AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJohnson’s incentives: What would you add?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson will get a minimum of $11,225,000 if he stays for the full seven years of his soon-to-be-finalized contract.
The story I reported today details the terms of the deal; I won’t repeat them here. There are incentives for on-the-field success, measured by championships and bowl games, and for academic success, measured by graduation rates and academic performance rates.
Johnson is likely to collect a sizeable amount of additional income. His history of success at Georgia Southern and Navy suggests he’ll be able to continue Tech’s streak of earning bowl invitations, and the APR incentives are eminently reachable. In fact, Tech’s most recent APR average for football is 959, which would trigger a $75,000 bonus for Johnson.
One incentive that didn’t get carried over from the previous coach’s deal: Chan Gailey’s assistants would have received $5,000 apiece every time one of Gailey’s teams beat Georgia. That, of course, was an incentive Tech’s athletics department never paid. (I mention this not to be nasty to the Yellow Jackets but to point out one of the chief ways in which the incentives are different for Johnson than they were for Gailey. His success in rivalry games at Navy suggests he will find a way to win against Georgia. It will be interesting to see how often.)
What do you think of Johnson’s contract terms? What incentives would you have added?
Permalink | Comments (52) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Comments
By Richard
December 11, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure any need to be added, but there’s one that needs to be taken away. No coach should ever get a bonus for reaching a bowl game.
Consider that Gailey got this bonus for beating Samford, Notre Dame, Miami, Army, Duke, and UNC. This should be the bare minimum of a contract, not cause for celebration.
I’d change that particular bonus to: “Have an above .500 winning percentage against bowl eligible teams during the regular season.”
By Neal
December 11, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
I guess we had to offer a good package to take him away from Duke and SMU. Only time will tell.
By Carter
December 11, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
How about an incentive to fill up our stadium????? Our fanbase has become disgraceful and embarrassing!
By RobertM
December 11, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
I think there should be a bonus for winning against UGA. That would associate some importance to the game. However, it needs to be balanced, so a bonus of $25-50K would be appropriate.
Remember, bonuses are only paid if they are achieved, so there should be more, not fewer, bonuses for desired behavior.
Before the lunatic Dawgs (not all of them are lunatics btw) get on here being either arrogant or obnoxious in their taunts, I would also like to add that the academic incentives are also appropriate.
Go Jackets!
By J Bone
December 11, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
Well, it only took 4 posts before you start talking about Georgia. Get over the obsession!!
By the old ballcoach
December 11, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
Chump change!Wait untill you see what Duke pays ME!But,again,I am the best!The rumor is that Muskrat is leaving Auburn for Arkansas,what a loser.Richard,coaches get a Bowl bonus because Bowls pay the schools piles of money.You would know this if you ever went to a bowl with a green field.You dummies thought You could hire ME?You are dumber than Phil Fulmer!
By GTVegas
December 11, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
I would like to see the bowl bonus tied to the “net” made after attending the bowl. Something more like “we will pay you x if the net proceeds derived from the bowl exceed your bonus by more than 2x”. In other words, after all bowl-related expenses are paid out, the net to the AA is equal to or more than the bonus to the coach. That would definitely encourage a better bowl as some of these bowl trips are break-even, at best, not taking the bonus paid into consideration, in which case, the AA incurs a loss.
I remember a comment in the past that teams don’t lose money going to any bowl. That is not the case, or at least wasn’t the case 15 years ago. They can and do lose money going to some of these mediocre bowls unless something has changed in the last 15 years with the process, which surely could be the case.
By Lost In St Louis
December 11, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
I know I’m a dork, but I caught an error in DRad’s LOA. It says that Johnson should sign the agreement if he’s “amendable” - should have been “amenable.” Given the coaching carousel this year, maybe “amendable” is more appropriate!
By jimbo's boss
December 11, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
How about instead of paying extra for beating Georgia, take away 5 g’s if you lose to them.
By Deano
December 11, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
Oh, what a boring fanbase…feel sorry for ya Mike and Matt!
By StingerSplash
December 11, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
If we double up Georgia in a game, PJ’s salary for that year ought to double!
By I'm also a Dork
December 11, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
Good catch, Lost.
I also noticed that mistake.
I think the incentive money for going to and winning a BCS bowl should be larger, but other than that, I think we got a bargain with PJ. I think he really wants to be at GT, which means he will be very motivated. I really like this guy!!
By XXXX
December 12, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
Bobby Petrino has shown that he was certainly available. Did Tech even consider him ? He was not one of the 8 interviewed and he certainly showed he can cut and run. It will be interesting to see how he does at AK. I get the impression that Paul Johnson considers his options somewhat more carefully. If I were Petrino I would have asked for an interview at GA STATE a month ago.
By Buzz
December 12, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Who cares about beating UGA? GT can win ACC w/o even doing that. Maybe we should take UGA off schedule and replace them w GSU, because PJ coached there and Eagles are nice animals. (Be nice to me or i’ll StingerSplash you)LOL.
By Matt
December 12, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this
First 10 win season - $10,000. Subsequent 10 win seasons - $15,000
10 win seasons are a big deal, especially when your last one was 1998. Fans are fickle, casual fans anyway. They see that double digit win total and all of a sudden, they jump on the bandwagon. Tech needs bandwagon fans right now…we need to sell out Bobby Dodd without the corners and the upper north being all opposing teams’ fans.
By addicted
December 12, 2007 1:51 AM | Link to this
The money made in a bowl game does not go to the school directly. It goes to the ACC and is split by the teams, so every one benefits from everyone else’s bowls. (I am guessing you get a higher share if you go to a better bowl) so tying the bonus to the proceeds from a bowl is pointless, since you will get about the same amount even if no one showed up for the bowl game.
By addicted
December 12, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this
XXXX
Many reasons not to even consider Petrino…Just a couple here
1) He is not loyal AT ALL. Now its completely possible Johnson may leave the flats in under 2 seasons, and Petrino would have stayed to the end of his life, but the evidence suggests otherwise.
2) It would have completely alienated the Falcons fanbase. We share quite a few fans with them, and we do not want to hurt our home NFL team.
3) He was RIDICULOUSLY expensive…Isnt arkansas paying him about 3 mil/year?
4) There is no telling how he would have fared recruiting to an academically challenging school like Tech. I am pretty sure Louisville was not as hard to get into.
By surfrider
December 12, 2007 2:58 AM | Link to this
I like the bonus ideas. One maybe should be a tier bowl bonus…one for a minor bowl and one for a major bowl. But the big one is the graduation rate and keeping the athletes able to participate. That gets back to attrition which if managed right puts Tech on a track to win period. Also I like the idea of assistant coaches bonuses somehow but not sure how and on what.
By GA Tech insider
December 12, 2007 6:17 AM | Link to this
XXXX, as addicted indicated, Bobby Petrino would never be considered at GA Tech. GA Tech was looking for a long term solution. Petrino’s history shows he looks immediately after signing contracts. Do you honestly believe he would have stayed at Tech if the LSU or Auburn jobs would have opened up?
By toby cash
December 12, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
I think he should add Georgia Southern to the Tech football schedule.
By Dirtty
December 12, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
I would add one million dollars if he could get all Tech fans to cancel their subscriptions to the ajc. Look at the sports page today, the headline reads “No Dogs, but two yellow jackets make all american.” The pro uga clowns at the ajc have to put ugay first even when they are not part of the story - The story was that two tech players made all american - there should have been nothing about uga, except maybe a small sentence at the end of the story that no uga players made all american. ALL TECH FANS SHOULD CANCEL THEIR AJC SUBSCRIPTIONS IN PROTEST, NOW!
By Joe Tech
December 12, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
I guess we have to do the AJC’s work for them. Here is a link about the retention of most of the assistant coaches at Navy. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/11/AR2007121102070.html The defensive coordinator for Navy is staying at Navy. any word on Tenuta’s future?
By Clif
December 12, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
I would have added an additional $50,000 for every win over the much hated “Mutt” from Athens, GA. I would have also added that if “The Mutt” from Athens was ranked higher in the polls than us and we upset them then that victory will be worth $100,000.
By scooter11
December 12, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
XXXX: I’m sure you meant AR instead of AK. Not aware that the U. of Alaska plays football.
By Deano
December 12, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Yes Dirtty, all 250 Tech fans- cancel your subscription! I am sure the AJC would hate that.
By Deano
December 12, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Yes Dirtty, all 250 Tech fans- cancel your subscription! I am sure the AJC would hate that.
By Davis McCollum
December 12, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
“Tenuta the Tiger”… maybe to LSU?
By GTZealot
December 12, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
I agree with Richard about not specifically rewarding bowl game appearances, and I like the idea by Matt about rewarding 10-win seasons. I’d go with a higher $$$ incentive and set the win total at 9, as nine wins probably = beating all the sorry teams and going around 0.500 against teams that will be bowl elidgible at the end of the season.
By Dirtty
December 12, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Deano - Most Tech fans subscribe to higher class newspapers, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times: Only about 250 waste their time on money on the worhtless rag called the ajc. It is those 250 who I urge to cancel their subscription NOW, and to never, ever hire a uga graduate for any job what so ever. Now, don’t you have a floor to sweep?
By yellowblood
December 12, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
I love Paul Johnson. Everyone has been so happy sense he was named coach that we have been having excellent Tickle Piles. I just hope this continues next fall. Football at the Institute is no fun without post game Tickle Piles.
By Deano
December 12, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Wow Dirtty, you sure do spend a lot of time on here! Why don’t you follow your own orders? Why waste your time on here if you hate the paper so much? Now, get back to your wargames and have fun reading your Financial Times!
By PB
December 12, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
Durant Gets HOSED Nothing against the kid from Cincinnati but he must really be something if he’s a better punter than Brooks. What a shame…or sham.
By GTZealot
December 12, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
If you want to participate in tickle piles, just hang out with UGAy’s football team: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1170/89442264938e0e800b4o.jpg Matthew Stafford is there to please!
By gt in sc
December 12, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
theres old YELLOWSTREAK again with his tickle pile cuteness. i will ask you one more time; is that like the position FAT MAT STAFFORD was fotoed in when he was spooning with his new best buddy while the girl stood by and watched? well, is it yellowstreak? answer up, boy! and BEANO, you were told to get back to your sweeping so get to it and stop wasting blog space.
By Dirtty
December 12, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Deano - I am here to B I T CH SLAP THE AJC AND THE UGAY HANGERS ON WHO LIVE HERE. Now clean that toilet, boy.
By ClemsonMania
December 12, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
You Tech fans are class acts!!
By Dirtty
December 12, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
ClemsonMania - Since Clemson is an ACC school, I will give you a pass on your comment, this time.
By Tom
December 12, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
I’d pay him $100 for every buzzoffer he tracks down and punches right in the mouth.
(although he’d probably do it for free :-)
By Chris
December 12, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Award and All-American voting is always interesting to see. Durant Brooks got the Ray Guy award for best punter, but he’s second in the AA voting. I guess it depends on where the pressers that vote are located.
Also, for punters, most of the press voters can’t be bothered by “statistics” and “research” and simply look at the average. Durant had about a 45.5 avg and Huber had a 46.9 avg. That looks pretty one-sided to me. But when you take into account the short pooch punts Durant had to make when we stalled on the 40 (so, so many times) and his insane number of punts landed inside the 20, it tips the scales towards Durant.
Unfortunately, the writers/talking heads (no offense to Mike or Matt, they’re better than the inflated-ego club of AA voters) just look at the average and go, “durr, him kick ball far-er than other guy” and vote for the big number.
By PB
December 12, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Chris, you’re right. For those of us who were privileged to watch Durant’s punting these last two years, we know better. Last year against Miami he was the difference maker in a close game (I garnered a nice bottle of scotch from a Cane fan for that W) and this year against Carolina the 70 + yarder was largely overlooked, but not by me…just a couple of examples. He’ll be sorely missed. I suppose over time, the Ray Guy award will become more prestigious anyway, if it isn’t already.
By gt2bama
December 12, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
College sports has become a load of crap. Overpaid colleges being allowed to and even highly rewarded for running around from team to team makes no sense. It’s also mind-bottling that coaches receive HUGE sums of money just for showing up and then have to be enticed with endless bonuses to actually perform the duties of their job! (actually win a game - BONUS!, graduate a player - BONUS! - Are those not things COLLEGE coaches are supposed to do??? - CRAZY!)
By PB
December 12, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
I should add congratulations to Vance Walker! It’s been a while since we’ve had a D-lineman on the All Am list. Hope it starts a trend.
By vr
December 13, 2007 6:34 AM | Link to this
WHAT’S GOING ON WITH TENUTA, PLEASE AJC DO YOUR JOB…………
By Randy
December 13, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Hey J Bone*
Well, it only took 4 posts before you start talking about Georgia. Get over the obsession!!
I guess you didn’t read the fourth paragraph in Mike’s post.
Furthermore, if you are reading this, then get over your obsession with Tech and get along back to the UGA blog you hypocrite.
By Bowl Money Taker
December 13, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure you guys understand bowl payouts, probably because you’ve derived your information from SEC fans, who use a different format.
In the ACC, all bowl money is shared among the schools evenly. In fact, if you don’t make a bowl, you stand to gain more money because you will receive your share of the payouts and you don’t have to spend anything to travel to Boise.
It’s something the ACC does to achieve parity…something the SEC has never heard of
By What's New
December 13, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Any news on who the assistant coaches are?
By Spike
December 13, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Make him a deal if he gets rid of those dorky goofy looking “yellow bug guys” in the end zone.
By ma255zda
December 13, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
c383t
By College Football Fan
December 13, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
What should have also been in the contract?
How about a $25,000 bonus for every time Paul has to rub elbows with the old grad farts that think they know everything about how to run the GTAA, and will “advise” him on every little thing from who he plays to how he sits on the john.
He will be pleasantly surprised to know that he coaches for a school run by a bunch of hysterical control freaks that are totally out of touch with reality and think they are entitled to run their mouths and have everyone actually listen.
Good luck Paul. This is going to be the 7 longest years of your life, and you are going to earn every cent.
No one else in this State will blame you if you bail like Bobby Petrino did. Hope you have a good shrink on speed dial for the next 7 years.
PS Oh and suggest that Tech should play Georgia Southern. That will go over about as well as a fart at a funeral.
By JustMe
December 13, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
I think bonuses should be paid for….
making it to the conference championship game
winning the conference championship game/going to a BCS bowl
winning a BCS bowl
finishing the season in the top 10 of BCS ranking
winning the national championship/finishing undefeated
beating ugay
recruiting well - not sure how to measure this.
academic success of players - not sure how to measure this
breaking the contract
I do not think that there should be bonuses for things really out of his control - such as selling tickets, etc. I also do not think that there should be a bonus for making it to any old bowl - there are too many now any way.
I think that there should be a financial penalty for not making it to a bowl at all. This is expected and expectations should be met.
By News
December 13, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Any news on assistant coaches
By Stir the pot
December 16, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
No news, but Tech still SU*KS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!