A few more thoughts from Hewitt
But wait….there’s more. The news story I wrote today on Paul Hewitt reacting today when I asked about his contract rolling over should be updated soon if it’s not already. In the meantime, I have a few more quotes that I didn’t include in that story that might interest you.
Q. I asked if dealing with ups and downs off the court has taken a toll on him:
A. “Believe it or not I’ve had to try to bite my tongue a few times,” Hewitt said, and he laughed then, knowing full well we all saw the tweets he posted a couple of weeks back. “It may not seem like it. People have said to me ‘You’re a coach, you’re in the public spotlight, so you’ve got to understand that’s part of the business,’ and I do understand it’s part of the business. But to insinuate that I’m doing something deceitful or that I’m mismanaging this basketball program or that the only reason why I’m keeping my job is because of my contract, that was wrong. If you have disagreements with baseline out of bounds plays I run or defenses I run, that’s fine…From a play standpoint, offensive philosophy, that’s fine, it’s part of sports, you get to second-guess people all you want. But don’t make it a character issue when I’ve done nothing to show you that you should question my character.”
Q. My colleague Jeff Schultz asked him if he would get to a point, maybe at the end of the season, where he might just get fed up and leave.
A. “I’m not going anywhere,” Hewitt said. “If they tell me they don’t want me here anymore, that’s fine. But my family likes it here, I like it here, I believe strongly what Georgia Tech can do for young people. It’s not just since I’ve been here. You look at guys who played for Bobby Cremins and what they’re doing with their lives. I believe that very strongly.”
This was him talking about his NCAA tournament history, compared to other schools in the ACC:
“This is our fifth trip to the NCAA tournament in 10 years. If you look up and down our league, obviously Duke is the quote gold standard right now. They’re 10-for-10. Carolina is 7-out-of-10. N.C. State is five out of 10. Should we have been there more? Yeah, no question. I think acceptable would have been seven or eight. But five out of 10 is pretty doggone good. And for the last five years we’ve had some things not go our way. We lose Austin Jackson, he’s going to be our point guard. We lose Javaris (Crittenton) after one year. We lose Thaddeus (Young) after a year, you have the issues with Lewis (Clinch) and Ra’Sean (Dickey) and (Isma’il) Muhammad. We haven’t been dealt a pat hand.”
(Jackson was the point guard Tech recruited that got drafted by the Yankees and left for a big bonus, and Crittenton and Young were one-and-done to the NBA. The other three players mentioned had some academic issues, I believe.)
This is him talking about suggestions that he should fire his assistant coaches:
“Our coaching staff has worked very hard in the face of a lot of adversity to keep recruiting good players. It’s hard (enough) to recruit when you’re winning championships and for us to go through what we went through and still bring in the classes that we’ve brought in says a lot about my staff. And when people start talking about ‘You need to fire your staff, and bring these guys in and that guy in,’ they have no idea what they’re talking about, zero idea. Again it’s not fair to them and it’s not fair to the fans because you’re not telling the fans the truth. Look at the class these guys just brought in. You see what you see on the court and we’ve got Daniel Miller and Kammeon Holsey in the wings redshirting off a (2-14) season. Give these guys some credit, they busted their tail.”
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77 comments Add your comment
TomB
March 16th, 2010
8:20 pm
Someone must have brought him the shovel. And, you say there’s more. I hope not.
wesleywhatwhat
March 16th, 2010
8:22 pm
he should stop talking to the media until the tourney is over.
Dragon
March 16th, 2010
8:23 pm
Watching Gani Lawal shoot free throws is painful, but right now Derrick Favors is the best player in the ACC. There is something to be said for that and how he developed and who devloped him. Coach Hewitt is a class person whose players reflect well on the school.
Ozzy
March 16th, 2010
8:32 pm
I guess I missed something. Did he say who brought in all those players that left early or had academic problems? Who has been bringing these guys in without Paul knowing about it?
I think his main problem is he has a victim mentality. It’s always somebody elses fault, bad luck, it’’s Tech after all not Duke or NC blah blah blah…….
Same ol, same ol…and the mediocrity will continue.
JuneBaby
March 16th, 2010
8:40 pm
i say all the criticism of coach hewitt is irrational. i believe he’s done a very good job as coach of the jackets. all of this stuff is driven by the ajc writers(who wouldn’t know a good coach if they saw one) with their own agendas, and the jackets fans are allowing themselves to be led by a ring through their noses. the so called sports columnists don’t have tech’s best interests at heart, all they’re trying to do is sell more fishwrappers to save their own miserable hides. the good writers they once had, have already hightailed it for greener pastures. anyway, i don’t see a lot of teams in so-called best b-ball league in america winning a lot of championships lately. nor do i see teams with a ncaa pedigrees, such as kentucky, ucla, syracuse, louisville, or etc. winning championships lately either. hewitt’s putting a winning squad on the floor, and graduating his players for the most part. with a little support instead of all the hostility, maybe tech could be pretty good!
GT Letterman
March 16th, 2010
8:54 pm
Hewitt is making a lot of sense here. Don’t make it a character issue when it is not. Take all the time you want complaining about X’s and O’s, but remember in the end maybe 5% of fans know enough to even be in on the conversation. Basketball at this level is about so much more than putting the ball through the hoop. Look at UMC this year – tons of guys who could do that much in HS, but could not produce at all as a team in college their first year. Hewitt deserves to be treated with some respect.
And Coach Hewitt is certainly right to refer to Coach Cremins and the Institute’s ability to mold young men into persons of character. With some exceptions, sure, GaTech produces alumni who excel on a high level outside of sports when their careers are over.
While I wish we turned it over less, made more FT’s, and did not create such universal anxiety every time we’re asked to inbound the ball – I applaud every little success he and his staff have had at not only winning games in the toughest league in the country, but also shaping the lives of young men for the better.
4 Jacks
March 16th, 2010
8:56 pm
More excuses. Geez, this man needs to shut up, and yes Mr. Hewitt, we as fans see the mismanagement on the court. It is the only place we can judge, and quite frankly the product or job being done on the court is medicore at best. Before you start with anymore excuses, how about finishing above .500 in conference play, that would be a big change, and then I might listen to your excuses. Why not be a man about it like Roy Williams who stated he did not do a good job with his team this year. The only difference is Roy will have his team back in contention for the ACC next year. You have never had a team in contention for the ACC championship save your “run” beating 2 of the leagues worst teams in the tounament this year. However, I am sure that there will be more excuses next year. Just look at your record, it is not very good, and it does not take a rocket scientist to see that. Excuses for a year now and then is acceptable, not 7 out of 10 years. But go ahead and keep spouting off or tweeting, it is what you seem to do best.
Daniel B.
March 16th, 2010
9:11 pm
Muhammad didn’t have academic issues. He was dealing with tendonitis in his knees and it bothered him his entire senior season. Please correct your article.
Jackets2010
March 16th, 2010
9:14 pm
Boy our football coaches are sure lucky the internet wasn’t around back then.
Coach Winning percentage
Bud Carson – .500 (After his firing earned 4 Superbowl rings as Steelers D coor.)
Bill Fulcher – .543
Pepper Rodgers – .522 (Had been successful at UCLA before coming to Tech.)
Bill Curry – .423 (Lost to Duke 4 times in a row. 1-9 and 1-10 his first two years. Lost to Tulane, Duke and Navy in both of his first two years.
Bobby Ross – .543 (2-9 and 3-8 his first two years. One great year makes Tech fans remember him better than he was.)
Bill Lewis – .367
Geez who hired these guys?
I think I’d commit suicide before I hired a Georgia assistant (Lewis) to coach us.
O’Leary wasn’t any good until Freigen added to the mix.
Would these guys have lasted as long as they did in an internet age.
Doubtful.
HoopsClass
March 16th, 2010
9:21 pm
Coach Hewitt wants the same things we want. He’s done a good job of putting our program in a position to win for the most part. I do think we are on the way up given our guard rotation for the next couple of years.
Coach on coach. Way to get these guys ready for the ACC tourney and beyond.
GTPhenom
March 16th, 2010
9:21 pm
Gt Letterman, June Baby, the criticism is not irrational or uncalled for. Did you read his comments earlier? He has the attitude of a spoiled child, which is essentially what he is. Sorry if you don’t like to hear the truth, but it was time to jump off the Hewitt bandwagon a long time ago. What has the AJC said to “insult” Hewitt? What have they posted that is not true. I like the point someone made about the fact that while GT has had these player “problems,” who is the one recruiting them. If Hewitt doesn’t want one and doners, then don’t recruit’em. If you don’t want students with academic problems, don’t go after them. It is as simple as that. Ozzy also had it called in the perfect way. He has the victim mentality. It is ALWAYS, I repeat, ALWAYS something other than him. His best excuses: Oh, we are not UNC, or Duke, so obviously we can’t compete at that level; Oh, we have had player trouble and can’t keep a solid lineup; Oh, the schedule we have been dealt is one of the toughest in the nation. As far as the UNC and Duke point he made, that is the one that annoys me the most. Why compare our program to another? Our program needs to live up to OUR standards, and not pay attention to what other teams are doing. GT has had the talent to win AT LEAST one national title this decade, and should by all accounts be 10-10 in getting into the NCAA tourney. His records prove why he needs to go.
louisville slugger
March 16th, 2010
9:27 pm
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’ve never said CPH has a character problem. He does have a coaching problem, and it is simply evidenced by the play of his players, not just this year, but for the last several. He’s right, no one held a gun to Braine’s head and made him offer CPH that contract. But, it is absolutely fair to mention that the contract is obviously a big detriment to making a coaching change. That’s not the same as attacking his character. And yes, he does need to learn to run baseline out of bounds plays…
gtg
March 16th, 2010
9:45 pm
Excuses after excuses…when is the excuse runout for Hewitt?
WTF
March 16th, 2010
9:46 pm
The only thing that ticks me off is that Tech blew it in the championship game and cost my Dogs the ACC championship in Basketball to go with our ACC football championship!
GTPhenom
March 16th, 2010
9:54 pm
You know Louisville, I had no problem with Hewitt . . . until now. Hewitt is being a complete idiot. Ignore the damn press right now and focus on coaching this team up for what likely could help secure your job for quite a while and make people happy. I for one will not be happy without anything but at least an Elite Eight run, and even that is not enough to convince me of his “greatness.” What hewitt needs to learn is some humility.
ArkyTech
March 16th, 2010
10:04 pm
GT has the WORST record in the ACC over the past 5 years. That is more than just bad luck.
The Truth
March 16th, 2010
10:14 pm
dawgs lose…5-6 to GT. Put that in uga’s dawg bowl and smoke it.
Taco
March 16th, 2010
10:36 pm
Paul,
Relax Big Fella,
I ain’t got no problem with your charachter. You are a true gentleman. I have serious issue with some of your inbounds plays. Middle School. We played well Sunday and it was no fault of yours that we did not win. You can’t catch the passes for those boys. You never once dribbled the ball off your foot. You never just stepped out of bounds while dribbling. WTF!!!!!!!. I almost jumped out the window, but I live on the first floor. I am jealous of you. That contract is sweet and how did you pull that off? I would have a lot of respect for you if you said enough is enough and quit. I followed you to San Antone and I hope these boys have run in them. We lack discipline most of all. How come those white boys from Duke don’t make so many stupid plays?
Gordon
March 16th, 2010
10:49 pm
Would all of you people who think Paul Hewitt is a good coach simply look at the record? A coach, especially one who has been in place for 10 years, can be measured by wins and losses. He is the epitome of mediocrity. He’s happy going to the NCAA 5 out of 10 years, even if outside of the final 4 year he’s won exactly one NCAA game. Cremins went 10 out of 12 years, then resigned when he missed 4 times in a row. He’s barely above .500 overall in the last 5 years. He has one winning record in the ACC in 10 years. He has 4 losing seasons in his 10 years. Jeff Lebo was just fired at Auburn, and he has a better overall record and conference record the last 5 years than Hewitt. If you don’t believe me, look it up.
I used to believe at least he represented the school well, but now this last month even that isn’t true. He’s delusional if he thinks the fan base or Radakovich support him. I guess when you have a rollover contract you can act like a pompous a** even if you don’t have the numbers to back it up.
It will be a great day when this nightmare is over. I look forward to renewing my season tickets when that happens.
Tech Fan
March 16th, 2010
11:04 pm
You people are sad!
Tokyo jacket
March 16th, 2010
11:07 pm
CPH = Good to great person (4/5)
CPH = Great recruiter (5/5)
CPH = Average motivator (3/5)
All those things are acceptible to even good. But, you have to look at the record. The most talented team in the ACC was one win away from the conference championship. But, the same team was 5 points away from the NIT.
What would Coach K or Roy Williams do with the most talented team in the ACC? You betcha, win the ACC.
TomB
March 16th, 2010
11:11 pm
Here Here Gordon! Well said. This entire issue should be based on the merits(ACC winning percentage, NCAA births, etcs.) and whether his record and performance matches what GT expects from its BB program and coach. I find it reasonable to believe that DRad would find his performance unacceptable just based on his reasoning for firing Gailey. The AD should be consistent with expectations for both the football and basketball programs. If you believe this, then it is only reasonable to deduce that his contract is what prevented DRad from making a change. Hewitt’s reaction today certainly will not help him in the future.
StingerSplash
March 16th, 2010
11:20 pm
Making the NCAA tournament five out of 10 years, when it’s a 65-team field, is pretty good?
I want my boss to adopt those same parameters for me.
They’ve had things “not go their way”? OK, Austin Jackson signing with the Yankees is something that’s not quite in Hewitt’s control. But he knew Jackson was a top baseball prospect. Thaddeus was a likely one-and done, and Crittenton leaving after one year was a shock. But the academic woes go back to the head coach. This isn’t football, where you have 85 guys on scholarship and God knows how many walk-ons to herd.
Hewitt
March 16th, 2010
11:39 pm
Please everyone lay off Coach Hewitt. He is a great class-act guy and an excellent coach. We have seen what his defense can do and his offense struggles this year at times but that is because he had to alter his style because the lack of guard play. Traditionally, he runs a 4 out, 1 in motion offense (in 2004, he had great success with this because of 4 outstanding guards). This year, the guards have struggled but they are finding it at the end of the season and I would lay off because watch out this team could make a run for the national title and then you won’t be criticizing CPH.
NoCoach Blewitt
March 17th, 2010
12:03 am
Carroll I could have done without seeing the EGOTIST quote about never leaving here ……. THX UNC you Blew(itt) my chance of finally getting rid of this clown…I have only been wishing this since the end of the 2005 season (going into the tourney not when we lost to UL)
AlabamaRamblinwreck
March 17th, 2010
12:24 am
My criticism is totally isolated to what I see game in and game out, not just this year, but every year. He may have the character of Job, but we need a basketball coach. His time should be over, but because of the finances of his contract, he will stay. That is the only reason. These are facts, and they have nothing to do with his character.
TomB
March 17th, 2010
12:36 am
Hewitt, ahem, Mrs Hewitt? I hope you’re right. He sure didn’t show much class today complaining about the criticism – justified criticism in my opinion – just look at his ACC record. It doesn’t appear that he’s altered his style one bit. Maybe his guards are not producing but his motion offense is the same.His guards are struggling because they don’t see the court well, poor passing, and they don’t penetrate enough. I hope you’re right about producing in the tournament, but they have a bad draw as most 10 seeds get. Oklahoma state can play – they beat Kansas which is a better quality win than Tech has.If Tech is to win friday, then they better have someone who can slow down anderson, otherwise its another loss in the first round. Lets hope you’re right and they come ready to play.
TomB
March 17th, 2010
12:46 am
This is my guess on how teams will defend Tech in the tournament. They will drop back in a zone and dare Tech to beat them from outside. Oliver & company better show up with the hot hands. If Tech can knock down the three, they will be tough to beat.
Geez, Jacket2010......
March 17th, 2010
6:28 am
…get your facts straight – Bill Lewis was not a UGA assistant when he was hired at Tech – he was the Head Coach at East Carolina and had just gone 10-0 there. But you committing suicide may not be a bad idea.
As for Hewitt, most of us Tech fans are delusional – we expect the guys to go undefeated every year and that ain’t gonna happen. Sure, we play poorly at times, just like every other team. That’s why most of the players will not be pros – maybe, even though everyone said they were “stars” coming out of HS, they are not as good as projected, and when they get against equal competition, it shows. Could they be coached better, probably. Would the record be better – probably not.
Just think, we could be UGA, where nobody can coach…
btgt69
March 17th, 2010
7:09 am
Thanks Paul for setting the story straight. Most “fans” don’t have a clue what it takes to win like a Duke or UNC;; I say it again, talent, coaching and lots of good fortune. How would you feel if Sheyer had not made such a great shot on Sunday? I was there, Duke was collapsing in the face of relentless pressure. If offense is not clicking, you step it up on defense. Paul, stay cool , keep coaching, the wins will come
Butts Wagner
March 17th, 2010
7:27 am
This is my guess on how teams will defend Tech in the tournament. They will drop back in a zone and dare Tech to beat them from outside.
Pack the inside and full court press. GT’s kryptonite for years.
Buzz
March 17th, 2010
7:45 am
hmmm, do we drop our season tickets or boo our heads off when that A#$ clown of a coach is introduced during pregame next year? I
ScottM
March 17th, 2010
7:57 am
You are right, Coach Hewitt, to bear criticism for a contract the school agreed to. I think you should simply agree to drop the buyout clause and let things play out. Your performance will be the basis of your future here and you won’t have to answer the question anymore…
Jacket Fan
March 17th, 2010
8:52 am
Please stop it! No more interviews with Blewitt. Let’s just hope he is gone after next season.
spectator
March 17th, 2010
8:52 am
I’m sure all of you bloggers think there is a major move afoot to fire Hewitt; but, please remember, bloggers are just a tiny percentage of the GT fan base (or may not even be fans at all, and you may be shocked to know that the overwhelming majority of Tech fans, players, coaches, Admin, etc have never read a word that you write. Basically, you are just a small group talking to each other so don’t think you are influencing anything.
Of course it's the contract
March 17th, 2010
8:53 am
Drop the roll part and “coach” like a man!
VT Yellow Jacket
March 17th, 2010
8:59 am
Ozzy said it best near the top. PH thinks he’s a victim of his own recruiting and Tech’s academic standards.
As far as comparisons to COACH K, and that Duke is the gold standard, all I can say is that you don’t hear Mike complaining about Duke’s academic standards, which IMHO (and as a Tech grad), are equal to or higher than Tech’s.
JRaw
March 17th, 2010
9:14 am
You sure it isnt Muhammad Faye instead of Ismail Muhammad that Hewitt was referring to? Faye transferred to SMU.
GT Fan...
March 17th, 2010
9:15 am
5 out of 10 years in the NCAAs is “pretty DOGGONE good” says PH. With the level of talent he’s had if not 10 for 10 it should’ve been close!! And with the talent he’s got this season he almost missed the NCAA tourney! One the selection committee members even said had GT not made it to the ACC champ game they probably would have been out of the NCAA tourney.
“I’m not going anywhere” says PH …… Of course he’s not!! Would anyone? He’s got a contract that NEVER ends, why would he go anywhere until he’s ready to leave. Then it would be in his best interest to get fired so he gets the full payment. If he leaves he owes GT 3.45 million.
What a sad, sad record PH has considering all the talent he’s had at his disposal. Truely had to believe it could be so mediocre. Mediocre on paper, but really a POOR record when you realize all the talent he has had. And he continues to make excuses! Sad, sad, sad.
GT has the talent to go deep in the NCAA tourney, but it’ll funny, in a SAD way, to watch how they embarrass themselves or get humiliated by a lesser talented opponent. Like clockwork, it’ll happen.
Jacket Backer
March 17th, 2010
9:20 am
i don’t think anybody is making this a character issue…..i like paul as a person and think he is a nice guy…..that’s not the issue…..the issue is the performance of his teams on the court and the win – loss record……coach’s are evaluated on performance…..you win, nobody says a word…….paul has got to understand this…..
that said, go luck this weekend in the touney……
Go Jackets!!
p.s. great job baseball team!
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 17th, 2010
9:29 am
OMG!!!!!!
GROUND HOG DAY WILL NEVER END!!!!!
EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES.
HEAD MEET WALL.
Phewitt, 1st game next year, I’ll be the one holding the FIRE PAUL HEWITT SIGN.
Honest and Frank Discussion
March 17th, 2010
9:33 am
“But five out of 10 is pretty doggone good.”
No it isn’t. Being in the top 40 five out of ten years isn’t good at all. This is my concern with Paul Hewitt, that he is fine with mediocrity. Being in the Sweet Sixteen five out of ten years is pretty doggone good. Making the tournament five, and even six or seven out of ten years should be accepted.
You think Paul Johnson would accept making a bowl game five out of ten years? Granted a bowl game is a little easier to make and our conference is better in basketball, but we shouldn’t be happy unless we are in the top 1/2 of the conference every year.
We’ve only been in the top 1/2 of the conference 6 out of the last 10 years. The last five years we’ve gone 10th, 6th, 7th, 12th, and 7th; this last year with an abundance of talent.
This quote bothered me too: “We haven’t been dealt a pat hand.” Nobody is ever dealt a pat hand. Does Hewitt really think other teams don’t have players who leave early or get injured or have problems with school?
1) Players Leaving Early: When he recruited Austin Jackson, Hewitt knew there was a chance he’d play baseball. When he was recruiting Crittenton he knew he could be one and done. You are allowed to recruit more than one player in a year. Having been a coach in the ACC for ten years, you’d think Hewitt would know that you need more than one point guard to play in this league. You’d also think Hewitt would recognize that if he’s only recruited a couple guys who won’t be hear next year or the year after, he needs to bring in some more talent quickly. Instead, we end up with Zam Frederick, a shooting guard, as our starting point guard because Hewitt didn’t think to recruit a point guard. Ditto Mo Miller, who is a great player but had no business starting as a Freshman.
2) Injuries: All schools get them. Part of adversity is dealing with it.
3) Academic / Personal Issues: Is Hewitt kidding himself by blaming academics for not getting a pat hand? As the coach, he should be the #2 accountable person for the players’ grades – the players being #1. If his players are having a tough time with school, he should be the first person to realize it – certainly before parents, administrators, and the NCAA.
The reality is Hewitt’s whining about not having been dealt a pat hand is just him looking for more excuses. Frankly, I’d much rather have a coach that admit his failures, that way I know they are being addressed. You don’t hear Paul Johnson whining after a loss. He usually points out a thing or two the team could have done better, and then admits that he didn’t prepare the team as well as he should have.
To date, we’ve never heard Hewitt admit that he hasn’t done a great job instilling a half court offense. You haven’t heard him say he hasn’t taught his team to pass well enough, or shoot free throws well enough. You never hear him say, “maybe I shouldn’t have called a timeout 28 seconds into the game because we needed it later.”
Not surprisingly, Hewitt hasn’t improved at all over the past ten years as a coach.
And coach, if you are reading these, we support you 100%. The problem is we seem to expect more out of you than you seem to expect from yourself. If you are satisfied making the tournament 50% of the time, then maybe you need to question whether this job is right for you. I’d expect our coach to demand that his players make the tournament every year, and not be satisfied with less. You seem to be satisfied with mediocrity, which is very disappointing.
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 17th, 2010
9:37 am
spectator,
You got the most ignorant blog of 2010 so far.
Yeah buddy, there wasn’t an empty seat in the house for that VT game.
Jew Broad
March 17th, 2010
10:08 am
Very interesting, how all of a sudden just because GT makes a run in the acc tourney but had a pretty down season the coach thinks he is the best man for the job! What about the last like five years, yeah you know how to coach, but at an ACC level, I don’t think so.
JB
March 17th, 2010
10:09 am
Would you guys trade Fox for Hewitt……Fox looks like an ACC guy, and Hewitt kinda of looks like a SEC guy… We’ll keep Fox by the way.
JB
March 17th, 2010
10:09 am
Hewitt for Fox makes better sense…… Would you?
Born2Buzz
March 17th, 2010
10:21 am
I don’t think anyone is criticizing his character.
And I agree with someone earlier that said making the NCAA 7 out of 10 years is pretty doggone good, not 5 out of 10. Making the Sweet 16 5 out of 10 years would be really doggone good. I don’t think Bobby C ever did that.
But some of you folks are a little delusional. We strive for excellence but we should be realistic. We are not Duke or UNC. They have an inherent advantage that we, or any of the other schools in the conference with the possible exception of Maryland will never have.
Now here is a question I am curious as to the answer. Would it be possible to terminate the automatic rollover part of the contract but keep him on for the remaining 5 years time? In 3 years we will revisit the contract for a possible extension.
I haven’t read the contract in detail and am not a lawyer, but my gut tells me that DRad could make this call, however Hewitt would have the choice of excepting these new terms or walking away and taking his $7M buyout.
I still think Hewitt has a lot of good qualities as a coach but I agree that he could do a better job in a lot of areas.
Old Tech Man
March 17th, 2010
10:55 am
I agree that CPH should just stay away from the media, or at least only address the basketball strategy questions. DRad should suggest it to him. He is hurting himself and the school with all the complaining. I don’t know where anyone ever said he was deceitful. That would be a character issue. All of the other items he is complaining about don’t seem to be questioning his character, only his ability. And in his job, he should expect that. I think the victim’s mentality started when our old friend Terrance Moore stopped by and talked to him. I am making a guess it was Mr. Moore. Coach just said a former AJC writer, so it could have been many different people, but if someone is causing trouble, my bet is on Terrance… lol. If not, then I will apologize to Mr. Moore in advance. But coach said he didn’t even read the articles by Mark Bradley that we was objecting to. How can you write responses in a very public forum to items that you only heard about. Before you comment, shouldn’t you read the articles yourself first. And then maybe call Mr. Bradley and talk about it directly, before going public? Coach, the one thing you have always done well was represent the university with class. Please, stay out of the hen fighting, it can only hurt you. Go Jackets!
Tell It Like It Is
March 17th, 2010
11:07 am
I thought that Tech people were smart and full of business savy. The ones that I have worked with over the years were pretty bright. None of them ever entered into a contract and offered to give their compensation back. So why is it that some of you Techies would think that Coach Hewitt would even consider giving any of his salary back to Tech. Business is business. You have a good coach who has kept Tech in lime light in the ACC. Maybe there is a loop hole in his contract where he can leave Tech for another school and work out something where both he and Tech can come to some agreement. Coach Hewitt is sound and represents Tech very well. If you lose him, rest assured that you will make some other school very happy. IT IS WHAT IT IS.
Honest Frank Discussion
March 17th, 2010
11:09 am
Born2Buzz said “Making the Sweet 16 5 out of 10 years would be really doggone good. I don’t think Bobby C ever did that.”
Cremins didn’t do it but he came darn close. 1984-85, Elite Eight; 1985-86, Sweet Sixteen; 1989-90, Final Four; 1991-92, Sweet Sixteen; 1995-96, Sweet Sixteen.
That’s four times in eight years, or five times in twelve. Much better than Hewitt’s once in ten years.
I’m not comparing us to Duke or UNC. In fact, I’m not comparing us to Maryland. Over the last five years, we have had one of the worst overall and worst ACC records of any team. Worse than Clemson. Worse than Virginia Tech. And worse than Florida State.
In fact, the only teams/coaches we compare even neutrally to over the past 4-5 years are NC State (Sidney Lowe), Miami (Frank Haith), and Virginia (Dave Leitao, fired last year).
In my own humble opinion, GT is much better than the bottom third of the ACC. We offer one of the best cities to live in, apart from arguably Maryland (almost doesn’t count so far from DC but still on the subway) and Miami. I think Hewitt is much better than that too.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again now, it really bothers me that Hewitt doesn’t demand more out of himself than being in the lower half of the ACC. The past five years we’ve finished 10th, 6th, 7th, 12th, and 7th, respectively. No matter what Hewitt says, that’s not doggone good. And no matter what you say, that’s not a comparison to Duke or UNC.
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 17th, 2010
11:13 am
UNC 7-10…hmm, where is that coach who missed the Big Dance twice?
Rick
March 17th, 2010
11:19 am
Good gosh. Making the ncaa tourney is NOT some major accomplishment. Hewitt acts like its going to a friggin BCS bowl. 65 teams make it. Half the acc made it. We are the highest seed in the freaking conference. You had without a doubt the best players in the conference. It’s your COACHING dumass. 16 turnovers in a half. 40% free throw shooting. Stepping out of bounds. Throwing a horrible pass. Calling a timeout after a 6-0 run. You are INCOMPETENT. And the fact you are talking this crap the week of the ncaa tourney, well tech surely isn’t going to beat Ok state now. Just leave you undeserving LOSER.
Rick
March 17th, 2010
11:23 am
How many players from fsu, va and nc state are playing in the nba that were drafted within the past 5 years? 1? 2? How many does tech have? 5? 6?
Smart Jay
March 17th, 2010
11:36 am
Coach Hewitt is at the top of a mediocre program, and is accepting mediocrity. My problem is he’s also accepting stellar money. he’s getting paid based on that Final Four season, and these are the results we expect to see, every year:
Big Picture:
- Top half of ACC, win a couple of championships in ten years
- NCAA tourney bid 70% of the time
- NEVER losing season
Regarding Coaching:
- Shoot 70% from the FT line
- Average less than 15 TO’s/game
- Play great defense
The free throws and turnovers are maddening and represent a complete lack of focus on fundamentals.
Yet, the defense remains pretty good.
I could actually live with the TO’s with this large lineup, if we shot 70% from the line.
TomB
March 17th, 2010
11:42 am
Performance Performance Performance. What have you done for me lately? Just the facts please.Take a look and see.
1. One ACC winning season. I didn’t say ACC championships… that would be none: highest finish:3rd
2. ACC record overall: 67-93, Since 2004 final four: 36-60.
3. 5 NCAA berths in 10 seasons: 1 final four, no sweet sixteens before or since 2004
4. Winning percentage in ACC: 42%, Since 2004 run: 38%
People, you can make all the excuses you want. If this is not the definition of mediocrity than I don’t know what is.
Joe Fan
March 17th, 2010
11:53 am
I have yet to see where DRAD hasn’t given Hewitt a vote of confidence. I imagine there is still immense pressure on DRAD to make a change and the expected fall off in next season’s record along with fan support will be enough force a change in coaches.
Delbert D.
March 17th, 2010
11:56 am
How many one-and-done freshman starters on Duke’s current team? Hewitt recruits the wrong players.
The Dude
March 17th, 2010
12:44 pm
Apparently Hewitt doesn’t get he’s being deceitful when he professes about what a good job he’s done. You have the lowest ROI in NCAA basketball, buddy. That’s on you.
Richard
March 17th, 2010
1:14 pm
From Jason Whitlock at Fox Sports today:
4. Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt should avoid engaging his critics and concentrate totally on justifying his sweetheart contract.
I like Hewitt. A lot. He’s smart and dignified and personable.
He’s also suffering from having way too much job security. He has a contract that annually rolls over to a six-year deal and if Georgia Tech fires him, he’s owed $7.1 million. He signed the deal in 2004 after he took the Yellow Jackets to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament.
At the time, Hewitt looked like Mike Krzyzewski Lite. Six years later, Hewitt hasn’t had one winning season in ACC play and just one additional NCAA Tournament victory. In his 10 seasons as coach, Hewitt’s record within the ACC is 67-93.
Hewitt told reporters on Tuesday that speculation about his contract and job security are the “lowest form of journalism.”
Apparently he missed my Greg Oden column.
Again, I like Hewitt. A lot. But he’s lost his mind. He received a bullet-proof contract because Georgia Tech expected him to build on his 2004 season. It hasn’t happened. Criticism goes along with the big paycheck and buyout. Quit whining and start winning.
Mark (a different one)
March 17th, 2010
1:15 pm
Hewitt needs to focus on Friday. His contract is renewed. His future (either way) is set. The only way to silence the crowd is to win. There is nothing more to worry about until the season is over, and then its recruiting. If nothing else, he owes this focus to his players.
The strategy in the NCAAs by most teams is simple. Shutdown the other teams star and make someone else step up. Tech’s opponents will try to shutdown Favors and the rest of the front line, and force the guards to win or lose games. Tech can play strong defense and take the same approach, but in the end it will be the play of the Tech guards.
Of course it's the contract
March 17th, 2010
1:41 pm
To “tell it like it is”…..”coach” PH is the one that brought up the roll over as a possible reason he was still coaching as being an insult. So to prove he is a good “coach”, perhaps he should just remove that possibility and “coach” without a guarantee. If he is as good as he thinks he is, it would not matter and he would not that that as something bothering him.
IMHO, as a “coach”, he is a good recruiter. That does not mean that he is not smart. Smart people do not give back $7.1mil. The not smart were the group that approved that disincentive thing.
Born2Buzz
March 17th, 2010
2:05 pm
I like Jason Whitlock. A lot.
wesleywhatwhat
March 17th, 2010
2:12 pm
also, according to this article, st. johns WAS interested in hiring hewitt until the contract rolled over this week.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2010/03/17/2010-03-17_hewitts_out_of_storm_mix.html
umm, athletic directing FAIL.
Fire Hewitt Now !
March 17th, 2010
2:57 pm
ACC record is 67-93 and he has lost 1 Scholarship due to NCAA sanctions for low graduation rates. What other reasons do you need.
pws
March 17th, 2010
3:03 pm
If I remember correctly, which I may not, but the assistant coaches that we have now are all fairly new, Coach Hewett even demoted Willie Reece from assistant coach to director of basketball operations. So where does he get the statement that his assistants recruited all these players? I still say he needs to contact Dean Keaner (sp) and see if he will come back and be an assistant. And then hire Mark Price for free throw coaching and Matt Harpring for hustle. I just know that with the economy the way it is, I can find a better way to spend my money next year unless something changes. I have been a season ticket holder many years, and I love GT basketball, but the frustration at home games is taking it’s toll. If DRAD hopes to sell tickets next year, he needs to take off the “seat charge” that GT added two or three years ago. With the costs of the tickets and the frustration, it’s just not worth it any more. And there are a lot of us out there, who feel the same way. I guess it will take DRAD seeing how ticket sales fall off next summer………
T3
March 17th, 2010
3:19 pm
Just one question for you Coach Hewitt:
Are you willing to remove the AUTOMATIC ROLLOVER feature on your current oontract,
and accept a different buyout arrangement feature of a new contract, with all of
the other features of your current contract still intact ??
No? Then, it really is about the money, isnt it ??
juvenal
March 17th, 2010
4:14 pm
cell-phone thing looks a lot like a Mark Schlabach article
old Tech fan in NC
March 17th, 2010
4:41 pm
Hewitt reminds me of some of the pro bass fishermen up here on Lake Norman. He dresses the part, has a good sponsor to pay the bills, occasionally catches a big fish, but does not spend enough time on the water practicing flipping, casting, etc to have a bag full at weigh-in time.
TS
March 17th, 2010
6:07 pm
It makes absolutely zero sense for Hewitt to equate contract criticisms with character issues. Personally, I have no problems whatsoever with his character, but I definitely have problems with his management of the GT program.
superDawg
March 17th, 2010
6:26 pm
Man UGA lawyers are good.
superDawg
March 17th, 2010
6:27 pm
or maybe tek is that stupid.
Stinger
March 17th, 2010
6:30 pm
How does that 6-5 score hurt superDawg? Your team looked pretty stupid last night. We walked this state.
superDawg
March 17th, 2010
6:37 pm
Not much stinger.
superDawg
March 17th, 2010
7:41 pm
stinger you look stupid every night.
gt4ever
March 17th, 2010
8:27 pm
Where can I get a contract like that????
chuck allison
March 19th, 2010
4:28 pm
What is it with Hewitt? Doesn’t he believe his star recruits when they tell him that they will leave after one year? Why does he act like it is misfortune when they do? He just needs to quit whining. He says that he is offended when people say the only reason he is staying is because of his contract. He could best convince us by just leaving. He only needs to give us 15 minutes notice when he wants to resign, so we can blow the whistle and ring the church bells all over Georgia.
Rich1911
March 20th, 2010
5:35 pm
Just finished the blog. Dozens of points could be made… I’ll make just one.
I want a coach who’s goal is to win every game, every tournament and be national champs every year. That’s the goal. I don’t want to hear about high academic standards, losing players, injuries or bad luck. I want a coach that is never satisfied regardless of how good the outcome.
Being a coach of character is the first requirement, but it is a minimum requirement. I take pride in the character of our coaches including Cremins, Gaily, Johnson and Hewitt. But it is expected. You don’t get bonus points for having high character. You simply don’t get hired if you don’t have it.
Everything starts with a winning attitude and a mindset to never accept anything less. IMO, this is the single most important characteristic of CPJ. I want to see that in CPH. And the thing is… it is a mental decision. Excuses are an indicator of those that have not made that mental decision.