A Good Day for Jacket Fans

With all frustrating news in recent weeks, it was nice to get more than one dose of good news today:

THE STICK IS COMING BACK
Man-beast Michael Johnson and all 6'7" of his lean, mean fighting machine are going to be back for a senior season. Oh, sweet music to our ears.

THE O-LINE JUST GOT BETTER
Andrew Gardner has also decided to keep his game in the college ranks for another season, get that degree, beat Georgia, THEN give the NFL a shot. Evidently his paperwork came back with a 5th round estimate. Certainly great news for Jacket fans

JACKETS NAB A RUN-STUFFER?
It appears that Jackets may have received a commitment from massive Defensive Tackle TJ Barnes (6'7" 320lb). His reported height varies by an inch or so depending on where you look, but suffice it to say he's massive. When was the last time we had a giant like this on the D-Line? Of course some would say height can be a disadvantage at the DT spots, but this guy looks like a possible run-stuffer in the making.

CURTIS MODKINS GETS A PROMOTION
Really great news for one of the guys who did not survive the coaching change. Curtis Modkins was named the Offensive Coordinator out at Colorado State. Oh yeah, he's already been recruiting Sean Renfree, the former QB Jacket recruit who decommitted when the triple-option came to town.

CHAN GAILEY FINALIST FOR CHIEFS OC JOB

He didn't get the 49ers OC but he's up for the KC OC job now. All the best Chan.

DJ DONLEY STAYING, BUT HAS HIS RELEASE
There were reports that Paul Johnson wasn't giving out releases until spring ball. Colin Peek got his and even though DJ Donley said he's staying until spring ball, evidenlty he got his as well.

Donley Staying At GT, For Now
By Phil Kornblut

WR D.J. Donley (6-4 203), who has been considering transfering from Georgia Tech to USC, has received a release from Tech but won't leave just yet. Donley had thought about visiting USC this weekend but after talking with the Tech coaches, he decided to stay there at least for the spring semester and go thru spring practice to get a taste of the new offense. If then he's not happy with what he thinks his involvement will be, he might decide to follow thru with his transfer plans.

ALL QUIET ON THE TENUTA FRONT
For awhile it seemed that Tenuta was the hottest thing since sliced bread. He was going with Miles to Michigan, or he was staying with Miles at LSU. Then he was THE guy for the Auburn DC job. Now it looks like none of these things may happen.

Here's what one Auburn newspaper article said about Tenuta as a candidate for that job

Former Georgia Tech coordinator Jon Tenuta: He was a candidate early, but
Tuberville quickly lost interest.

Ouch. In spite of all this, Tenuta should land on his feet just fine.......... and of course we wish him all the best.

FORMER JACKET GOLFER INDUCTED TO HALL-OF-FAME
Jacket two-sport star Bunky Henry was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. Way to go Bucky.

GOLFER R.CASTRO HONORED
Roberto Castro was given one of the most pretigious awards by the NCAA, the "Top VIII" Award, which recognizes a combination of athletic, academic and public service achievement. Check it out. Wow.

HOOPS - NEW GOALS TO SHOOT FOR
You know, just when I thought today couldn't go any better, comes news that we now have another post-season tourney in hoops to shoot for should we miss the NCAA's and the NIT. I was starting to get down because I couldn't figure what we were playing for any longer. Now I know!!! Heck, we make that one and we're already in the "Sweet 16". Actually, what's interesting about that tourney is that it's a single elimination until the finals, which is a best-of-three. Cool..................... Fight for the right to be the 98th best team in the country!!! For those counting, that's 65 NCAA tourney teams plus 32 NIT teams (I'm assuming anyone invited the NIT is going there, not this one).

HOOPS - STRANGE COINCIDENCE
Surely you heard about the weird deal where super-freak Chicago Bulls rookie Joakim Noah was suspended by his own teammates in a players-only vote after Noah verbally assaulted one of the assistant coaches. Here's the link - the Bulls took the vote while at Georgia Tech preparing for their game against the Hawks. In case you didn't know, many visiting NBA teams use Tech's facilities to prepare for road games against the Hawks.

HOOPS - THADDEUS YOUNG MAKING AN IMPRESSION
Look, I know he left after a season, but Thaddeus Young was a nice kid, a talented player, and his success in the NBA will have some positive impact on Georgia Tech. So I give you a nice write-up on TY, showing that he hasn't changed his work-hard, respectful, listening attitude. He's doing all the right things, even though he's only "getting by on raw talent" right now. Nice story.

NOT ALL ROSY
It wasn't a 100% slamdunk day, as another of our verbal comitts might be waivering - Malcolm Munroe. I'm sure you'll hear more, as he visited UNC and came away impressed.