Paul Johnson slams NCAA for Georgia Tech’s probation
Paul Johnson wasn't happy during Tech's probation news conference. He's still fuming. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
Paul Johnson doesn’t cheat. Doesn’t like cheaters. Calls the suggestion that he would cheat “almost insulting.”
“I’m sure I cheated in board games,” the Georgia Tech coach said. “And when I played, yeah, you’d do stuff. Move the ball forward. Move it back. Kick it. Maybe grab a guy where you’re not supposed to. But heck, everybody does that.”
But not as a coach. It’s why Johnson took a verbal 2-by-4 to the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions. He says he did nothing wrong. He says the punishment slapped on Georgia Tech’s football program, including the forfeiture of the 2009 ACC championship, is wrong. He wants the school to appeal. That decision hasn’t been made yet, but the trophy has been removed from a case in the Edge Athletics Center and is sitting in an office closet.
At the very least, Johnson wants it known that the Yellow Jackets gained no competitive advantage before the conference title win over Clemson. Also, he’s not giving his ring back.
“I’m proud of what those guys did on the field — they won it on the field,” Johnson said. “The NCAA can’t take away the memories or what happened on the field. Let’s say somebody took something illegal. I’m still not convinced that happened, but let’s say it did. Well, you’re punishing 115 guys who didn’t do anything but work their butt off.”
Johnson said he’s still “stunned” by the NCAA’s actions. He never expected anything of significance would come of the investigation until, “They started ripping [former compliance director] Paul Parker in the hearing.”
He understood why the NCAA might be upset that athletic director Dan Radakovich informed him of the impending investigation after he been told not to, but said, “I knew there was no coverup. If we were trying to cover the thing up, we would’ve just said that Dan never told me anything. Their perception of what happened and my perception of what happened wasn’t close.”
Johnson’s perception: “That they came in here and talked to seven or eight kids and they didn’t find what they were looking for.
“I’ve been in this business a long time. You see all the things that are going on in college sports today, and you get slammed for this? I mean, come on now. I feel for Dan and [Tech president G.P. "Bud"] Peterson. I’ve known Dan since I got here. Dan Radakovich isn’t going to cheat or cover up anything. Did you get bad information or maybe make a bad decision? You can debate that. But I certainly wasn’t privy to any information we had.”
The Tech case will go down as one of the strangest in NCAA history. Investigators never found proof or established a paper trail indicating former players, specifically Demaryius Thomas and Morgan Burnett, received improper benefits from agents. But there was the suspicious matter of $312 worth of clothing given to Thomas. Radakovich also went against the NCAA’s mandate by forewarning Johnson (and indirectly players) of the investigation.
Any potential violations might’ve been secondary, but the NCAA didn’t like the way Tech acted during the investigation, perceiving administrators tried to hinder the process.
Johnson said, “We thought we were cooperating,” then pointed to a black book on his desk and added, “I guess if they say that book right there is red and you don’t agree, then you’re not cooperating.”
He named at least five Tech players who were interviewed during the bye week before the Georgia game — Thomas, Burnett, Derrick Morgan, Jonathan Dwyer and Cord Howard (as well as Morgan’s roommates) — and said they shuttled off and on the field during practice. Peterson, who was relying primarily on the advice of since-retired school counsel Randy Nordin, ultimately cleared Burnett and Thomas to play.
Johnson said an investigator also interviewed one of his assistant coaches.
“They tried to say that he [the assistant coach] was directing players to agents,” Johnson said. “He even asked me if I was directing players to agents. I told him, ‘Dude, I don’t even know what you’re talking about.’ ”
The assumption here is that the NCAA was not expecting a warm embrace. Maybe they’ve just got a thing about bluntness.
“If you went out and you did something to gain a competitive advantage, if you knew you cheated or you paid somebody, it might be easier to swallow,” Johnson said. “But when you don’t feel like you’ve done anything wrong, it’s tough to take.”
The one saving grace for Tech is that the NCAA didn’t take away scholarships or issue a postseason ban. Also, this whole ugly process and resulting anger might help Johnson’s cause in at least one area with his players.
“Motivation won’t be a problem,” he said.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier: Tuesday Countdown: Tech stashes ACC trophy; Ohio State’s really stiff ‘I’
Earlier: Georgia’s RB legacy takes another hit with suspension
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891 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:30 pm
Vince, the blog name is part of what I consider Ole Fashioned Hate — when the rivalry was fun but clean. And actually, I only came up with that name 4 years ago because of some of the mindless drivel that some of your fans post on our blogs. And you think that all the blog names with reference to “nerds” or “man boobs” are positive??? I’m not just talking about what they say; many of the names are every bit as pointed, and a helluva lot more uncivil, than mine are.
1eyedJack
July 19th, 2011
9:32 pm
Woof Woofy, you got talent. You’ll go far.
Coach Fishfry is floating down crybaby river without sunblock.
The lesson to be learned is that you can get away with cheating with a handslap if you fess up and cooperate. However, if you cheat and lie about it, or throw up roadblocks, it’s going to hurt.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:34 pm
1eyedJack, roadblocks apparently WERE thrown up, but I haven’t heard of anybody yet who is guilty of telling any lies about anything.
RWill
July 19th, 2011
9:34 pm
What a joke the NCAA is. Some of the same people investigating these programs and handing out penalties came from shady situations. Wasn’t Miami’s former AD or president during the thug U time later a rules infractions guy for the NCAA?
It’s such a dumb system. Can’t even blame Jim Tressell. Cheating is just a resume enhancer to move on to bigger and better jobs working for the NCAA itself. Of course they lay the hammer on GT, instead of some bigger-name football powerhouse. Helps them look tough on cheating while they turn a blind eye to much more blatant cheating going on at Florida, Auburn, Oklahoma, etc…
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:35 pm
Vince, when I said earlier that everybody was being punished for what nobody did, I was only referring to the players on the team. Obviously DRAD screwed up at a minimum. To be frank, part of me thinks he should be fired for it; he definitely should have known better.
Vince
July 19th, 2011
9:36 pm
@ Supersize
I was once a Tech fan. I went to Emory (did graduate work at UGA) but my two best friends went to Tech. One has even been head of the alumni association for a few years. There were many times I went to Sanford Stadium with them and cheered against UGA! Things changed. I really dislike the vandalism Tech fans and players commit when they beat UGA in Athens. It’s ugly.
Secondly, and I know you won’t agree with me on this, but Tech’s fans are so very…..over the top…with their hatred of UGA. They beat them in a game and suddenly they are national championship contenders and UGA stinks.
Take today’s blog for instance. More UGA fans have sided with Tech and Johnson than have spoken against them However, oddly, most comments on here are from Tech people blasting Georgia! Only a couple of Techsters have said, “Thanks guys.” The overwhelming majority blast us.
And, thanks for your honesty, you KNOW Tech fans would be all over UGA if the situation was reversed.
MC
July 19th, 2011
9:37 pm
They do now. Do yours? Can Reggie Ball count to 4 yet? The problem with GT this decade is they just can’t seem to learn from past experience. Are they learning disabled or something?
Vince
July 19th, 2011
9:41 pm
@ supersize
I do not think of “nerds” as an insult. I tell my kids I am a proud nerd.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:44 pm
Vince, I know that Tech fans on these blogs would be all over UGA if the situation were reversed. But away from these blogs, there are tons of fans of both schools who are supportive of the other school. I might kid those I know personally if something like this happened, but it would be good-natured, and they would know it was only kidding. NOBODY deserves to be trashed over nothing, and if have complimented several UGA fans over the past few days for their supportive remarks on here. In fact, even before that, I have come to appreciate the input the some (unfortunately very few) of your fans have posted……for instance DawginLex, Byrddawg, lately even Old Blind Dawg. But if you read this blog on a daily basis, you would see more crap coming from others of your fans than you realize, and they unfortunately are in the majority.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:45 pm
Vince, it depends on the context in which the word “nerd” is used. Is is seldom used on these blogs as a compliment. I’m a proud nerd too, by the way. LOL
TheAntiMe
July 19th, 2011
9:47 pm
The NCAA definitely puts the DIC in DICTATORS.
Bill Maher
July 19th, 2011
9:47 pm
Paul Johnson is a male version of Sarah Palin!
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:47 pm
MC, I don’t have any facts to support what I am about to say, but growing up and living in eastern Georgia, which by the way is PRIME bulldawg country, rumors have abounded for years about some of the shady dealings going on in Athens. If any of those rumors are true and are ever verified, you had better watch out, because the hammer hits hard.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:49 pm
The opinion of anybody using the name “Bill Maher” is immediately discounted as totally worthless garbage.
Big Bob
July 19th, 2011
9:50 pm
(((((Cry Baby, Cry Baby, Cry Baby)))))- A.J. sold his OWN jersey and got suspended for 4 games, so stop the crying!
Vince
July 19th, 2011
9:50 pm
@ Supersize
When UGA beats Tech I will call my friend and bark into the phone. When Tech loses to anyone else I leave it alone as I think the wounds are too fresh.
I once demonstrated the Tech hatred for UGA to my friends by saying this, “We are all Georgians and when Tech plays an Ohio State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, etc I must admit that I find myself pulling for Tech. Can you say the same for Georgia when they play someone on the national level?” Their response was a resounding, “NO!”
As an aside,I once flew to South Bend to see Tech play Notre Dame and I cheered for Tech. Not sure I would do that anymore after reading the comments from Tech folks on these blogs.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:51 pm
Vince, as far as the behavior of Tech fans in Athens after a win there, I can only say I was once spit on by a Georgia fan in Athens after a Tech win there.
CFT: NCAA gives LSU 1-year probation
July 19th, 2011
9:51 pm
[...] “I’m unapproachable of what those guys did on a field — they won it on a field,” Johnson said. “The NCAA can’t take divided a memories or what happened on a field. Let’s contend somebody took something illegal. I’m still not assured that happened, though let’s contend it did. Well, you’re punishing 115 guys who didn’t do anything though work their boundary off.” [...]
MC
July 19th, 2011
9:52 pm
You guys know all about that hammer so I’ll take your word about it’s impact supersize. Can’t ignore the voice of experience can we?
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:52 pm
Vince, see, your reason for not cheering for Tech anymore is the same reason I can never cheer for the dawgs. The fans on these blogs (other than those like you and others I named earlier) make all of you look bad.
Vince
July 19th, 2011
9:53 pm
@Supersize
…the hedges, man…..the hedges….
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:54 pm
Vince, take MC for an example. Can you honestly say that you are proud to call him a fellow dawg?
Vince
July 19th, 2011
9:55 pm
Supersize…I would never pretend that all UGA fans are kind to Tech, but many of us are. Again, I cannot see the same in reverse.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:55 pm
Vince, do you remember that UGLY giant inflatable Buzz in the end zone at Grant Field that your fans destroyed back whenever it was. Hedges grow back; the balloon, which frankly I hated cost big bucks and could not (perhaps fortunately) be restored.
Vince
July 19th, 2011
9:55 pm
Is MC a Dawg fan?
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:56 pm
Oh, c’mon, Vince, of course he is. DUHHH. lol
Vince
July 19th, 2011
9:57 pm
I remember the rumor that UGA fans destroyed it in retaliation for the vandalism against the hedges.
Vince
July 19th, 2011
9:57 pm
I just thought he was anti-tech!
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
9:58 pm
Vince, I doubt that it was in retaliation for anything, but even so, like I said, hedges grow back; the balloon was irreplaceable (thank GOD!!! lol)
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:00 pm
Vince, how many anti-Tech people post on here besides Georgia fans? An occasional FSU or VT fan, but that’s about it. I can’t really recall any Clemson fans coming on here trashing Tech. All the anti-Tech venom comes from your fans, with an occasional UF or UT or Bama fan. There might be others on the Georgia blogs, but I never post on those, or even read them.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:02 pm
By the way, Vince, do you remember the water hoses at Auburn several years ago? Those were turned on the Georgia fans, because they were digging up the turf there. Your fans are not immune to vandalism either.
Jorg'e O'leary
July 19th, 2011
10:03 pm
Bill Maher is a living twin of the joker in Batman with more makeup. And not near as funny..
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:04 pm
Vince, I have actually enjoyed this back-and-forth, but I need to get off this damn computer for awhile. I’ll check back later to see if anything new has been posted, or if you have had anything more to say. But until then, have a good evening, and thanks again for being a positive and classy Georgia fan.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:05 pm
right on, Jorg’e
Vince
July 19th, 2011
10:05 pm
Sure it was in retaliation for Dewberry and crew tearing up the hedges the year before….but as far as I know, no one ever proved UGA fans even did it. Dewberrys’ smiling face, with hedge branch in clenched teeth, was on the front page of the AJC.
I must go. I have some interviews to conduct in the morning and I need to be coherent.
If UGA gets in trouble in the next few months, years, etc…. I long to see how many Tech people show up on a Georgia blog to express support for them.
Vince
July 19th, 2011
10:08 pm
@ Supersize
That tearing up the turf story is one that the Auburn folks have dreamed up and want you to believe. The hoses were actually turned on people in the stands who were celebrating a victory and the stadium staff wanted them to leave. The turf idea came up YEARS later.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:08 pm
Vince, I was at both games. It was clear who destroyed the balloon.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:09 pm
Vince, actually, I watched that game on TV, and the cameras showed Georgia players and fans digging up the turf. I never read that anywhere, but I definitely saw it.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:10 pm
at any rate, I hope the interviews go well in the morning. Take care and good night
Vince
July 19th, 2011
10:10 pm
…then why did they spray the fans in the stands?
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:13 pm
Well, they turned on the sprinklers, as I remember, and that hit the ones on the field first. Then they turned them on the fans in the endzone, I assume with the logic of keeping them there. There was an older couple at my church who got soaked and were totally pissed. I can understand that, but the fact is that there were people on the field digging up the turf. Auburn did wrong by hosing the stands, but some of you fans did wrong by digging up the turf.
Jorg'e O'leary
July 19th, 2011
10:13 pm
To get them to quit dry humping each other Vince…
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:14 pm
I hate to admit it after such a friendly conversation, but Jorg’e’s comment was priceless. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
July 19th, 2011
10:16 pm
Jorg’e, if you haven’t already, you need to watch the new show called “Wilfred” on the FX network on Thursday nights. Without going into lengthy details, Wilfred is a dog who on the show is played by an Australian actor in a dog suit. It is bizarre, downright dirty at times, and totally hilarious.
Sam Shoemaker
July 19th, 2011
10:28 pm
Dawg fan or not MC is spot on about GT’s most recent history.
Native to the ATL
July 19th, 2011
10:30 pm
Love all the dawg fan trailor-park brother-cousins gettin on the blog. Smoke break is over guys, clock back in and see about that clean-up on aisle 5.
Sam Shoemaker
July 19th, 2011
10:31 pm
You’re compliance staff has to be the most incompetent in all of college football.
NERDS!!! 9-1!!!! $312!!!
July 19th, 2011
10:35 pm
Next, Paul Johnson slams 5 cheesesteaks. (He had too much fish and hushpuppies already.)
Jorg'e O'leary
July 19th, 2011
10:39 pm
Supersize, I appreciate the tip on the Wilfred show. I will have to check it out. Sorry for being salty tonight. I only vent on occasion. Somehow MC got me started. But I appreciate the respectful bantering between the two sides, it beats the current politics. I also enjoy the real O’leary at UCF. If you aren’t watching, his recruits get better and better each year and it’s a very attractive venue with a huge alumni base. And a pro style offense. That being said “GO JACKETS”
Andrew
July 19th, 2011
10:40 pm
He got what he deserves.. Just like everyone else an anything in life.. You wanna make fun of UGA an Mark R?? Well guess what A.J Green out so you saw what happend. Paul lets see what your made of..