Tech’s expert AD sends Paul Johnson yet another love note
One more year tacked onto a contract that already had six years to run won’t keep Paul Johnson from going to Notre Dame — or to Oklahoma, should Bob Stoops wind up in South Bend — should PJ want to leave. Georgia Tech will never be able to outspend the big boys. (Example: Even with Johnson’s deal having been redone twice in 11 months, Mark Richt still makes more.)
But that wasn’t the intent of the one-more-year tack. This was designed as a love note, a reminder that nobody anywhere is going to love PJ more than the folks at GT. As Dan Radakovich noted in the official release: “We remain committed to Paul in every way, and we foresee a long-term relationship with much continued success.”
We knew already that Tech has a splendid football coach. What was evident with Friday’s announcement is that the Institute’s athletics director is every bit as good. Homer Rice was a great AD. Vince Dooley was a great AD. D-Rad is cut from that same regal cloth.
Hiring a splendid coach is only half the battle. The care and feeding of that man is the trickier part. How long do you wait to renegotiate? (With PJ, D-Rad waited less than a calendar year, and that proactivity was warranted because Auburn was believed to have offered Johnson a blank check.) But Notre Dame once deemed Charlie Weis was the real deal, and now it’s facing an elephantine buyout. You have to be quick, but you also have to be right.
An AD has to read both the terrain and his constituency, and Radakovich has done that since Day 1. You’ll recall that certain of Tech’s big contributors — the Old Guard — were displeased when D-Rad was hired over Bill Curry. Within six months, those same folks could be heard to say of Radakovich, “We’ve got ourselves a star.”
Radakovich gets that Johnson isn’t just a good coach but the right coach. He’s beloved by Tech backers both old and new, and he has done in two years what Chan Gailey couldn’t do in six — he has made Georgia and Richt play catch-up ball. It was instructive that one of Radakovich’s first hires was Wayne Hogan, who as associate AD for public relations has a politician’s ear and a journalist’s nose. Between D-Rad and Hogan, Tech is rarely surprised by developments and seems to hit every grace note.
And that’s what this added year is — a grace note. It’s Tech sending another bouquet to PJ. It’s Dan Radakovich saying, “You might make more money somewhere else, but you’ll never find a better fit.”
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317 comments Add your comment
WTH
November 20th, 2009
6:15 pm
Paddy, what would we do without somebody to point out our mistakes. Almost like your wife is on the other computer, isn’t it.
Dirty Dog
November 20th, 2009
6:16 pm
I hope we dont get a big head and start selling Tech gear in Walmart, CVS, and Kroger like some other schools. Turns out all our lawn care workers are UGA fans too.
Z
November 20th, 2009
6:16 pm
So Johnny Test,
You stated that the ONLY reason that you’re on these Tech blogs is because of Tech posters that you don’t even know or respect??? You allow someone that you don’t even know to control your emotions and your reasons for posting? What kind of a pitiful life do you lead? What are you possibly accomplishing being on someone else’s blog trying to cause trouble simply because you decry the same behavior in others? Do you feel that you must be irresponsible simply because others are irresponsible? Do you realize that you are condemning yourself for the same behavior that you find despicable in others? What an imbecile!
Here’s a novel idea: how about going on the UGAg blog and SUPPORTING YOUR TEAM for a change?
Gordon
November 20th, 2009
6:21 pm
I would rather see a bigger salary and a shorter term. Remember, we were all in love with another Paul about 5 years ago. I hope with all my heart that CPJ has continued success, but if things go bad we are up a creek. The good news is that CPJ doesn’t have an automatic rollover like CPH, and CPJ has proven over a decade that he is a good coach, while CPH had a few good and one sensational year.
collegeballfan
November 20th, 2009
6:24 pm
Monticello Dawg
“In the Richt era, Georgia has signed 9 fivers, compared to Alabama’s 11, UT’s 17, LSU’s 19, and the Gators’ 22.”
In the Richt era GT has signed one 5 star, Calvin Johnson.
Insult
November 20th, 2009
6:25 pm
Please never compare somebody that represents Tech with Vince Dooley. Vince was and is scum.
Insult
November 20th, 2009
6:27 pm
5 star players don’t in themselves win championships. good coaches can win them with 3-4 stars like CPJ
Los Gatos Jacket
November 20th, 2009
6:27 pm
Hey SanFran, you’re right! There are a ton of us alumni in the bay area. Do you join us at Jillians on game day? If not come by – we have a great time. Home is Alpharetta for me but there’s too much money out here to live in Georgia. Hope my fellow alums are packing in BDS@HGF. I have bought my tickets to the ACCCG so hope to see some of you folks there. GO JACKETS!!!
MalibuGT
November 20th, 2009
6:35 pm
So Mark, the question is….who is taking care of D-Rad?? i think we have more risk of losing him than CPJ
DooleyForever
November 20th, 2009
6:41 pm
UGA has only one real national title. The other we simply made up since it came from the Athens Herald poll. It only had one voter and that was when they allowed honorary journalist Munson to vote. Shoot even Barnhart voted for someone else. But hey…we shur can mak sum good finel xams fur hour futbol plaers.
revwreck
November 20th, 2009
6:42 pm
Where did all those mutts go that have been saying CPJ was going to ND for the last two weeks? Good to know he will be in the state years after the Carpets of Dalton family are gone
Jackets Keep Rollin'
November 20th, 2009
6:44 pm
Mark, I get your point that a 1 year extension doesn’t mean Paul Johnson wont jump ship to a “big boy” program. But I think (and hope) you use the term “big boy” only in reference to athletic department revenue and what some other programs could pay.
As far as winning championships, I take Coach Johnson at his word that he believes it can be done at TECH…the man knows football. He’s won championships. That is what makes you a real “big boy.”
Dan Radakovich has done a good job so far and I hope he keeps the program on a winning tilt. I cant help but remember Dave Braine saying that it was impossible to win at TECH. We went 9-4 last year. We are 10-1 now. I’d say he has been proven wrong. These days, I just don’t mind when people say we can’t do something — cause I know Paul Johnson is out there waiting to prove them wrong!
Go Jackets!
Louis Skolnick
November 20th, 2009
6:46 pm
booger pay the dogg for the pizza so they’ll go away – until nov 28 when we beat the squeeze out of em
Mark Bradley
November 20th, 2009
6:46 pm
That’s a good question, Malibu. But I know Dan likes Atlanta very much, and the job that might have seemed to hold the greatest lure for him — LSU — was filled not long ago.
Drexel Gal
November 20th, 2009
6:49 pm
This Tech grad is still a bit skeptical. Yes, Paul Johnson is a good coach. We’ll see if he is a great coach when the ACC has a normal season … that is, when the conference isn’t mediocre. When Virginia Tech, Florida State, Miami, Clemson, and either Maryland or Virginia have strong seasons, and Tech finishes on top — THAT will tell the tale. Until now, Johnson has been a medium-sized fish in a small pond. A win over Georgia, even with Georgia having a down year this season, will be a good start. Also, note the hedging in the new contract: no increase in any compensation, just an extension. In effect, pressing the snooze alarm.
Atlanta Jacket
November 20th, 2009
6:49 pm
Great move by D-Rad. We love you here Paul and want you here a long time. I disagree that Tech can never pay more. There are many big $ alums who would probably be willing to invest more in the program if the challenge came. Plus with winning comes more revenue.
McDawg
November 20th, 2009
6:50 pm
Tech Cheats!!Tech Cheats!!Tech Cheats!!Tech Cheats!! How do expect our sorry defense to stop you???????Tech Cheats!!Tech Cheats!!Tech Cheats!!
HBTD
November 20th, 2009
6:54 pm
Academics….Academics….Academics….Academics….we can’t compete with the nerds. They are just too smart for us. There are so much better in football too. I can’t take it any longer. I’m back to my fryer.
revwreck
November 20th, 2009
7:03 pm
Not sure what he has done for ALL tech fans but for me it has been a great year not to have to walk in the office every Monday morning and the first thing you hear are the mutts barking because we lost another one. As much trash as they talk on here about how they will win this year, every hard core dawg fan I know, work with or go to church with are 100% convinced that they can not beat us this year. I hope for the best but I am not quite as convinced yet. I’ve been a tech fan a long time and it is hard not to expect the bubble to burst, but on the other hand if it can be done CPJ is the man.
Atlanta Jacket
November 20th, 2009
7:06 pm
McDawg – have you made our reservations for Shreveport yet?
StraightJacket
November 20th, 2009
7:09 pm
Mark, This IS great news!
Now, the NEXT bit of good news I’d like to hear is that Ugag has signed Willy “SHAKEN, not stirred” Martini to a BIG, FAT, LONG 7 year contract!
And his buddy, Mike Booboo, too!
The Georgie program NEEDS stability, and Martini & Bozo are just the two that can provide it!
-SJ
Robert Fitzhugh Lee
November 20th, 2009
7:10 pm
45-42
409 Yards 5 Touchdowns on the ground.
Mike Bobo LOL
Sonny Clusters
November 20th, 2009
7:17 pm
Enter your comments here
GT MAN
November 20th, 2009
7:21 pm
Now if Rad can get us a Basketball and Baseball coach.
Sonny Clusters
November 20th, 2009
7:22 pm
Clusters don’t usually misfire on a post but that last one got away from us. Mark, we was wondering if they ever stuffed a mascot? Roy Rogers did that with Trigger once. They is some good taxidermy students at Georgia and it may be something they’ll want to think about.
Wishful thinking
November 20th, 2009
7:33 pm
Drexel gal go back to knitting – you have no clue what you are talking about.
Newbomb Turk
November 20th, 2009
7:39 pm
MB, noticeably absent from your list of “great” AD’s was UGA’s Mr. Evans.
Uga VII
November 20th, 2009
7:42 pm
√\—-√\—-√\—-√\—-√\—-√\———–√\———————
Solid Gold Dancer
November 20th, 2009
7:55 pm
Envy has taken hold of the dawg nation!
Insult
November 20th, 2009
8:02 pm
Drexel, go make me a pie
MNC
November 20th, 2009
8:04 pm
you know what hasn’t happened in over 28 years? hmmm, leghumpers??
Vet
November 20th, 2009
8:05 pm
CLEAR!!!!!!
TechCrybaby
November 20th, 2009
8:07 pm
Johnny Weissmuller, you just blew it, even though you’re obviously a Tech fan. Georgia has only ONE National Championship, not two. The one came in 1980, by virtue of Herschel, and barely scraping by two opponents on the schedule. Any other UGA alleged NC is in their minds only.
Meanwhile, Tech has won FOUR, and I’m laughing.
Alabama Jack
November 20th, 2009
8:09 pm
Somewhere there is a horse’s front end looking for Johnny Test to become whole.
Elephant in the room
November 20th, 2009
8:12 pm
Did Richt get a raise recently??? oh
B'Ham Jacket
November 20th, 2009
8:15 pm
Thanks to Drad and to Paul Johnson!
You bring stability, dignity, and class to our school.
Tech fans appreciate you very much!!!!
Navigator
November 20th, 2009
8:18 pm
If wants to leave, then let him as a disgruntled coach is a bad thing to have. However, you make sure that Notre Dame or Oklahoma buy out his contract first. Sometimes a poison pill is just that poison.
Buckhead Bulldog
November 20th, 2009
8:18 pm
Good move Jackets! CPJ is winner, and I look forward to the next few years against y’all in recruiting and of course right after T-giving. He has most definitely made things a little more interesting in the State of Georgia, as well as in the ACC.
Good luck Jackets in your ACCCG and your Bowl prospects….hoping the ACCCG will be against Clem and his son so y’all can kick around twice in one year.
SadDawg
November 20th, 2009
8:19 pm
Johnston at Tech until 2016?? we’re f’ing dead…..
Redneck
November 20th, 2009
8:19 pm
Thanks to Evans and to Mark Richt!
You bring fashion, criminal records, and rivalry losses to our school.
U(sic)ga fans appreciate you very much!!!
Johnson Envy
November 20th, 2009
8:21 pm
UGA needs to get smart and start looking for a new coach now!!!
Battered Dog
November 20th, 2009
8:22 pm
I’m so tired of being an average team. Now I have to put up with tech fans when we lose to them the next 7 years?????
Redneck
November 20th, 2009
8:23 pm
They like their little willie
GTkenz
November 20th, 2009
8:27 pm
Great job D-Rad, and congrats CPJ. The man is a great asset to Tech and to College Football. It is a shame he had to wait so many years to get a shot at big time College Football.
I wouldn’t fear other schools and their blank checks. I really believe Paul was looking for an opportunity, and Tech gave him that opportunity. In an age where loyalty is mostly an aberration, I think CPJ is grateful to Tech and will not jump ship for money alone. Now if recruiting is hampered by the stringent requirements and he gets to a point where winning a National Championship seems unrealistic, he’s gone. But who wouldn’t? I think CPJ is fairly well planted at Tech for many years, if not for the rest of his career.
ugalova
November 20th, 2009
8:28 pm
why do tech fans think they can keep johnson? if he is good he will leave for an sec job like auburn. oh, he turned them down? well, he will go to anybody offering more money. oh, he turned down more money to go to tech. well, he won’t turn down notre dame this year. oh, he promised he daughter he wouldn’t move again until she graduates high schoool. well, he has to retire sometime!!!
Golden Tornado
November 20th, 2009
8:29 pm
Way to go, Radakovich! The Jackets were called the “Golden Tornado” off and on, from 1917 through 1928 ( 2 National Championships, 8 Southern Championships ). I think I see some more “twisters” on the horizon!
GT GRAD
November 20th, 2009
8:29 pm
We all need to support Coach Paul Johnson EVEN if the team goes through a tough period.
We should support all of our coaches and players as long as they are positive representatives of GT!
I hope Coach Paul Johnson stays at GT until he decides to hang up coaching for a well earned retirement!!
Go GT!
L-Dawg
November 20th, 2009
8:31 pm
just keep hammerin those tech fans about their attendance and stadium…they hate that (LOL). just our luck that they will need to add 30,000 more seats with johnson staying around…
circulation low?
November 20th, 2009
8:32 pm
I wonder how many love notes Mark Bradley has received from his boss lately??
Not Disappointed
November 20th, 2009
8:33 pm
I feel todays news was a good start for the Jacket Nation. Things are looking on the Flats.
Ramblin Wreck!