AD Radakovich leaves, and a wobbly Tech takes another hit
Hat's all, folks. AD Dan Radakovich is a Georgia Tech man no longer. (AJC file photo)
In the grand scheme, this might turn out to be good for Georgia Tech. Who among us can know the future? But in the here and now of a football season gone unbelievably sour, seeing Tech’s athletic director hop in a car and motor 125 miles up I-85 to take the same job at a conference rival looks really, really bad. It looks as if Dan Radakovich is ducking out on a program in disarray.
For better or worse, most athletic programs go as football goes. The best move Radakovich made at Tech, or so it seemed, was to hire Paul Johnson to coach football. Now we’ve been given cause to wonder if Johnson’s success was but a two-year blip. Picked to finish second in the ACC Coastal Division, the Jackets dumped their defensive coordinator in mid-season and just lost to BYU – that’s three home losses this year, two against non-BCS conference schools – to fall to 3-5. And now the man who hired Johnson works at Clemson, of all places.
Those who know Radakovich always believed that when he left – and those folks were never under any illusion that Tech would be the final stop for someone so ambitious – it would be for a big-time SEC school. Given that Clemson has more fans and a much bigger stadium than Tech, this isn’t what you’d consider a lateral move. Still, it’s close enough to make Tech folks wonder where their beloved Institute ranks in the firmament of college athletics.
Only three years ago, Tech beat Clemson to win the ACC championship. That sweet victory was later vacated due largely to Radakovich’s bungling of an NCAA investigation involving $312 of clothing. The subsequent four-year probationary term was the first indication that this AD, who had been seen in this and other sectors as a deft administrator, might not have been quite so savvy.
And now, even as he heads up the road to Death Valley, we have further cause to wonder. Tech is set to open its refurbished basketball arena, the McCamish Pavilion, and that renovation was championed by Radakovich. But there’s no guarantee Brian Gregory, the coach Radakovich hired after finding the money to buy out Paul Hewitt, will win big enough to fill the new place. (Season-ticket sales for Season 1 in McCamish have been slow, as you’d expect coming off an 11-20 season.)
Facility-wise, Radakovich did well for Tech: He got a lot of stuff built. He also moved to fire Hewitt and Chan Gailey, coaches who’d won but who’d left their constituency wanting and expecting more. But the longer it takes Gregory to win and the longer it takes Johnson to correct all that has gone wrong in his program, the more it will reflect on the AD who just split for Death Valley.
A friend of Radakovich’s suggests his leaving is “a natural progression” – that Radakovich felt he’d done as much as he could do at Tech. But with football in decline and men’s basketball in rebuilding mode, the eyeball diagnosis is of an athletic program on wobbly legs. There’s no buzz, pun intended, around Tech sports, no sense that this always-difficult sell in a crowded metropolitan market is carving out a deeper niche. On the contrary, the Tech footprint keeps shrinking.
Which brings us to this: The next AD needs to be more a promoter than a money man. (Radakovich was the latter, not the former.) The next AD must find a way, assuming one exists, to make Tech more appealing to both moneyed alums and Atlantans who might never have taken a class at the Institute.
This is an awfully big city. Surely some folks out there might be willing to spend a bit of disposable income on a college football or basketball game if they felt it was worth their investment. Gregory has become an ardent and upbeat salesman for his program, but Johnson isn’t what you’d call a PR ace. (Neither were Gailey and Hewitt.) Somebody needs to take this athletic department and broaden the narrowing brand.
Which brings us to Wayne Hogan: He was Radakovich’s deputy, his eyes and ears, and he’s surely worth consideration as Radakovich’s successor. Hogan was the PR man at Florida State when the Seminoles and Bobby Bowden rose to national prominence in a famously amiable way, and he was the AD at Montana for nearly a decade. Hogan isn’t a numbers-cruncher, but surely the Institute – which is, after all, a school steeped in math — could find enough of those. What Tech needs more in its next athletic director is someone with a feel for the product and how best to market it.
Which brings us back to football: Johnson’s stylized offense wasn’t an easy sell even when his teams were winning, and it will become a massive impediment if Tech continues to lose. The Jackets’ recruiting under Johnson has been tepid at best, but it isn’t in Johnson’s nature to do things any way but his. The biggest move Radakovich made was hiring this football coach. The biggest decision the next AD could face is what to do about this football coach.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
274 comments Add your comment
Tigervich
October 29th, 2012
2:13 pm
Looks like Rad agrees with Braine.
Http
October 29th, 2012
2:15 pm
This is bad.
Always a Jacket
October 29th, 2012
2:16 pm
Great move for both GT and DRad.
DRad jumps ship when all his hiring decisions start to prove out as bad.
GT get opportunity to turn things around. Hopefully we will hire another Homer Rice, not Dave B.
The new AD has only one important role; hire the right FB coach and to a secondary extent; hire the right BB coach. No one cares about softball fields, indoor tennis facilities, new arenas, etc. It’s about winning FB games. Guess what? Bobby Dood Stadium will be full if we win!! The old AMC would be full if we win!! No one cares about fan night or better seats in the arena if you lose.
Good luck DRad. If DRad thinks life at Clemson is going to be easier, it is just one more bad choice. Instead of a few emails from tech fans after a MTSU loss, he will be getting thousands if Clemson doesnt win big enough.
George Stein
October 29th, 2012
2:17 pm
Interesting psychoanalysis, KB. Tell us more!
GTracy
October 29th, 2012
2:18 pm
Chris, I could not agree more! The Tech Fund has been nothing but horrible for GT. It has forced loyal fans to pay more money for tickets while keeping seats in the stadium empty. I started out with 4 before DRad got here. I dropped to three then moved sections and dropped to one ticket because we couldn’t afford it and the product on the field wasn’t worth it either.
I mean DRad is a pure money guy who never cared anything for GT’s program to begin with. Let’s call a spade a spade. He hightailed it out of here and went to our biggest conference rival. I mean what a jerk!
Now he has left our program in shambles. We can’t get out of CPJ’s contract because it’s too expensive. He put us on NCAA probation and had our ACC Championship revoked under his watch. He has turned this program in the wrong direction.
We need someone who cares about GT Athletics and not just the bottom line. He was a terrible promoter and marketer of our program. And the worst thing is, he will never have to answer to any of it!
Leaving us in the middle of a season that has gone downhill because the coach he hired can’t recruit anyone with talent. Good riddance. I hope he destroys Clemson’s program just like he did ours. I never liked him to begin with and I’m ready for a clean start.
Eddie
October 29th, 2012
2:19 pm
I’m surprised, Mark, on your steady support of PJ. For Georgia, you’ve put out strong and compelling argument on how the program was headed in the wrong direction the past few years. Yet, for PJ, you seem to have a blind spot. Actually, more of a school-girl like crush. Why? If he’s the ’smartest’ coach going as you’ve said, then why do ‘less’ coaches continue to beat his team/schemes? You are what you’re consistently able to do … and, with PJ, that is lose football games.
TDone
October 29th, 2012
2:20 pm
Every problem carries its own solution.
QB/DB
October 29th, 2012
2:21 pm
This is all CPJ fault! The downward spiral of GT football is CPJ fault. Fans booing TW is CPJ fault, he put that kid in wrath’s way by not giving othere QB candidates quality snaps. Atrocious recruiting is CPJ fault. Wasn’t he who told the Pro’s like Rivals, Scout and the Jamie Newberg’s of the world they didn’t know what they were looking at! He didn’t care about STARS. Well guess wjho has a DIVISION 2 team playing in the ACC? Who has one of the weakest nonn nrecruiting STAFF’s in bigtime football? Who hides behind excuses? I’m not trying to beat yup CPJ, it is just the truth! D Rad said when Chan was let go he wanted someone with passion and fire. He tried to hire Muschamp but the Tech crowd wouldn’t let him because of his DAWGS ties. He flirted with C. Strong but CPJ comes in here and gets Chan’s recruits and win and theg Gold colored glasses crowd believes all that smoke CPJ is b;lowing them. CPJ is a great Coach but he is his own worse enemy. Now the program is tumbling.
Reality
October 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
Give me a break. No doubt that Clemson has a bigger budget and can pay the man more. Why in the world is this some “black eye” for GA Tech?
If anything, I think this speaks more loudly about Clemson! Doesn’t this mean that they KNOW that GA Tech has good people and we do things right (they want to duplicate us)?
Bright Idea
October 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
Does Stanford have an AAD available? They are an “academic” school that does well in athletics.
Reality
October 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
The better question/concern is this…
Why does Clemson want GA Tech leaders? Are we doing the right things and have good people?
Big D
October 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
I would hire someone from UF, as Jeremy Foley is one of the best AD’s in the NCAA, as much as it pains me to write this. One of his assistants could be a good hire. And then reduce ticket prices so fans like me, with no connection YET to the school, could buy tickets and perhaps become a loyal fan.
collegeballfan
October 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
Good column Mark. There are several million people within an hour’s drive of Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Surely Tech can find a way to put 55,000 of those millions in seats in Dodd 6 or 7 times a year.
Tech needs to hire a salesman. Let Hogan, et al run the athletic department. Hire someone to sell the place.
Ted M
October 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
This may look bad but it probably is not really that bad.
I vote for Bruce Pearl after Gregory’s contract is up.
spotlessmcpartlandattacks
October 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
Tech Legacy says that Johnson will live or die based on his recruiting.
The truth is that, as a coach, Johnson has already died and Tech is stuck with his corpse for four more years. In the near future, all Tech games are going to look like the movie “Weekend at Bernie’s.”
mcp
Ted M
October 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
It is amazing Tech can’t sellout that puny stadium.
Burroughston Broch
October 29th, 2012
2:31 pm
@ Hayseed Dixie
I can confirm that Damon Evans believes he is now in a better place than UGA.
D Rad Is outta Here
October 29th, 2012
2:32 pm
Looks like the DUI lawyer has it all figured out. So where do Tech alums spend their money, George? DragonCon? Lego Land? LOL
Ted M
October 29th, 2012
2:32 pm
So what is the prognosis on the Jackets up coming basketball season?
Are they gonna be terrible? I really have no idea but suspect as much.
All I'm Saying Is....
October 29th, 2012
2:32 pm
“The next AD must find a way, assuming one exists, to make Tech more appealing to both moneyed alums and Atlantans who might never have taken a class at the Institute.”
Just win, baby.
Tell him all is forgiven for his Georgia State flirtation and hire Bill Curry as your next A.D. The current number two can run things while Bill goes around and reconnects alums to the school.
All I'm Saying Is....
October 29th, 2012
2:34 pm
And, by the way, there are 5 million residents of metro Atlanta…but you must win in order for them to care especially if you are a school like Georgia Tech
Ted M
October 29th, 2012
2:34 pm
“This is all CPJ fault! The downward spiral of GT football is CPJ fault.”
I concur!
AJ
October 29th, 2012
2:35 pm
Once again, Mark Bradley tells the truth about the situation.
GFY
October 29th, 2012
2:36 pm
Stanford doesn’t have a problem putting fans in the stands…..of course neither did GIT when they were winning. Win and the fans will come.
GTBob
October 29th, 2012
2:40 pm
That’s OK, at least Georgia lost……oh, wait…..heck, I just don’t know what to say?????
George Stein
October 29th, 2012
2:41 pm
I have no idea, because it isn’t my business.
We have 63,000 living alumni in the state, Ted M. For us to fill the stadium, we would need 87% to show up on a given Saturday. As a point of comparison, UGA has about 26,000 undergraduates and a 92,000 seat stadium. We have about 13,000 undergraduates and a 55,000 seat stadium. Proportionally, UGA is smaller.
Festus
October 29th, 2012
2:46 pm
What does an AD do besides ride in cars with women who’ve lost their red panties and talk about how great the future looks with his hires. Clemson is a cow college located in a hick town. An AD is just a waste of money. Make Paul Johnson the new AD and hire Jerry Glanville and the new football coach.
George Stein
October 29th, 2012
2:46 pm
Stanford doesn’t sell out their stadium. But let’s not let facts get in the way.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2010/11/25/stanford-football-great-product-plus-great-stadium-equals-empty-seats/
jarvis
October 29th, 2012
2:48 pm
@George, so not one of your alumni would be bringing a guest….spouse….or child? Everyone of them would be buying 1 ticket? What a lonely existence.
George Stein
October 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
Granted, Jarvis. But the point is that they can do that elsewhere. We are still required to hit on a higher percentage.
Bodidley
October 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
NO WAY WE SHOULD HIRE WAYNE HOGAN!
jarvis
October 29th, 2012
2:51 pm
@George, your link is a couple of years old. I think they’ve done bette of late.
KingBee
October 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
Oh yeah, it is definitely all CPJ’s fault. Let’s see if we can get Gailey back or maybe Bill Lewis. Gimme a break. While I am certainly not happy with our current record, I am happy with CPJ overall.
jarvis
October 29th, 2012
2:54 pm
Also as an observation as an East Cobb local, the somewhat dimmer nerds at Southern Poly have some kind of a kindered-spirit desire to be accepted by Georgia Tech folk as equals. You guys should market the hell out of their campus and its surrounding area. They would jump all over your tickets if they were made to feel welcome.
George Stein
October 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
It was from 2010, during the height of the Harbaugh/Luck era. If you have data to prove otherwise, I’m all ears, Jarvis.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
Bill Curry?!?
The same Bill Curry who left us for Alabama so he could win a National Championship, that Bill Curry?
Um, NO!!!
George Stein
October 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
We don’t control their feelings, Jarvis.
jarvis
October 29th, 2012
2:57 pm
KingBee, how is your football program’s problems not CPJ’s fault? He has hired to DC’s that weren’t good fits, and his inability to stockpile talent has apparently left you in worse shape than when he found you.
For what its worth, I think you still have a puncher’s chance against UGA. Defending the Triple-O takes discipline, and the Dawgs are lacking that.
George Stein
October 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
They looked pretty disciplined Saturday, Jarvis. I only saw the fourth quarter, but that team looked like the one Georgia fans expected to see. Also, it’s the one that would beat us by 50.
jarvis
October 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
Here you go George.
http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/31883/pac-12-attendance-down-in-2011
I’m no engineer, but given that Stanford’s stadium has held approximately 50K since 2005, I’d say an average of 49,997 last year would indicate a sellout at all home games.
Vance Walker
October 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
How about getting Daryl Richard involved again. He was a outstanding ex D lineman and outstanding student athlete.
Hi, my name is Tech & I'm a loser
October 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
And the AD heads outta town on a Sunday night.. He & his family are singing:
The Wheels on the Wreck go round & round
& We’re the he!! outta town!!
Must suck being a Tech fan – What few there are…
Full Metal Jacket
October 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
I have been a CPJ supporter with some reservations over the past several years. The new AD does need to rattle CPJ’s cage and tell him to either get with the program and make a more sincere effort at the PR part of his job, or else try to dismiss him with cause. CPJ may be an offensive genius (or not), but he is not a HC of BCS, ACC, or even NCAA calibre if he can’t make time for the PR games and direct the whole FB program. He’s an OC, pure and simple. He doesn’t even seem to be happy as a head coach. The new AD needs to either move CPJ to change, or move him out.
George Stein
October 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
Fair enough, Jarvis. Thanks. Let’s see if it holds up
Full Metal Jacket
October 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
Wayne Hogan would be a good fit at Tech, if he doesn’t got to Klimpson with DRad.
Gatorade
October 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
Tech should hire Mike Hill, UF’s #2 Executive Associate AD under Jeremy Foley. Mastermind of Marketing and Promotions for the Gators for 20 years.
R. Perry Jarrell
October 29th, 2012
3:07 pm
Great article Mark, you bring such insight to every situation. However, I do believe we need a fresh start with an AD who can promote and market GT Sports, especially GT Football. We are hardly a blip on the radar compared to that SEC school, to the northeast. And, we need a coach who understand the importance of winning and understands how to win all D2 games, most (not all) close games, OT games, state rival games and bowl games (We used to have the highest bowl winning percentage of any Division I School … but Gailey and Johnson have ruined that). Johnson is not a recruiter nor a game day coach. If he gets down, or if it one of the games noted above, it’s over! He may have won big in his first two years but it could have been because of the novelty of his system. And, check those victories, any significant victories?
I love GT and GT sports but it is getting harder and harder to cheer for a coach that consistently looses those games. GTAA, please consider getting an athletic director and head coach who can get talent, coach them and have them show up on game day. Johnson is obviously not the one to get his players to perform. Yes, the defense has not played well at times. But, you cannot win by focusing on one aspect of the game, a winning team needs all three components functioning well.
I will always love and support GT and the athletic program but when these things happen game after game and season after season, perhaps it should be recognized that you can’t do the same thing time after time and expect different results (paraphrasing a very smart fellow).
R. Perry Jarrell
Alumni and Proud Supporter of GT and GT Athletics
George
October 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
For worse.
Buzz
October 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
Screw You Dan
GTBob
October 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
I really hate the argument that because Atlanta is a big city with tons of people GT should be selling out every sporting event on a regular basis. There are no sporting events that sell out just because a bunch of random people were looking for something to do so they went to a game. That is not how the world works. Bigger population isn’t a strong driver of higher attendance.