people watching won’t be able to tell the difference?
maybe we shouldn’t argue with the uga fans.
DawginLex
July 14th, 2011
2:21 pm
George Stein
I quit posting and I am just sitting here eating popcorn and hitting the refresh button.
Quite entertaining actually
5150 UOAD
July 14th, 2011
2:22 pm
RJ Voorhees
By your last statement then what is Matt Stafford? An over paid bust then.
DawginLex
July 14th, 2011
2:24 pm
Not after this year
thwg
July 14th, 2011
2:24 pm
GT is about more than football, anyway. it’s nice to have, but it’s not nicer than having the prestigious degree.
5150 UOAD
July 14th, 2011
2:25 pm
DILex you can keep hitting REFRESH all you want but this blog will always Stink of Dawg trolls. LOL
Your daughter home or still at school for the summer?
RJ Voorhees
July 14th, 2011
2:25 pm
@ 5150 UOAD, Yes he is. I love the Georgia Bulldogs to the end but he was always a gamble who had too much trust in his arm. I wouldn’t have taken him with the number 1 pick I can promise you that!
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:27 pm
Probably a good idea, Lex.
Stafford will have a good year. It won’t hurt that he has #81 making him look good
5150 UOAD
July 14th, 2011
2:29 pm
DILex
are you saying Stafford will be better this year? He just might if the O-line can keep him safe, but It will have to kill you to root for Calvin and Fairley to be good to help Matt look good.
Stafford has picked a lot of Paychecks and done so very little for the money.
DawginLex
July 14th, 2011
2:29 pm
he has a defense too. i hope they actually get to play Detroit needs some good news
My kid is at school taking 2 classes. Organic 2 and Physics 2
Makes me wonder if she came from my loins……………
GSUStud
July 14th, 2011
2:30 pm
Ga Tech lies and cheats regularly. It’s about time they are punished. There is a new kid on the block and it is Georgia State!
Reality Stinks
July 14th, 2011
2:33 pm
thwg
“GT is about more than football, anyway. it’s nice to have, but it’s not nicer than having the prestigious degree”
If thats what Tech believes do everyone a favor and drop down to Div II and let another school like UCF join the ACC
Tech Wrecker
July 14th, 2011
2:33 pm
Stafford always seemed to have the one foot in the NFL feel to him while in Athens. That is why he will never be in the league of Greene, Shockley, Zeier or Belue. I think Greg Talley may have a higher popularity rating than Stafford.
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 14th, 2011
2:34 pm
GSUStud, the new kid gets to sit in the back until they beat someone. You can’t make up for 120 years you didn’t have. And since when does State have anything against Tech? Uh, you’re welcome for the coach and O-line. Sheesh…
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:35 pm
David Greene was the best QB UGA ever had, Tech Wrecker.
RJ Voorhees
July 14th, 2011
2:36 pm
@Tech Wrecker, Amen brother.
Tech Wrecker
July 14th, 2011
2:36 pm
I agree 100%, and you know its a bad news day when a GSU fan thinks its ok to talk smack to you,lol! Good grief,lol!
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:38 pm
Eh, I have no problem with GSU. I hope they are successful. The only thing that could make Atlanta better in the fall than having two major programs is having three.
thwg
July 14th, 2011
2:39 pm
Reality Stinks
but why would we do that? just because it’s not the most important thing doesn’t make it unimportant.
5150 UOAD
July 14th, 2011
2:39 pm
Ga State better worry about Kennesaw State not Tech. If kennesaw State gets a team in just a few years they will get more recruits than GSU.
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:39 pm
And if we get greedy, having the Braves in the playoffs.
RJ Voorhees
July 14th, 2011
2:40 pm
I wonder why they randomly picked 3:30 to announce the news. Must be too busy worshipping Scam Newton
Get back to World of Warcraft, nerd
July 14th, 2011
2:40 pm
David Greene was the best QB UGA ever had
Wrong. Matthew Stafford was. His teams averaged ALOT more points than Greene’s did.
I love David too but those teams won with great defenses. Not Staffords fault no d was played during his time at UGA
non compliant
July 14th, 2011
2:40 pm
I wonder why the AJC wasn’t all over this?
Director of Compliance & Katreshia Louis-Verrett, ast. director have each left school in last 4 months
dawgmatic
July 14th, 2011
2:43 pm
Don’t look now but tech will be looking up at Kennesaw State and Georgia State by 2015. Pretty pathetic, honey bees.
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:45 pm
I understand that, Warcraft. But Greene was no sloutch statistically either. Part of Greene’s greatness was that he rarely made the killer mistake. And it wasn’t his fault Terrence Edwards couldn’t catch. Stafford always seemed awfully generous with the football.
Engineer
July 14th, 2011
2:45 pm
Tech upsets Ga in 2011—mark it down! Ga — overrated as usual and may not win 8 games!!!
5150 UOAD
July 14th, 2011
2:47 pm
dawgmatic
you hope that is the case, but it ain’t going to happen.
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 14th, 2011
2:47 pm
dawgmatic, Southern and the HBCU’s didn’t make your list? C’mon what about the local highschools? I’m sure they’re better than us too, right?
Get back to World of Warcraft, nerd
July 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
Stafford always seemed awfully generous with the football.
He threw it alot more too. Than equals more picks.
Agree to disagree but if im starting an all time UGA team Stafford is my QB.
There is a reason he was the number #1 pick. Even most NFL guys don’t have the kind of arm he has.
Tech Wrecker
July 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
I dont give a damn how many points Staffords team averaged. It all about the W’s. Stafford was not very immature while at UGA and did nothing to indure himself to the fans while in Athens Greene on the other hand was a leader of men, and made play after play at QB. He exemplified what not only UGA would want in a QB but almost every other Program would want also. The same cannot be said for Stafford.
Also when I see GSU I think of Georgia Southern. So Ga State needs to make sure we all know who they are in the first place before talking trash,lol.
Get back to World of Warcraft, nerd
July 14th, 2011
2:50 pm
Tech upsets Ga in 2011
Id be more worried about Tech even having a football team in 2011 instead of making silly comments.
This was serious before NCAA said lack of cooperation.
Now its really really really really really really serious.
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
2:51 pm
No question about the arm. Disagree about the smarts. I’m just thrilled I’ll never see either in yalls uniform again. Murray looks pretty good too, though.