Tech

By jackets

December 8, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Sounds steep, but I’d have to say 2.1M

By Darren Conley

December 8, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

I say increase his salary gradually for the few years until it hits 2.3 or 2.4. This way its not an immediate shot to the Athletic Association’s budget which is still suffering from Chan Gailey.

By Tumby J

December 8, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

I was all for telling everyone to just stay put and don’t screw around with the contract - CPJ doesn’t strike me as a Petrino kind of coach - until I saw some of the other ACC salaries up there.

CPJ should be averaging better than Davis and Groh and O’Brien IMHO. Maybe $2.3mil?

By Carolina Jacket

December 8, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

I’d put him right up there among the leaders. As I said some time ago, I would extend his contract to 10 years with a healthy raise. I hope he is not a “jumper,” but one never knows. We desperately need stability to recruit well. I surely hope that Coach Johnson is commited to Tech. Otherwise, we are going to be in trouble.

By 2HLLWGA

December 8, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Yes, something does need to be done - it would not be good to lose him. In this economy, I would add incentives, rather than raise the base too much, but base should be raised some. Ideas for incentives might be:

1) percentage of the bowl revenue, retroactive to the CFA Bowl 2) percentage of new AT Fund contributions with 2007 as a benchmark 3) percentage of gate receipts (similar to Heisman - I believe GT advertises he got 30% of reciepts)

By Chris

December 8, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

2 million a year plus incentives

By Todd

December 8, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

$2M per year seems to be the bottom line for a top-tier coach like CPJ….. IMHO.

By GT76

December 8, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

I like the % of bowl revenue and other incentives.

By the way I’m guessing ticket prices will rise next year. We will be paying for it. $1=$50,000 x 7 games = $350,000

By Mitch

December 8, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

2HLLWGA: Bowl revenues are paid to the ACC (after team expenses are deducted) and then redistributed to all member institutions. This is part of the GTAA’s annual budget. The only way any ACC school gets more bowl money is if we get an extra bowl (like NC State did for us this year, albeit not a lot of money for it) or get into a second BCS bowl game, which could very well start happening next year.

By Dannyboy

December 8, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Definitely at least $2 Million (with certain bonuses…conference/national championships, coaching awards, graduation rates, etc.). But more importantly, a HEFTY buyout if he leaves for another college coaching job. The contract should have language that makes it very difficult for other colleges to even consider PJ because of the buyout.

By BobinBuford

December 8, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

BTW:

Did anyone else notice the problems that UGA has had with the number 42 the past week?

Football: GT 45, UGA 42

Women’s Basketball: GT 57, UGA 42

Men’s Basketball: Illinois 76, UGA 42 - the worst loss by UGA since GT put that beatdown on them in 2004.

Plus, I read that Illinois will play in Duluth next year against UGA. Get the orange and blue out - fire up, Illini!!!!

By TDone

December 8, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Personally, I believe that Johnson needs to make the same as Richt. Think of the message that will send to everyone far and wide.

Folks, we may need to pony up to his assistants and him that type of dough, but based on what I have seen, heard, and felt so far, he is worth it.

By m

December 8, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Ken, I just wanted to take this opportunity to say that you are an IDIOT for writing that column against the Tech WHITE OUT. Anybody could go out and find 3 or 4 people against anything…probably even Jesus Christ. Your column was stupid and unnecessary and counter-productive. I am sure you realize this and hopefully will do better in the future. And, as always, thank God and Greyhound that Chan Gailey is gone forever.

By jabster

December 8, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Don’t forget the other side of the contract—up his salary AND up his buyout—and re-vet his resume while you’re at it so we don’t run into the O’Leary problem again in case he does leave.

I wonder if we could put in some kind of clause that says his contract automatically rolls over or adds a year each year he beats UGA and/or has a .500+ ACC record…that would keep him under wraps as long as he keeps winning.

Pay him $2M next year and put in an escalator each year after that (ditto for the buyout).

Lastly, and I am going to sound like m or a broken record+ here, but we need BUTTS IN SEATS!!! Who has their Peach Bowl tix yet? Who is getting season tix next year?

+For those of you in school today who have never seen one, a “record” is a large, 7”, 10”, or 12” flat, usually circular piece of vinyl, used for recording sound. It is played by using a needle-like stylus, which traces a groove made in the vinyl as an analog representation of the sounds recorded on it. The vibrations of the stylus caused by tracing the groove reproduce the recorded sounds.

If the “record” is damaged, it can cause the stylus to track back to a previous part of the groove during playback, causing that portion of the sound to be repeated over and over. Hence the simile.

By Ramblin Wrecker

December 8, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

The way I see it, it is a matter of projecting out from the current level and asking yourself if how confident you are that this season was no fluke, do you believe it can/will get even better and are you happy with what you project.

I think you’d be hard pressed to find anybody who’d say this season’s success is a fluke. You don’t bring in a whole new coaching staff, teach a completely different offense AND defense and have it done with a roster that is lacking in quality depth AND is dangerously reliant on freshman and sophomores and chalk up a 9-3 season (including a road win over your nemesis) to luck. Somebody knew what they were doing and can repeat it. So then you move on to can/will they get even better and I think most people would say yes. GT will be running on a full complement of scholarships next season (ending the frustration of NCAA sanctions) and all those freshmen and sophomores that contributed to the early success will be more experienced. Plus they’ll all have a season of bowl practice, spring practice and fall practice of repetition in Johnson’s offense and Coach Womack’s defense to become more efficient. And then you decide if you’re happy with where you are and where you project you can/will be. Who could possibly say they aren’t currently happy and excited about the future? So to me all those things equal DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE PAUL JOHNSON STAYS. I trust what Dan Radakovich has done and if he had to do another coaching search he’d make the right moves, but why risk it when you have a winner already in place? Johnson won national titles at GA Southern. He made Navy relevant in a time where a service academy can’t recruit even in the top 75% of the best athletes in the country. He’s already beat Georgia and reversed a 7 year curse.

In my mind that puts his salary in the range of coaches who have won a lot, but haven’t won a conference title. Reward him but leave some room to add on after winning the ACC and starting a winning streak over UGA next season. Throw out the Bobby Bowden numbers because he’s grossly underpaid for what he’s done for the FSU program. But Paul Johnson has accomplished more than everyone but Mark Richt on that list. To me that is somewhere in the $2.1-2.3 million range.

By JR

December 8, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Given the expectations before the season, what would you say what he has done is worth? I think Tech should pony up another million just for beating the University of Georgia at Athens!

By son_sir

December 8, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

I can’t see CPJ, a very loyal person, bolting after one season. All indications are that he is very happy at GT and he has said so. There seems to be a lot of journalists, probably UGA grads, who are throwing his name in the Auburn consideration pool, etc. DRad made a proactive move by scheduling a meeting to discuss the contract and I’m sure it will be laden with incentives. His agent, Jack Reale, says CPJ is very happy at GT. Don’t get too excited Mutts…. CPJ will be around for a long time. There’s lots of unfinished business on The Flats.

By AlabamaRamblinwreck

December 8, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Very interesting comments on this subject.

I agree that CPJ’s performance this year needs to be rewarded with a contract extension and raise. I like the escalating base salary idea. Maybe 1.8, then 1.9, etc. up to 2.5 after 8 years. That would give him a 2.15 avg. over that time period. Also, incentives like bonuses for winning the division, the conference, beating UGA, and definitely winning a nat’l championship should be included. This would give him the opportunity to make over 2 right away depending on the amount of the bonuses.

But I want to say this also: Whatever facility improvements he needs to attract players should also be done promptly. I think making CPJ happy in this regard will mean just as much or more than the salary. Give him the control over the program that Sat.. I mean Saban has at UA.

To Jabster above. Yes, I am buying bowl tickets, and yes, if the economy allows me to still be employed in 2009, I will definitely buy season tickets. Everyone else who plans to be more involved because of Coach Johnson and DRAD, please email them and let them know.

Go Jackets!!

By reality check

December 8, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

As a georgia fan, I want to see Johnson jump ship and go after another big money job. I think tech has a winner in Johnson and that means we will have a healthy game each year. So for our interest, please…. we would like to say don’t pay him and let him get discouraged and go elsewhere. Go DAWGS!

By Ryan

December 8, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Honestly, I wish I knew where CPJ’s mind was. He seems committed to Tech but a whole lot of doors will open especially if he grabs the national coach of the year hardware - which I think is likely (consider the ACC vote and his lead in the coach of the year fan poll).

D’Rad deserves props for calling this meeting and being proactive and open to upping the contract. Otherwise things can turn dramatic and nasty really quick. If CPJ makes more than $2 million, he will be among the top 20 in terms of NCAA coaching salaries. Definitely well deserved. $2.5 million would put him in the top 15 and $2.8 million to match CMR. Eventually matching Richt’s salary would make a huge statement and I would think Tech has the pockets deep enough to do it.

Maybe not instantly, but whatever we can do to keep CPJ. After this season, I think Tech faithful would sooner sacrifice their first-born than to see Johnson pack up and bail.

By RT

December 8, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I like CPJ and what he has done with the program. We need to reward him for outstanding performance this year. However, I am not in favor of garantees and contract extentions. We don’t want to be in the same boat as Notre Dame and Charlie Weis. Weis did great the first couple of years (or got lucky) and now the program is an embarrasment. How about Chan Gailey, we are still paying him!!!!!!!!! Give CPJ a retroactive bonus for this year to show GT will deal with him fairly and will reward results. Add money incentives for , dare I say it, BCS appearences, ACC titles, etc. Don’t do “anything it takes” to keep him. If he wants huge money in advance of good performance we won’t be able to keep him from deeper pockets anyway.

By inveniojacket

December 8, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

CPJ already has incentives in his contract for beating uga, winning the ACC title, winning a national title, etc.

By addicted

December 8, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

I think we should up his salary to about 2.1mil (same as Butch Davis) if we can afford it. I think the big clause, however, should be that once we have stopped paying Chan, 50-75% of the money currently paid to Chan will go to him. That means in 3 years we would be paying him an additional .5 - 0.75 million. Plus all the bonuses. I think the Chan clause will help us increase his salary substantially, and not hurt the AA significantly.

By Wrecker1

December 8, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Looking at the salaries of the coaches provided it would be hard to know what to pay Johnson. T Bowden and Groh are overpaid and O’Brien is underpaid. I’ve never been a proponent of upping a coach’s contract after one year but I believe Paul Johnson is in a very small class of coaches and we have to know that the schools that basically have unlimited resources will be after him. The sky isn’t the limit with us: we’re a whole lot closer to the ground but I think if we make Coach Johnson comfortable and provide him with what he needs to WIN he’ll be at TECH for a long time. I also think Coach Johnson is a very unique individual that having coached at Navy understands the dynamics of coaching at TECH but doesn’t see that as limitations but as plusses.

By Jerry

December 8, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

First thing you need to know about life is don’t fall in love with anyone but your family. If you put all of your hopes and dreams in the Paul Johnson basket then you need to know he can take them on down the road when ever the fancy strikes him.

Georgia Tech has been around for a long time and will be around long after we are dead and gone. I hope Paul Johnson feels like he has found a home and is part of the Georgia Tech family. He might but he might not.

In this age of greed and excess it has become apparent that long held values of honor duty and decency do not hold sway like they once did. I think that is a large part of what got us into the current financial mess. College and professional athletics have been at the forefront of greed, arrogance and the what’s in it for me life style we see so prominent in America today.

Time will tell what kind of man Paul Johnson is. I hope he is the kind of man we can build a solid foundation on for the next decade or more. He just might be but then again he might not.

Go Jackets!

By CW

December 8, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

I don’t pretend to know much about contracts, nor do most of the folks who posted above, but in general you need to pay the coach a number that will make him happy without causing undue stress on the athletic budget.

I just can’t believe that Paul Johnson or most of these other coaches really care if they make $1.75 million or $2.1 million if they are happy with where they are. Don’t get me wrong a couple hundred thousand is a lot of dough, but these guys are making more than they can spend anyway.

What else can you do for him that invests in the program instead of paying it all out the door? Does he want a new weight room?

As for buyouts, I just don’t put a lot of stock in them. If a coach wants to go somewhere else, help pack his knick-knacks, say goodbye and find someone who wants the job.

Johnson did a great coaching job this year and deserves to be rewarded, but this relationship is a two way street. Johnson was paid very well this year and was given the tools to be a successful coach. He did a great job, but had Institute players, facilities and administrators helping.

By Great job coach!

December 8, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Pay this man. He already has destroyed 2 L-streaks (UGA, FSU) and extended a great win streak (UM).

Set his base somewhere between the highest ACC level and the going rate for, say, an Auburn job. Is this $2.5m? Find out and get him locked in.

Set good bonuses for: - Beating UGA - Winning ACC coastal - Winning ACCCG - Going to BCS bowl - Winning BCS bowl - Winning NC

Include a big buyout. Set a reopener (increase) for beating UGA 3 in a row.

This man is making a real DIFFERENCE in the GT program. Think back a year ago how you felt compared to now. We cannot take a chance in letting a good thing go. Also, give DRad a boost for the decision he made (with risk) to bring PJ here.

By GTpak

December 8, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

If he were to win the National Coach of the Year, and given his record of success, how much would other schools pay him?

We need to keep the man happy, not penny pinch him.

He may be our next Bobby Dodd.

By JR

December 8, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

CW, You are so right! Buyout clauses are a joke. The coach won’t have to pay and the big booster have deep pockets. Also, I don’t want someone who doesn’t want to be here 100%. From what I have read about Johnson I think he really wants to be a Tech.

By gtne80

December 8, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

My first instinct would be to say that we should jack up his contract to ensure that he doesn’t jump ship. I sure do like being in the running for the ACC Championship and beating UGA.

However, as much as I have been impressed with his accomplishments this year, there are some factors that should be considered before making this move.

One only needs to look to South Bend to see what a mess you can get into by overreacting to perceived pressure. Charlie Weiss looked really good after his first couple of years. ND thought they were doing the right thing by locking him in. Now they are stuck. I’m not saying that CPJ is the same as Weiss

The prudent thing to do is to look at what level of a program your university wants to have. Do you want to be competing for National Championships? ACC Championships? or just “be competitive in our own conference?”

Based on your answer to that question, you set up your HC’s (and others’) contract to be competitive with programs that have that same goal.

In other words, if the man wants to move, make sure that $$$ are not a major consideration for him in his decision. He may skip to a program with higher expectations, but he’ll do it because of factors other than money.

By GT

December 8, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Pay the man his market value. Nobody on this blog knows what that is. Lets remember that GT has a history of losing top coaching talent to the NFL or a college/university that is higher in the food chain. Hopefully, that will change with D-Rad on board.

By pete

December 8, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Tech needs to give him 3 mil per year for 5 years and not worry about him leaving.He is worth it.

By ken sugiura

December 8, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

A lot of interesting comments and creative solutions. My thinking is in line with Wrecker1. It’s hard to get a grip on where you might slot Johnson’s salary. You could certainly make a case Tommy Bowden and Groh are overpaid, but, then, that’s not Paul Johnson’s fault.

As far as buyouts go, I’m not sure I’d go so far as to say they’re a joke, but, yes, if a school wants to hire away a coach, they’ll come up with the money.

But, a buyout isn’t just leverage to keep a coach. Let’s say Tech established a giant buyout for Johnson and some school hired him away. (THIS IS PURELY HYPOTHETICAL)

At least Tech would have a big wad of cash to go hire someone else. (Given my astute usage of contract language, I know it isn’t going to surprise you that I wasn’t a finance major in college.)

And another thing about a big buyout - a coach is going to ask for more money in the contract in exchange for it. I don’t know if there’s some sort of commonly accepted “exchange rate” - an extra $250K per year for every $500K in the buyout, or something - but now i’m kind of curious to see if there is.

We’ve written about some of the details of Johnson’s current contract - bonuses and the like. I can dig it up for you if you want.

That’s about it.

Thanks for the constructive criticism, M.

By Willie Coyote

December 8, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Football brings in a lot of money with Bobby Dodd 85% full and mediocre bowl appearances. With the stadium sold out and the liklihood of ACC title game appearances and BCS bowl appearances over the next few years, the money will definitely get better. Pay the man and keep winning.

By Braindawg

December 8, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

See ya CPJ, youve got a chance to go to Auburn, and coach at a real football school. Not be stuck at an ACC school, with recruiting restrictions. You can go to a school and concentrate on winning. The ACC cant even sell out its own championship game for gods sake. Whats up with that, they should just compete in basketball!!!……And yes i’m a Dawg fan, trying to talk him into leaving the flats! But atlast I would like to say, CPJ doesnt strike me as the type of coach to leave a job unfinished. I cant see him leaving Tech for a long time. Anyway i hope he does, for my Dawgs sake and for he sake of the rest of the ACC. He’s a great coach and Tech should do whatever they have to keep him…..Go Dawgs!!!Later!!!

By JR

December 8, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Before bringing up Notre Dame please remember that Charlie Weiss did not have a track record as a head coach. Paul Johnson does!

By Carolina Jacket

December 8, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Another factor that could play into the equation is Johnson’s offense. All of the SEC (and other) fans claim that their schools would never run this high school offense because the 4/5 star players wouldn’t buy into it. Could be true. If so, that is a plus for Tech who is willing to compete with more 2/3 (and some 4) star players who mold as a team that even SEC schools find pretty hard to beat. I surely hope this is a factor.

By Pay the man

December 8, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

OMG! Tommy Bownden was making 2.2 million??? Clemson supports should be asking for a some $ back on their contributions to the Ath.Dept.

With that being known, Paul Johnson is definitely worthy of 2.2 million - lock him in to a new deal.

By JacobDawg

December 8, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

I respect and admire what Johnson has done this year at Tech. However, don’t you think that Tech should wait as least one more season before throwing another million dollars at him? He had a good season this year, but it could have just been that his competition was down this year and that he did it with well inherited talent from the previous staff.

I saw wait until this time next year. If you still feel that Johnson needs a raise, give him one.

By Heyberto

December 8, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

I found this article interesting.. and while Johnson should be commended for the job he’s done this year, it will be interesting to see how he sticks with the triple option as time goes on. I don’t see that kind of offense is going to win him a championship. For now, it gives momentum for a team without all the pieces in place. As he recruits, will he alter his reliance on this offense? If he gets the right recruits and goes with a more diverse offense, and wins.. then I’ll agree he’s a top tier coach.

By Tech

December 8, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Give him 700 Billion at least we get some return on our investment

By BuzzGT

December 8, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

I would say 2.1 Million with a Graduation Rate, ACC Championship and National Championship incentive package. It would be nice to pay for it by taking a percentage of NBA and NFL contracts for students who leave early.

By BuzzGT

December 8, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

We could give him $2.6 million a year if we weren’t paying Chan Gailey for the next 3 years.

By wow

December 8, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

This sounds like the (formely) Big Three barganining with the UAW when times were good.

Pay the man a fair wage but not the moon too. Remember, he already has a multi-year contract…that we assume he will honor…because he is an honorable man. (and a good coach!) (perhaps fair this year will mean more than was promised).

By Kay

December 8, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Pay whatever it takes to keep him! Tech needs Paul Johnson. I don’t think he will expect more than what he deserves and he deserves whatever it takes from Tech’s end. We need the stability, enthusiasm, but most of all the winning he brings to our tradition.

By Nerdbone!!!!!!

December 8, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Johnson needs to be kept on the Flats, period.

The low 2’s with more incentives and plans to up his salary over the next few years.

But even if we have to pay more than that, pay it. Johnson’s success will return far more than his salary.

His goal is to put GT into national title contention, and the evidence suggests he’s not just talking big. With Johnson at the helm, Tech has a legit shot at becoming a consistent national power again. That’s something most people including many GT fans thought we would never do again.

By Tokyo jacket

December 8, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

I say pay $2M base with bonuses: $100K for beating UGA, $100K 9 wins, $100K for exceeding a certain grad rate, $50K for a bowl $50K for a bowl win $50K for an ACC Championship berth $100K (extra) for ACC Championship

Also, add escalations in base salary: $100K for beating UGA in consecutive years

Now, where do we find this money. It will be easier when Gailey’s contract is up, but it will be hard as h-e-double hockey sticks to pay for it now. The only way would be to raise already troubling ticket prices. I don’t mind paying the dough, but since we’re only 85% full most of the time, a lot of people do apparently. $100K for BCS win

By kram reknouy

December 8, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

GT Admin have been asking the Tech “not so faithful” to step up and come support the team. It has been tough in the past when coaches use Tech as a spring board to something more lucrative and exciting…

Curry to Alabama Ross to the Pros O’Leary to ND (oops)

Tech Admin should get behind Johnson, lock him up, and make him want to remain at Tech and build a legacy, another Tech legacy. Then the “not so faithful” will not be so gun shy about supporting the program.

By El Gato

December 8, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Adiós, CPJ!!

Auburn much better job than the one at Yech. This is the reason all good coaches leave you. Lack of support for the team is seeing your coach gone. Enjoy the one season while you had him, nerds!!

By main street

December 8, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

the whole kit and kaboodle

By RAMBLE ON!!!

December 8, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

El Gato’s sister use to beat him up a lot growing up, poor thing

Miami hasn’t sold more than 50K tickets for a game this decade.

By El Jabstero

December 8, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

¡Bienvenidos, El Gatitito!

Recuerde: ¡41-23 y 45-42!

El Gatitito es un perdidor grande, como UGA y Miami este año (Miami todos años cuando juegan los Jackets). Obtenga una vida y callese.

In other news: Patrick Nix to Auburn? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! How much is Miami paying him (to leave, that is…)? Would be good for Miami, not so much for us who have to play them. Hope he’s still on the Plains in ‘17.

By El Gato

December 8, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Hello, Yes I remember the Thursday night beating!! Could care less about your game with UGA!! Not a bandwagon jumper….Our coaches leave for the NFL. Coaches who stop at Yech leave for better college jobs….which are not too hard to find.

BTW….Su español necesita un cierto trabajo

By davil

December 9, 2008 2:00 AM | Link to this

He deserves $12.95 and a Vulcan Ear and Eyebrow Job.

By GT 90

December 9, 2008 2:02 AM | Link to this

CPJ is not Nick Saban or Rich Rod but there’s always the possibility. If his main motivation is winning, then there isn’t any amount of money to keep him should a job at a higher tierd SEC or Big 12 team become available. Having said that, if we can structure it w/out breaking the bank, let’s do everything possible to keep him. He’s a proven winner, head coach, and had brought back hope to the flats.

By brad

December 9, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this

If the AA claims its broke, anyone think the government might come in and provide a bailout to help with CPJ’s salary?

By gt frat boy

December 9, 2008 5:57 AM | Link to this

I think most would agree that CPJ deserves to rewarded for his success this year. The main thing is that DRad is going to meet with him and find out what motivates him most. If it’s money, so be it. However, I’m a fan of some alternatives such as:

Giving him a spending budget for the team so he has more control over where GT Football improvements go. (weight room, lockers, trainers, etc.)

Seeing as he seems to be someone who wants to control his own destiny, that might be a strong point for him. The incentives should be tailored to CPJ. The way to keep him at GT is to make him GT; give him a reason to be loyal.

That being said, I still think he should be popped up to 1.8-1.9 immediately with an annual increase for the duration of the contract. This serves two purposes. First and foremost, it rewards him for staying here longer as he will get paid more the longer he stays. Additionally, it allows time to recoup the money forfeited to Gaily.

Some numbers (I am a techie after all):

$1.8m with 4% increase yearly:: $2.11m average, $2.36m year 7

$1.9 m with 4% increase yearly:: $2.23m Average, $2.5m at year 7

Fight, Win, Drink, Get Naked

By bearcasey

December 9, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this

This blog amuses me. Everyone is “oh so ready” to spend OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY to keep CPJ. I have an idea! Let’s spend some of our OWN MONEY!

I’m a retired high school teacher/coach… not rich, but comfortable. I’m willing to pony up $500 to create a “Keep Paul Johnson” fund. Surely, there are 2000 GT fans like me. That’s $1,000,000. As my dear old dad always said: “put your money where your mouth is.”

By doggone

December 9, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

As a part of the Bulldog Nation, I still do not believe that Johnson’s offensive strategy will make it long term in a major conference. The Dawgs showed in the 1st half how easily it can be stopped. The 2nd half, particularly the 3rd quarter, showed how easily you can score with any offense when the defense does stupid stuff, stops tackling and the special teams don’t do their job. That’s all. Good athletes on defense who exercise dicipline and play sound fundamental football can stop this kind of offense. Thats just a self evident fact.

By Zach

December 9, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

I just read an article here on the AJC that Patrick Nix was a candidate for the Auburn head coaching job. To that article I have two responses. First, if I’m an Auburn fan, “WHAT THE $#@%! Patrick Nix??? I mean I know he played here, but have you seen him coach? When he left Tech for Miami, it was not a trail of tears that followed him but of joy and a slamming screen door!” Second, since I’m a GT fan, “HAHAHAHAHA!!! HA HA HA! Seriously. I hope he gets the job. Just don’t come sniffing around Atlanta again.”

By jabster

December 9, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

El Gato wrote:

Su español necesita un cierto trabajo

Sí….un poquito ;-). Pero no muy malo por un gringo.

GT Frat Boy: It’s “nekkid”, not “naked”. Look it up.

Doggone: I agree 100%. CPJ and his offense would never work in the SEC. So Auburn (and any future et al.’s) needs to look elsewhere for a good coach…

Is there any way we can keep Nix in the ACC Coastal (just not on The Flats)? Maybe UVA can hire him.

By @Doggone

December 9, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

And therein lies the rub. You can get burned on a single play with this offense (see first play of 3rd quarter). That means your defense has to be playing disciplined EVERY SINGLE PLAY OF THE GAME to stop the 3O. Please tell me a team in NCAA that has such a defense where every player makes every play every time… Plus, once we start getting comfortable with the passing element of PJ’s 3O, look out.

I’d also like to point out that, for the most part, UGA’s defense was in position in the 2nd half… They just got blocked properly, allowing 5+ yard runs. Now, those plays aren’t what get replayed on SportsCenter, but when executed at a high precision/level, the 3O can just grind down defenses to the point that at the end of the game, they WILL make a mistake.

I love how UGA fans refuse to admit that they lost to a better team, that it was UGA playing bad that allowed us to win. I look forward to y’all coming to the flats next year for round 2.

By Jay

December 9, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Doggone, you don’t know anything about the option. I coach in the exact same offense that tech and navy runs. Ever notice the different formations that they employ? This is to get a numbers advantage on each play. If we have 3 and you have 2 then you can’t stop us if we do our job. That is a fact and can’t even be argued. You get in different formations so that you have a numbers advantage. If the pitchman gets tackled before gaining at least a few yards, then they ran the option to the wrong side or somebody missed a block. 2nd, the whole first half Nesbitt wouldn’t pitch the football. I spent a whole year with a QB that was new to the offense and there were times where he wouldn’t pitch the football and nobody knows why. When he finally did, they got explosive plays. They get explosive plays because there is nobody for the pitch man because, again, we have you outnumbered. Thats what people do not understand about the option. They talk about defenses having discipline and that’s true if you have 3 and we have 3. But if you have 2 and we have 3(or we have 4 to your 3, etc.), you can’t stop it, we can only screw up. Where Tech got into trouble this year is upfront. Their offense line wasn’t very good and many plays got blown up in the backfield. Or they ran midline option and the nose crossed the center’s face and made the play. On that particular play, the qb made the right read but the center screwed up. If it was so easy to stop, it would get stopped when lesser teams like Navy (or remember Georgia Southern from a few years back?) run it all over teams that are bigger, stronger, and faster than they are.

By wes

December 9, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

If I were CPJ, I would be using this opportunity to get a raise.

That’s the smart thing to do and CPJ is no dummy.

It has NOTHING to do w/ his loyalty to GT, it has EVERYTHING to do w/ him taking better care of his family.

So don’t go freaking out, Tech fans, when we give CPJ a nice raise.

Remember, he was offered 2mill/year to coach at SMU.

Tech should AT LEAST split the difference and give him 1.75mill/year. 2 mill would be a very good reward in these economic times.

JMO.

By JR, a typical tech idiot

December 10, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Hi, my name is JR. If posts have typos, I can’t read them or understand the message that is being said. You see, last night on another blog, someone made a post with a couple of simple typos. I very rudely asked the person to speak in English, because the typos confused me and I didn’t understand what the message was. Anyone with reading skills could have understood what was being said, but not me. I read at a first grade level. I also showed what lack of class i had in my response. The reason I did this was because of the huge inferiority complex I have when it Georgia fans. Like most Tech idiots, I don’t realize that when people talk about how superior they are to someone, they usually have very little if any self esteem which causes them and their staments are weak attempts to hide their true feelings.

By Ramble On! doesn't realize....

December 10, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

…that Miami has had problems selling out their stadium before this decade. He also doesn’t realize that Miami has also historically had a problem keeping their coaches.

By StackJacket

December 12, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Is D.J. Donley going to play for Srurrier this season?

As for our big DT tackle, I noticed the recruiting services projecting him to play on the other side of the ball!