UGA’s Mark Richt and Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson on Twitter and Facebook
UGA’s Mark Richt and Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson have about the same viewpoint on Social Media: They’re not on it … but they realize that it has an ever-growing importance in recruiting.
“I’ve heard that there’s a few people impersonating me on Twitter but I’m not doing it,” joked Richt to the AJC.
“There’s a lot of other ways to communicate with guys. I would just as soon talk to the man, quite frankly. Our coaching staff does a great job of keeping up with them [on Facebook and Twitter].”
Johnson is also not on Twitter. “I just haven’t done it. You never say never about anything but I haven’t seen the need yet to do it for me … I don’t think Twitter matters that much.”
A strong presence on Social Media is a necessary for a colleges to stay on the cutting edge of New Age recruiting – simply because nearly every top football prospect is on Facebook, Twitter, or both.
“It plays a role in recruiting, because that’s what kids are on all the time,” Johnson said. “That’s the way the assistant coaches get in touch with them. There’s no question it plays a role.”
The good news for UGA and Georgia Tech is both teams have assistant coaches on Twitter and Facebook keeping up with recruits.
What do we think? It’s inevitable that Richt and Johnson get more involved with Social Media – even if their accounts are managed by graduate assistant coaches or the folks from sports information – simply because all the recruits are on there.
LATEST RECRUITING HEADLINES
- The secret is OUT … OL goes public with commitment to UGA
- Mark Richt and Paul Johnson discuss Facebook and Twitter
- How big of a role does Social Media play in recruiting?
- State’s No. 1 OL prospect commits to Georgia Tech over FSU, UGA, others
- Is Alabama’s serious flirtation with UGA’s prized QB recruit … over?
- REWIND: Alabama DB signee on UGA rumors, relationship with Richt
- UGA offers top prospect after initially saying he was … “too weak”
- Mark Richt has a little secret
- Will Alabama sign BOTH of Georgia’s top football prospects?
WHEN DOES FOOTBALL SEASON START?
- Robert Nkemdiche: No. 1 prospect officially delays his college decision
- Nick Saban on his Georgia recruiting success: “Well, I still have a home in Georgia”
- Mark Richt on his transfer policy: “Life is too short”
- Nick Saban FINALLY addresses Justin Taylor controversy, his Michael Jackson ball marker
- College football’s biggest names (Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Jimbo Fisher) give their opinions on the impending four-team playoffs
- Will all 19 of UGA’s football signees meet NCAA entrance requirements?
- Who is the state’s best prospect at QB? (And Georgia is LOADED this year)
AJC’S INSTANT RECRUITING CLASSICS
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
- So much is happening so fast. Have you missed anything over the last few days? Catch up with our feed by CLICKING HERE
- BOOKMARK the NEW AJC Recruiting homepage here
- Want to see a list of the top 125 prospects state of Georgia who signed with D1 schools? It’s looong. Go here.
Got an item? mcarvell@ajc.com
Note: Inappropriate BLOG comments and personal attacks will NOT be tolerated. We love the lively discussions but hate-filled, harassing and irresponsible comments are unacceptable.
Please Follow me on Twitter @RecruitingAJC + Please be my Facebook friend here
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
66 comments Add your comment
Crimson Crush
May 21st, 2012
2:07 am
Kids … especially high profile athletes … have plenty of people to text , tweeter , instant message ,”friend” them or whatever . Claiming a head coach HAS to be hovering and typing on Twitter simply because it exist and kids use it is silly …
Mountain Dawg
May 21st, 2012
3:01 am
This is a non-article. Is there any recruiting news!
How big of a role does Social Media play in football recruiting? | Hot Entertainment News - Top news daily!
May 21st, 2012
6:26 am
[...] UGA’s Mark Richt: Click here [...]
Jacket Man
May 21st, 2012
6:48 am
If I was a recruit, I’m not sure I would want my future head coach “friending” me on Facebook so they could follow my everyday life; it sounds too much like stalking before they commit or “big brother” when they do join the team. No, let them continue to call, text, e-mail, send real letters, and have face-to-face visits. In fact, sometimes, you can “automate” to the point you’ll “alienate” these prospects because you lose that “personal” contact with the head coaches.
Michael Carvell
May 21st, 2012
6:50 am
@Jacket Man, I’m pretty sure if you decline the friend request of a college coach, that might set off a few red flags … as if the recruit has something to hide.
Now I have seen 1-2 recruits create one Facebook account for friends, and another one for fans, colleges, media, etc.
Paddy
May 21st, 2012
7:20 am
Jacket Man…….you are right on point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bitter "spoiled recruit
May 21st, 2012
7:43 am
ace book is is run by the CIA————–you people place all your thoughts that are exposed
———————————————well be carefull, what you place on facebook today
—————- can bite you in the butt in 20years, when you are try to move up in the world
———————–a lot of top companies use face book for back ground checks
Jacket Man
May 21st, 2012
8:28 am
Michael, I agree with your comment about declining the request, but my point is that it just seems wrong…in my humble opinion, there needs to be a clear line of demarcation between coaches and players between their personal lives and what goes on outside of them. Now I realize there are times when some players do some things that are just plain “dumb” and it may impact their futures in college/adult lives, but undoubtably, these things have found a way to come out in the past without the head coach being personally invested in the situation. I just think that the head coach has to maintain some level of “distance” and “decorum” so that he can maintain a level of control, respect, and discipline of his program and players. It doesn’t mean he can’t be a nice/great “guy,” it just means he needs to keep things at arms length.
Wallace Butts
May 21st, 2012
8:52 am
This may be a first (at least for me) time I have ever agreed with Crimson Crush (and probably the last-lol).
Wallace Butts
May 21st, 2012
8:53 am
BTW – MountainDawg is right too.
Paddy
May 21st, 2012
9:05 am
H/R dept’s are using the social media acct’s of their employees to use against them for promotion and exercising their rights to perks they are entitled to receive. Anyone who would share their personel lives w/ strangers are now getting what they deserve. Wake up folks! You are aking for serious trouble, not only for you but your families.
HighTech
May 21st, 2012
9:22 am
Here is a good example of how not to use social media….
http://georgiatech.247sports.com/Board/35/D-Rex-Wrecksneffect-trying-to-sabotage-Vad-Lees-recruitment-790060/1#a793219
From Vad Lee:
“@WrecksNEffect yo I don’t know you and I would really like if you stop tweeting me! Thank you and God bless!”
few minutes later:
“Although I do encourage you to watch GT football this year and years to come!”
Wow, very classy of that young man to handle the situation like that. I’m glad he’s a GT man!
Paul in NH
May 21st, 2012
9:26 am
There are several ways of viewing Facebook and Twitter. One way is viewing it as a way of “keeping an eye” on potential recruits. Another way is about getting out the message of your program and communicating with the world in general. The first method could be viewed as “cyber stalking” but any HC that is not using Twitter and Facebook as promotional media is falling behind the times. They don’t have to do it themselves – that’s what graduate assistants are for – but they should have accounts in their name.
JB
May 21st, 2012
9:41 am
The twitter app for offers only goes to 40. That leaves Saban out.
Paddy
May 21st, 2012
9:51 am
Paul in NH………you may be correct about how to use these instruments. But to open an acct. in your name and turning it over to someone else seems like asking for trouble. To lose control of something that sensitive seems outragious and some coach will find that he has become victimized.
WnE
May 21st, 2012
10:04 am
re:
HighText
May 21st, 2012
9:22 am
____________
Why do you fee l;the need to bring me up in a blog where I have not even commented?
I haven’t gone anywhere, nor will I go anywhere.
Get these facts through your thick skull:
CPJ is 1-11 over the last 2 season vs. Top-50 defenses, he is not an offensive genius and his Offense give GT no bigger advantage over “decent” opposition than any other Offense.
GT under CPJ has performed very POORLY (3-13) vs .the segment of the schedule that DEFINES GT FB:
1-3 vs. Miami
1-3 vs. Va. Tech
1-3 vs. UGA
0-4 vs. Bowl Games
3-13 in the games that the “rest of country uses to define GT FB”.
Go ahead and throw up Clemson & UNC, but those teams have barely broke .500 during CPJ’s 4-yr. tenure, those are nice wins, but should not be confused with “big wins”.
People that follow CFB closely know that my comments are worthy of discussion, regardless of what I wrote in another medium or on another message board 18+ months ago.
Going around to every blog posting the same thing that is “off topic” makes you look like a complete idiot.
Are you consumed with everything that I write?
Regardless of what you write about me, 3-13 in important games jumps off the page at anyone that reads these blogs, and they “know” that CPJ isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.
You are pathetic High Text!
bucket
May 21st, 2012
10:05 am
I don’t like the role that the social media plays in recruiting, but any coach that says he is not into that kind of thing has told recruits that he is out of touch with the realities of 2012. I’m sure recruits don’t want to be bothered 24/7, but I am equally sure they want to know their future coach can relate.
Big Wally Butts
May 21st, 2012
10:13 am
Anyway to get WnE and Thomas Brown (same person) eliminated from these blogs? What boring self serving dribble.
HighTech
May 21st, 2012
10:18 am
You are pathetic High Text!
——————————–
No. This is pathetic…
“21 Jan 11 John Patrick Mason @WrecksNEffect
Since young Vad is confused I’ll help him. Vad if U don’t get 2 the NFL, it won’t matter how much U like GT & the Coaches. Also you can get the SAME BUSINESS Degree frm a sch.that WILL PASS THE BALL, that has GOOD WRs, BIG PASS-BLOCKING OLs, & “closer” to a Pro-Style O, so that U will at least have a “Some shot” @ the NFL, deep down inside Vad YOU KNOW that if U play QB 4 CPJ & GT you will have no chance @ the NFL.
That’s the reason you keep looking around Vad, you know what U R thinking deep down inside, Vandy’s HC was Md.’s OC & he’ll run a Pro-Style
The same 4 NCST & Minn., think Vad, if U R lookn @ MINNESOTA 4 cryin’ out loud, then U really don’t wanna play in CPJ’s Triple-SLOPtion Off.
Vad U R merely DELAYNG the inevitable, if U choose CPJ’s Triple SLOPtion Off., U’ll always ask yourslf could I have made the NFL@ NCST, etc
So FOR YOUR SAKE Vad, ask yourself WHY would CPJ change his Offense 4 U, when he wouldn’t change it 4 a 3-yr Starter & All-ACC QB?
Do you really think CPJ will change things up for a 18-y/o kid, when he wouldn’t change it up for a 22-y/o “grown ass man” like Josh?
You know the answers Vad, you’re just SCARED as to what DECISION will result if you answer these Questions honestly to yourself.
Of all the GT Fans that have writtn about your Recruitment, NOT-1, other than ME has taken N2 account YOUR DESIRES, 2 B a passn QB @ the NFL
So Vad WHY don’t the folks @ stink-talk and other places care about YOU realizing YOUR DREAM, being a passing QB & playing N the NFL?
So IF I’m the 1 that considers YOUR DREAMS, & they tlk about Recruit’s moms & playing QB where U can’t go Pro, whose advice is better 4 Vad?
Once U sign an LOI, Clock starts ticking, you’ll have 5-yrs. 2play 4 seasons 2 PROVE, U should B N the NFL, sign w/the WRONG sch. and you’ll LOSE one of those 5 precious years trying to transfer, those yrs. are PRECIOUS, because that’s ain’t much time 2 show NFL scouts what U got!
Of all the GT fans & COACHES & former GT PLAYERS, I’m the one talkn the most “cents”/sense, PUN INTENDED. Vad worry about your $$$ & not GT”
You say you are an alumnus and a fan. You complain that CPJ cannot attract ELITE RECRUITS but then you recruit against him. That’s pathetic.
Will you say you were wrong to contact Vad Lee trying to convince him to not sign with Tech?
Big Wally Butts
May 21st, 2012
10:20 am
Criminy, what a jerk.
Beast from the East
May 21st, 2012
10:28 am
Chuck Oliver is reporting that FSU to the Big 12 (minus 2) is pretty much a done deal. Also, saying Clemson will follow and GT is in talks.
http://dev.chuckoliver.net/2012/05/fsu-to-the-big-12-it-is-inevitable/
George Stein
May 21st, 2012
10:40 am
It’s an issue, WnE, because the content of the article is social media and how it has and will affect recruiting. Your behavior in contacting Vad Lee is a pretty good indicator of what happens when a creepy individual with poor judgment has access to the web. I’d say HighTech’s comment was germane to the subject at hand.
Vulture
May 21st, 2012
10:41 am
Kids today are more comfortable texting than they are talking on the phone. WnE you are brought up often whether you have posted or not. It’s not always what you post but rather the general negativity that irks most GT fans.
George Stein
May 21st, 2012
10:41 am
I’d be pretty surprised if the Big XII kicked in a penny for FSU’s departure, Beast, because they don’t need FSU. They needed WVU for scheduling purposes.
Beast from the East
May 21st, 2012
10:47 am
George,
Maybe they are looking ahead now that playoffs are on the horizon. The four 16 team conferences could be the future 4 playoff teams? Who knows what’s really going on, but it’ll be interesting to watch it all unfold. Honestly, I’m just gald my Gators are in about as stable a conference as you can find.
George Stein
May 21st, 2012
10:50 am
No doubt, Beast. Y’all are in a pretty good spot.
The thing that I’ve started to question, though, is how long schools like Florida will continue to subsidize schools like Ole Miss. I mean, if that’s what is driving a lot of this change, then at some point there should be some discord in all conferences.
Beast from the East
May 21st, 2012
11:09 am
George,
I have never heard any rumblings from schools like UF, UGA, LSU or Bama about “subsidizing” Vandy, Ole Miss, etc. Seems to be a really solid partnership amongst the SEC schools. Of course, all it takes is for one to start the discontent. See FSU for proof.
WnE
May 21st, 2012
11:31 am
I hope & pray that F$U & Clemson leaves for the Big-XII.
That will force GT’s hand to either stay with a crappy sinking ACC that will be forced to merge with the Big Least, or they will have ti find a “real FB conference” like the B1G Ten or the Big-XII and then CPJ won’t be able to water down our schedule anymore.
Please go to the Big-XII FSU, please force GT to find a conference that plays real CFB!
As we move toward 4 or 5 super conferences, it seems that the ACC is declining quickly.
The Big-XII was on death’s door and now they are poised to be survivors & thrivers in the new world order of CFB.
The CFA kickoff classic usually had an ACC team playing in it, in 2014 WVa. a Big-XII team will play Bama, the ACC is taking on water at every turn, it is time for GT to lookout for itself and jump ship.
ACC B-Ball cannot offset the money & power that CFB dictates in the new world order of College sports, GT needs to be proactive or get left behind!
George Stein
May 21st, 2012
11:37 am
If you hope and pray for that stuff, WnE, then your life is indeed sadder than any of us had ever thought.
HighTech
May 21st, 2012
11:39 am
Still think it would be something if UGA, UF, and USCe would join the ACC. Better fit academically (for what it’s worth), better for basketball, and it preserves traditional rivalries. The SEC could add UT, OU, and OSU. Remember, Missouri to the East was all about preserving the Iron Bowl.
Q
May 21st, 2012
12:02 pm
“I don’t think Twitter matters that much.”
Kinda like the forward pass? DERP
T
May 21st, 2012
12:12 pm
“I’ve heard that there’s a few people impersonating me on Twitter but I’m not doing it,” joked Richt to the AJC.
My butt cheek texted that recruit. DERP DA-DERP DERP
How big of a role does Social Media play in football recruiting? | Freeex Blog
May 21st, 2012
12:22 pm
[...] UGA’s Mark Richt: Click here [...]
McDonut
May 21st, 2012
1:07 pm
I fixed Richt’s quote for you:
“There’s a lot of other ways to communicate with guys. I would just as soon sing Happy Birthday to the man, quite frankly. Our coaching staff does a great job of keeping up with them [on Facebook and Twitter].”
Caleb King
May 21st, 2012
1:10 pm
Can I come back to UGA? Life was easy there!!!!
the truth comes out.....
May 21st, 2012
3:07 pm
Rick James actually drives a 94 Accord (not a Bentley), is asst mgr at 1 McDonald’s (does NOT own 3), makes almost 30k/yr (NOT per month), but his apartment complex actually IS gated……..
Rick James = Liar
Thanks
dawgfan
May 21st, 2012
3:11 pm
Supersize I’m sorry I have been impersonating you. The AJC has threatened to ban me if I don’t stop. I’m butthurt over the whole thing.
Thanks
I don't care what you had for lunch
May 21st, 2012
4:55 pm
Don’t worry Facebull and shtwitter will be gone the way of myspace in a few years.
Delbert D.
May 21st, 2012
4:56 pm
My back yard is gated.
Dlebert D.
May 21st, 2012
5:53 pm
Okay, so that last post of mine an hour ago fell flat. I didn’t mean to kill the blog.
Rick James
May 21st, 2012
6:32 pm
@the truth comes out…..
Rick James actually drives a 94 Accord (not a Bentley), is asst mgr at 1 McDonald’s (does NOT own 3), makes almost 30k/yr (NOT per month), but his apartment complex actually IS gated……..
Rick James = Liar
————————————————————————————————————————————
Anyone who truly knows me knows that wouldnt be caught dead in japanese automobile..Nice try though
Dlebert D.
May 21st, 2012
8:02 pm
@Rick – Just for fun, I Googled “rick james mcdonalds”, and I was shocked. Here is what turned up at Linked In:
“rick james’s Overview
Current
maneger at mcdonalds”
The misspelling “manaeger” is not mine, it’s Google” or “LinkedIn”. Are you in Omaha?
Delbert D.
May 21st, 2012
8:03 pm
Hmmm… I just noticed I’m misspelling my nym on the last 2 posts. Sorry about that.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
May 21st, 2012
8:29 pm
Derrick Henry says…
I was talking to my coaches and we were breaking down the schools,” the 6-3, 240-pound Henry says. “We were talking about what I think and what they think, and right now I think that Alabama is a place where everything that I want in college can happen.” Henry, who remains committed to Georgia for now, plans to make an unofficial visit to Alabama on June 8. “After that visit on June 8th,” Henry says,” when I come back that Sunday or Monday, that’s when I will know where I’m going.”
and you say……..
mcdavidastro
May 21st, 2012
8:56 pm
Richt not doing that because he doesn’t do anything. He sits in his glorius office and waits for recruit to come to him. Please give us a coach this does something.
bitter's dawgs fan
May 21st, 2012
9:35 pm
To all the nay-sayers trolls—aka—bamma tu_rds, go f__k yourselfs—-same stink to try and down grade a fine upstanding football program—-led by wally butts, vince dooly, mark richt
—–lairs, cheats, stinky thuggs are the three best bamma coach’s—except the beloved and highly respected —-aka—coach paul—bear—bryant—–the only quality coach ever at U/A
—–and gene stallings—-the under amour boy’s started their fluthie ways
——who_res and gambling——-thats the bamma way====win at all cost—-even lie with the Sa_an
trailer tramps —–its only a matter of time!!
WnE
May 21st, 2012
9:40 pm
re:
George Stein
May 21st, 2012
11:37 am
If you hope and pray for that stuff, WnE, then your life is indeed sadder than any of us had ever thought.
___________
It was simply a figure of speech, I don’t literally hope & pray for that sort of thing.
Lighten up, your quest for the gotcha WnE moment has some of you anti-WnE folks rather obsessed.
It is rather comical the way you guys follow me around all the AJC Blogs and hang on every word that I post.
bitter's dawgs fan
May 21st, 2012
9:41 pm
@wet wellie and mcdavidastro—negitive–negitive—–freag-in TUSK-UR-LOOSERS
——JUST KEEPmaking up rumors and bull sh_t
——paul fineturd disapples————rumors—lairs—-redneck, black neck thuggs
Crimson Crush
May 21st, 2012
10:50 pm
hrrmm Derrick Henry
Crimson Crush
May 21st, 2012
10:50 pm
sounds like