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Monday, December 8, 2008
Paul Johnson at the bargaining table
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tech athletics director Dan Radakovich did a smart thing last week. Tuesday, the day that Paul Johnson was named ACC coach of the year and, notably, a day before Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville resigned/was forced out, Radakovich set up a meeting with Johnson’s agent to talk about his contract.
This wasn’t a reaction to the possibility that Johnson could leave for Auburn or somewhere else; it was a move to keep him from becoming one.
They’ll meet Thursday to try to figure out what Johnson’s value is. A year ago, when Johnson left Navy to come to Tech, he signed for seven years and a minimum of $11.225 million, an average of about $1.6 million. Interviewed also by SMU and Duke, Johnson likely gave up more money to come to Tech.
Today, of course, Johnson is ACC coach of the year and is in the conversation for national coach of the year awards. The Jackets tied for the ACC Coastal Division title and, you may have heard, beat Georgia for the first time in eight years. More than that, he has obviously got fans excited and has represented the institute well.
So, again, what’s that worth? Obviously, to a lot of people, particularly with the economy as it is, there is a sentiment that Johnson should just be happy he’s making what he’s making and not ask for a cent more.
For example, I just finished reading “War as They Knew It” by Michael Rosenberg, a great book about the rivalry between Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes. (Full disclosure: Mike is a very good friend of mine. Regardless, it’s a great book and I promise I’m making a point and not just plugging the book.) Anyway, according to the book and my recollection, Hayes never asked for a raise the whole time he was at Ohio State.
But here’s the argument for why he deserves to get a raise. First, his employer apparently thinks so. Second, if he’s the best coach in the ACC, or among the best in the country, as I’m going to guess a lot of you think he is, shouldn’t he be paid accordingly?
And, perhaps the most important factor, and the one that Radakovich was likely considering -while $1.6 million is a crazy amount of money, Tech fans don’t want him to leave if another school tempts him with an even crazier amount.
I don’t get the sense that Johnson is the type to jump jobs, or is seeking the fattest contract in football, or would be be one who would let himself get wooed just to get a raise. But you could argue that that’s a reason to give him a raise, to reward loyalty.
All this to say, let me give you some salaries of some of those peers. Some may not be completely up to date; it took a bit of scouring to come up with the figures. At any rate:
Mark Richt, UGA, $2.8 million
Bobby Bowden, FSU, $2.4 million
Tommy Bowden, Clemson (before he resigned/was fired), $2.2 million
Butch Davis, UNC, $2.1 million
Al Groh, UVa, $1.875 million
Ralph Friedgen, Maryland, $1.75 million
Tom O’Brien, N.C. State, $1.1 million
If you were Radakovich, or Johnson, what do you think is a reasonable figure?
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