AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > February > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGT gauntlet thrown down
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
The choice has been made, and while in some corners it is headlined as much a defeat for Bill Curry as a victory for Dan Radakovich (you say it “Radda-KO-vich”), the deed is done. I must say that when President Wayne Clough escorted the new athletics director into the conference center at Georgia Tech, and he clattered in on titanium walking sticks, some gasped silently “Ye gods, he’s hired a casualty.”
(After an extended period of dealing with a recurring Achilles tendon condition, the man from Baton Rouge had resorted to surgery four weeks ago. “The crutches go away in two weeks,” he said.)
The “old guard,” a term I created myself, referring to veteran Georgia Tech alumni with a vested interest in affairs on The Flats, had been dealt a blow, so it was interpreted. Let’s look at it this way in cold logic: Curry, with no previous administrative experience, was a calculated risk. It would have been a case of on-the-job training. But those with Old Gold and White loyalty running deep had preferred one of their own, willing to endure Curry’s orientation perfiod, assuming he knew where to go to find the money; one to rally around, one who knows every word to “Ramblin’ Wreck,” as rousing a college fight song as there is, raised in bistros from Alaska to Zanzibar.
Well and good, but the truth is, Dan Radakovich is the man whose credentials fit the job description. He has been doing this kind of work for 20 years, from American University to South Carolina to Long Beach State to Miami and more lately at LSU. Curry had played and coached at Georgia Tech, worships the image of Bobby Dodd, for whom the football stadium is named, but there was one hitch in the minds of some detractors. He had committed the mortal sin of leaving to coach the enemy at Alabama. “Traitor,” as some of the more virulent e-mail correspondents branded him. But in the long run, that had nothing to do with his rejection.
Perhaps the most reliable appraisal of Radokovich came from one who had him in his hire at an earlier stage of his career, one step removed from LSU. Mike McGee was athletics director at South Carolina when Radakovich joined his staff as chief financial officer. The years were 1994 to 2000. Now retired and living in Colorado, McGee had hired him from Long Beach State. “He was my chief financial officer, but he wasn’t very involved in fundraising,” McGee said. “Georgia Tech is hiring a fellow who is bright, energetic, has integrity and is smart as a whip. I know that sounds like a lot of platitudes, but they fit him. He’s a really good fellow.”
Radakovich came out of as hotbed of athletes in western Pennsylvannia. “From Aliquippa,” he said, though his biography identifies his hometown as Monaca. It’s steel mill country, “Quarterback USA,” as someone branded it, for from that area came Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Babe Parilli, Johnny Unitas and you could go on. Radakovich was an end who played in the obscurity of a school whose name confuses a lot of geographers, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Now, back to the case at hand. He is given high marks for a vast montage of projects contributing to football success at LSU, especially a $90 million renovation of Tiger Stadium, and the national championship of 2003 is reflected in his resume’. True, he had a broader constituency and a larger stage to work with, a 70,000-seat stadium compared to 55,000 at Georgia Tech. His major challenge will be digging into that $108 million deficit the athletics department now faces.
When it became apparent earlier in the week that Curry would not be the choice, angry vows came from several heavy donors that Georgia Tech would not be as high on their gift list. That was a reflection on the presence of Clough as president. There are as many who would like to see him go out with the departing athletics director, Dave Braine.
He has a pleasant face, and can without stretching the imagination, be likened in that respect to Mel Gibson, the actor. And true to the colors, he wore a gold tie with horizontal white stripes.
Now comes the moment of truth: The gauntlet has been thrown down. Radakovich is the man who will represent athletics at Georgia Tech. He has this animosity to deal with — not so much toward him as to Clough, the “old guard” to win back, and these Georgia Tech people now must look themselves in their mirrors. Clough did try a bit of humor in his presentation, referring to a bogus application from that bogus campus character, “George P. Burdell.” Good try.
A lot of wounds to heal here. I’m not certain all that assuaging was as effective as advertised.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Categories: Furman Bisher, Tech / ACC
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By Matt
February 24, 2006 06:24 PM | Link to this
As a current Tech student, I know the student body LOVES “G. Wayne”, as president Clough is popularly known. He’s done a lot for the school, improving facilities and growing the Institute (in academics and prestige). I know Curry was a favorite with the aged alums, but I trust in G. Wayne and therefore I trust that Rad will be a great asset to the school. Regardless, it’s time for all alums to be true to our school.
By Ralph
February 24, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this
Hiring Curry would have been dumber than dirt. The new alumni will support Clough and Radakovich, plus be around a while to boot.
Go Jackets!!!
By surfer
February 25, 2006 01:22 AM | Link to this
Clough needs to go. Nothing against Dan but he is heading into the inferno. Here’s why. In business or politics or whatever one does it’s almost impossible to tell your customers or a large portion of the base to go do something and not listen to them. That’s what Clough has done. There will be no reponying up money or subscriptions from this alumnus or anyone else I pursuade. The history is why. Curry and Homer Rice had to build the program from almost extinction in the late 70’s. The schedule by the way was tougher in some years than today with Alabama, Florida, Tenn. and ND. But history is why….1992-1994 Tech and yes Homer Rice take a chance on a gifted Assistant at Ga. who had coached at Tech 20 years earlier. He’s an excellent recruiter and innovator. The problem is 28 players are lost to attrition either through academics or quitting or getting kicked off the team. Homer Rice corrects his mistake quickly and does’nt need an outside search firm to make a decision. The Buck stops with him and he acts. 1997 cira…Tech hires Dave Braine as AD who comes in with impeccable credetials. A UVA graduate I think, coached with Pepper in the 70’s at Tech. One small problem Virginia Tech is a different animal than Georgia Tech as we are learning from the management policies and coaching decisions Braine has made. 2001. Tech hires Gailey as coach as the AD and the President publically through the media tell fans no decision has been made. The new hire has credentials as the former Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Forget that he was fired after 2 years. Forget that he has’nt coached at a major college in 20 years. Forget that he is not known as a gifted recruiter. Forget that he is not familiar with the Tech academic situation. We are all now seeing the results. Now enter the new AD who may turn out to be a coup but LSU, S.C. Long Beach and even Miami are not tough acedemic institutions in the sense of Tech eventhough I am sure there are some decent programs at those schools. Let’s also forget that the new hire has never made a major coaching hire that we are seeing from our own experience that has political ramifications. Let’s also forget there is no big time playing or coaching experience. His first act appears to be to rubber stamp the Gailey contract, the source of much fan ire. He obviously along with the search firm did’nt express the situation or history of the Institute at hand. For that Clough has dissed his responsibilities as President. When there is no loyalty from the President to the product the Old Guard then there should be no loyalty in return. IF I’m Clough I’m hiring a search firm to find me another job.
By Long Beach Jacket
February 25, 2006 02:51 AM | Link to this
Matt - good to hear this. Encouraging. Ralph - 100% right on. surfer - “dude….” you’ve got lot’s of facts but a bit contorted in the analytical department. New blood is the way to go. Curry is a great Tech alum and hero (I’ve met him twice…long ago). However, he left the #2 job in the athletic dept (head football coach) to go to rival Alabama (as noted by Bisher) when he could have coached Tech forever. His record post-Tech was, shall we say, somewhat less than formidable. Ross and O’Leary proved much better coaches. Curry would not have been the right guy for AD.
“Old Guard” should love Tech for what it was…and still is.. a GREAT SCHOOL with world class tradition.
Let go of old notions, however, the days of Dodd are never coming back. It’s a new era and the new mountaintop is yet to be attained. RE: Gailey - this could be a pivotal year. Some folks aren’t going to give him any slack. He worked for Jerry Jones; he’s not intimidated by all that. For Tech’s sake, let’s hope he wins, wins big and stays. Only other guy out there I’d want is Ken Whisenhunt…and he’s one, maybe two years away from being a head coach in the NFL…so it’d be a tough sell anyway… GO JACKETS!!!!!
By jim@pinemountain
February 25, 2006 05:35 AM | Link to this
It is absolutely amazing to me that people have forgotten that Bill Curry walked away from Tech. He left. Did he think he was helping himself or did he not care about GT?
By Kevin
February 25, 2006 07:33 AM | Link to this
This is a great hire for Tech. As a young alumnus, it is interesting that so many people want to see G. Wayne out as President of the Institute. These people have forgotten that the purpose of Tech is to educate the future leaders and innovators of the world. He has done more for Tech than any President before him. It will be a sad day when he retires as President. However, as Coach Hewitt said, we will see who believes Georgia Tech is their own personal toy and who wants to see Georgia Tech improve its athletic stock. If Coach Hewitt’s statements offended you, you probably are the one with the problem.
By Jim O
February 25, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this
Clough, a great hire! Not sure if I am an ‘old guard’ or ‘middle guard’ (having been at GT and went to every FB and BB game), but Rad has the background to be an excellent AD. Curry, although an alumnus, doesn’t have the resume for this position.
Hopefully Rad won’t do anything stupid like the AD Syracuse hired last year when he fired Pasqualoni, and as we all remember in our bowl game with SU, the AD BEFORE he officially had the job implied he was going to fire Paul.
GT has had some great presidents in the past and some great ADs - lets give Rad a chance to prove what he is worth. He is young enough so if he is great, we will have him for a long time!
By Jim O
February 25, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this
something that left out of my posting - having been at GT when both Dodd and Hyder were coaching, am I ‘old’ guard or ‘middle’ guard? Bisher did not give a full definition of that term.
By garcia
February 25, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this
Foolishness: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.
The so called “old guard” are sounding more and more foolish. With their track record, you would think that they would be willing to try anthing different.
I thought that “good ole boys” came from Athens but it appears that the ATL has its fair share still.
Let’s see, hire a guy that has been successful for twenty years under a variety of circumstances vs. a guy that has a nice smile and can talk about the old days. Come on guys, wake up. GT needs to move up the athletic ranks. Hiring an accomplished man for the AD position makes sense.
By eric b
February 25, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this
Anyone that honestly believes that Clough should go because they disagree with his choice (a very reasoned one) is either not truly a GT alum or one not worthy of that degree. Dr. Clough has lead GT admirably for his time and is held in extremely high regard in the Academic community. To think that a man of his characteristics should be fired because he didn’t hire your idea of the right person for the ATHLETIC department is really stupid and stinks of the kind of thinking that goes on in Athens, GA, not midtown Atlanta.
By Navarre Jacket
February 25, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
Great hire G. Wayne!
I think BC’s a great guy, but I lived through his GT coaching career as a student and was not anxious to see Act 2. Go Jackets and Welcome Aboard Rad!
By Gary
February 25, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
I am a contributer to GT-AT Fund (Diamond T) for over 10 years. I have 9 season tickets to football (10th row of the 30), and season tickets to basketball (10th row). I say this because I have a vested interest in the hiring of “Rad”, along with many of you. I am thrilled at the hire. While I respect Curry’s success, I don’t see what he would have brought to the office. All he offers is history at GT and public speaking. No history of running an department, hiring, firing, scheduling, etc. Curry was an emotional choice only. We are taught NOT to make emotional decissions!! The hiring of “Rad” is a well thought out decission. I am amazed that we were able to get him since he was one or two years out of the AD job at LSU. Though, I suspect that is because the quality of life is much better in Atlanta than in Baton Rouge.
My only concern with the hire is Hewitt. Hewitt has a clause in his contract that lets him leave GT without penalty within 18 months (not sure of number of months) after Braine leaves. I have heard that Gailey is pleased with the hire (no surprise since the contract hasn’t been signed), but I haven’t heard anything from Hewitt. Hopefully, he will be happy and remain at GT, since our basketball future looks great!
Welcome Dan! Please prove me right.
Gary
By matt
February 25, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
I’m definitely “old school”, with 50yrs of Roll Call gifts and many years of foot/basket/volley/base ball attendence. Seems to me “surfer” dud may be a ‘Dawg’ in disguise……like so many others that intrude where not really wanted, just to screw up things. Curry, Hunsinger etal will still be big stars for us and will also continue to be strong supporters. And Clough is smart enuff to work with them! Go Jackets!
By surfer
February 25, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
Maybe some Dots will connect for you younger Alums. Tech has a $100 million shortfall, the old guard is the wealthier part of the base. Tech is going in the wrong direction in the two major revenue sports programs. The losses will mount if the records and recruiting or probation trouble gets worse. The football program had the worse facilities in Division 1 when Curry arrived. He and Homer saved the program. It was much harder to attract talent to Tech then than now. Even Ross’s first two years were rough to say the least. Curry’s Alabama experience is a plus not a negative. He has seen both sides of the fence unlike the other hires in the previous postings. Kentucky was’nt good but nobody can win at Kentucky. Curry is an excellent fundraiser. $100 million has to be raised and Duntz (Clough) did’nt do that ojective any favors. The NCAA will be watching Tech like a hawk because of the current situation. Hiring someone from LSU will only add to the suspicion. Curry has integrity and character which may have been a detriment. Clough has done some good things in the academic side of the school but has dropped the ball on the athletic side. He may want to learn from the previous President who knew his strength was academics and turned things over to Homer on the athletic side. At the same time Clough is going for intellectual rankings whereas students of Tech’s history know it’s not only intellectualy rankings but that coupled with industry strengths is what made Tech Tech. That is what the old guard understands. They have experience. They have known the history of Tech. Mediocrity is not expected in the real world from a tech graduate and should not be rubber stamped by the Institute. Curry was 43 when he left Tech for Bama. I’m sure he had second thoughts later in life. He was young guard then and now he is old guard. He wanted to serve the school and sae it a second time. It’s amazing to me the people that still hold grudges against Curry but for some reason can’t see the incompetence that is coming from the President’s office in regards to Athletics. A death penatly or second probation may be what it takes to get their attention.
By surfer
February 25, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this
Forgot…nothing against Rad but AJC has’nt mentioned any of the following…
Major coaching hires while employed that was his responsibility and had political ramfications with the alumni
Major coaching or playing experience
Major experience at a top flight academic school particularly one on probation
Ability to fire (ie..Gailey)
What I see is a MBA with sports management experience particularly in finance at those stellar academic/athletic colleges of LSU, SC, Miami. Homer had a strong background in coaching and playing, which one would think is just important as the management side as the Ad has to choose the coaches and motivate. Curry would have challenged the status quo and shaken things up before they sink to new lows, that is what is called leadership. By the way he would be one to bring in Whisenhunt or someone else.
By surfer
February 25, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this
Long Beach Jacket, this may help in piecing together the three examples of Lewis, Braine and Gailey and why I felt at this time Curry is the right man at the right time. Lewis, came from a big SEC school, Ga. which by the way is one of the better academic schools in the SEC right now and even back then. He had been at Tech 20 years earlier he was in over his head. It’s the courses and study, ie academics. Braine hired in 1997. He comes from Virginia Tech another big sec type school. He had been at Tech 20 years earlier. He’s in over his head. Again it’s academics. Gailey comes in 2001. He has’nt been at a major college program in 20 years. He’s even had a hard time with job stability in the NFL ranks. His stint with a tough academic program was 20 years earlier. Fast forward (do you start to get the picture). We hire a sharp financial guy. However, he comes from a big SEC school and has’nt had any, any tough academic experience in college AD work. Why we are on probation? Because he can be controlled by Clough and even Gailey to a smaller extent. Two of the trifecta are still in place Gailey and Clough. They both either have to go or be reassigned. At the same time, I would argue that’s even more important to have the ability to hire good coaches and motivate those coaches. Only an academic elitiste would hire someone who is a financial wizard over someone who is helping produce people of the quality of Whisenhunt, the assist coach at Texas, Roof, Dewberry, Pike, Anderson, Taylor, Swilling, Davis, etc….and someone who gets people to pay him to speak. I hope new AD gets control over the athletic department away from the President and maybe he will have a better chance of success. Maybe he is even reading these history lessons…
By Dave
February 25, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this
Surfer,
Give me a break, we are in good hands
By Green Jacket
February 25, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
If “Rad” can’t punt, pass or kick, what difference will it make???
By George
February 25, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
There are a lot of good points made on both sides of this arguement.
I graduated BEE ‘88. I worked for Bill Curry on an athletic scholarship in 1984, ‘85 and ‘86. I am a letterwinner for (85 through 1990 - grad school). I have a lot of respect for Coach Curry. He taught me many things while I worked for him.
Raddakovich has been warned about the academics. Do we need to say anymore? I think it is about time the graduates of Tech get over their obsession with how hard the academics are. If we are going to compete on the same field as the rest of the country, we should stop complaining about how hard they are and talk about the benefits of the education. As a Tech alum, nevermind being an athelete, we can call any alum and get an interview. Georgia Tech opens so many doors and there is huge group of people to which this means something.
We are not going to do anything about who was hired at this point. We did speak our mind to President Clough as to who we wanted, but we have to trust the people that we have hired to run our institution.
At this point it is up to us to support the new management, otherwise we will make sure we don’t win many games and we will revert back to 1981. We have made so much progress toward bettering the institution, why does anyone want to throw it away now!
I increased my contribution by more than three hundred percent this month with a pledge going out for the next five years. (My previous contribution was in the thousands prior to the increase).
If we do not support Raddakovich and he fails, we do not have the right to complain - we made it happen. If we support him and he fails, then we done all we could and we have a right to oust Clough. At this point, he has not done anything to warrant this kind of dissention.
We must give the man a chance!
George