Tech

By GT_65

February 22, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

I’m not happy. May turn out to be a good choice, but I’m not happy about it. Kind of feeling like I did when Chan Gailey was announced as HC.

By Dave Frye

February 22, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

I am certain that President Clough made a good decision, weighing all of the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate.

Good Luck and Go Jackets!

By wes

February 22, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

I’m very happy they went with the more qualified candidate.

By Don

February 22, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

I just hope the ‘more qualified’ candidate understands the uniqueness of GT as well as the ‘runner-up’ candidate does.

By Gary Gudnason

February 22, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

Good choice. I know that Bill Curry was the sentimental favorite, but Dan Radakovich is more qualified and will be more successful.

By gtgad

February 22, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

it would have made no sense to hire Curry. just cause alums like someone does not qualify them for the job. Radakovich is the right-hand man in arguably one of the best athletic programs in the nation. that is exactly what Tech needs in an AD. someone young, hungry, from a top-notch program, who knows the inside workings of an athletic program. as usual, President Clough has made a good personnel decision. he’s one of the finest higher education presidents in the nation.

By robert tilley

February 22, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this

I am disgusted! Mark these words, this will be another sad chapter in Georgia Tech history just as Dave Braine, Chan Gailey, Bill Lewis and the pitiful way Bobby Cremins was forced out. It will be the hardes check I ever write to give them money this year, knowing that its paying for Chan Gailey’s contract extension.

By Mr Breeze

February 22, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

Radakovich is the right man for the job. He has the experience and is more qualified. And admit it, Curry isn’t THAT bad on TV…

By northwestDAWG

February 22, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

GT had a chance! I said that I didn’t have a dawg in this fight but the whole nation would owe you one if you got Curry away from ESPN so we wouldn’t have to put up with him. Well you blew it and picked the right man! Now you owe the nation! How ‘bout coming up with a way that GT. can help the rest of us football fans from sea to shining sea to get him off the AirWaves. Really, being a dawg it’s none of my business who GT picked but I do think you made the right choice for Tech.

By Van Henshaw

February 22, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

I feel this is the best hire since Bobby Ross. This fellow is coming from a very strong program and had a hand in everything that went on athletically at LSU. He will bring our Athletic Department back to the stature of what we are accustomed. I liked Bill Curry as a player, but fell out of favor with his coaching tactics. He is a great spokesman for GT and will continue to be, but we need a strong AD that won’t have to go through a learning curve to get the job done. Thank you Dr. Clough!

By Ripdog

February 22, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

I think this is a great choice. I do agree with an earlier poster in that I hope he understands that Tech offers unique challenges academically that other schools don’t have. I certainly think he is the most qualified to bring Tech to the next level.

By CRB

February 22, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

Excellent hire. Curry would have been the emotional choice but Radakovich is the SMART choice in the long term.

We needed an Athletic Director, not a Football Director.

By GT Fan 82

February 22, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

I am just glad that Braine is gone. I wish him no ill will, but he had no clue how to run a Division IA athletic department. I hope that the new guy will bring a new level of enthusiasm and a stronger level of guidance to our programs.

By Brett

February 22, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

Even though I am a Dawg fan, I do think GT made the right decision. Curry definitely does not have the background for it. However, a word of caution. Do not be surprised if LSU shoots back with a higher offer when Bertman retires! They already had Radokovich slated to be their next AD, and they may still want him. Good luck!

By PJB Jackets

February 22, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

As a Tech fan through and through, I’m obviously heart broken that Bill Curry was not hired. He is an outstanding man of character with a deep appreciation for Georgia Tech and all of the challenges facing the athletic program. Now with that said, I trust that Radakovich will bring the experience and enthusiasm neccesary for Tech to become one of the elite athletic programs in the nation. As long as he gets rid of Dave No Braine’s attitude that Tech can only be mediocre, then I think in the long run we will be in good shape. Obviously Coach Curry was a sentimental favorite, but I trust that what is in Tech’s best interest was the deciding factor. Go Jackets!!!

By GW

February 22, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

When this guy fires Gailey he can replace him with Curry as FB coach. Then everybody’s happy. I agree LSU might try to get him back in 3-4 years.

By Ted

February 22, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

I just don’t see how this is an ‘excellent’ choice. Both Auburn and South Carolina passed on the guy, but yet he’s good enough for Georgia Tech. I don’t get it.

By CHEWreck

February 22, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

GT_65 said it best, “Kind of feeling like I did when Chan Gailey was announced as HC.”

Gailey = Radakovich McWhorter = Curry

Both hiring MISTAKES will be remembered as sad eras in Tech sports history!

By Bear

February 22, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Dan Radakovich is a great guy. Tech will be pleasently surprise at what a great job he will do! Way to go DAN!!!

By Darrell

February 22, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

Good choice!

Nothing against Curry, but hiring Radakovich gives us the best of both worlds: Youth AND experience.

By Mark

February 22, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

I have always loved Bill Curry and everything he stands for. Having said that, he was just not qualified for this job at this time and I think we may find this is the best hire Clough has ever made.

Radokovich has an excellent background, but more importantly, he actually has the accomplishments, too. It would have been nice to find a qualified candidate with Tech ties, but Homer Rice didn’t have Tech ties and he did us pretty well. Braine on the other hand…

If Rady can get rid of Gailey, he will make us all forget that we liked Curry.

By Jo jo

February 22, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

We just keep stumbling over ourselves. Curry is qualified and would bring class to our programs. We know him and like him. Too bad.

By MikeD

February 22, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

I just hope that Hewitt is 100% comfortable with the decision.

By Stephen Smith

February 22, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

Great hire!

By reality check

February 22, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

Good hire.

As far as the assertion by others on this blog that Tech offers academic challenges that other schools don’t have, Tech people need to quit beating that old dog because it just won’t hunt.

Tech is not unique in having high academic standards. You don’t hear fans at schools like Michigan, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Virginia, North Carolina, Stanford, Penn State or Miami whining about their inability to win because of academics and all of them have admission requirements that are about like those at Georgia Tech.

I never heard fans in the Bobby Dodd era complain about academics at Georgia Tech and I don’t believe Tech was any easier then than it is now. Tech has always been a hard school, but it has never had a monopoly on that. Winning is the cure for whining.

By Ro

February 22, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

I think the past of Bill Curry caught up with him on this one.

By gt80

February 22, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

Terrific hire! I love Bill Curry but this hire makes so much more sense. I trust that Bill will still be a loyal GT Man and be outspoken in his support for our new AD (and hopefully wisper in his ear that Chan needs to either hire an experienced Offensive Coordinator or hit the road).

By Henry

February 22, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

Best hire of the two, but will he be around in two years when the AD job at LSU opens up?

By Keeping it real !!!

February 22, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

It’ a very good choice.Now what are you going to do about this weak fookball and basketball team.The TIME HAS COME AND NOW IS TO WIN!!!!!

By Scott

February 22, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

Looks on paper to be a an excellent hire. Hopefully he will impart the success LSU has had to the GT Football program and maintain and improve on the accomplishments that the other GT sports programs have achieved.

By MGLwedge

February 22, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

It is a sad day for LSU that D. Radakovich will be leaving Baton Rouge. He has been instrumental in building a very solid academic/athletics program at LSU that continues to be one of the best in the country on both counts. The athletics end has been very obvious to the country in terms of men’s and women’s sports accomplishments, but it is the academic side that has flourished as well. Dan has been a big part of that and ALL sports at LSU have seen a dramatic rise in graduation rates and GPA’s since he came to Baton Rouge.

He definitely will fit into the academic side of GT and help attract the student athletes that will make any sports program successful.

Now that the ACC has become a better force as a conference in football, Dan will attract great non-conference games to fill in the schedule. He did a great job in that role at LSU.

The entire Georgia Tech community will quickly realize how fortunate they are to have him on board.

Congratulations.

By Louis

February 22, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

Finally Tech had the fortitude to hire the right guy regardless of the sentiment for Curry. I remember what happened when they hired “a Tech guy” (Curry)for football coach. There were some bleak seasons before he got finally his act together. Experience counts for an awful lot. Good choice, even though I like Curry.

By Mosby

February 22, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

Tech is not unique in having high academic standards. You don’t hear fans at schools like Michigan, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Virginia, North Carolina, Stanford, Penn State or Miami whining about their inability to win because of academics and all of them have admission requirements that are about like those at Georgia Tech.

A) No they don’t. B) Once your in all those schools offer basket-weaving quality majors. Whereas our easiest major is a Mgmt major that is comparable to some of the best business degrees out there.

Don’t try to discuss something that you don’t know about.

PS, this Radakavich will be a lap dog, book it.

By daryl himes

February 22, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe Bill Curry did not get this job. Once again, my alma matter drops the ball. Just another reason to skip roll call.

By Sherilyn

February 22, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

With any apologies due to the apparently capable AD choice, the decision still stinks. Not choosing the “complete package”, a Tech Man, Bill Curry, is ridiculous. The idea stinks—the validity of the choice is yet to be seen. Yet, being a GA TECH fan all my life, I won’t change. So, welcome Dan Radackovich.

By Nate

February 22, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

This sucks. I was hoping that I would never have to see or hear Bill Curry on ESPN again. Thanks for nothing again Tech.

By Stephen

February 22, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

Well, with all respect to The guy from LSU who now becomes the new AD at GT, I think this decision stinks. I’m biased for sure, certainly feeling the Bill Curry is the right man for the job, and I still feel that way. I suppose I’ll come around to the ‘new guy’, but for now i am quite disgusted.

By Jay

February 22, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

As a Dawg Fan I fear this appointment will be too good for Tech. With Curry, there could have been a few more years of mediocrity and… UGA wins!!

By Sam

February 22, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this

I am the same age as Bill Curry and I still consider myself young. However, I am smart enough to know that I don’t have the drive or desire of of a man 20 years younger than me and I certainly would not want to learn a new job at my age. As a loyal Tech alum I’m glad the young (relative) guy got the job.

By houser1

February 22, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this

I think Clough went with the “Head over Heart” in this one. I’ll bet you that we begin selling out every football game within the next 5-10 years. Dan will set us up for a good run in the future.
Curry is a “Tech Man” but that won’t get us to where we need to be. As far as Rad’s taking the LSU job—Why would he want to move back to Baton Rouge when he can live in the A?
Reality Check—I seriously doubt that Miami and VT’s(Our division) admission standards are as high as Tech’s. Why don’t you check check check how difficult the majors of the football players at some of those schools are(criminology, liberal arts, etc.)? Oh and NC and Stanford don’t win. If you’re talking about BB—Wait til Thad young and Javaris Crittenton roll in next year!

By John

February 22, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

I would have picked Curry.

By jerry

February 22, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

This smells just like the Chan Gailey hire. Another yes man for the administration. Nobody ever heard of Rad until yesterday and now he is the savior. Nothing llke bringing in another outsider to muck up the mess we have even further. Might as well get used to being UGA’s female dog.

By SDW

February 22, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this

As long as Dan fires Chan the man he is a good choice. Hopefully he will call up Fresno State and steal thier ball coach and brning him to Tech.

By S Alford

February 22, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

Love the choice for AD!

By John

February 22, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Right on Jerry! How silly and assinine all these people are that supposedly know so much about this guy. They know nothing. Curry was a known guy with great ties to this school and great character.

By TDF

February 22, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

I think Tech hired the more qualified candidate. I love Bill Curry, but he was second in this race.

By War Eagle

February 22, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

I think it is a good hire for Tech. The man has been an Assistant AD for some time. LSU has not been on probation in the last 5 years or so and the athletic programs are pretty competitive-NCAA Football Champs a few years ago-Beat Almighty Oklahoma; and then destroyed Miami in the Peach this year. I just hope the NAACP doesn’t jump up and down asking for penalties because Tech did not interview a black person. Hear that NCAA and NAACP! TECH hired a QUALIFIED person for the position. And he brings EXPERIENCE. Good hire Dr. Clough!

By The Next Generation

February 22, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this

CONGRATULATIONS TO GEORGIA TECH ON FINDING, ATTRACTING, AND HIRING, IN MY OPINION, THE BEST CANDIDATE IN THE COUNTRY. WHO CAN ARGUE WITH A CANDIDATE THAT COMES FROM A WINNING PROGRAM?

By Techalwaysloses

February 22, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this

Since he is from LSU, he should already be used to losing to UGA in football which will make him a perfect fit for Tech.

By JDL

February 22, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

Clough’s been batting zero to this point, why would we expect any better? Pretty clear by now that he has no idea of what GT stands (sorry, “stood”) for.

By Can Chan

February 22, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

Great Hire. We love Curry but the best person for this job was hired. Now, first order of business; Can Chan!

By ICH

February 22, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

Another sad day on the Flats!!! Bring on Dr. Betty Siegel for GT President, it’s time for Dr. Clough to go!!! The thoughts for the future; 3 or 4 years as a “yes man” and Dan Radackovich is on his way back to LSU; by that time Chan Gailey will have been fired and replaced with a real Coach. I hope “the old guard”, as they are called, close their wallets and keep them closed until Dr. Clough is history!!! Maybe it’s time to support a full (football) GSU or KSU athletics program.

By The Next Generation

February 22, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this

Thank you Dr. Clough for having the guts to make the right decision!

By WDGT55

February 22, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

I am disgusted but I love GT. President Clough better be right, Chan & Paul better get their act together.

By GW

February 22, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

Nobody’s heard of Radakovich because he didn’t campaign for the job via the AJC and television. Bertmann, the LSU AD, is the former super baseball coach and he turned FB, MBB and baseball over to this guy. Curry just wanted to gladhand the old Tech money. Let’s see his reaction to being turned down. That’ll show his true colors.

By mountain_jim

February 22, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

As a 25-year Tech Alumnus, I support and agree with this choice. I am concerned about how he plans to keep Hewitt around, however.

mj

By Dennis Billew

February 22, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

Good decision. Choosing a man who has a history of managing a successful athletics program over a man who is a really good guy and was a great football player.

By bayoudawg

February 22, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Having known Bill Curry since we palyed against each other through high school, I was pulling for him as I know he’s got the coaching/playing/recruiting experience as well as the contacts to be successful as the AD. However, he’s my age and I must admit that young whipper-snapper, has the edge and the moxie from LSU to lift GT up to the glory days. Us Dawgs will have to work even harder!

By joey f. heard

February 22, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

I’m a dawg fan , but Bill Curry should have been the new ad at tech !

By The Next Generation

February 22, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

Alright all you old timers….please don’t judge this decision based on the success or lack of success of Chan and Paul. Those are Braine’s guys. We need five years to judge the success of Mr. Radakovich.

By KD

February 22, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

Excellent selection.

By GT Forever

February 22, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

I would think the Tech Alum would be much smarter than what I am hear from these blogs. The most success Tech has had since the Dodd era came from an outsider. A man who had vision and took Tech to the major level. Now the administration has choosen another outsider who will adopt the Tech culture and take it to a new level. Bill Curry was a great Tech player but was not much of a coach. I think this hire will be the beginning of a new era for Tech Athletics and as one GT alum I amvery happy. Welcome aboard Dan.

By DawgJacket

February 22, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

Bill Curry should have already been hired. This should have been a no brainer

By REALBIG

February 22, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

I agree this is the best direction for Tech to compete with other notable Div. 1A programs in years to come. For all you idiots who think that Curry should have been selected ask yourself this question. What true requirement does he fulfill that Radokovich cant? His past experience, being at Tech, means nothing if you possess the knowledge of running the post. The understanding of running a football team is not much when you have several people on staff to handle the day-2-day operations. He didn’t win many games here, so why should I think that he has a COMMITMENT to winning. Being a recent graduate and athlete at Tech, it is an attitude that must resonate from the Top if you want to compete with the Floridas, the North Carolinas, the Ohio States of the world that have much more competitive athletic departments if you measure their success in each sport. Tech deserves, in addition to its great locale, a reason for people to enjoy being alumnus of their “instituteâ€?. I don’t know about most but I work for a living and EACH DAY I receive some type of ignorant remark about my college choice. True Tech’s reputation and prestige in the academics are remarkable but why not have an agenda for excellence in everything. Then again in this age of mediocrity, most would be satisfied with being the norm. I guess that’s why we all pay taxes for a school system that is failing too. Who really should care…

By Stan

February 22, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

I’ve heard enough about the loyal Tech man Bill Curry……A loyal Tech man does not dump his alma mater to run off and Coach Alabama, You got what you were due Coach Curry….Good hire….Welcome Dan Radokovich !

By Jon

February 22, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

I am thrilled about this choice. This guy had all the tools and the know-how to get it done.

By Tom H.

February 22, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

Great choice based on his experience and reputation. Curry would have been a fine choice, but he would probably have only been around for about 8-10 years. Hopefully, Radokovich will be around to build solid sports programs for a lot longer.

By DTM

February 22, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

As a ‘Bama fan, I really could care less about the athletic administration at Georgia Tech. But I have to admit, I was truly rooting for Curry to get this job just to get him off of ESPN. Amazing how 3 years in Tuscaloosa made him an expert on what it takes to win in big-time college football.

By tabascosauce

February 22, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

Radokovich will be back on the bayou in 4 yrs and tech will be on the search once again. maybe nextime they will then give the job to gailey and the joke will come full-circle.

By uglydawg

February 22, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

To those who think Curry would have only been there 10 years, that would be about 6-7 more years than Radakovich will be there. LSU will get him back when Bertmann retires by offering more $$$ and better enviroment. That is the reason USC(east) and AU both turned him down. Keep up the great work NATS. And to those predicting sell outs in 5 years, you can’t even sell out your place with McCombo pack you offer - cheap tickets, hot dog, and a coke.

By Voice of Reason

February 22, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

MOSBY>>>You are an idiot if you think that GT has higher academic standards than Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford or Penn State. All four of those schools are very highly ranked year in and year out. The North Avenue Trade School is lucky if they get one honorable mention per year in any higher level education ranking publication.

By Spanky

February 22, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

“As a ‘Bama fan, I really could care less about the athletic administration at Georgia Tech.”….There is an athletic administration at Georgia Tech?!…hmm..go figure!..Bama fan, I completely agree with you about Curry! He’s an idiot!!

By Nathan

February 22, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

I am very pleased. Tech needs a professional AD, a person trained and educated for the job. I believe we have that in Radakovich.

By Mike

February 22, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

Right choice. I didn’t think they would do it but bless there soul. Curry is a good man but he has alrady left his school once, and for ALABAMA. No, not again.

By War Eagle

February 22, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

We have two War Eagles on board or I was forged.I was hoping Curry would get the job for two selfish reasons.1) Bill Curry is 6-0 loser against Auburn, though maybe luck would rub on us if we played again,2) it opens the door down the road with a successful stint at Auburn as our DC, Will Muschamp is a excellent prospect as a GT Head Coach. I understand they are bosom buddies..

By sting

February 22, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

If this guy is the right guy, GT can match any offer LSU can come up with. After all, the school has had what, a billion dollars in donations the past 5-6 years?

By mike

February 22, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this

I think an AD’s importance to f-ball and b-ball is overstated. Does anyone know or care who the AD at Texas, USC, Duke is. It all boils down to players and coaches and talent.

By Mosby

February 22, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

MOSBY>>>You are an idiot if you think that GT has higher academic standards than Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford or Penn State. All four of those schools are very highly ranked year in and year out. The North Avenue Trade School is lucky if they get one honorable mention per year in any higher level education ranking publication.

Yeah the 9th best public college in the nation is lucky to get an honorable mention. Get back to your fry cooker, mutt.

By Robert

February 22, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

One thing that everyone will now know, good or bad….

Coming from the SEC, we know he will not make academics a priority over winning!!!

By chuckie d

February 22, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

A great choice to bring in a young guy with exceptional “winning” experience, better prepared to work with our coaches, athletes and alumni. The “safe” choice would have been Curry, and while I wish him well, I am happy we went for a dynamic young guy who can be here for a long long time.

By reality check

February 22, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

Mosby, you missed my point. Tech simply does not have a monopoly on academic excellence and Tech fans who use academics as an excuse for poor performance are doing nothing but coming across as sore losers.

Tech is an excellent school, but there are some that are more selective when you look at college board scores, acceptance rates, and percentage of students in the top 10% of high school class. Schools that fit that profile include Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Michigan, Virginia, Duke, Wake Forest, Northwestern, Stanford, and California to name a few. T

Some of those schools have athletic programs that are more successful than others, but none of them offer basket weaving as majors. And their fans don’t use academics as an excuse when they don’t do well. That seems to be a uniquely Tech trait and it doesn’t serve Tech any better than the propensity Tech fans have to bash Reggie Ball and Chan Gailey at every opportunity.

Let me ask you, Mosby, do you believe Tech is a lot harder now than it was when Bobby Dodd was coaching? Do you think it is a lot harder now than when Bobby Ross was coaching?

I don’t. You need to start thinking like a winner and expect more.

By jerry

February 22, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

We don’t hire mutts. Muschamp will never set foot inside of Georgia Tech.

By reooool tiiiidde!!!

February 22, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

One thing’s for certain …everybody knows that Alabama fans are complete idiots!

I mean, really, everyone knows this to be true.

By Red Fox

February 22, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

Get back to your fry cooker, mutt.

This is hilarious. I can see the dumba$$ dawg fan with his apron on right now. Thanks for the laugh at work.

By DirkDawggler

February 22, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

Reggie Ball still sucks.

By WRB61

February 22, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

Great choice!! — was concerned Dr. Clough would yield to pressure. We needed an AB not a PR man.

By Bob Roberts

February 22, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

I don’t think that the argument is that Tech is a more difficult / selective school that the Michigans, Notre Dames, Stanfords of the world. Their problem is the narrowness of the curriculum. Just because a kid is smart and can play, doesn’t mean he wants to be a scientist or engineer.

By david

February 22, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

Great hire!! LSU runs a great program. We need some SEC attitude around here….As far as that goes, we need to leave the ACC and go back to the SEC.

p.s…all you Gailey haters….He has a better win/loss record than Hewitt….

By Right Choice

February 22, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

Loyal?!? Was Curry loyal when he left Tech, his alma mater, for Alabama, a big rival when he played here?

Class and character?!? Did Curry show class and character when he lied and said it wasn’t about the money?

Please. Curry was a joke of a candidate. As others have said, to hire Curry would simply be a benefit to watching ESPN football. He has NO qualifications to be an AD other than he played football here 40+ years ago and coached here 20 years ago. Things change, however, and the Tech of today is not the Tech of the mid-80s.

The new guy is younger, has more experience in athletic departments and works for a program whose overall athletic program is, to say the least, slightly better than Tech’s. I’d say if anyone has the background to lead Tech to the heights we all want them to reach, it isn’t the guy who has been a football analyst for the last 10 years.

As for losing him in 3-4 years if LSU comes calling, it isn’t as if, at 63, good ole Bill will be around for 20 years either.

By legal man

February 22, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this

Ihad the pleasure of working for Mr. Curry’s father, when he was the sporting goods buyer at Rich’s. His son is not of the same mold that he is.

Tech got lucky just as it did with Bobby Dodd, Bobby Ross and George O’Leary.

We need somebody that knows what he is doing. We should thank the school administrattion for doing the right thing rather than the popular thing.

Hopefully the new AD can explain to our football coach that in this day and age you delegate. Is it easire to fire a coordiantor or the head coach who will not listen?

By Twilb Dawg

February 22, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

You Tech fans crack me up! Some of you say that Radakovich “will bring the Tech athletic department back to stature of what we are accustomed” HA HA HA HA This move is a smart move buy your schools leadership given the small pool of candidates you had to choose from. All of you out there bit*g will be eating crow down the road. After all if he can succeed in the SEC he can surely exceed in the *Athletically Challenged Conference.

See you Nerds in November for your annual whipping.

By Will

February 22, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

Dan Who?

By Scooter11

February 22, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

Mac McWhorter was a ‘mutt’. Bill Lewis was a former ‘mutt’ coach. There have been others.

By reality check

February 22, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Bob Roberts, why do you say a kid who goes to Tech has to be a scientist or engineer? Have you looked lately at the degrees Tech offers?

How about Literature, communication and culture; Public Policy; International Affairs; Modern languages; Psychology; History, Technology and Society; Management.

These are just some of the bachelors degree programs offered at Tech that are not in the school of engineering. The Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts is fully accessible to the athletes who want to pusue a curriculum other than engineering, architecture, or science.

I am beginning to believe this whole blog is a waste of my time. I’m not bashing Tech. If I were a Tech fan I would be sick and tired of all the lame excuses. Be positive and expect better or accept what you deserve.

By GT

February 22, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

We had no business hiring a 63 year old man to a job he had no experience in. We would be right back trying to find somebody in a few years even if the very best worked out. Radakavik will have some cold shoulders from the “old guard” but maybe it’s time for a little new blood at Ga.Tech. If Curry has the class we hear about so much he will help pave the way for this guy. He talks the talk lets see if Curry walks the walk.

By The SHOW

February 22, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

Disappointed, but not surprised at all. I just hope this guy doesn’t try to make excuses for losing like Braine did. I certainly wouldn’t see Curry doing that. I will be a bigger supporter of this guy if he starts out by buying out Gailey’s contract and showing him the door.

By Senior Citizen

February 22, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

While reading all these coments about the qualifications of the two nominees according to the “experts”,I am reminded of Will Rodgers’ sayingt “I only know what i read in the newspapers”. I expect that Dr. Clough was a whole lot more objective in his decision-making and selection for the job. ……..GO JACKETS.

By JT

February 22, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

We hired Curry in 1980 with barely any coaching experience. Now the same “old guard” wants to hire him again with barely any AD experience. What are we? The Bill Curry Employment Agency. Tech has had three one win seasons in 100 years. Curry is responsible for 2 of them. Yet, he is held up as having the aura of success. I respect what Curry on the field as a player at Tech, but that does not make him a qualified AD candidate. Maybe Notre Dame can hire Bob Davie as AD. We went down this road once, why do it again? Give this new guy a chance!

By ramblin_wreck_ce

February 22, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Reality Check,

If you ever go to a Tech graduation, you’d realize that the other majors were “rounding error.” It was astonishing to me as a student to see the masses rise when “The College of Engineering” was called.

To those people who say this smacks of Chan’s hiring, I’d say that you have a point. All we heard was Curry, Curry, Curry. Then, suddenly, a completely different name falls out of the till.

That said, this guy does have a pretty good resume. Coming from LSU, he comes from a program that knows how to win. (Not that I like the SEC, but they are in the hunt for their conference and the National Title this century.)

I don’t know if he’ll be good or bad for our program. I do know that I didn’t like Chan in the NFL (notably the Cowboys and Dolphins) and was the kind of guy that struck me as a coordinator. Is Radakovich ready to make the step to the next level or should he have stayed a Senior AD?

Time will tell.

By ramblin_wreck_ce

February 22, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

The Show,

I remember reading on a past blog (I think from a Knobler article) explaining that the Gailey extension was negotiated…but never signed.

If that is true, Braine may have been trying to give the appearance of stability without committing to it.

By Bill Cury

February 22, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe I wasn’t hired. After being one of only two coaches to have a losing record at Tech, I bolted for a better situation and didn’t come back to Tech until it was time to campaign for this job.

I sent e-mails to people, made phone calls, and as a man of integrity, did my best to pressure the institute into hiring me by finding people who thought they cvould control me and gain influence at the AA if I was AD, and got them to put pressure on the school! I don’t care that I did my best to divide the fan base to get the job, I love GT. I have so much relevant experience too! Its a shame people aren’t revolting since I wasn’t hired.

Well, at least I made it harder for the new guy to succeed by dividing the fan base. I’m gonna go cry with Taz Anderson caus nobody will listen to us. Boo hoo.

By David Storm

February 22, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this

Dan Radakovich is a great hire for Georgia Tech. He understands big time athletics as he was being groomed for the AD’s chair at LSU. His experience at American in the Patriot League taught him about the importance of academics. He’ll listen to the coaches, fight for the student-athletes, and build relationships throughout the campus and the city. Way to go, DAN!!!!!

By gt 1982

February 22, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

Great hire! Ask Pepper’s recruits what we thought about Bill. I have never disliked any one person at GT more than Bill. It is time for us to move forward not go back to the bad old days of Coach Bill. It feels great to know we are heading back to the future and on the way up!

GO Jackets!

By Scott

February 22, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

Radakovich’s first action as AD should be a Lifetime Contract for Chan Gailey.
Go Dawgs!! Sic’em, woof, woof, woof.

By Joe Colvin

February 22, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

Outstanding choice. Dan Radakovich has a solid educational background, and great experience as an Athletic Director. I was a teammate of Bill’s and I am sure that he really wanted the job but I think Radakovich is the better choice.

By GT

February 22, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

JT,that is a classic”The Bill Curry Employment Agency”. Don’t forget he just left to go to Alabama so he could have a chance at a national championship, something he thought Tech could never do. I wonder if that kind of logic would work with my wife. “I just left you baby to have one of those trophy wives…. What’s with the gun?” Then I end up with Joanne Barr and she ends up with Tom Cruise. Life ain’t alway unfair.

By gt 1982

February 22, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

Scott, Don’t you guys have your own blog? I am sure two or three of your brain surgeon ballplayers have been lock up in the county jail today. Why don’t you go play with your own inmates…

By Kevin

February 22, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

Kudos for new AD at tech like said early.He make tech sale out with redoin bobby dodd stadium n new bathrooms n better food courts.And gettin more seats at stadium.also replace GT old basketball arena with a new 20,000 seat one.So like said n for some reason AJC censored mine off!

By Jeffrey Morrison

February 22, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

This is an OUTSTANDING choice. Dan will be a terrific AD for Tech for a very long time.

I love Bill Curry but this is a very, very good decision today for Tech.

Good luck, Dan.

BSIE ‘76

By GT Fan

February 22, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Face it, Curry did not do well as coach and there is nothing to believe his AD skills would have been any better. I can now continue to support my beloved Jackets. Life is good!!

By Ernest

February 22, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this

I think this was a good hire! Dan R. has an outstanding resume and will surely help the overall athletic program at the Flats. Welcome aboard, Dan!!!

By gtgd

February 22, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

as for all you critics of the hire, give me one good reason Curry should have gotten it. Radakovich, according to the professionals involved, is HIGHLY qualified and has been at one of the top 5 programs in the nation. Curry talks on tv and gives speeches. there’s more to AD’ing than that, as much as we all love Bill Curry.

and as for the UGA people on here making comments: one of your football players got busted in a bar passed out on the toilet the other night. go discuss that on your dummy blog.

By reality check

February 22, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

ramblinwreckce I have no doubt that the masses at Tech are engineering students and I am happy for them.

For those engineers who are not able to catch my point, let me be more explicit. The people on this blog who have said the only majors available at Tech are in engineering and science are wrong. There is a Liberal Arts College at Georgia Tech and those degrees are available to athletes who do not want to major in engineering and science.

By GT #1

February 22, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

Radakavich will be a puppet for the academic side of the school. Curry would have demanded a better football team and “rocked the boat”. The administration selected a puppet. I hope Radakavich proves me wrong.

The only thing we do consistantly is lose to UGA. The more things change…..

By Matt

February 22, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this

I’ve known Dan Radakovich since 1980 and worked for him at the Univ of Miami. We have stayed in touch for 26 years and he remains very grounded. His wife is an exceptional person as well. He is not only the right man for the GT position, but the best man for GT athletics and the Atlanta community. Dan will bring GT to a whole new level. GREAT CHOICE by the President and the Athletic board.

By Scott

February 22, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

Hey gt 1982—-I think the hire today is Chantastic!!!!

Go Dawgs!!!! sic’em, woof, woof, woof, woof.

By GT

February 22, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

Where in this universe do we get Curry would demand a better football team. How is he going to say anything to Chan when his record here was worse than the coach he is giving hell to? Rock what boat, he man is a politically correct con artist, how does that rock your boat?

By Bob Gibeling Jr.

February 22, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

Although I have always admired and appreciated Bill Curry, as a Tech graduate, I believe that Rad is a fantastic choice. Please note that Bill Curry is the only Tech football coach in history not to have a winning record. I know Bill will have the class and grace to support the choice of President Clough and the selection committee, however. Rad has superior credentials for this job in this era. I admire President Clough’s courage for making the decision he felt would give Tech the boost it needs. I also hope Paul Hewett was consulted and feels he will get the needed support to stay at Tech.
Go Jackets!

By Terry Williams

February 22, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

Looks like a good hire for the Techsters. But is he really ready to get pounded EVERY year by his new cross state rival….like his former team did in this year’s SEC championship game???

By Looking for a new team

February 22, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

It over for me, this President is a fool. When is Georgia State starting a football program

By pennst8r91

February 22, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Mosby, apparently your school doesn’t offer English classes.

Once your in all those schools offer basket-weaving quality majors

‘your’ not very smart for a Tech grad.

By FiftyOneToSeven

February 22, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Great hire Tech - taking a reject at AD that was turned down at two SEC schools continues Tech’s glorious athletic history. With Radakovich as AD, Chan The Man and Hewitt as your coaches I’m sure you’ll win many, many, championships.

By techaholic

February 22, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

Tech made the right decision. We need new blood and someone who is going to come in and change those things that are not right.

The commentary on him by his peers IS very telling and it speaks to being the best guy for the job.

He does have his work cut out for him but based on the commentaries from those who worked with him … those GTAA employees need to get their act togehter … Dan’s coming!

By gt 1982

February 22, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

Scott, We agree on one thing, Chan is not quality for our beloved University. I would like to ask you a question. If Chan is that bad and we recruit that bad and our program is that bad why does UGA struggle with us so much? Why with your world class coach do you win ten games every season. It seem if Mark was so awesome and your recruits are so awesome and we are so weak you would not only beat us badly but beat everyone else. Maybe Chan as bad as he is could put your talant over the top. Your staff can’t! Now once again do you not have some players waiting on you for bail. Your shift should be over soon. By the way please bring me by a quarter pounder w/ cheese value meal. I know employess get a discount.

By toemeetsleather

February 22, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

prez clough made a good choice with chan and am sure this is another selection that is leading us back to glory days of dodd and 1991……GOOOOOOOOO JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!

By GreenJacket

February 22, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

I think Tech made the right choice. For those who think Dan may bolt in a couple of years… Remember we have Top 10 Baseball and Golf programs every year, our basketball outlook is very positive with the recruiting class next year, and I know money talks but would you rather live in Atlanta or Baton Rouge? The first thing Dan should do is put pressure on the horrid Chan Gailey offense and make him hire a OC that can put up more than 18 points a game !!!!

By Bear

February 22, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

DAN - Welcome to Atlanta! We are very pleased and proud to have you at Tech! We look forward to many great years with your leadership! WELCOME!!!

By guy drew

February 22, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

I think its great young lots of experience great job TECH!!!!

By john

February 22, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

Glad Curry didn’t get the job. He is probably a good man, just comes off as too goody goody. I cannot watch a game with him as an announcer because he is so whinny.

By jay jarrell

February 22, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

Thank you there is a god!Go back to Alabama Curry!

By terpfan

February 22, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this

The AD selection was an outstanding choice. We need new people who see things from a different angle. He will be good for all athletics and well as ladies sports. We need a new basketball arena and football needs better restrooms and concessions. GT is a great school in a fantastic city. There is a lot of money floating around to be spent in Atlanta. This was a wise choice.

By GT Dave

February 22, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this

Overall I think it’s the best choice for Tech. Curry had a couple of things against him. 1) His age-Being in his 60’s, how many years can he truly be counted on as AD. You want consistency and you can’t have that by changing AD’s every couple of years. There’s no guarantee that there would be any good candidates available the next go around.

2) Experience, lets face it Curry has literally no experience in the AD field. D-Rad has been groomed to take over the AD spot at LSU. So you would think he would at least be in a better position to manage all the sports.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t heard much about D-Rad up until the last week or so and hope that G. Wayne is right on this. Curry would have been good as a PR move, but that’s about the extent of it.

By jim

February 22, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this

Take it from a big LSU fan and someone who knows Dan personally and professionally: GT has hired one of the best in the business. I wouldn’t be surprised if LSU came after him when our AD retires. Dan knows how to run the business, sell the tickets, take care of alums, work with coaches and athletes and always works to have great schedules for his teams. GT made a very smart move today. Our loss in LA.

By Mike

February 22, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Tech made the right choice. Curry quit Tech when he left for Alabama. It was a completely selfish move. He shouldn’t have even been considered. He’s got no passion or heart. Never did. Curry’s crap.

By GARY

February 22, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

GREAT CHOICE. THE LAST ONE PUT GT ON PROBATION FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. BILL CURRY IS THE MOST BORINEST COMMENTATOR ESPN COULD FIND. HOPEFULLY “RAD” WILL SEE GAILEY AS ALL THE TECH FAITHFUL. HE’S NOT A BIGTIME COLLEGE FB COACH.

By bob

February 22, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Not to be negative on Bill Curry as he is a good Tech man (maybe not so loyal - re Alabama). I agree with some previous posters that he has some of the worst records at Tech and don’t think he did a coaching or recruiting job up to par with Gailey’s - he was basically a good player, but medocre coach. Other than being a Tech Man I’m not sure of anything he could bring to being an AD. He won at Alabama with the players he inherited. I was also a Pepper fan and as I recall most of the players he inherited were did not like Curry at all. So I say welcome Dan.

By James Wilson

February 22, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this

Hey, northeastDAWG!! Why aren’t you in jail with the rest of your UGA friends?

By Mike

February 22, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this

Curry was the head coach at his alma mater. He walked. That’s a pretty short list.

By houser1

February 22, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

Ya’ll seriously have no life or job if you have the time to hang around another teams blog. Pathetic. For those worried about DR leaving back to LSU-Quote-“I work at Georgia Tech, and I’m very happy to be here, and this is the institution that gave me the opportunity to be an athletics director, so, no, I don’t see myself going back to LSU.”

By MH

February 22, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

I’m with Mosby, but someone else made a good point. It is possible to have a good athletic program and be an academically competitve school, but it’s not easy. I’d rather have a crap football team and a great academic program than the reverse.

Most football players choose Management, and most of them didn’t come to class. I don’t mind creating a worthless major for the athletes to take, but I hate that they essentially water down our business school. That said, I think that the graduation rate among athletes says something about how hard the school is.

By hop

February 22, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this

bill curry is a class act and he would have really helped bring the football program back to a championship level.

the new ad is a a very good candidate,but he will last long at tech. as soon as the LSU job is available he will be long gone.

that is the problem that we have always had except for coach Dodd,everyone wants to go somewhere else. the new ad will not be any diffent.

By 87_nuke

February 22, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe all these Curry fans….this is the same guy that is so much a Tech man he left for Alabama! Give me a break. Hiring Curry would have been about as good as hiring Bill “The Idiot” Lewis.

By Royce

February 22, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

In my judgement, based on each candidate’s resume as reported in the media, Dr. Clough selected the best candidate. Being a Tech grad himself, I am pleased that he made the selection based on qualifications rather than poularity with the Tech Nation. This goes along way in describing the character and leadership qualities of Dr. Clough.

By GTAlum

February 22, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this

I support the choice. Radakovich is a solid candidate. Having said that, I hope he understands that Chan isn’t going to win him more than 7 games per year and thus should fire him.
Go Jackets!!!

By Jeremy Williams

February 22, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this

Great hire now we can get rid of CHAN GAILEY!

By Rock Conner

February 22, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

Congrats to Dr. Clough on a good choice. I admire Bill Curry, but Dan Radakovich is more experienced, though younger, and better qualified for this job. Best wishes to Bill Curry, and to our new AD.

By mtraininjax

February 22, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

Bill Curry has taken 4 naps since the announcement, Bill don’t bother getting back up. Good choice to go with youth! We will see in 2 years if it was worth it.

Chan Gailey, you must now win more than 7 games to keep your worthless, miserable job!

By Richard

February 22, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

I think this is a great hire. I also attended the college coaches conference in Dallas last month and Chan was the Keynote Speaker. I will give him one more year, then I hope Radakovich will make a move if necessary. Great hire!! GO JACKETS!!!!

By keeping it REAL

February 23, 2006 02:31 AM | Link to this

TIME TO WIN!

By Don

February 23, 2006 05:03 AM | Link to this

I think Bill Curry was and would have been the natural choice and favorite, a home grown choice, grew up and played sports at College Park, not to mention Tech itself, an coached well during his stay, was sucessful in professional life, sports wise, tradition went out the window on this choice. Another choice from outside of the box. Hope it works out, hope he is a good fit, and does not adhere to the principal that 9 games is a good season, in spite of the academic excellence the Institute has stood for in the past. Guess “you can’t go home again” apply.

By paul

February 23, 2006 05:37 AM | Link to this

well, i was hoping to get curry off camera doing sports… but i have the mute button..remember,curry left tech hanging going to alabama….. i’m happy with the pick, now lets get a coach and a quarterback..

By Rick

February 23, 2006 06:33 AM | Link to this

Although I am a big Bill Curry fan and think he would have made a great AD, we need someone who has youth, experience and desire. Bill, in his mid 60’s, is almost in the ‘Seat backs and tray tables in their normal position’ part of life and his career. With Radakovich at the helm and other young top tier coaches on staff such as Paul Hewitt, we are positioning ourselves for the next 20 years of growth and performance. Now we just need to do a little ‘pruning’, moving Chan and others on the athletic staff who are on the back nine of their careers to the bleachers. Very encouraging!

By jimmy

February 23, 2006 07:08 AM | Link to this

just another in a long series of bad decisions made at georgia tech. if curry was not going to be the hire then i would have preferred a candidate who has experience at a school more like tech. for you people who think that he will bring a lot of the experience that he used at a winning school like LSU then you need to remember that working at a SEC school with its academic standards is nothing like working at an ACC school. but don’t worry too much because a person with his ambition will only use tech as a stepping stone to a really “big” job.

By CDC

February 23, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this

GT made the right choice!

By Mark

February 23, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this

I like the choice and I’m a big Curry fan.

To the old Pepper recruit - you’re one of the guys that led to those first few years of horrible records under Curry, so no wonder you didn’t like him. Once he got his own recruits, he did as well as Chan against better opponents.

Now, if we can just get the Live Stews on the GT Network to learn how to pronouce Radakovich —- that was a disgrace yesterday afternoon.

By BB

February 23, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

I am so glad this decision was made. Do the people who supported Curry not remember that he left his alma mater after his only truly successful season as football coach? Two years he went 1-10 and 0-10-1 while losing to Furman, still he had enough talent to beat Alabama and tie Notre Dame when they were ranked in the top five in those years. And he had no experience as AD. This was the best decision for GT.

By Bruce Weber

February 23, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

Let me be very clear, I don’t love Bill Curry and I really wonder why so many of my fellow Alum do. Don’t talk about this guy like he’s a “Bobby Dodd� type character. How can so many of us forget that Curry abandoned Tech to coach in the SEC.

It’s this short term memory that keeps Tech buried in mediocrity. We are not a UGA, UA, or even an Alburn. Why, because we have taken all of our traditions and replaced them with ridiculous marketing and embarrassing sideshow activities and the golden arches on our basketball court.

If Tech wants to win consistently (including post season in baseball), Radakovich needs to replace this circus crap. I can only hope that the older alums (post 1970s) will rally behind this guy and work with him to bring back a tradition filled institute, where mediocrity is unacceptable. Otherwise, I hope all get comfortable with exciting post season clashes with elite powerhouses of the Mountain West Conference, for that is all we really deserve right now.

By Josh

February 23, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

Some of you people are idiots. Dr. Clough has lead GT to become a top ten public school and a top 5 engineering school. Most of our programs consistently compete with the likes of MIT, Cornell, Michigan, Johns Hopkins, etc… Our research programs bring in FAR more money than our athletics. Potential graduate students are lined up to get into our programs. With all of that said, this is a great hire. I’m not too worried about Rad going back to LSU. We are one of the richest public schools in the nation. We can easily offer a very competitive salary.

By Bill

February 23, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

To the Bulldog posters on this site. This is our post. Go back to your remedial Bulldog/Jeff Gordon blog.

Rumor has it that one of your genuises on the football team has made another appearance on the police blotter. Gotta make you proud…

By Mike

February 23, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Josh, I completely agree with your comments about the academic rise of many of the institutes programs under Clough. But it is fair to ask if this guy can align the reputation of our athletic program with that of Tech academics. Let’s educate, graduate, and help grow these student athletes into men and women that all of us alumni can be proud of! That’s what Tech did every year not so long ago. I agree with the earlier Blog – kill this ridiculous marketing and embarrassing sideshow activities or we will never (athletically) rise to even the level of those SEC teams mentioned. None of them can or have ever been able to touch us academically.

By Yurtle the Turtle

February 23, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

I think that this is a good hire. What was in Curry’s resume that made him look like he was an Athletic Director? He’s been out of coaching and directing for years now, not been in a conference in a while, and has little connection with the current program. Radakovich has been working in a conference, has supported his school, has many contacts, and is younger.

I’m also thinking that he won’t make the stupid mistake of suggesting that Tech can only win 6-7 games a year in football like Dave Brainless did.

Good Riddence, Dave. Glad to see you go! Welcome Dan

By jackets fan

February 23, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

I’m fine with the hire. I mean, if Bill Curry was qualified to be an A.D. he’d have been one already instead of doing color for ESPN. We got a got who worked for a national championship program. He’s already said more encouraging things about his philosophy for success than Braine ever did. So what else could you ask for? The only reason anyone here is disappointed would be because they knew who Curry was and not the other guy. That’s not the criteria to judge a hire. I’m interested to see what they do with Gailey’s contract, since it remains unsigned. Remember Mike Price was the head coach at Bama, but had not yet signed a contract, and we know how that turned out. I doubt Gailey will be given a 5 year deal like was reported. I see it being much shorter, to give Rad the chance to bring in his own guy if things don’t get better next season.

By joel

February 23, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Big mistake. While Radakovich is very qualified he will only be here for two or three years. I have had Tech season tickets for twentyfive years and remember the Curry days well. Most were not so good. But what Curry would have brought is a love for the school and stability, something Tech needs. True he did leave for Alabama but that is a mistake he admits to making and do not forget Bobby Dodd told him he should make the move. Furman Bisher has said that Tech is more divided now than at anytime he can recall. Curry could have started the healing process amoung the Alums and Fans. Also Curry very likely was the Key to bring in Ken Whisenhunt as head coach.

By Coach

February 23, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Joel, Get real. We have gotten ourselves an outstanding AD. He will take care of business. It is time to move on. And, a guy that is only 47 is going to be concerned about the future of the programs he is to develop. Also, given the nature of some of the administrative screw ups over the past few years, it really is important to have an extremely capable administrator in charge.

By GT

February 23, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

Bobby Dodd was a bitter man with Tech when he told Curry to go elsewhere. He was given a closet somewhere on the campus, no longer the AD and in some ways treated like Vince Dooley was by Adams at Georgia. Dodd refused to help with fund raising only to be tricked by Kim King, Hugh Carter and Jimmy Carter into making a promise to help, only after being asked by the president of the United States in the oval office. Dodd also was the last “football coach” allowed to retire in the AD office and for good reason. It is a shame Dodd wasn’t around when the big money was made in coaching then he wouldn’t have had to worry about retiring. As for Dan R leaving Tech, that has not been a Tech problem of late. We have been the home of some long term and very good ADs. Rice came to us from North Carolina and was one of the greatest ADs in his stay here that has ever carried the title. He retired here and still lives in Atlanta. Braine was a good AD at VA.Tech and really put them on the map. His problems came when he was sick and I contribute a lot of his nonsense to that of being weak in body and mind in his last days. His hire of Hewitt is one of the best moves ever made by a athletic director and Hall is right up there also. Tech is a rich and well managed school where a career man can find a home. It is more than football or basketball and the AD here does not have the soap opera of many colleges. He has his free membership to Capital City where most of it’s members could care less who he is. He has Atlanta which is a great place to live. There is more to life to be offered to a 48 year old man right here than the back woods of LSU or most any other place. The boys at UGA burn 316 up getting from Athens to Atlanta, I’m sure a Tech AD makes the trip to Athens once every two years and of late that is once too often.

By GTCE78MSSE80

February 23, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

I applaud the choice for AD. I couldn’t be happier that we got a highly qualified, optomistic,well respected, charismatic leader with a can-do attitude (Deja Vu Homer Rice?). Curry, who I admire and respect,remains in a tremendous position to be a great ambassador for Georgia Tech through his work on TV.

For those that want to complain about Dr. Clough’s involvement in or comments about the selection, one only needs to reflect on the total advancement of Georgia Tech during his tenure to see the complaints have no basis whatsoever.

For those whiners who continue to complain about Galey’s results, stop and think for a second - who could have gotten better results with the talent he had to work with. Why isn’t the talent pool better? What top notch recruit wants to come to a school with fair weather fans? You guys have the cart before the horse.

For the whiners and complainers and forever wannabes, stop and think for a minute. Are the top notch athletes going to come play for a school with fair-weather fans - who only show up if the team is contending for a national title? When would you have given up if you were an FSU football fan - after all the Seminoles finished in the top 5 fourteen years in a row and only won one more National Championship that Georgia Tech during that time.

We must realize that the gifted athletes go to the schools that fill the stands regardless of a team’s success. Complaining about the empty seats, acting childish,and doing nothing about it is not going to change the minds of recruits. So your envy and whining is only serving to prolong your misery. Leave your sarcasm at home and bring a supportive attitude to all games to help our current athletes succeed. Help send a message to let the recruits know the kind of unconditional support they (and the good men and women who coach these young people) will get at Georgia Tech. The athletes and coaches are working their butts off to succeed - are you fans willing to contribute more than lip service to the process? Or are you just going to sit there, cross your arms and pout?

Sadly, those people who choose to use this or any blog to spew their profanity and derisive commentary about good men and women, who are trying hard to well represent Georgia Tech, are likely making more of a statement about the inadequacies, short comings and sad state in their own lives rather than the athletic and academic program they claim to support.

By joel

February 23, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

I hope you are right, but I still feel that he will leave in 2-3 yrs. Two other schools passed on him for that reason. Atlanta is a great place to live and GT can match money, but can we offer the same level of athletic competiveness in 2-3 years when LSU has an opening? I hope so but am unsure we will be there by then. As for the hire of Hewitt, true a great hire, but one of the all time best moves, come on. Almost any winning program can claim great hires, FSU, Notre Dame, USC, UT, Miami, UGA, Ole Miss, Louisville, UO, UNC, Kansas State, and Duke (hired a former Curry assistant named Spurrer) just to name a few have all taken chances on unknown coaches with great success. We have had stability in the AD that is not what I was refering to and Rice is one of the all time greats (even if he did hire Bill Lewis) but we have not had long term stability in the coaching ranks, Ross to the NFL (can’t blame him) Lewis (terrible) Coach O’ (should have stayed). We need people that will stick with the school. Tech can win and maintain it’s high standards. We just need the right guy. Go Jackets!

By Dawg Guy

February 23, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Would some of you nerds please explain this “return Tech to it’s rightful place in college athletics and restore the glory days”? Tech has never been a consistent power in college athletics, the grand total of “0” NCAA national championships speaks volumes for your national prominence. Tech teams have an aberrant year or two of good teams and all the Technerds develop amnesia about the perennial athletic mediocrity of Tech programs. I know, I know, the mighty fighting Insects claim numerous national championships in football that were awarded them by some newspaper or sports writer, but Tech teams have never won any championships that were decided by head to head competetion. Tech was a middle of the road program when in the SEC and is a middle of the road home coming opponent for the ACC teams. Tech has had good teams on occasion but, never has the Institute been a consistent national power in any sport. You can hire 12 AD’s and a couple of more head coaches and it will not make any difference, Tech will always be consistently mediocre because your school isn’t attractive to most top notch athletes and your so called fans spend too much time bickering among themselves to ever pull towards the same goal for any extended period of time. So, go curl up with a good calculus book and dream about your academic superiority and how every other school in the nation cheats. Of course when you wake up and check into reality you will realize that no other school in the nation is guilty of using multiple ineligible athletes year after year.

By Jeremy P.

February 23, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

For all you Curry lovers out there singing his praises and devotion to Tech. Please tell me again why he left us to go to Alabama.

By Long Beach Jacket

February 23, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

Great hire! Go Jackets!