When Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson publicly acknowledged the addition of Stanford transfer Patrick Skov in April, he committed a minor NCAA violation.
Apparently he did so 30 minutes before NCAA rules allowed, so the program had to self-report the violation. For real.
From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
NCAA rules permit coaches to only confirm that a prospect is being recruited prior to the athlete signing a letter of intent or a grant in aid. On the April day that Skov transferred to Tech from Stanford, Johnson said he was asked in an interview about the move. Johnson said, having been told that the transfer was completed, that he answered that the team was excited to have him. As it turned out, the process was still 30 minutes from being official, Johnson said, rendering his comments an NCAA violation, albeit a rather insignificant one.
The mix-up was deemed a Level III violation by Tech, which the NCAA says is something that is “isolated and limited in nature” and provides “no more than a minimal recruiting, competitive or other advantage.”
“Some of that stuff is ridiculous,” Johnson told the AJC. “It certainly isn’t gaining an advantage over anybody.”
Georgia Tech was placed on four years’ probation in 2011 related to the investigation into impermissible benefits given to Demaryius Thomas, now a star wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. Two additional years of probation were tacked on in 2014 for improper phone calls and text messages from coaches to prospects.
It’s pretty clear that the Yellow Jackets have beefed up their compliance staff in recent years. Last January, Tech self-reported itself and shortened an August practice by 12 minutes after it was discovered that a strength coach “threatened consequences” if any players arrived late to summer workouts.
Summer workouts are supposed to be voluntary, so the program reported the violation.
In response to the most recent violation, Johnson offered this: “They’ve got to do what they feel like they’ve got to do.”
Johnson now has to attend a rules education session because of his premature comments about Skov.
"I was told not to do it," Johnson said. "I was like, OK."
For more Georgia Tech news, visit JacketsOnline.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
