Sports
Sports

Paul Johnson on NCAA basketball scandal: ‘I’m glad we’re with Russell Athletic’

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 4: Head Coach Paul Johnson of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets leads his team on to the field before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Credit: Scott Cunningham

Credit: Scott Cunningham

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 4: Head Coach Paul Johnson of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets leads his team on to the field before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
By Juliakate E Culpepper
Sept 29, 2017

On the David Glenn Radio Show on Thursday, Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson was asked his thoughts on the FBI investigation that arrested four NCAA college basketball coaches and one Adidas director for bribery and corrupt recruiting practices.

Georgia Tech is expected to begin a six-year contract with Adidas after announcing it wouldn't renew its apparel deal with Russell Athletic in June.

“When the FBI, CBB stuff broke, for once in my life, I said I'm glad we're with Russell Athletic,” Johnson said.

Adidas director of global sports marketing James Gatto was arrested by the FBI in connection with bribing high school students and their parents to commit to certain programs and agents.

In response to the FBI investigation, Georgia Tech basketball coach Josh Pasnter said this week that he was "100 percent confident that there has been no wrongdoing at Georgia Tech."

About the Author

Juliakate E Culpepper
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream's Jordin Canada (right) goes to the basket against Indiana Fever's Aari McDonald during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP)

Credit: AP

Jordin Canada catches fire, but Dream collapse in second half against Fever

Jordin Canada powered the Atlanta Dream in the first half, but the Indiana Fever responded with a dominant second-half surge.

Former Mill Creek star Daniel Pierce approaches ‘surreal’ MLB draft night

An MLB team is expected to make Pierce a first-round draft pick Sunday. The 18-year-old shortstop stayed calm and collected as he discussed realizing a lifelong dream.

Georgia leaning on top-ranked SEC defense, Alabama, LSU much improved

Georgia looks to have the top overall defense in the SEC, but plenty of other SEC teams have acquired enough firepower through the portal to challenge

The Latest

Atlanta Dream's Jordin Canada (right) goes to the basket against Indiana Fever's Aari McDonald during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP)

Credit: AP

Jordin Canada catches fire, but Dream collapse in second half against Fever

Sports Daily: Party like an All-Star

Atlanta TV sports listings

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.