Reports: Tech coach Spencer out
Georgia Tech co-offensive line coach Todd Spencer is not expected back with the team, according to two media outlets, rivals.com and coachingsearch.com.
“We don’t have an announcement (regarding a change),” associate athletic director Wayne Hogan said Saturday.
If true, the timing is not beneficial. Coaching changes typically occur immediately following the season or after signing day. In the days leading up to signing day, which takes place Wednesday, the last thing a team wants to project to prospects is any sort of change or instability.
Prior to last season, Spencer was reprimanded by the school and suspended for the first game of the season by the NCAA for violating its rules about calls to prospects. Apparently acting under a misunderstanding of the rules, Spencer made 14 calls to prospects that were outside of NCAA boundaries.
Spencer was the recruiting coach assigned to Lanier County High defensive end Junior Gnonkonde, whose scholarship was withdrawn Jan. 20. Lanier County athletic director John White, who is also Gnonkonde’s legal guardian, said he was told it was due to low test scores, which White disputed.
White spoke glowingly of Spencer, saying he was the “No. 1 reason” why Gnonkonde committed and that he would have de-committed were Spencer to lose his job.
Spencer came to Tech with coach Paul Johnson prior to the 2008 season after serving as an assistant at Navy for the previous 11, six with Johnson. He helped the Yellow Jackets’ offensive line produce four of the most productive rushing teams in school history.
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190 comments Add your comment
Flounder
January 28th, 2012
11:02 pm
@GSUStud …. I think GA State has a football team now, champ. Go spew your drivel over there.
Say Whut
January 28th, 2012
11:16 pm
When are we going to get tired of Paul Johnson? Telling recruits who visit other schools to get lost. And now this! I’ve and it with this bully.
5150 UOAD
January 28th, 2012
11:27 pm
I’ve and it with this bully……….SAY WHAT? Say finish a sentence?
Big Misteak
January 28th, 2012
11:27 pm
Keep him on the staff and just take away his phone privileges.
Im Lovin It
January 28th, 2012
11:31 pm
The only thing more sad than a tech fan today, is a tech fan tomorrow.
Im Lovin It
January 28th, 2012
11:34 pm
I never do this, but picking on you guys is so fun when ur fat coach is so ugly and dumb. Georgia tech needs to move to the big east so they can win more games, and remove UGA from their schedule. Tech will never beat Mark Richt again.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 28th, 2012
11:39 pm
Dammit, why can’t I post anything?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 28th, 2012
11:39 pm
This is not an issue. Assistants leave or get fired every day throughout the country, and nobody whines or points fingers about it
5150 UOAD
January 28th, 2012
11:40 pm
great hearing from a McDonald’s employee who is a Wal-mart Uga fan……I’m Lovin It……….did your mommy get you a new UGa hat and sweat shirt from Wal-mart for your Christmas present?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 28th, 2012
11:41 pm
Spurrier fired one at USC Friday, and 3 others have left in the past couple of weeks. So what???
William Casey
January 28th, 2012
11:42 pm
I wish that there were qualifications for posting on this blog. Mostly drivel. Also have to wonder about guys who are concerned about the physical appearance of a coach. Now, THAT’S sad.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 28th, 2012
11:43 pm
Maybe Spence got fired because he, and he alone, mislead Junior G and his HS coach. As soon as CPJ and DRad got word from the Admissions office that Junior was not going to qualify, he was released from his scholarship and CPJ got on the phone trying to find someplace where Junior could play. I think it’s very telling that even UCF said that currently Junior did not qualify for admissions. Not putting down UCF in any way, but if he couldn’t qualify there, then I think it’s obvious that he couldn’t qualify at Tech.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 28th, 2012
11:44 pm
And if Spencer DID mislead Junior and his coach, then he SHOULD have been fired. Get over it, trolls
Supersize that order, mutt
January 28th, 2012
11:45 pm
Well, I think I finally got all my points across and posted. Apparently, as near as I can figure out, the filters still do not accept the word which we use for the day that comes before today — yest rday
Supersize that order, mutt
January 28th, 2012
11:47 pm
@ William Casey, I agree completely. I complained to Ken about one of the names they used for CPJ, which included reference to his anatomy, and Ken got that term blocked. But then they come up with a new word which obviously makes the same reference. They are sick people.
JRW7
January 29th, 2012
12:14 am
Who’s lying here, CPJ or CTS? Somebody is just not telling the truth, who is it? And JUNIOR has to suffer for CPJ mistake or lies!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 29th, 2012
12:16 am
No, JRW7, Junior has to suffer for his own failure to qualify. And he’s suffering elsewhere as well, since UCF also said he couldn’t qualify. The only person at Tech who is POSSIBLY guilty of anything is Spencer for misleading Junior.
Im Lovin It
January 29th, 2012
12:55 am
hahahaha I win! All I wanted was for you the techies to cry aloud some more. Man I know it isn’t nice to pick but this is too fun to pass up. You guys hate us soooo much, hahahahahahaha. We don’t even care about you guys, honestly. Stay classy techies. Paul Johnson is not the next big thing, unless you mean big as in fat, then he is gonna be huge. I actually felt bad for you guys this year, until I heard PJ crying on the radio. What kind of sorry loser actually says fans should punch other fans in the face. I bet he wouldn’t hit someone unless they were stealing his lunch. Hilarious
WnE
January 29th, 2012
12:58 am
re:
Supersize that order, mutt
January 28th, 2012
11:43 pm
Maybe Spence got fired because he, and he alone, mislead Junior G and his HS coach. As soon as CPJ and DRad got word from the Admissions office that Junior was not going to qualify, he was released from his scholarship and CPJ got on the phone trying to find someplace where Junior could play. I think it’s very telling that even UCF said that currently Junior did not qualify for admissions. Not putting down UCF in any way, but if he couldn’t qualify there, then I think it’s obvious that he couldn’t qualify at Tech.
_______________
At first folks like YOU claimed that MAYBE the HC/guardian is LYING,and that was what guys like YOU said for about a week in your defense of CPJ.
NOW, your next “story” is that MAYBE CTS acted ALONE, once again removing CPJ from any accountability relating to a bad situation.
With the length of time that had transpired (11 months) since Junior had been verbally committed to GT there is NO WAY possible that CTS could have acted alone, and IF HE did then CPJ is derelict as a HC for not supervising his assts. better and not keeping up with how his Recruit Class was progressing.
When it come to boot-licking-toadies like YOU and CPJ there is always some far-fetched excuse as to why he is not responsible.
First, the HC/Guardian was lying.
Second, the Asst. coach went Rogue and mislead everyone.
What next, a 2nd shooter from the grassy knoll?
ole yeller
January 29th, 2012
1:18 am
“I’m loving it”, you are an idiot. You complain of Paul Johnson’s weight? He is not over weight and is in
pretty good shape. Ever look at Mark’s receding hairline, or his yellow tanning bed look? Wow lets call out this personal stuff. You guys from Athens just make me laugh at your stupid ignorance every evening.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 29th, 2012
1:28 am
Mark has a bit of a gut too…..it’s called middle-aged spread, and all men get it, unless they starve themselves to death
Supersize that order, mutt
January 29th, 2012
1:31 am
WnE, I seldom read your posts anymore, since they’re always so anti-Tech in anything and everything you say. You have NO credibility. But since you’re one of very few posting on here right now, I read it and I will respond. I NEVER said Junior’s coach was lying, nor do I know ACCUSE Spense of being derelict in his duties. I only assume that sense Johnson fired him so soon after all that came to light, then he MIGHT be the one to blame. I have no facts about the case, so I can ONLY ASSUME. And YOU have no FACTS either, so everything you so maliciously post is nothing more than ASSUMPTION on your part too. Get over yourself, bubba.
WnE
January 29th, 2012
1:45 am
WeeniE
CPJsMoobs
January 29th, 2012
1:49 am
Supersize just loves getting a nice titty nurse from my moobs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
CPJsMoobs
January 29th, 2012
1:51 am
He’s a rambling wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluva fu*cking queer
a helluva, helluva, helluva, helluva helluva fu*king queer,
like all his moob loving fellows
he takes it up the rear
he’s a rambling wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluva fu*cking queer!
THWGT!
Supersize that order, mutt
January 29th, 2012
2:04 am
you obsess much over the male anatomy, bubba?
Supersize that order, mutt
January 29th, 2012
2:08 am
can’t get a woman, so you drool over men. You know the loudest talkers are usually the ones who like what they criticize the most. Go ahead, bubba, come on out of the closet and maybe some man will take you instead.
ETx Dawg
January 29th, 2012
4:22 am
he’s jumping off a sinking ship before it goes under.
Stinger 2
January 29th, 2012
4:36 am
Supersize: Agree with you.WnE has no creditability and I wonder is he really a GT alum as he claims.
Every post he makes is nothing but negative against GT.
kshizzle
January 29th, 2012
6:11 am
“Supersize that order”, mutt. “How old are your dude? If you ask me you sound like a teenager. If you happen to be over 30 years of age then I would seriously suggest you get help. Us Tech guys are actually smart and laugh at people like you. The fact that the whole rivalry is entitled “Good ole Fashion Hate” is not taken to the level of us actually literally hating UGA. It’s all in good fun and if you don’t understand that then I am sorry. UGA sucks, that’s the way I look at it. I’m sorry that we don’t beat you guys with any regularity, however why don’t you put yourself in our shoes and consider the fact that as a Tech Graduate and major sports fan I’ve had to suffer a lot. Instead you come onto the Georgia Tech blog and say a bunch of crap. Think of it as a Falcons Fan or Braves Fan. These teams have been painful to be a fan of most of my life, I’m 38. Now the Braves have been decent to great for 20 years and even the Falcons have now won 4 years straight. GT is doing pretty good now and we did finally beat you guys in 2008. We are having a good time as a fan these days. Paul Johnson is a very interesting coach for us to have. I like Mark Richt as well. I think he is the best coach you guys have ever had. I hope we can beat him next year. That is just what being a fan is all about. Grow up dude.
Chuck Clausen
January 29th, 2012
7:03 am
As a former coach, who coached 5 seasons at Ohio State before coaching 18 seasons in the NFL, I have been a fan of Paul Johnson’s offensive (I coached conception ally the same offense as a member of Lou Holtz’s staff at William and Mary) because of the fact you are forcing the defense to play assignment football you give your players a chance to beat or at least compete against teams with superior overall talent.
superDawg
January 29th, 2012
7:12 am
CHEAT,CHEAT,CHEAT.LIE,LIE,LIE.Hell that is the tek way.
Democratic Plantation Dweller
January 29th, 2012
7:20 am
The stimulus is working !
Bob Horner
January 29th, 2012
8:11 am
The Tech program is falling apart….
GT
January 29th, 2012
8:12 am
Don’t understand what we are looking for. Tech puts a competitive team on the field. This firing of Spencer I am sure was, with the timing, a house cleaning for some rules violation. Tech runs a really clean program, which is why we were so indignant about the NCAA probation. We don’t overreach what we put on a football field. You won’t see a NFL linebacker rushing a high school recruit, it’s illegal, as in Miami’s Lewis and the kid from Valdosta, or several other college alumni that have the ex college and NFL players show up to the kid’s signing day. If Tech is not the model of what student athlete is suppose to be what is? What is the NCAA trying to produce? That my friends is what is called a rhetorical question, I think we all know the answer. The real question to me is what happens to the few colleges that have character, teach it to their players and show it in real life. They all talk the talk but few walk the walk. And why not all society has gotten this way. When you change the definition, the action is the same. “I didn’t have sex with that woman” doesn’t fly because you don’t know the definition of sex and not knowing what character is doesn’t make not having it right.
So get off CPJ.
Bob Horner
January 29th, 2012
8:13 am
Also, per Rivals.com, the cornerback from Antarctica that has played football for one year in ski boots has told Tech he plans to stay “up north” and not come to the crime ridden campus in Atlanta.
GT
January 29th, 2012
8:42 am
Bob Horner the crime problem around Tech is quickly dissipating. We have put out Georgia football recruiters in the neighborhoods around our campus and they are carting off prospects by the bus loads.
Saban
January 29th, 2012
9:07 am
Johnson is a great coach. You ladies can carry Crowells cigarettes and hide in the sewers under Sanford Stadium with choakdawg forever, but take this to the bank you will never win another sec championghip with Reverend Richt. Enjoy Shreveport. or come to Atlanta for another beatdown..
Skitty Fritty
January 29th, 2012
9:17 am
Will Adams @ Sandy Creek – do you know this? Sign with UGA.
@saban
January 29th, 2012
9:19 am
Pathetic that a tech fan lives vicariously through another program, that richt is 3-1 against. SEC titles over the past 11 years, LSU 4 , georgia 2, Fla. 2 , Auburn 2, Bama 1.
Fan of the Game
January 29th, 2012
9:32 am
Teams go after way too many committments, teams pull committments, teams recruit one kid just so they can get his buddy who is really the only one they want. What a cut throat business!
RedandBlackDAWG
January 29th, 2012
10:00 am
I am just curious a little here. Who would tech. get for a new coach? Does the institute have the money to pay off both Johnson’s contract and hire a quality coach? These guys today do not come cheap. Now that this will actually be CPJ’s first full recruiting class, it would appear it has been recruited to fill his TO offense. Are the these athletes going to be able to adapt to a more conventional style of offense, and does GT in effect, have to start all over with a new coach recruiting the type of players needed to fit his more conventional type of offense? How good could CPJ’s teams look if the defense were better, say like a number five defense like UGA has or one similar to LSU and Alabama. Maybe thew biggest problem lies in the defense. The offense was put into a position where they had to run plays on fourth down last year, because CPJ did not have any confidence in his defense’s ability to stop the other teams offense. Wouldn’t the better choice be to hire a DC, and recruit it hard for a couple of years and see if GT can turn it around?
I am not really sure why your AD thought, that hiring a coach that runs a less than conventional offense, would change the scenario for more than 1 or 2 years. After that, GT will get some fairly good yards running the ball, but teams begin to figure it out, and when they have time to work their defenses a little bit, they defend it. It appears that GT doesn’t have the money to buy out his contract and pay for a really top notch coach, and that is a shame, but it is the reality of the situation. Maybe it’s not so much has the money, is the fact that maybe the school isn’t willing to spend the money to do that. I think it would probably be easier to let the DC go, and try and find a quality one, instead of ditching your whole program for a couple of years by getting rid of your HC. At the 4 year point, you have now recruited the players he wants for his style so, ditching him now, would put you in even a deeper hole.
The DC faces a dilemma preparing for more conventional style offenses, much as a team playing Techs. offense faces a dilemma of trying to prepare for the TO. A scout team running a spread or a pro type offense, can only prepare your team so much. They aren’t going to be as good at it as the actual team you are playing.
HighTech
January 29th, 2012
10:02 am
Bob Horner…the cornerback back from Antarctica is probably UGA material since he thinks he is “up north”.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
January 29th, 2012
10:12 am
Alabama 9 NC since 1961….UGA 1…football is business at Alabama and a sport at UGA.
Talk is cheap and UGA does a lot of talking and the results are documented. Without #34 UGA=Ga Southern in red and black.
@rednblackdawg
January 29th, 2012
10:25 am
The myth that PJ recruits for his option. Who would be the better B back James Wilder or Zach Laskey?He’s offered most every top running back in state, he even offered K. Marshall. Wilder was what PJ wanted the other is what he got. Same with a litany of other players,
Pj rarely hits on a recruit he wants takes the leftovers from UGA, Clemson, FSU , Auburn, South Carolina. Bama, and Tenn.The man is over his head when it comes to recruiting.and coaching on this level.He’s replaced none of the talent he inherited with Gailey. No Dwyers, Thomas, Burnett, Morgan type players.
@ wet willie
January 29th, 2012
10:33 am
Why are you posting Bama BS on a tech blog? Lets taalk about vacated wins, bowl restrictions, Ncaa violations embarrassing losses to Utah in the Sugar bowl ,losing to Louisana Monroe,and 1 SEC championship over the past 11 years. Or how about the 4-7 record vs Auburn of the past 11 years.
Seems like business was pretty bad for most of the 2000’s.
RedandBlackDAWG
January 29th, 2012
10:42 am
@rednblackdaqwg,
They had fairly good teams at Navy while he was there and they use the TO. Mind you the competition level was weaker, but still in all, he won his conference and his teams weren’t so bad. The TO is also used pretty well at the Air Force academy, as GT found out. Navy runs it successfully, and if you don’t think so, ask S.C. It is mostly the lack of a decent defense that keeps Tech. down a lot. You can score a bunch of points which they usually do, but when your opponent scores more, they win. Nothing complicated about that.
HighTech
January 29th, 2012
10:57 am
RedandBlackDAWG…good points. Navy also had wins against Notre Dame who had better athletes and an offensive genius for a head coach.
Fan of the Game
January 29th, 2012
11:07 am
To hell with Alabama and Saban. He can have and the fans can have their 9 NC, but the way they operate is as unconcious as you can get. Saban could care less about the kids and an education. Oh yea I know his job is to win but it is also to produce the student athlete.
phil
January 29th, 2012
11:09 am
Fire everyone!