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
Coach Grohbo
July 19th, 2011
3:09 pm
I also have no clue what I am talking about. Forgive me. I love GT baby!!
Football Insider
July 19th, 2011
3:09 pm
Forget Tech and UGA rivalries. Put that aside.
What the NCAA is saying is that if your program won a championship since 2009, they are looking into it even if they have to make a mountain out of a mole hill.
UGA fans, don’t be surprised if the NCAA comes a calling on campus for the “dreamteam”.
Anything good that happens in college football now days, will be looked into.
The system is broken folks, and it goes beyond rivalries, all programs should be afraid.
JB
July 19th, 2011
3:09 pm
Sting’em…………Start writing college and University Presidents. It’s their system and they control them.
GeoffDawg
July 19th, 2011
3:10 pm
George Stein – From their perspective though, they still have the smoking gun of the $312 worth of merchandise which they know exists but can’t tie to explicitly to anyone because their interview process is going nowhere. When they examine why their interview process became a dead-end, they see that the head coach and players were notified of their interest against their instructions. Not as applicable as with a government regulatory agency, but I believe the NCAA does expect member schools to be cooperative and non-confrontational simply because they lack any other warrant power to compel people to testify. As such, all they have to ensure the integrity of the investigation is the honesty and cooperation of those targeted for inquiries. Maybe more than any other reason, the penalty was so harsh because they want to make an example of tech to show what happens when you don’t comply.
Buck Belue Nov 28, 2008
July 19th, 2011
3:10 pm
No way that high school offense will rack up 400 yards against UGA.
Russ, the Temporary Running Back
July 19th, 2011
3:10 pm
The AJC has some of the best headlines . . . “Ga. execution drug unsafe, attorneys say”
A little dog could have told you that.
JOE
July 19th, 2011
3:10 pm
Well said Football Insider
Buck Belue Nov 28, 2008
July 19th, 2011
3:11 pm
I am also an old has been…..
SEC Fan
July 19th, 2011
3:11 pm
Funny to hear UGA fans call others arrogant and hypocritical…they have one of the most delusional, arrogant, and hypocritical fan base’s in college football.
In addition, 80% of their fat fans have bigger boobs that CPJ.
George Stein
July 19th, 2011
3:11 pm
Thanks for your input, Enemy Lines. Would you care to offer an alternative? Any Monday morning quarterbacking you’d like to offer the coach?
Lot of Techies in the unemployment lines these days
July 19th, 2011
3:12 pm
I T hit hard…better get a new degree….Hitting Vegas and betting against Tech is always a winner
Dawgdom
July 19th, 2011
3:12 pm
There is VIDEO EVIDENCE of “bay bay” Thomas taking the benefits!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KDrPUcUsFY
How you gon’ explain that one, nerds??
JB
July 19th, 2011
3:12 pm
Classic Tech…..This is their second probation in less than 10 years and all they want to talk about is Georgia………..Hell, we better not be cheating the way we’ve played the last three years… LOL……..
But good enough to beat Tech though…..
GeoffDawg
July 19th, 2011
3:13 pm
That being said, Paul Johnson has a legitimate beef to be teed-off about. It’s Dan Radakovich that apparently soiled the bed sheets on this one.
Dawgdom
July 19th, 2011
3:13 pm
I hate myself. But I love GT baby!!
George Stein
July 19th, 2011
3:14 pm
Except that they specifically said Tech wasn’t being made an example.
Lot of Techies in the unemployment lines these days
July 19th, 2011
3:14 pm
I just shat myself
Jim Harrick, Jr
July 19th, 2011
3:14 pm
Hey Dawgdumb,
How many points do you get for a 3-pointer?
BamaBean
July 19th, 2011
3:14 pm
Old “Bigger Fish to Fry”, chop-blocking Coach Paul Johnson should quit whining, take his medicine and shut his fat mouth.
Cheatin'? This ain't no stinkin' cheatin'....
July 19th, 2011
3:14 pm
Now that Bear Bryant could teach ya’ll about cheatin’ !!
Lindsey
July 19th, 2011
3:15 pm
As a Dawg fan I have to say, the NCAA stinks!!
tc
July 19th, 2011
3:15 pm
George Stein, they also said in the report that it was a cuationary tale of a program not cooperating with an investigation……not being made an expample of huh
Jimmy Crack
July 19th, 2011
3:15 pm
“I’m sure I cheated in board games,”
You gotta love the biting honesty coming from ole Paul. You also gotta love a head coach of a major technical college who doesn’t mind looking like a town drunk.
JB
July 19th, 2011
3:15 pm
I hope they have ample Security at the appeals hearing…..Isn’t this guy (Johnson) a little unstable talking about punching people in the mouth all the time? Geez.
BamaBean
July 19th, 2011
3:16 pm
I love CPJ!!!
Potter
July 19th, 2011
3:16 pm
I guess CPJ has “bigger fish to fry” than the NCAA anyway, huh??
JB
July 19th, 2011
3:16 pm
Jimmy Crack……..i’m still laughing…..quit it…..
GeoffDawg
July 19th, 2011
3:17 pm
Well, they’re doing it for some reason. Maybe your guess is as good as mine. Personal vendetta and a napoleon complex on the part of the investigator? Maybe but you should still know better than to piss off the guy that has the authority to drop a bombshell on your program.
Where's Charley Pell when you need a cheater?
July 19th, 2011
3:17 pm
Cheater extraordinaire!
Moobs Johnson
July 19th, 2011
3:17 pm
Screw the NCAA – I’ll punch them in the face.
VJacket
July 19th, 2011
3:18 pm
the NCAA can suck my big black
Where's Charley Pell when you need a cheater?
July 19th, 2011
3:18 pm
I love the Jackets!!
BamaBean
July 19th, 2011
3:18 pm
I predict that Paul Johnson will be back repairing air-conditioners within two years.
George Stein
July 19th, 2011
3:18 pm
DRad was caught between a rock and a hard place, Geoff. Does he not tell his coach something that will obviously affect the game plan and Johnson’s job security and adversely affect his relationship with his most important hire? Or does he take the chance of declaring the player(s) ineligible and try to have them reinstated on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving weekend. Under those circumstances, his actions are not only defensible, bit in my opinion correct.
I also happen to think he simply fell on the sword.
Damon Evans
July 19th, 2011
3:18 pm
Anybody seen my red ladies panties?
repeat offenders
July 19th, 2011
3:19 pm
Bush league coach, bush league program.
Big time?? Not
July 19th, 2011
3:19 pm
PJ is now Otis?
Watch out Coach man-boobs....
July 19th, 2011
3:19 pm
Woody Hayes will knock your block off!
Football Insider
July 19th, 2011
3:19 pm
My question with the NCAA is:
How do you expect to take out all 8 of GT’s most prominent players 3 days before the UGA game and not expect this to be communicated to the coach? It just doesn’t add up and it sounds like the NCAA was asking DRAD to either go ahead a tell him against them, or break trust with his head football coach.
The NCAA put DRAD in a lose-lose situation and, I for one, am glad to see the GT AD put trust above taking orders from the bully.
Truth, justice, and the American way
July 19th, 2011
3:20 pm
There are some fundamental differences between Georgia Tech and UGA.
Tech stands for principles, honor, and scholarship.
UGA stands for sleaze, drunkenness, and illiteracy.
It’s really that simple.
In your heart, you know that’s right.
Syed Haris Ahmed
July 19th, 2011
3:20 pm
Paul,
I need to know how exactly, do you cheat in Dungeons & Dragons?
Do you just make stuff up?
repeat offenders
July 19th, 2011
3:20 pm
Go Jackets!!
Watch out Coach man-boobs....
July 19th, 2011
3:21 pm
I want your man boobs
Ma
July 19th, 2011
3:21 pm
Enter your comments here
George Stein
July 19th, 2011
3:21 pm
They did say that, TC. But in an interview, they said Tech wasn’t being made an example. I’m sure I could craft a way to explain the cautionary tale language into a way that it didn’t mean Tech was being made an example but I’m just not that motivated to parse the nonsense the NCAA regularly puts out.
Sorry, I got a a group session w/ Dr. Bob N. to get too
July 19th, 2011
3:21 pm
Hi Bob…Bye Bob…Bob?….Bob….Hey Bob…..
Hines Ward
July 19th, 2011
3:22 pm
I was NOT drinking and driving.
JB
July 19th, 2011
3:22 pm
@ 3;20………..slander and narrow minded. You are what gives Tech it’s Rep.
BamaBean
July 19th, 2011
3:22 pm
I hate myself….
T3
July 19th, 2011
3:22 pm
OK, here’s a refresher course put all this in PROPER perspective.
Here’s what ESPN wrote on Friday, December 3, 2010, the day before the SEC Championship:
“Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is eligible to play in the SEC title game this weekend,
though the NCAA says his father broke rules by shopping his son to another school.”
The NCAA released its finding in a statement on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The college sports governing body had concluded on Monday, November 29, 2010 that a violation of Newton’s amateur status had occurred. Auburn declared Newton ineligible Tuesday and requested his eligibility be reinstated.”
“Newton has been cleared by the NCAA to compete without conditions.”
“Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs. “From a student-athlete reinstatement perspective, Auburn University met its obligation. … Under this threshold, the student-athlete has not participated while ineligible.”
OK. Here it is:
NCAA made it CLEAR they had CONFIRMED AND DOCUMENTED PROOF that a
MAJOR MAJOR……….MAJOR violation had occurred involving an estimated $180,000 in a
BLATANT pay-for-play set-up.
The NCAA was ABSOLUTELY CLEAR that Cam Newton had violated his Amateur status
and was not an eligibe NCAA player. Auburn declared Newton ineligible.
And yet……….the NCAA cleared Cam Newton……….in less than 24 hours…..
to play in the SEC Championship Game and a likely future BCS Bowl game.
So now the NCAA has seen fit to slap probation on GT, for a “supposed offense”
without ANY DOCUMENTED PROOF and much circumstantial evidence
over WHO gave WHAT.
And yet, the NCAA is angered by GT lack of coopoeration??
So again, the NCAA…..HAD CONFIRMED PROOF OF A MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR violation,
and yet because the Auburn staff appeared “cooperative” by declaring Newton ineligible, the NCAA
was kind enough to turn around and in LESS THAN 24 HOURS, and reinstates Newton.
And here, we have a $312 “issue”…..for which the NCAA has produced…..NO DOCUMENTED PROOF WHATSOEVER, and yet supposedly because the NCAA didnt think GT was (ahem) “cooperative” (aka kissifn the NCAA’s azz) the NCAA slaps on 4 yeas of probabtion, $100,000 fine, and strips the ACC title.
So, one hgas to ask: So if the NCAA had DOCUMENTED PROOF that Newton was ineligible,
then wouldnt that have meant that Newton had been ineligible….ALL SEASON ??
This simple comparison between the cases of Cam Newton and GT prove beyond a
shadow of a doubt the DUPLICITY, STUPIDITY, and DISCIMINATORY PRACTICE and ENFORCEMENT by the NCAA.
And yet, the AJC, ESPN, CBS Sports, etc. have all wantonly ripped GT
without ANY consideration, comparison or review of the RECENT AND INCONSISTENT
actions by the NCAA.