AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOf this, that and money trails
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Until today, when I went out after practice and wrote a notebook, I haven’t done much on Tech football (been doing basketball, taking vacation) and I know nothing about this Mr. Wommack who is alleged to be in line to be Tech’s next DC. Mr. Knobler, especially with his ties to Mississippi, figures to know more about the former Southern Miss DC, and I’m sure he’s learning more than what he knew and fast.
So I’m re-blogging on other issues for now. We’ll get a pertinent blog up as soon as it’s possible on Tech’s new hire, provided indeed there is a hire.
Meanwhile …
When Ra’Sean Dickey tore up his left knee playing football in eighth grade or thereabouts, they put it in a cast. And that was it … even though he shredded most, perhaps all, of the ligaments in there. And you wonder why he has tendinitis now.
I’m the decision to redshirt Dickey means coach Paul Hewitt will stop recruiting. He’s got one — G Iman Shumpert — coming in, and still three going out — SG Anthony Morrow, F Jeremis Smith and PG Matt Causey. Does he need another big in this recruiting class to replace Smith next year (not talking about down the road here)? Peacock, Lawal, Aminu and Sheehan are coming back, of course. Barring transfers or early defections to the NBA, heaven forbid. I don’t consider Faye a big. I’d say Paul probably still would like to add another big, although some early targets, like Ralph Sampson, Al-Farouq Aminu are off the board now.
No, he’s not going to look into having Takais transfer to Tech. He’s found a home somewhere else, actually. And it wouldn’t matter from Tech’s vantage point if he hadn’t. Folks, this is a joke. Takais Brown to Tech was never discussed by anybody, and I can’t believe people have asked me about it.
The womens basketball team needs some attention, from the AJC and others. They’re really darned good.
Come to think of it, womens sports at Tech have been pretty darned good almost across the board for the past couple years and are presently. Hmmm!?
For those wonder, Chan Gailey does not get a lump sum payoff. I asked Dan Radakovich about this, and he will continue to be paid regularly as before. And no, it doesn’t matter if he takes another job. The salary there will not be subtracted from what Tech owes Chan. Tech owes Chan what it owes Chan, period.
Did rich folks pay to have Chan fired? Dan said no. But he didn’t deny that contributions have entered the AA, some perhaps for that reason. Earmarked to pay off Chan? Dan said the AA budget doesn’t work like that. All the money goes into one pot, and then out to several. When I asked if somebody offered a donation contingent upon it being used to pay Chan, would he/the AA decline to take it. Uh, no. He said they would find a way to make that work. You don’t say?
Matt
Comments
By Jon
December 20, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
Matt-
Don’t listen to the naysayers. Keep reporting the news, good, bad or indifferent. Most Tech fans appreciate it.
By trout
December 20, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
very good points on Tenuta. I agree w/ all especially about the fact that if he was 100% staying, it would have been announced by now. It wouldn’t be a distraction. It would be a very big positive for both parties involved.
I suspect he’s gone. We wanted change…we got change. I’ll accept it and move on.
By gtjsp
December 20, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets !!!! Paul Johnson will take us to the promise land.
By Ramblin Wrecker
December 20, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Where is this notebook you keep referencing? I want to know, I don’t care about distractions. Winning the bowl game isn’t more important than who will be on next year’s staff (when they can actually win something that matters).
As for DJ Donley transferring or not: that would be foolish. I realize that the career of Calvin Johnson inspired some WR recruits to come to GT thinking they’d be the next big WR. But Calvin Johnson’s success in Chan Gailey’s system was predicated on his once in a generation skills/talent, not because Gailey was some kind of WR whiz. Think about it. What other Gailey coached WR’s are playing meaningful minutes in the NFL? My point exactly. So I’m left to wonder what Donley thinks will be SO different between the profile of a WR in Gailey’s offense vs. Paul Johnson’s? In case Donley hadn’t noticed, the years before CJ was the main option and after he left, what position on the field was the key playmakers? That’s right DJ, PJ Daniels led the ACC in rushing and Tashard Choice too (twice). No offense to the kid, because he’s probably pretty smart since he’s a student at GT, but he has been adding 2+2 and getting 3 if he thinks brining in CPJ means his prospects as a WR at GT are going down from where they were under Gailey.
By scooter11
December 20, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Matt’s looking for a really big Christmas bonus since he apparently gets paid by the word. Holy crap. This blog is all over the place - and long - which may not be the point of a blog.
By Mackey2
December 20, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Tenuta, I feel, is gone. If he were staying we would know by now. They passed on him for the HC job and LSU has been courting him. I sure it will not be annouced until after the bowl game (no more distractions are needed now). A chance to coach a possible nation champ is hard to pass on, not to mention the money and national exposure he would receive.
By contract question
December 20, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Does any college coach have a contract that does deduct his new (coaching) salary from what his old school has to pay?
I would think that clause would be prudent for any school.
Coaching/engineering pay…wow!
By cooter11
December 20, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
scooter11, he gets to you every time…but you must be an old dog…you keep coming back!
We know you love Tech!
By GA Tech insider
December 20, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
Matt, I hope all is going better with your family. Happy Holidays.
By gtne80
December 20, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
It would be hard to stay at any job after having been passed over for a promotion that you really wanted and probably felt like you deserved. The coaching carousel has not even begun to slow down and won’t until after the bowls. Opportunities will abound for Tenuta (even if the LSU thing is a farce). His credentials are pretty impressive. His reputation is strong. Thanks to Herbstreit and the talking heads at ESPN, his name is prominently out there (if it wasn’t already out there in the inner circles).
I agree that the signals are strong that he’s gone. Too bad, he’s a good coach. I think by next year you would have seen him readjust his defensive schemes to offset the moves that the OCs around the conference had been making to neutralize some of the blitzes. He’s smart enough not to be so dogmatic as Gailey. He understands that the key to success is constantly staying a step ahead.
The only way he stays is if there’s just not a position that he feels comfortable with. His stock has been building and isn’t likely to diminish next year.
Funny that the so-called experts are predicting a Fresno State win. Sagarin has Tech ranked 20 spots higher than Fresno. Vegas has Tech as an across-the-board 6 point favorite. The boys that play with real money usually have a pretty good feel for these things. The talking heads are putting a lot of stock in the intangibles (coaching changes, attitudes, etc.). Tech is bigger, faster and has played much tougher competition.
Fresno has one “decent” win against Nevada. They played tough against Hawaii and lost. They hung pretty tough against Boise also.
On the other side of the ball, Tech has played a much tougher schedule. Tech’s schedule rated out at 58th, Fresno’s rated at 96th. Tech has the only win against a top 30 team (Clemson).
Boise is extremely weak against the run. Look for Tashard to gash them regularly. If temps are cold, winds are high or other factors slow down the passing game, it could be a game of running and field position. With the best punter in the country, I like our side of the field position battle.
I’m predicting a 17-6 GT win.
By Blackdawg
December 20, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
HEY MATT I’m still waiting on someone for the AJC to acknowledge or, better yet, write an article on Kristi Miller. She’s got a 4.0 GPA and led the team to a National Championship last year…and SHE’S SMOKIN HOT!!!!
…that’s an assignment worth taking right there!
By mento
December 20, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
I am going to the bowl game to support Tenuta and the team. Hope he stays, but I will understand if he jumps ship to LSU. He will have depth he could only dream of here.
Anybody else going……..seats and hotel rooms still available!
By Jack Sprat
December 20, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Just checking in to see what kind of secret information tha Tech Insider will bring to us. Yesterday he assured us that Tenuta was gone,it was a done deal,gone to LSU, today he says there is a good possiblilty that Tenuta may take another job and it might be LSU. We also found out that he was a GIT football letterman and had met Bobby Dodd, Bear Bryant, and Vince Dooley. He’s pretty old but another blogger claims to be about 175 years old and a graduate of Southern Cal and knows everyone from the Pope on down. After careful consideration I think that both of them are high school kids with lots of time on their hands during the Christmas break. Still and all, I’ll wait for for the next breaking inside edition of “as the hive turns.”
By Don't listen to them
December 20, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Matt, don’t listen to the knuckleheads on here. It’s unlikely “many,” Tech fans don’t want you doing your job. Keep up the good work. I’m betting “most,” Tech fans appreciate it.
By Walt
December 20, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
No - I am not going to Boise! I am protesting the ACC sending good teams to these crappy bowls. Are we not a top level conference in sports.
Geez Boise in the winter, what will it be 20 degrees and a blizzard. Hello ACC drop these “truckstop and nut” bowls and fans will show up. Keep the bowls in the region near the Atlantic Coast. People are not excited to have to fly the family cross country to see 7-5 teams play in tier 2 bowls.
I am a Tech fan, I am just tired of getting chosen for bad bowls. Good Luck Tenuta - stay warm
By Matt Winkeljohn
December 20, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
The notebook will be on-line later, as I wrote before.
Just back from taking care of family affairs, which are multiple, involve Medicaire, scam insurance programs, rehabilitative centers, spinal surgery plans and a whole lot of other things I’m forced to quickly acquire knowledge about.
Patience, grasshoppers.
Matt
By Jack G
December 20, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Dont jump on the Insider for being old——it beats the hell out of the alternative. I am also an old timer and remember the Alexander and Dodd days. Remember Dodd’s belly series??
By Old Coach
December 20, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
Matt Winkeljohn, you would know me if I gave my name. You covered us in Girls Basketball the year we won State. You were one of the Best then and I miss you now.
Hope your Mother is doing better. I am going through the same thing and its tough. Be careful because some of those programs will take your property as payment.
Just wanted to let you know I’m praying for you and your family. Will always remember how good you were to my team. God Bless and Merry Christmas.
By GA Tech insider
December 20, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
Jack Sprat, you are one of the reasons I am getting off of these blogs. I am too old for people like you.
I have tried to provide good information as it came available and dang if some of you were too obnoxious to appreciate it. I am signing off with a Happy Holiday to all and a Go Tech.
By Jack Sprat
December 20, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
Goodbye Insider, sorry to see that getting called out on your secret information has caused you to give up blogging. I suspect that you will be back or possibly are already back under another blog name. Sorry to have hurt your feelings old timer but your method of trying to spread half fact guesses under the guise of information that only you were priviledged to receive just didn’t cut it. If you had only said that you had information that made you think certain things were going to take place I would have accepted that without comment but when someone says they have inside info that is only available to them I find that hard to believe. If the Athletic Association powers wanted to get out some information without officially admiting it they wouldn’t have some unknown person putting it out on a newspaper blog. Also I don’t think the powers that be would give you any information about their confidential inside workings if you were putting it out on a blog, it would be too easy to figure out who had the loose lips. One last thing, I’m pretty sure that I’m a good bit older than you, I saw the 1952 Tech team play at Grant Field live and in person I was in the sixth grade. Of course that was before the holier than thou Tech fans drove me to find another school to support. Goodbye have a wonderful holiday season and a Merry Christmas.
By UGA_Fan
December 20, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this
Matt you’re a f*** dick.
By Jaime Gaverts
December 20, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
Matt, check out today’s poll regarding Tech’s bowl game (particularly the available answers)and get back to the masses on why Tech people think the paper blows. With a home town paper like this, anyone can find a quick cage liner.
By Jaime Gaverts
December 20, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
Matt, check out today’s poll regarding Tech’s bowl game (particularly the available answers)and get back to the masses on why Tech people think the paper blows. With a home town paper like this, anyone can find a quick cage liner.
By Mark
December 20, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
Takais Brown? Do you have any credibility left or do they just give whoever shouts “yes” a chance to write crap for the AJC.
By Matt Winkeljohn
December 20, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark,
Read the blog again, and if it’s not clear that the Takais item was purely a joke, stop reading. You may hurt yourself.
This is a blog, a product — some would say waste byproduct — of the age in which we live. It’s not science, or a technical dissertation.
Matt
By GT GRAD
December 20, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
I say we offer Tenuta an extension and raise right now! Include a signing bonus of $200K and a buy out clause of $400K…….that way we either get to keep Tenuta (best option) or if we lose him, we make a little cash!!
Oh and by the way Matt, you are being childish and obviously trying to mislead the readers of this blog. The GT fans you refer to do not mind hearing about the actual news; we/they just want the news and headlines to be truthful. There has been an obvious trend of negative headlines and negative articles recently. Perfect example => prior to the PJ hiring, in one particular article nearly every quote from the recruits indicated they have not changed their minds about committing to GT and they were taking a wait and see approach; however, the headline read something like “GT recruiting takes big hit due to Gailey firing - several commitments considering other schools”.
These kind of tactics can have a huge impact on any program, but you guys are full throttle negative during a transistion period for GT. We just want our school and football team to come through this transition period as strong as possible. It would not be so freak’n obvious except for the fact that nearly all of the UGA headlines and articles have a positive spin.
I think it is safe to say most readers dislike reporters who try to “make” the news and would rather read articles which are informative, thought provoking, fair and honest…….you know the difference.
By Jimbo
December 20, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Damn it Matt,
Get that ADD diagnosed, dude. Reading your “pieces” (of crap) lately is like a scavenger hunt. Either put your heart and soul into your work, or find another career path.
Mike in Virginny
By Navigator
December 20, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
I think some of us were born yesterday if they think Tenuta is leaving. It would not create any distractions for the team if he announced he was staying. Therefore, his decision will not be to stay. If it was me and I had a chance to be the DC at Tech or LSU at this time, it would be an easy decision to leave. I will always believe that Tenuta would have been the best choice for HC. You keep one of the best defensive coaches in the country, and you wouldn’t have a HC constantly interfering with OC. I don’t know what the admin was thinking or if they were thinking.
By Navigator
December 20, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
Well I botched the last blog, the first line should have said ‘born yesterday if they think Tenuta isn’t leaving’. I think you got that in the rest of the paragraph. Well it’s official, he’s gone, and all that was Gailey is now gone. What the heck, Tenuta would have eventually left for a better job. Let’s not forget that he came here from North Carolina. I wish him the best.
By RAMBLE ON!
December 20, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
Matt keep up the good work. I find your blogs and knowledge very informative.
I would like to know, since you have spoken with Nesbitt, what he thinks about this new offense coming in. I hope he’s excited, he should be.
By Taver
December 20, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
It is 11:45 pm on Thurs and there is a new AJC headline that Tech has hired a new Defensive Coordinator.
* Where is Tenuta??* I may have caught this inbetween 2 stories that hit the web yet.
I guess Tenuta is gone and PJ will coach the bowl game
By Mark
December 20, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
Is Tenuta gone?? Must be since the story says that Dave Womack is Tech’s new DC. No other info yet anywhere I can find.
Anyone else heard this?? Must be an announcement in the am, geez I bet this will change the line on the game.
By CV
December 21, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this
I bet the Music City Bowl is real happy they picked FSU over GT now!!!
GO Jackets!!
By surfrider
December 21, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this
After watching Navy tonight, it’s my feeling this offense with some passing will be almost impossible to stop, aka, Fridgen’s. Navy passed or set up the pass better than I thought and they really had little passing talent. Of course the explosions of the run will be very productive from a point standpoint. The option involved in Ross’s offense took us to a National Championship and those receivers were as good as any we’ve had. Yes there was defense and special teams play too.
By stings to lose
December 21, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
at the end when Navy went for it on 4th near their end…could not stop thinking that Chan would have punted! LOL.
Navy needed Tenuta (and some of his guys) last night.
By RAD
December 21, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
What makes you think Tech has a passing game that is any better then Navy? PJ will get a quartback but next year will be a long year.
By TDone
December 21, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this
Don’t get me wrong, I liked Tenuta up to a point. But I thought he depended too much on the blitz. As they say in basketball, if you live by the jump shot, you die by the jump shot. So if you live by the blitz, you die by the blitz. We gave up way too many big plays, so we should have played straight up a bit more.
Tech’s women’s teams are doing very well across the board. Props to DRad, the coaches, and players. Let’s support them.
I think with the athletes we have, Paul Johnson’s offense will have unlimited pottential.
By Chris
December 21, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Of course there will be growing pains next year, RAD. Nobody is denying that fact (and it IS a fact). Players on both sides of the ball will be learning new schemes, although I don’t know how much Wommack’s scheme differs from Tenuta’s. I’ve heard he’s pretty aggressive, but not by blitzing on every down.
Our OL will be learning an entirely new way to block, Nesbitt will probably be more at-home in this offense than the pro-style we were running. Entirely new plays and assignments for all the skill position players too. You’d be a fool to expect this to run like clockwork right out of the box. I have faith that it will work, but I don’t expect us to come out of the gate and average 40 ppg.
By Buzz Belle
December 21, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Merry Christmas to all and as much as I would love to go to Boise I can’t - work responsibilities with year end and quarter end. I will be glued to the TV watching however and I hope Tech pulls it out for Tenuta and the players. Everybody have faith in CPJ, he is getting his staff together, moving during Christmas, recruiting, on and on. It will be exciting next year win or lose. After all is said and done, this is a very positive move for GT. Lay off Insider - I enjoy reading his post even if he doesn’t have all the information, he has wisdom he brings to the blogs. I’m heading home to anxiously await word from Tenuta which I suspect will come after he realizes it is all out in the press. Best wishes to you Coach Tenuta, you will always have a place in this girl’s GT heart! I wish you and your family the very best and will still follow you. THWG!
By The AJC is a POS
December 21, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
All true Tech fans should by now have canceled their subscriptions to this worthless pro UGAY rag. Now I request all true Tech fans fire any and all ugay grads or fans on their staffs. No severence packages for any of the scum.
By Zgoldatl
December 21, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Coach Tentuta- If it is in fact true… Happy holidays, and thanks for six great years. I will miss the exciting defensive football that you brought to us. I only hope we can keep it up. If you are off to LSU, then you r defense will be untouchable with that talent. Thanks coach and good luck to you and your family.
By The AJC is a POS
December 21, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
I cannot wait until I am 16 and my acne clears up, and I can drive, and they will let me quit working the fries machine and work the drive through window instead. I love the Jackets.
By spanky
December 21, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
This is to The AJC is a POS ….you left out “Fa-la, La-la,Laaa-La, La-La-La”!
Merry Christmas,nerds!
By jabster
December 21, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
WTF?!?! AJC is saying that Dennis Dodd of CBS Sportsline is picking Fresno, but on the CBS Sportsline site he picks Tech!!! Somebody’s full of it.
http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/expertpicks
Vegas is still saying Tech minus 6.
By WFC
December 22, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Matt—- thanks for your good work. It adds a lot to my enjoyment of GT sports which I’ve followed since 1960 (Stan “The Man” Gann). My dad never forgave him for losing the 1960 GT-UGA game but I did after coaching with his great brother, CD. Keep up the good work!
By Splibking
December 22, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
I for one do not think Coach PJ has to much faith in his new DC. A one year contract ? I hope Coach Tenuta gets a job far away from here as possible, for our own good.
By George P.
December 23, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
So. what’s stopping YOU from giving more coverage to the women’s basketball team (and their 10-1 start) Matt?
By fred
December 24, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Man, Coach Johnson is my kind of blunt-speak leader. On flip-flop QB Renfree, “don’t want him , does’t fit”. Good—-even I understand that.Have you ever heard of a person—in business—who didn’t want to work for you, but you convinced to stay, who did a good job?Heck no, we want guys who want to play at Tech, not primmadonns whose agent is their father. Gailey, like all career politicians,spoke “mid-road PC jargon”. DON’T WANT, DOSEN’T FIT—-GOT IT!!!
As a GT grad I welcome CPJ ——he and Mark R. will respect each other because they will understand one another. AJC sportswriters will need to put on their armor (“protective against hurtful speech”) vests. WAH-WAH……………
By GT GRAD
December 24, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Perfect example of the Positive spin UGA recieves from AJC:
UGA B-Ball loses 2 games to crappy teams and beats a horrible Hawai team to finish 7th out of 8 teams and the headline reads “Georgia takes 7th place in Rainbow Classis”.
You have got to be kidding; what would the headline be if GT was in the same place?
By Bulloney
December 24, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Hey “The AJC is a POS” I bet you wish you had a UGA grad on your “staff.” Have you seen the girls that go to UGA?
By Yellowblood
December 24, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
I promise not to mention Tickle Piles.
I promise not to mention Tickle Piles.
I promise not to mention Tickle Piles.
I promise not to mention Tickle Piles.
I promise not to mention Tickle Piles.