We’re live from Tech-Duke — and is it raise time for P.J.?
"So let me get this straight: The football coach has to bow to you how many times a day?"
DURHAM, N.C. — Made it to Duke. I knew I was in the right place when I found the empty high school football stadium next to the basketball arena. In a couple of hours, it will still be an empty high school football stadium next to the basketball arena. And that’s just the way Mike Krzyzewski wants it.
Paul Johnson has puffed on a lot of victory cigars at Georgia Tech. (Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com)
Wallace Wade Stadium is a strange backdrop for a game of such significance. But Georgia Tech will take it. Win today and they’ll clinch the ACC Coastal Division and a spot in the conference championship. That, of course, would put one more gold star on
Paul Johnson’s resume, which could lead to yet another raise in his contract.
Johnson already has had his contract re-done once. His current deal, which started in January, bumped his annual salary from $1.6 milion to $2.3 million. According to a recent USA Today salary survey of Divison 1 college coaches, Johnson is the 18th highest paid coach in the nation and second-highest in ACC, behind only Florida State’s Bobby Bowden ($2.319). But with the Jackets ranked No. 7 in all major polls and in the BCS, they’re exceeding expectations for the second straight season. Johnson will be a coveted candidate for schools with openings.
So is he due for another raise? When I asked athletic director Dan Radakovich if he anticipated re-working the contract again, he responded: “When we re-worked Paul’s contract last year, we did so with the expectation that we would have success not only now but over the long term. We did so with complete faith in what Paul and his coaching staff bring to Georgia Tech now and in the future.”
Which means what exactly?
“Contracts are living documents,” Radakovich said.
Johnson has indicted he’s not leaving Tech. He also told me the other that his ego isn’t fed by being a potential candidate at high-profile places like Notre Dame. So in that sense, the Jacket could have him on the sideline for a long time. That said, don’t be surprised if his contract isn’t re-done again.
About today: The Jackets should win without a problem. David Cutcliffe has done a great job at Duke, given what he has to work with. But even at 5-4, the Blue Devils haven’t beaten anybody of significance. They’re also the worst rushing team in the ACC (39.4 yards per game), so the time of possession differential could be fairly ridiculous.
I’ll check back in a little while. Meanwhile, here’s the top 20 paid coaches, according to USA Today. The newspaper reported all but nine of 120 schools cooperated with the survey. There are two notable exceptions: total annual compensation was not available for Charlie Weis (Notre Dame) and Randy Shannon (Miami), both of whom are at private schools. (Annual salary in millions.)
1. Pete Carroll (USC): $4.387
2. Bob Stoops (Oklahoma): $4.303
3. Urban Meyer (Florida): $4.0
4. Nick Saban (Alabama): $3.9
5. Les Miles (LSU): $3.751
6. Jim Tressel (Ohio State): $3.722
7. Mark Richt (Georgia): $3.097
8. Mack Brown (Texas): $3.060
9. Kirk Ferentz (Iowa): $3.024
10. Bobby Petrino (Arkansas): $2.858
11. Jeff Tedford (California): $2.807
12. Mike Leach (Texas Tech): $2.7
13. Gary Pinkel (Missouri): $2.525
14. Rich Rodriguez (Michigan): $2.521
15. Houston Nutt (Mississippi): $2.509
16. Bobby Bowden (FSU): $2.319
17. Mark Mangino (Kansas): $2.303
18. Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech): $2.3
19. Jim Grobe (Wake Forest): $2.172
20. Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech): $2.138
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699 comments Add your comment
Not Disappointed!
November 14th, 2009
11:33 am
Jackets finish the Drill today. Morning all! Ramblin Wreck!
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
11:39 am
WHATS THAT IN HIS MOUTH ON THE TEE BOX? HOPE HE DOESNT SWALLOW…..JUST A THOUGHT
Sonny Clusters
November 14th, 2009
11:41 am
Coach deserved money like that but he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Coach never come out from under that cloud but getting caught dressed up like that was hard to explain. Back then coaches didn’t get sunglasses contracts and Coach was never a fashion plate. He was sloppier than Paul Johnson and his shoe laces was broke all the time. That said, we was thinking Tech would win today and Jeff probably was already at the Varsity.
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2009
11:41 am
Quick breakdown on Duke:
Duke has run more plays than their opponents, except for 2: Army, and NC (last week). Their time of possession against NC St. was 40 – 20 (rounded off). In that game they completed 40 of 50 pass attempts, with 9.2 yards per pass.
They spread the ball around, 4 guys with 29 or more receptions (10.6 to 15.6 yards per). 4 other guys have caught at least 10. Top 5 receivers are WRs.
Blitzing in a short passing game like this…will that work, or having more people in coverage? Duke is not a running threat; 2.2 yards per, 614 net yards, 257 yds lost, 175 of them by Thad Lewis (158 on 23 sacks ).
Kicker is 11/12, 4/4 from 40-49, long of 47 yards.
Snyderwine had 5 FGs in 28-17 win over UVA on 10/31.
OL depth is an issue. 3rd down conversions are 48.4% and 51.4% in 1st and 3rd Q; 27.3% and 26.8% in 2nd and 4th Q.
Defensive depth: 3rd down conv. allowed by Q – 40.0%-39.4%-35.5%-48.5%
Gravy Train
November 14th, 2009
11:42 am
Michigan has bought a lemmon!
Sarah Palin says McCain aides muzzeled her? Makes me wonder how much worse things would’ve been had they not. Youbetcha! (wink)
Heath
November 14th, 2009
11:42 am
You can tell CPJ would never leave for bigger & better things because he’s never done it before.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
11:42 am
DABO…..$800,000 NOW……….$170,000 AFTER ACC CHAMP GAME….DAWGS GET SOME FIRST
Not Disappointed!
November 14th, 2009
11:43 am
Boggie Man you mind is really out there! I don’t think Coach Johnson is smoking a peace pipe!
Ramblin Wreck!
Cuttysark
November 14th, 2009
11:44 am
The Yellow Jackets come out and smack Duke on their final step to the Coastal Division Titlle.
Go to http://isportsweb.com for a preview of the Game against Duke.
U-no
November 14th, 2009
11:44 am
A great day for football! A great day for another Tech win! Go Jackets!
By the way, Jeff, keep collecting cup cake recipes for a team that will go un-named at this point in the day! LOL!
Clay
November 14th, 2009
11:44 am
Yeah, it seems the profession of football coaching is exempt from the recession. In our little town (pop. 2650), the high school head coach makes $130,000.
Clay
November 14th, 2009
11:47 am
Jeez, Gravy Brain, give it a rest!! You trying to run off the what’s left of Jeff’s readers?
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
11:47 am
PEACE PIPE? NO SON…..A PIECE OF PIPE!
Gravy Train
November 14th, 2009
11:47 am
Sarah Palin = the fuel for Rove’s dumpster fire = GOP devoured in flames = answer to the question “Can it get any worse than Bush?”
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
11:49 am
FORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
U-no
November 14th, 2009
11:50 am
By the way everyone… This weekend holds the promise of every major team in Georgia getting a win. The Hawks and Thrashers got their W last night. Tech will get their win today. The Falcons should handle Carolina tomorrow. The only question mark is will the puppies be able to survive tonight against Auburn?
pilgrim
November 14th, 2009
11:51 am
New contract: 2.3 mill + 100K per 4th down conversion.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
11:51 am
BETTER ANTE UP , HES GONNA LEAVE THE INSTITUTION
B'Ham Jacket
November 14th, 2009
11:52 am
Just talk about the game, idiots!
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
11:55 am
ILL BE THERE ……DAWGS 30 – AUHBUN 14!……..
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
11:57 am
TO BHAM….THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT DAWGS KICK WAR EAGLE?….TIGER? A$$…
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
11:59 am
Kim Z’s Package
November 13th, 2009
5:20 pm
With all the talk about Outfit color choices, I thought the game between the Eagle’s and the Bulldog’s was a flag football game between the Gay bar and the Lesbian Bar in Downtown ATLANTA. I was so excited.
Just for you Boogie.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
11:59 am
CMR GOING NO WHERE…. CPJ BOLTS FROM INSTITUTION……..HIDE AND WATCH
U-no
November 14th, 2009
11:59 am
Hey Boogie Man! Just this once I would like to see the Pups win one. The state of Georgia, Atlanta, and sports fans everywhere will have to take notice of our teams for a change.
We got something going around here!
Athens SG
November 14th, 2009
12:01 pm
Ole PJ is sittin in the catbird seat right now isn’t he? When I heard the news that Tech hired him a couple of years ago, I said uh-oh, cause I followed him at GSU and Navy. He’s done nothing I didn’t expect here at Tech. He’s a great coach and a winner. Wish he was on our sideline….
GT !@#
November 14th, 2009
12:01 pm
Its game time bababay
Peter
November 14th, 2009
12:01 pm
Got that same women doing the game. Ugh.
Baloon Boy
November 14th, 2009
12:01 pm
I will be in Athens today and I’m going to float across the field just before kickoff to fire up the Georgia team. Coach gave me some of his designer sunglasses to wear and I am going to be so cool that the team is going to love it. Baloon Boys are going to be the rage all over the SEC if Georgia can get a win tonight.
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2009
12:02 pm
Boogie Man – Mr. Roberson tells me it’s a lot more than that: Dabo gets something like $1.8 million (about double his base contract) if he just makes it to the ACC title game.
U-No – I like sprinkles
U-no
November 14th, 2009
12:02 pm
See yall at half-time…
GO JACKETS!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:03 pm
Kick coverage still needs work
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:04 pm
Tight cove Dbacks knock the WRs off their routes and timing
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2009
12:04 pm
You all may know by now, but Duke DT Vince Oghobaase is out of the game with a leg injury.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:05 pm
Missed that tackle needed that 3 and out
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2009
12:05 pm
Duke going no huddle
mmgtfan
November 14th, 2009
12:06 pm
Oh defense you still suck
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:06 pm
Nice catch there
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:07 pm
Nice hit J Tarent need a hold for the Field goal
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:09 pm
nice pass. Lets get the Offense TURNT ALL THE WAY UP!
Dan
November 14th, 2009
12:09 pm
Typical cheap shots at Coach K in the intro – glad to see pandering to the crowd remains one of your go to moves
Pi$$onaJacket
November 14th, 2009
12:09 pm
TOUCHDOWN DUKE!!! tech looks very flat.
mmgtfan
November 14th, 2009
12:09 pm
Dear god
dh
November 14th, 2009
12:09 pm
They gotta get more pressure on Lewis or it’s gonna be a long game.
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2009
12:10 pm
Receiver just beat Mario Edwards…. No pressure on that Duke drive at all. Defense made that way too easy.
Wow
November 14th, 2009
12:10 pm
GT IS IRRLEVANT!!! DUKE 7 nerds 0…..some team you got there
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
12:11 pm
SELAH
abc
November 14th, 2009
12:11 pm
time to simplify
Wow
November 14th, 2009
12:11 pm
YALL SUK!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND U KNOW IT……………
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:11 pm
DUKE decided to do what they needed. Take the ball and score, but after the half and Johnson adjustments Tech starts the Secon Half with the ball. All right JACKETS move it down the field, Watch a Pass to BAY BAY on first play.
Biff Pocoroba
November 14th, 2009
12:11 pm
Mario gets a lot of praise despite the fact he hasn’t covered anyone all year. He plays ten yards off and gets burned every time. Hopefully we can fire Wommack soon and give that money to CPJ. No reason to pay someone to coach defense when we don’t play defense.
Wow
November 14th, 2009
12:12 pm
GET A TEAM…….THE DAWGS ARE COMING TO WHOOP THAT ARSSSSS…………AND U KNOW IT
Kane337
November 14th, 2009
12:12 pm
Typical Tech defense. No worries. The Tech offense will outscore them.
Wow
November 14th, 2009
12:12 pm
dUKE 7 GT 0 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
12:12 pm
RAISE?
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:13 pm
AIN’T SKEERED
J Dub
November 14th, 2009
12:13 pm
Great! We get to listen to Doris Burke again!
Sautee Dawg
November 14th, 2009
12:13 pm
Tech hasn’t been to a major bowl since 1966 and with a win today against Duke, Johnson has them headed in that direction. Congradulations, If CPJ accomplishes this with his Tech team he deserves more money. I’m sure he has incentives to bring the base salary up in the event of a Major Bowl apperance.
Projections have Ga. Tech vs Cinncinatti in the Orange Bowl if both continue to win and after watching Cinn. Friday night against W. VA. That will probably be one of the better matched games of the year.
Tech with an unstopable rushing game and Cinn with a great passing team, both resemble each other on Defense, Could be good one if it works out.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
12:14 pm
OK GOTTA GO………..LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO ATHENS…..GO DAWGS……..
Pi$$onaJacket
November 14th, 2009
12:14 pm
3 and out. Go Duke!
Wow
November 14th, 2009
12:14 pm
WOW ur offense looks so good …..
Pi$$onaJacket
November 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
Seeing “georgia tech” in any poll, especially football, looks like a typo.
Biff Pocoroba
November 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
Nice start on offense. Another deep pass from Nesbitt when he hasn’t completed one in four weeks. If our D Backs would spend as much time practicing getting better as they do on their hair, we might have a chance to stop someone for a change.
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2009
12:16 pm
Boogie Man — clean up you language or your out.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:16 pm
Not good Bay Bay pass should have been first then run to the sticks if you miss bay bay. Tarrant get the pass. Get the DAMN ball back.
J Dub
November 14th, 2009
12:16 pm
Go Dawgs Boogie!!
abc
November 14th, 2009
12:17 pm
worst start imaginable. These guys need to wake up. Did they think Duke was just going to roll over?
TechDan
November 14th, 2009
12:17 pm
Slow start. Should pick it up though. And how about the no-call on that pass interference? The Duke defender fell into Thomas’s legs and caused him to stumble a bit. That ball could have been catchable.
pilgrim
November 14th, 2009
12:17 pm
On Duke’s first drive the two missed tackles were the biggest problem.
Wow
November 14th, 2009
12:17 pm
Jeff, the nerds defense is worse than the dawgs…thats why this avg uga team is gonna wipe the floor with their on arssss
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
Can a guy get any more wide open?
Pi$$onaJacket
November 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
Duke is making this look really easy.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
Why ain’t all you dawgs at the game? Don’t Walmart sell tickets?
J Dub
November 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
Duke may close this out before CPJ has a chance to make his famous 2nd half adjustments
Wow
November 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
Vandy scored 31 on your sorry team now look at duke..
Biff Pocoroba
November 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
NO adjustments on D. Great job guys. We are the only team Duke has run on all year.
mmgtfan
November 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
Dave Womack needs to go after this year
TechFan
November 14th, 2009
12:19 pm
WOW, I just turned to the game and realized we’re already losing. What’s going on???
J Dub
November 14th, 2009
12:19 pm
Game not til 7:30 Pissonadawg. Got plenty of time to get to stadium
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 14th, 2009
12:19 pm
Finally got a stop.
o-me
November 14th, 2009
12:20 pm
I love GT but they’re like a mule…you got to hit them in the head to get their attention.
abc
November 14th, 2009
12:20 pm
okay, a stop. Mostly Duke’s fault, but we’ll take it. Get in the groove, O.
Pi$$onaJacket
November 14th, 2009
12:20 pm
Great punt and coverage Duke!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:20 pm
Letting the back get that pass in the flat to easy.
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2009
12:20 pm
Awful decision by Tarrant
abc
November 14th, 2009
12:21 pm
good lord, false start, half the distance
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:22 pm
J dub thta is waht you are selling. Most fans have been there for 3-5 hours already.
Pi$$onaJacket
November 14th, 2009
12:22 pm
This would be a great place for a tech turnover.
abc
November 14th, 2009
12:23 pm
nice pass Josh
TechDan
November 14th, 2009
12:24 pm
Another false start?
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 14th, 2009
12:24 pm
What’s with the false start penalties?
J Dub
November 14th, 2009
12:24 pm
listen, I’m not on here to argue with you folks. I just love football. I’m a Dawg fan. Big deal!
Biff Pocoroba
November 14th, 2009
12:24 pm
Gilbert needs to take the rest of the day off to think about things.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 14th, 2009
12:24 pm
go Roddy. Smith has to get a better block on the outside. DAMN Gilbert get you head in the DAMN game.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 14th, 2009
12:24 pm
dammit, wake up, jackets. two jumps now by Gilbert
Hillbilly Deluxe
November 14th, 2009
12:25 pm
Jeff,
You should have the chalkboard more than once a week. Just a suggestion.
Baloon Boy
November 14th, 2009
12:25 pm
I may do a fly over at Duke today and see if we can wake up this Ga Tech team. If I land in the press box I’ll want some doughnuts.
Pi$$onaJacket
November 14th, 2009
12:25 pm
Great stop Duke!!!
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 14th, 2009
12:25 pm
wow … from our own 31.
Biff Pocoroba
November 14th, 2009
12:27 pm
CPJ is being out coached today. We can put off the raise for a while. We did that for Hewitt and now we are stuck with him forever.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 14th, 2009
12:27 pm
We looked a lot better against this team last year. I was hoping we could get an early lead so Jaybo could get some reps … just in case we need him before the end of the year.