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
Love the DAWGS
July 19th, 2011
3:34 pm
TC you are so right. I am a UGA grad (and certainly no Tech fan) but no one can dispute that Tech is an asset to our state. So I have to stick up for Tech on this one. Regardless of whether Tech administration should have handled this differently, the punishment does not fit the crime. How can the NCAA justify this punishment over $312 and some extra tickets and act like it is ok for a father to ask for $180000 as long as the player didn’t know about it? That is just so wrong. What is the disincentive for fathers, mothers, cousins, uncles, to demand money as long as the player doesn’t know it. This is going to be a huge problem. NCAA is a dictatorship and something needs to be done.
G
July 19th, 2011
3:34 pm
Football insider… so you are saying GT is not in a decline, you guys are actually on the rise? Interesting thought, how about beating somebody worth anything and then talk. Your statement lacks reason.
Never learn do you idiots
July 19th, 2011
3:35 pm
hmmm
Melinda
July 19th, 2011
3:35 pm
ROFL, The coach you are thinking of was Erk Russell. Who made a small pitstop at uga for that championship run before going to Georgia Southern. Oops!
The NCAA can tell Ohio State and Auburn how to get around its rules, but CPJ stands up for players he feels didn’t do anything wrong AND stand up for the rest of the team who HAS done nothing wrong and gets slammed? A guy who has NO reputation as a cheater or even a rule bender? And then they trash his reputation by saying the players were coached on their interviews? The NCAA is a joke. No wonder they are incompetent, ineffective and can’t figure out how to implement a playoff system.
TC
July 19th, 2011
3:35 pm
Well said Love the DAWGS
G
July 19th, 2011
3:36 pm
I just licked my boogers
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:36 pm
ANY ONE GOT ANY RED PANTIES?
George Stein
July 19th, 2011
3:36 pm
Dobyou honestly believe they’d sit AJ if they opened against Boise last year and Richt was under the pressure he’s got on him this year, mom of 3? Lord knows I may be wrong, but I think he’d play this year.
This is ridiculous
July 19th, 2011
3:36 pm
As a UGA fan this ruling is deeply disturbing for college football everywhere. Taking away a title because you were offended how a school responded and took it personally should not be allowed. I think the NCAA needs to be investigated and tight controls put on judgements based on facts not agendas and allegations.
doc
July 19th, 2011
3:37 pm
ohio state better not have any wins for the last ten years and be on the death penalty with only enough players on scholarship to equal what ga state has at their level of play if there is going to be any fairness involved. the problem is no one put money under the table and played the game right? ncaa is a farce only becoming more farcical by the day.
JoeFan
July 19th, 2011
3:38 pm
The NCAA didn’t find any wrong doing regarding player eligibility. Their investigators were left gasping for reasons to justify this investigation and ultimately found no solid basis for sanctions. Yet magically ruled that GT disobeyed them and certainly should be fined and placed on probation. It is way past time for the BCBS schools to withdraw from this delusional organization and form their own entity.
Joey
July 19th, 2011
3:38 pm
George Stein, there’s a dozen jackass UGA fans on here today. Just remember we get a dozen jackass Tech fans on our blogs daily.
Daily.
Football Insider
July 19th, 2011
3:38 pm
G,
It’s not about GT.
Last time I checked anyways is that GT has had a more recent BCS showing than UGA and a conference championship. Whether they keep it or not, they won it.
GT has beaten a top 4 teams (VT in 2009), UGA has not. Paul Johnson has had more wins than UGA in the last 3 years.
There are plently of arguments.
Paul Johnson with UGA’s talent would be ridiculous. He would win big at UGA.
Johnsons players actually hit full contact in practice, unlike sissy Richt. Like I said, Richt is soft and will never with a MNC.
UGA Fan
July 19th, 2011
3:38 pm
I now love CPJ for stepping up there!!
The jealousy of all things Dawg is so thick in here
July 19th, 2011
3:39 pm
obsession over Bulldogs other than Bulldogs very unhealthy geeky ones.
Paul Johnson's Grammer school
July 19th, 2011
3:39 pm
Newsflash: The principal in Hicks ville, NC has ask that ALL of Paul Johnson school test and records be checked. It’s come to light that Paul has a history of some light cheating with the attitude of ” everyone has done it” as quoted today by the AJC. He follows in a long line of character disappointments since Bobby Dodd left Georgia Tech, ( see lying George ‘Leary) More news to follow.
Matt Skole Sux
July 19th, 2011
3:39 pm
What an idiot you are MS. I know you are delusional if you think Tech has a dirty program. Do the MS initials really stand for moronically stupid?
The jealousy of all things Dawg is so thick in here
July 19th, 2011
3:40 pm
I love Paul Johnson. THWG
George Stein
July 19th, 2011
3:40 pm
So do we Joey.
Dan Radakovich
July 19th, 2011
3:40 pm
I don’t have near the experience dealing with and defusing athletic improprieties as my esteemed colleagues in Athens. I’ll try and do better next time.
SEC Will always Rule
July 19th, 2011
3:40 pm
You bunch of jealous farts
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:40 pm
The jealousy of all things Dawg is so thick in here
Jealous of what 4 good years of football. Enjoy your 4 wins this year
Glenu
July 19th, 2011
3:41 pm
My response to Supersize that Order, Mutt: I am quoting from the article:
“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.”
Have I missed something here?? I would like to think so-
JT
July 19th, 2011
3:41 pm
Uh…Hackjobs…did you retrieve that bio from the same source as George O’Leary’s??? Woops… you sort of backed into that one…
sheepdawg
July 19th, 2011
3:41 pm
Why can’t Tech just copy the pristine college athletics program being run over in Athens? The dawgs never cheat, or recruit “student athletes” of questionable character. We may not beat Florida but at least our players are all fine citizens and achieving students.
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:41 pm
SEC Will always Rule
Another Georgia Fan here always talking about SEC because your school sucks
Coach Paul Johnson
July 19th, 2011
3:41 pm
Next time I’ll call Phil Fulmer for advice.
Peter
July 19th, 2011
3:42 pm
Funny the NCAA allowed the Ohio State players to play in the “Big Game” for profit, then decided they were so bad they had to sit out 5 games the “Following Season “……HA HA HA.
Really so the NCAA is NOT playing favorites ? Sure !
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:42 pm
I am a loser
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:42 pm
I eat my own poo sometimes
Old Blind Dawg
July 19th, 2011
3:42 pm
The NCAA needs to be looked into by congress. It would serve two purposes – get the NCAA off its high horse and keep the dimwits busy so the economy can recover.
No fan of CPJ or the Bee’s but something stinks when OSU and Auburn can take suspensions at their convenience. Can you smell the money – the NCAA can!.
46 Days
Beverly Hall
July 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
Now, I can show you some cheating!
Football Insider
July 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
G,
It’s not a comparison of GT and UGA. Paul Johnson has more wins than Richt in the last three years, including a conference championship and a BCS appearence, with lesser talent, but nevermind that, UGA fans won’t hear of such fact, you all will dismiss it on technicality.
But it’s true. How many top 10 recruiting classes with no conference championships and borderline bowl eligibility seasons will you all take before you admit he is soft?
P.S. He doesn’t go full contact in practice like PJ does either.
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:42 pm
I am a loser
ONCE AGAIN A GEORGIA FAN SEC SEC SEC SEC SEC WHO YOU GUYS ROOTING FOR THIS YEAR MISS. STATE?
Coach Spurrier
July 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
UGA gets all the good players, but then I don’t know what happens to them after that.
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
TRUTH HURTS DOESN’T BOYS
Coach Spurrier
July 19th, 2011
3:44 pm
Beverly Hall
July 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
“Now, I can show you some cheating!”
Funniest post of the day!!!!
LMAO
July 19th, 2011
3:44 pm
Well, yeah thats right, I EAT MY OWN POO SOMETIMES!!! Woohoo
Damon Evans
July 19th, 2011
3:44 pm
It’s my understanding that the Tech folks were disappointed when the red panties where not shown in the Article. The Editor of the AJC was quoted as saying. ” We are not going to draw an arrow to the panties just for them”.
Howdy
July 19th, 2011
3:44 pm
Just stopped in from that conference that can’t count. Called big 10, 11 or 12…something like that….funny how all these conferences copy the SEC master plan but still can’t beat ‘em…
Howdy
July 19th, 2011
3:45 pm
Go Tech THWG!!!
NCAA Undercover Agent
July 19th, 2011
3:45 pm
We don’t usually concern ourselves with teams that go 6-7. You would have to be galactically inept to cheat and still go 6-7.
George Stein
July 19th, 2011
3:45 pm
44 for us, OBD!
NCAA Undercover Agent
July 19th, 2011
3:46 pm
Hey LMAO….I eat my own poo too…
doc
July 19th, 2011
3:46 pm
funny all those players from ohio state were able to play in an important bowl game and the punishment delayed though it was recognized they were getting a lot more than a mysterious 300 bucks or so of merchandise? puhleese follow the money folks as it leads to espn for getting that one through so the game could be relevant and help advertising dollars. what a scam the ncaa is.
Student Athlete
July 19th, 2011
3:46 pm
Paul Johnson pissed about losing that trophy, he could careless about players, players loose games, Paul Johnson wins games.
It would be cool to see Johnson “punch them NCAA guys in the mouth” buts he’s really a @#$$y, all mouth…….
Suicide is painless...it brings on many changes.....
July 19th, 2011
3:47 pm
Take a pill Techies
Heels Rock and Rule
July 19th, 2011
3:47 pm
I’m glad to see a coach with balls! Butch Davis should have done the same thing. It’s pathetic how haters just pile on with their ignorant rantings. You can see through them clearer than a judge can at a wet T-shirt contest.
Clay
July 19th, 2011
3:47 pm
Paul Johnson is such a tool. This is the most absurd thing he’s said since telling Tech fans to punch Georgia fans in the mouth. Tech was busted hard for obstruction. Tech was stupid because the NCAA told them they were looking at some players and Tech’s president said to play them anyway. His decision cost Tech the trophy. Yes, Tech has the memories and they won it on the field; but, it’s just an asterisk in the record books now.
Johnson is such an arrogant jerk that I don’t know how you can even stand to look at the guy.
Suicide is painless...it brings on many changes.....
July 19th, 2011
3:48 pm
Go Tech!!! THWG!!