Dan Radakovich departure: Paul Johnson heard news from Dabo Swinney

Georgia Tech head football coach Paul Johnson heard about the departure of athletic director Dan Radakovich from a somewhat unlikely place: rival head coach Dabo Swinney of Clemson, the university that lured Radakovich from Atlanta (quote courtesy of the AJC):

"I told him Dan was a great guy to work with," Johnson said.

"He’s a good friend," Johnson said. "He did a lot for Georgia Tech and for me and my family. He’ll still be a good friend even though he’s at Clemson."

Despite heading to an ACC rival, Radakovich hired Johnson to replace Chan Gailey, and Johnson and Swinney's friendship allowed Johnson to find out earlier than intended. Georgia Tech President G.P. Peterson told the AJC that an internal committee would be formed to seek out Radakovich's replacement.

Senior associate A.D. Paul Griffin will work with Peterson in the interim – Radakovich's last day is Nov. 30 – and before a new A.D. is hired. Peterson told the media that with the the advancements in campus construction and facilities, one aspect of the new A.D. he'd look for is a noted fundraiser.