IRISH GOING UP AGANIST AN UNDER RATED TEAM IN ATLANTA

[Guest irishrick]

Gailey Signs New Five-Year Contract

Tech head coach has led Jackets to four straight bowls

 

Help decide which schools will receive over $100,000 in general scholarship contributions by voting for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance

 

 

March , 2006

 

ATLANTA--Georgia Tech head football coach Chan Gailey has signed the new five-year contract that was agreed upon with Institute President Dr. Wayne Clough and outgoing Director of Athletics Dave Braine and authorized by the Georgia Tech Athletic Association Board in November.

 

"It's great to finally have this in place," said Gailey, whose new deal runs through the 2010 season. "It was just a matter of getting all the paperwork done."

 

Entering his fifth season on the Flats, Gailey took over the Tech program in 2002 and has guided the Yellow Jackets to winning seasons and bowl berths each of his first four years. Last fall, the Jackets posted a 7-5 record, including a 5-3 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while playing one of the nation's toughest schedules.

 

Gailey, whose record at Tech stands at 28-22, is the only coach in Georgia Tech history to lead the Yellow Jackets to a bowl in each of his first four seasons.

 

"Obviously I'm very happy to be here," said Gailey. "Georgia Tech is a special place, and I'm looking forward to many more years here," said Gailey. "When I came here, my expectation was to finish my career at Georgia Tech, and this is a big step in that direction."

 

"I look forward to working with Chan Gailey and helping the football program succeed in any way I can," said Dan Radakovich, who was named Tech's new Director of Athletics on Feb. 22 but is completing his duties at LSU, which plays tonight in Jacksonville, Fla., in the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. MY CONTACTS, has indicated that we will see the same plays that ohio state used aganist us. this team is very fast, and could be the thorn in the irish N C RUN . ????

[IrishGuy 57]

GT is a very scary game for ND. GT is capable of giving us our toughest game outside of LA next season....they are also capable of giving our 2nd and 3rd stringers a lot of playing time. It really depends on what team shows up.

[Guest irishrick]

GEORGIA TECH SPRING FOOTBALL

 

Choice ready to be a leader

 

By MIKE KNOBLER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 03/29/06

Tashard Choice is ready to take over, not just at running back but at leader.

 

P.J. Daniels filled both those roles for Georgia Tech's offense, but his career is over. Wednesday, when the Yellow Jackets opened spring practice, it was Choice's team.

 

 

 

"It's time for me to step in and go along and do my thing, just be ready to do the job," said Choice, who ran for 513 yards and a team-high six touchdowns in his first Tech season. "It's just my time to do what I do.

 

"I'll get a chance to show more of an example now. I know I need to be counted on every game."

 

"Tashard's doing an excellent job of leading," Tech coach Chan Gailey said. "I like his enthusiasm, the way he talks to other players and the way he practices."

 

Choice said a year of experience in Tech's offense should make him more effective as a junior.

 

"Football-wise, I'm smarter on the field," he said. "I understand runs. I understand things to hit at. I understand blocks. I know the things I need to do at certain points of the game."

 

Choice will get competition this spring from Rashaun Grant, who has come back bigger and stronger.

 

Good start for Wrotto

 

Former defensive tackle Mansfield Wrotto had a good first day at offensive right tackle.

 

"I thought he was a more than pleasant surprise," Gailey said. "He looked quick. He knew assignments."

 

Pat Clark, a starter last season at inside receiver, appeared to have a good first practice at backup cornerback. Clark is likely to be Tech's nickel back this fall, but he could play occasionally on offense, too.

 

"That's not out of the question," Gailey said.

 

Parker calls it quits

 

Former backup center Eddy Parker, who would have been a junior this year, has decided to give up football because of injuries that have plagued him his entire Tech career, Gailey said. Parker will receive a medical scholarship, meaning he won't count against Tech's scholarship numbers next fall.

 

Linebacker Shane Bowen, a midyear enrollee, made an acrobatic diving interception in his first college practice but left with an ice bag on the front of his right ankle. "It could be a little bit longer than I would like [before Bowen can return]," Gailey said. "It's not an entire spring deal."

 

Receiver James Johnson was out with an injury but is expected back Monday. Defensive tackle Vance Walker was out with an illness not considered serious. Linebacker Travis Chambers was limited but is exected back Monday.

 

Auditioning at PR

 

Grant, Jake Blackwood and Andrew Smith practiced catching punts. They'll be joined in the punt returner chase by James Johnson when he begins practicing. Special teams is a point of emphasis for Tech, which has a new special teams coordinator in Charles Kelly.