Bobby Cremins sitting behind Tech bench today – updated

GREENSBORO, NC – From one row back and about four seats over from the bench, Georgia Tech had a familiar old white shaggy head taking in its ACC championship game.

Former coach Bobby Cremins said he couldn’t help but come to Sunday’s showdown with Duke and support the team he took to three ACC titles in 19 seasons at Tech.

“I felt like I had to come,” said Cremins, whose College of Charleston team was off on Sunday.

He’d been keeping tabs on the Yellow Jackets’ progress from Macon, where he was at the state high school playoffs on a recruiting trip. When he found out they were in Sunday’s final against Duke, he called Tech coach Paul Hewitt and asked if he could get tickets.

Cremins drove to Atlanta, picked up his son Bobby Cremins III, spent the night in Charlotte and drove to Greensboro Sunday morning.

His coaching schedule at College Charleston has kept him from attending many Tech games – including the 25th anniversary celebration of the 1985 ACC title team last month – so he was glad for the chance.

He said he’s caught the Yellow Jackets on TV this year when he could and kept up with their ups and downs.

“I know they’ve struggled at times,” Cremins said. “It’s tough. There are always high expectations because Paul has recruited so many great players. Paul and I have a great relationship, and I love Georgia Tech. I just wish I could go to more games, and I’m not able to. I hate that I just show up for the championship game, but I couldn’t miss it. I just couldn’t.”