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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2009 > February > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTech’s Johnson makes all the right moves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Once again, Paul Johnson is doing his Frank Sinatra thing, as in “My Way,” and this is good. This actually is better than that for the rising Georgia Tech football program, especially since its principled head coach solidified the Jackets’ future on Wednesday with those he purposely signed and those he purposely shunned.
The latter was more telling than the former, and consider this: By lunchtime, the former was impressive.
In addition to grabbing the four-star likes of J.C. Lanier and his 330-something pounds among those previously committed to the Jackets, Johnson kept swift wide receiver Stephen Hill of Miller Grove from sprinting at the end to Tech’s Great Satan in Athens. As a result, the Jackets have Hill and a bunch of other three-star entries to complete a 21-signee class.
None was named Dontae Aycock, a possible Joe Hamilton clone. Tech coaches spent a year recruiting the offensive star of Tampa’s Chamberlain High School, and then he committed to the Jackets in the shadows of late January. Soon afterward, he felt the considerable Wrath of Johnson when he spoke of taking an official visit to Auburn despite Johnson’s objection.
“I reiterated that to him, ‘Don’t get on that plane, Dontae,’” said a calmer Johnson, recalling the moment on Wednesday from an Atlantic Station hotel. “His high school coach went and told him, ‘Don’t get on that plane, Dontae,’ and he did. So when he chose to do that, he was telling me he didn’t want to come to Georgia Tech anymore. So we moved on.”
Too bad … for Aycock.
Then again, Aycock was perfect for Johnson’s unique offense. It features the triple option, which means Johnson needs a certain type of player. You also have Johnson’s unique personality, which means he needs a certain type of player, too. It’s the type of player who understands what Aycock didn’t. Which is, you better listen to what Johnson says, because he will be true to his word.
Which means you should to.
No wonder Aycock’s high school coach, Brian Turner, keeps shaking his head. Not over Johnson, but Aycock. “[The Tech coaches] were pretty upfront the whole time,” said Turner, in his seventh season at the same Tampa high school that his father coached long enough to become the winningest football coach in Hillsborough County history. In addition, Chamberlain High has “about 100” coaches recruiting its players each year with many reaching BCS schools and NFL teams.
So this was telling: “Some schools don’t have that many scholarships, but they offer kids left and right, and then they have to end up telling kids they don’t have a scholarship,” Turner said. “But [Tech coaches] were always up front. They were honest the whole time. They always told Dontae where he would fit in and what his role would be. They were down here quite a bit, and every time they were allowed to call, they called.”
Johnson and his coaches had their priorities. They operated with class. They said what they meant, and they meant what they said. They want athletes who do the same. Added Turner, “They can’t have kids thinking it’s OK to make a commitment to them and then go to other places. Because then what does a commitment mean? That’s why I think they have to set a precedent for the program. That if you make us a promise, we expect you to keep it.”
Yep. Just ask Johnson. Better yet, listen to his closing thoughts on Aycock: “If I had to do it all over, I’d do it again. That’s just the way I’m going to do business.”
Good.
Permalink | Comments (64) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech/ACC
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By Johnny
February 4, 2009 7:10 PM | Link to this
For Real!!!
By Ted
February 4, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this
“You’ve Got To Stand For Something Or You’ll Fall For Anything”. I love Coach Johnson’s attitude. It’s refreshing in this day & time. You can’t let 17 & 18 yr old kids hold your program hostage. We were honest & upfront with him from the beginning but he didn’t return the favor. If your word is no good then what is? Dontae (& his brother) thought we were bluffing….he found out the hard way….
By Poorbrave
February 4, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this
Great job Coach Johnson. 21 is a great signee class and I can’t wait till kick-off. Thanks TM .
By Wreck7
February 4, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this
Hell yeah!
By Trip
February 4, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this
I am freaking lovin that I’m a TECH fan!!!
By UGA is so last year
February 4, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
I am glad everyone is so optimistic but rivals.com put us at 49th best and 8th out of 12 in the ACC!!! Not sure who knows what but to me - it is a so-so class and appears below average as compared to 7 of the 11 other teams in the ACC. Someone explain to me what I am missing?
By JamBee
February 4, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this
There must be “more to the story”. We did not have the same response on Hill and his “commitment” was public.
By JamBee
February 4, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
The must be “more to the story”. We did not do the same thing on Hill even though his committment was public.
By Joe
February 4, 2009 7:31 PM | Link to this
That high school coach has a good shoulder on his head, unlike alot of other coaches that want to be in the spot light too. He is trying to do something good in his program.
By Bullfeathers
February 4, 2009 7:42 PM | Link to this
Whatever. Every coach in D-1 is trying to get other people commits to come visit them. St Paul is no different. They just want it to be a one way street, where they can sniff around other people’s recruits but nobody can poach their recruits.
Pitiful hypocrisy
By helluvaengineer
February 4, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johnson’s stand here will pay off in the future.
Aycook, Sorry you missed out on being a Ramblin’ Wreck. Best of luck @ Auburn.
By not a ugay fan
February 4, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this
Great class Tech, i cann see a lot of these guys having great careers, i am pumped about Spring, how many days do we have?
Now i need everyone to buy bank stocks so i can afford to participate in the spring festivities.
By Bullfeathers
February 4, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this
Another classic from coaches: “stay in state, it is better for your future”. All while still recruiting out of state players like nobody’s business. I guess nobody is worried about their futures.
By Stephen
February 4, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this
Only time will tell if Dontae Aycock’s decision to select Auburn will be to his advantage. However, it does sound like the GA Tech coaches are on the right track in the way they are handling the recruitment of players.
By Class of '98
February 4, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this
Stephen Hill had a decision to make… he could go to UGA and sit the bench behind AJ Green and Marlon Brown, or he could go to Tech and be a blocking dummy.
That’s a tough one.
By John
February 4, 2009 7:57 PM | Link to this
I think there is a new sheriff in town…and his name is Coach Paul Johnson.
He has really put some chinks in Mark Richt’s armor with this class. 14 of them coming from the state of Georgia is something that has not been done in years.
Congrats to Coach Johnson and his staff and to the incoming class: WELCOME!!
By Don
February 4, 2009 8:02 PM | Link to this
Coach Johnson provides an example for all of us - players or fans - of commitment to oneself and others whether in sports, business or personal life. He offers Ga Tech so much more than being the head football coach. He is what is right with leadership and bringing honor to this institution and the state of college football in general.
By top10class
February 4, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this
Yeah he really put a chink in Richt’s armour with his 49th ranked class versus UGA’s top ten class. Sure Richt is crying over the loss of those techie recruits. Not.
By dawgman
February 4, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this
Looking at the final AP poll, the final coaches poll, the recruiting class rankings and the Peach Bowl score, I’d say America is pretty sure 45-42 was a one time occurance…aka blind luck.
By TigerMike
February 4, 2009 8:27 PM | Link to this
hey John, u techies make laugh. dang clueless. do some research on recruiting and the state of Georgia sometime. Actually, read this quote from an AJC Q&A with C. Mark Richt, (he’s the coach at UGA btw).
Q: Why do you think there weren’t more head-to-head battles between Georgia and Georgia Tech?
A: I think one reason is … about 150 Division I players come out of Georgia each year. Realistically, we’re going to sign 15 to 20 a year per school. There’s still a boatload out there for everybody else to pick at, too. The other reason is our systems are very different, so I think offensively there won’t be a lot of crossover in who we go after.
Geaux TIGERS! 38-3
By Navigator
February 4, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this
I don’t pretend to know who all of the signees are, but I know that some are blue chippers, and that’s what Johnson brings to the program. He will consistently bring in a good level of talent, that will keep Tech near the top of the ACC. Only time will tell whether his coaching style will be able to produce a top 5 team.
By DJ
February 4, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
Stephen Hill didn’t make the visit to Athens dumba$$. Hmmmmm, maybe if he had he already knew that the scholarship wouldn’t be there from Tech when he got back. Looks like he made a great choice. I love the way Paul Johnson does business….teach kids commitment early and they’ll never forget it.
By GT66
February 4, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
Dontae sadly listened to his brother Dwight Smith who plays for the Detroit Lions that he should be a running back if he wants to play in the NFL. Smith should have stayed out of it. The kid ran for over 1400 yards and passed for over 1400 yards this year. He would be an outstanding college QB. He is a great runner for certain, but to think if you wind up being an outstanding college QB that you cannot be a Randall El in the NFL is crazy. I live in St. Petersburg, FL and this kid made a mistake.
By TDone
February 4, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this
To UGA is so last year,
Coach Johnson and the staff recruited to what they needed, regardless of STAR POWER. You have to have stars on your team, of course. But you also have to get kids that fit your profile and Tech’s profile is different than others. Rival and Scout will never reflect this reality.
By Tron5000
February 4, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this
Give ‘em hell, CPJ. Be a man and we’ll treat you like one. Be less than a man, and we don’t need you in Atlanta.
By JamBee
February 4, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this
Sounds like there could be “more to the story” on Aycock. It appears we did not treat Hill the same way even though his commitment was public.
By ECBacker
February 4, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this
Go ahead Tech, you can have the UGA rejects…Only Hill was publicly offered by UGA
By Jacketnation
February 4, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this
Looks like a so-so class with a handful of really good athletes. I am sure CPJ will make the most of them. Hoqwever, next year we must sign two 4 star RB’s and a 4 star QB.
By UGA
February 4, 2009 9:12 PM | Link to this
I’m glad johnson passed on the ones we got.
By Not Disappointed
February 4, 2009 9:14 PM | Link to this
So, Coach PJ on In the Huddle tonight on CSS Comcast Cable. I’m happy for the Jackets. Have a great Spring!
By 8 Straight
February 4, 2009 9:15 PM | Link to this
After having his day in the spotlight today, Aycock will disappear into oblivion.
By TW
February 4, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this
Now that the novelty season is over, this class won’t cut it in a conference that is seeing a reemergence of Butch Davis. And while FSU slowly floats back up and Miami rakes in top talent, GT sowed it’s roots in medicrity with this very, very average group of three stars.
Mr. Moore - Hill went to GT for no other reason than not wanting to play special teams for four years in Athens. While the last couple of days were fun for the three star, he’s simply no Marlon Brown…nor is he a Rontavious Wooten…not at all - not even close. While the AJC was juicing it’s base with tease talk of Hill, the ‘great satan’ in Athens was sleep walking through signing future NFL talent at WR.
Johnson signed what is now known as the Philip Fulmer contract. What you saw last year was as good as it’s gonna get.
By UGA
February 4, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this
But, my previous post was “tongue in cheek”. No one can get them all. Congrats to Coach Johnson on his Class. I had rather see GA guys stay in State, reguardless of who they choose.
By mt
February 4, 2009 9:29 PM | Link to this
Did PJ give a commitment to his navy players before he bolted ? basic logic tells me if a better offer comes along you better look at it and obviously the kid thought AU was a better opportunity for him.
By nothing else to the story
February 4, 2009 9:29 PM | Link to this
The difference with Hill is that he didn’t make a visit to UGA. When asked to visit he told UGA no. He waivered in his decision last minute but he did not make the trip as did Aycock
By Ted Striker
February 4, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
TM — Interesting article yet I must inquire. On national signing day, why so much ink dedicated to a guy Tech didn’t even sign — rather than the 21 guys they did? (In fairness, you did at least mention Hill and Lanier. Not sure if the ‘Jackets have Miller’ line referred to Miller Grove or not; it’s been a long day for us all).
Here’s the thing. Fans and some media are making far more of Dontae Aycock’s scholarship situation than even Aycock himself. It’s old news and it’s beginning to sound like a bunch of tribal chest thumping.
Who can say with 100% certainty that Aycock might not have eventually spurned Tech somewhere down the road had his offer not been revoked? Find me a coach who will bet his house that a kid will sign before receiving his letter.
If this was just about how Coach Johnson recruits, let me offer one observation: Stephen Hill flirted with Georgia and Paul Johnson certainly didn’t drop the hammer on him by revoking his scholarship. Could Coach Johnson been reluctant to play hardball with Hill like he did with Acock — at that particular position — so late in the recruiting game?
Hill’s scholarship was there and waiting, unlike Dontae Aycock’s. Hill — or any of the other 20 signees — would have made for a better story about the strength of Tech’s class.
By Goo goo ga ga
February 4, 2009 9:36 PM | Link to this
Bullfeathers…just boring…
By hallcounty observer
February 4, 2009 9:42 PM | Link to this
let me say that i am a life lone tech fan but dont be fooled by the 14 instate recruits. the majority of them were kids that georgia wasnt even recruiting. johnson took from the out of state schools who usually come in and get a few that uga doesnt need. but there is no doubt that it is better to have 14 three-stars from instate than 14 three-stars from out of state. it is better on so many different levels.
By inDoddwetrust
February 4, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this
Good article, Mr. Moore.
By beau vighn
February 4, 2009 9:44 PM | Link to this
Steven Hill did not make a visit to UGA. That is the difference.
By Ron
February 4, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
Nice article, Terence.
I hate it that Dontae isn’t a Yellow Jacket, but I LOVE it that I have a coach who, as he said this morning, “Says what he means and means what he says”.
By I Shot a inbred Mutt named UGA Today
February 5, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
Why do mutt fans think that every recruit they get is the next coming of Jesus Christ. The main reason we don’t recruit the same players is that they offer Connect the Dots 101 at Georgia and Tech does not. To Hell with Georgia forevever and ever AMEN!
By johnmrog
February 5, 2009 9:23 PM | Link to this
Hey, Terrence… why didn’t you write this column last year after Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech got a commitment from and later signed Jaybo Shaw who had previously committed to Middle Tennessee State? Sounds like you, Coach Johnson, and all the hypocrite Georgia Tech fans are all about “do as I say, not as I do”.
If a commitment is so important to Coach Johnson and the Georgia Tech fans, how come they didn’t INSIST that Jaybo Shaw follow through on his commitment to Middle Tennessee?
Well… we all know the answer to that, don’t we?
Hypocrites.
By "techie"
February 5, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
tigermike- go back to your tent! you guys are the biggest traveling carnival ever- shut up and guess my weight- anyone smell corndogs? 38-3, CPJ never forgets, there will be payback!
By rhettt
February 6, 2009 1:40 AM | Link to this
TM………….Hill may have flirted, but he didn’t date. he didn’t visit Ga. So, he didn’t break the rule. PJ would surely have recinded the schlorship offer had Hill visited Ga.
By asahigh
February 6, 2009 7:44 AM | Link to this
THWG
By DAWGHATER
February 6, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this
Hey UGAy: We don’t need a top ten recruiting class like you guys get every year. We kicked your azzes between your smelly hedges with what we had last year. Guess what, this year will be the same. However, the only difference is it will happen at awesome Grant Field instead of your smelly city. Good luck with your football program. I can already see many losses on the horizon for a team that believes they will win it all every year. What a joke! “THWG”
By hall county observer
February 6, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
TW…never heard of the phillip fulmer contract. would that be the one where you win 75% of all the games you play and are the only coach in your schools history to win a national championship besides neyland. maybe you have it confused with the mark richt contract which includes no national championships and many disappointed dawgs.
By wreckmaniac
February 6, 2009 9:29 AM | Link to this
NOCLASS OF 98: I guess Calvin Johnson really wanted to play at UGA also. Gee I wish Tech could find a “It just went through my hands” Fred Gibson. Dont let your prima donna, no championship, smugness get hurt just because a kid chose Tech over UGA. Please tell me which of UGAs new class of jailmates you think Tech would want to have. Its the same old story. The best day for UGA fans is signing day and its always downhill from there. That second loss always comes, dosen’t it. That the Richt method. Don’t worry, I’ll be writing this on dawgblog also.
By wreckmaniac
February 6, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this
What is Richts problem with QB’s from Georgia anyway?
By wreckmaniac
February 6, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
And Brown is no Calvin Johnson. Come to think of it he may not even be Damarius Thomas. Its going to be interesting to see CMR handle prima donnas Green and Brown. Stafford couldn’t get the ball to his receivers last year.
By wreckmanaic
February 6, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
Who would want to play special teams at UGA anyway. Last years edition was a comedy.
By CMR
February 6, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
Well, I did my job again. Another top 10 class and another 9-4 no champ season. They suck it up every time. What a cakewalk. Well, back to sleep.
By Gene
February 6, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
What was the ranking of Johnson’s 2008 class that hung 45 points on Richt’s top recruiting class? Richt will continue to recruit entitled superstars who lead the country in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and criminal arrests, and UGA fans will continue to wonder how such great athletes drop 3 or 4 games to teams with less talent.
By hatfieldgeoff
February 6, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
Hey John, Tech’s 14 commits from in-state were recruiting victories over Ga. Southern and App. St and Valdosta St. etc. They brought in some of the second and third tier talent, which is fine because many of them will turn into good football players.UGA jumped in late for Hill just in case they did not get Brown and personally, I wish we had Lanier, but in general UGA and the SEC sign the top players while tech get to pick from the rest. But if it helps, here is something for you, 45-42!, 45-42!, 45-42!
By hatfieldgeoff
February 6, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this
Yes, with Paul Johnson on the flats the Salad days are over at UGA. How can Mark Richt compete for players now. Lucky for UGA that Coach Johnson overlooked the top 30 or so players in the state this year so we had someone to sign. But man, that’s not likely to happen again… . ha, ha, ha ha ha ha LMAO.
By wreckmaniac
February 6, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this
NO CLASS OF 98: Yea, Calvin Johnson wanted to be a bulldawg too. Don’t let your tender little smugness be hurt by someone who turned down UGA. Who would want to join your 09 crop of jailmates anyway ? You’ve had your fun. Another top recruiting class. The fun always ends after the second loss and the only debate is whether it happens in Oct or Nov. This is the tried and true Richt method and he knows you guys love it. Its not about championships. Its always about style points at UGA.
By Fred Gibson
February 6, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
” It just went through my hands”
By Otto
February 6, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this
GT66 so it is good for a player to want to be a great college QB but not take a shot at a better future by being prepped for a NFL position? CPJ is a sad set back to the coaching days of when his offense was king, his way or the hwy no matter the circumsatances.
By Matt
February 6, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this
Each player has 5 visits to take, and they can use them how they choose. Paul Johnson has no right to say you can’t go somewhere. Fine take his scholarship, we will take him and make him into a REAL running back.
He had to choose between a triple option offense or going to RB U. Bottom line is all these players want to go to the NFL and he could not do that at GT.
By mook mookerson
February 6, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
“Which means you should to.”
This is ludicrously bad grammar, even for the AJC. Did you mean “Which means you should too”?
/nitpick
M. Mookerson
By downeastgator
February 6, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
I’ve been an observer and admirer of Coach Johnson since his days at GA Southern. He is principled and taught that young man something about the word commitment. I have no doubt that Tech will be one of the elite teams in the ACC led by a helluva football coach who will raise some young men to be accountable.
By downeastgator
February 6, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
As a Gator, it is interesting to watch poodle supporters bash every move the jackets make. Seems like I remember some mutts with their tails tucked between their legs having been whipped on their home field in late November. And by players who were UGA rejects. Seems to me that someone either did not do the best job of evaluating talent or they didn’t develop the talent they brought in.
By Daniel
February 12, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this
I don’t get this article. We know that Johnson, while at Georgia Tech, has signed at least one player who had previously committed to another school. Yet, when a recruit does the same to Johnson, and he’s on the short end, he whines about it.
Johnson may be a good guy in general, but with Aycock he just comes off as overly desperate and a hypocrite.