Radakovich’s letter to fans
Tech athletics director Dan Radakovich sent this letter to fans on Thursday in The Good Word, the weekly email that goes to Tech fans. It’s also published on ramblinwreck.com. Here is the link: http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/ot/geot-good-word.html
Here is the letter:
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
This, Tech fans, is an important edition of The Good Word, so heads up!
You have all followed the story this week as Coach Hewitt was courted by a University in his home town, where he has had and continues to have many friends and close connections. It is a school that has solicited his services as head basketball coach before – it did in 2004 when Georgia Tech made a long-term commitment to Paul. As he did in 2004, Coach Hewitt today withdrew his name from consideration at that school. But this time the circumstances are much different, and I think some honest and thoughtful reflection on what has transpired needs to be done.
I am extremely happy that Paul, Dawnette and their girls have decided to stay here in Atlanta and continue to be a part of the Georgia Tech Family. For the moment, I ask you to put aside your emotions with Coach Hewitt and the program. Let’s consider where we are and where we are going. First, understand that no one person, be it a coach, an athletic director or even a president, is more important than the Institution known as Georgia Tech. Given that, doesn’t it make sense to keep Georgia Tech at the forefront of every conversation and every decision? That premise guides our lives here in the athletic program every day.
Six years ago, after being handed an appearance in the National Championship game by Coach Hewitt and his team, Georgia Tech made a commitment to arguably the hottest, brightest and most desirable head coach on the planet. Georgia Tech made that commitment. But at the same time, Paul Hewitt, who could have hand-picked many jobs along the way — including St. John’s — made the same commitment to our Institute. He absolutely wanted to be here at Tech and to make a commitment to the city of Atlanta.
For the last year or so I have read and heard all of the concerns and comments about our basketball program. All of them. Believe me. Some are valid, some are not. Drawing on my own experience and that of my administrative staff (Paul Griffin and Wayne Hogan alone bring more than 70 years in the business), and using the valid feedback that I receive from some of you on a daily basis, I periodically counsel Coach Hewitt as I do all of our 17 head coaches. My purpose in life is to do all I can to make Georgia Tech better in every area.
I am not oblivious that we now live in a world of instant gratification. The sports world has become all about “what have you done for me lately.” In a pro sports town like ours, it is not uncommon to read about multi-million dollar salaries, $100 million payrolls and coaches and athletes who come and go on a whim. When a program or team goes through trials and tribulations the first solution has become “fire the coach.” Certainly we work in a results-oriented business. However, in some cases the best course of action is to stay the course. Unfortunately, there is a feeling by some that change would solve everything. I say to that: Not always. Not now… and especially not in the light of Georgia Tech’s commitment to this man, his family and our basketball program.
In the case of Coach Hewitt and Georgia Tech basketball, we remain together because we are Georgia Tech. Coach Hewitt remains the same bright, desirable and coveted college basketball coach he was in 2004. If you have any doubt, just read the New York City newspapers from the past week. His credentials as a human being, a family man, a leader and builder of character are impeccable. The mission here is clear. We need to win more basketball games. We will continue to do everything within our power to do that — as an organization — with Paul Hewitt as our basketball coach. It is not a one-man mission. We are all committed to scour every inch of the program, suggest and effect the needed changes and to give the coach every ounce of support. This is what we do at Georgia Tech.
So now that we know the lay of the land, I am asking you as Georgia Tech alums, fans and supporters, to get with the program. My experience has been that when a Tech man finds himself in choppy waters, the Tech family rises to help. This is about Georgia Tech. It’s about commitment. And it’s about a part of the Tech heritage — our men’s basketball program. We must pull together and continue to support this program and Coach Hewitt. This is the Georgia Tech way!
Go Jackets!
—–
Here’s a story that published in today’s AJC and has been online for a while: http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/tech-fans-might-be-404264.html
—
Daniel Drummond, a freshman on Georgia Tech’s football team, has been ruled ineligible for at least the first 10 games of the 2010 season by the NCAA for violating eligibility rules.Tech declined to comment on the reason for the ruling.
A native of Flowery Branch, Drummond redshirted during the 2009 season. He is eligible to participate in practices but not games.
Drummond, 6-3, 253 pounds, was expected to compete for playing time at B-back. He rushed for 1,102 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior at Flowery Branch.
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238 comments Add your comment
Wet Rats
March 28th, 2010
12:23 am
We’ve read the letter. We’re disappointed by the letter. We don’t need to see the letter anymore. We can find DRad’s letters on the Tech website. It’s time for a new article/blog, Doug.
blackprix
March 28th, 2010
12:23 am
With all due respect to our much liked AD, your letter will not change the opinions of a lot of fans. Paul Hewitt IS a nice guy, but, he is not a good coach …end of story.
50 Ways to Leave Your Hewitt
March 28th, 2010
12:25 am
1. Pack up the North Ave. Trade School and move it so that he’ can’t find it. (True, it is not on wheels like UGA is, but it may be cheaper than paying him.)
50 Ways to Leave Your Hewitt
March 28th, 2010
12:26 am
2. Revoke his wife’s GT Credit Card.
50 Ways to Leave Your Hewitt
March 28th, 2010
12:29 am
3. Get the Geico pile of money with the googly eyes to seduce him and change the locks while he’s distracted.
blackprix
March 28th, 2010
12:30 am
Unfortunately Dan, the current economy and stressful situation would demand a program that actually lifts fans up. The current state of the program is very despressing and who needs more depression these days!!
Anyone, any coach making the kind of money Paul Hewitt is should be a hell of a lot better than what he is. With so many good folks (who actually do a good job) out of work … there’s no reason why Paul Hewitt should still have his.
Sorry, but you letter was ALL FLUFF!
50 Ways to Leave Your Hewitt
March 28th, 2010
12:30 am
5. Ask the Most Interesting in the World to eliminate the Most Mediocre Coach on the Flats.
50 Ways to Leave Your Hewitt
March 28th, 2010
12:30 am
to be continued
50 Ways to Leave Your Hewitt
March 28th, 2010
12:31 am
yes blackprix, ditto, ditto, ditto
50 Ways to Leave Your Hewitt
March 28th, 2010
12:32 am
Most Interesting Man in the World
50 Ways to Leave Your Hewitt
March 28th, 2010
12:32 am
4. Write a nasty letter to Chuck Norris and sign it: Love, Paul Hewitt.
GT65
March 28th, 2010
8:50 am
I was here before Rads and I’m all GT. I don’t need Rads telling me what to think and do.
DRads is not a GT man per se. and Paul Hewitt sure is not. Rads needs to shut up and Hewitt needs to be gone.
I will not support CPH , got it DRADS?
GT For You And Me
March 28th, 2010
10:27 am
ST’Johns wouldn’t offer Hewitt $7,000,000 year in year out. That’s why Hewitt stays. It’s not the program it’s the money for Hewitt.
Brunswick Tech
March 28th, 2010
11:41 am
The Golden Parachute makes the float down easy …..fluffy landing. I think hanging around and collecting fat cash and waiting on that for sure 7MILL…. Who would leave? Tech would have gave him a little discount on that bail out cash. He was not offered the 7 MILL clause and thats why he’s still here. He’ll try to make it look good and talk the talk… if you don’t like it … cough up the 7 and tell him to suck it. Other wise like D-rad said “get with the program”
GTalum78
March 28th, 2010
11:48 am
Drad must secretly be “braineless”.It was painful to can chan but well worth it! Another “lost decade” for GT basketball is un-acc-eptable…Should we start giving our season tickets to dawg fans or just not buy them? seems there’s no hope for GTbb at this point…
Gray
March 28th, 2010
11:56 am
I agree wholeheartedly with the letter written to all of us. I agree we could win more games but that is not what should be the main focus of what is desired. How often have you read about a TECH player being locked up for some kind of law violation. I may have a short memory but I have never heard of one of Hewitt’s players being locked up or dismissed from the team for rules violations. Paul recruits fine young men to the program which should be the main focus of any program. Not just to win and get guys to the NBA. Tech remains a fine school that requires a player to be a student as well as a player. Tech’s programs all of them require this of their players. I can remember hasn’t been that long ago that TECH about dropping football and just being a basketball school. I am so glad that they didn’t. Tech competes well in all sports now even with the emphasis on Academics.
I am sorry to say that I was one that thought maybe it would be better if Paul Hewitt left also. I now am glad he didn’t and I will get behind him as much as possible. GOOOOOOO JACKETS
TS
March 28th, 2010
12:44 pm
D-Rad is doing the same thing as Hewitt, turning this into a character issue. Nobody is questioning Hewitt’s character or commitment. What we (the fans) are questioning is the quality of the coaching. Turnovers, free throw shooting, ball movement … these are the coachable parts of basketball in which Tech is deficient every year. They are painful to watch. The primary reason for the 2004 run was that they had 2 NBA caliber point guards (Jack and Bynum) to mask those deficiencies.
The Truth
March 28th, 2010
12:50 pm
…”Get with the program”…really, Dave? Really?
We’ve been with the program, Dave. Here’s a suggestion…how about giving us, the GT loyalists, a letter with more substance? We all know the situation as we’ve lived it and accepted it – donating our dollars for our athletic scholarships the whole way.
Instead of drafting more letters telling us to “get with the program,” why not give us some visibility to YOUR plan to change things? Give us just a few bullet points for some hope for the future. We don’t need more feel-good posturing; we need visibility to just a few key points to YOUR tactical plan, Dave.
WTH are you going to do to begin to fix the situation, Dave? We now look to you and your leadership to right the ship. You now own it, Dave. Give us something – not more BS public letters through the media!
Not Disappointed
March 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
interesting read! Ramblin Wreck!
Stumpknocker
March 28th, 2010
3:14 pm
“The Good Word”, read your blog on the 26th PM. Agree with you. Superdawg needs to change his name to Pooperdawg, the old Son of a Gun.
BartBuzz
March 28th, 2010
5:47 pm
As a GT alum I don’t have much choice except to hope DRad is right and that Coach Hewitt can get Tech basketball back on track. But the past 5 years of underachieving makes it a hard sell. I’ll be interested to see if the Coach makes any changes between now and next season. He probably won’t have as much talent in the paint which means the players will have to improve their fundamentals…fewer turnovers, better foul shooting and more patience on offense. Isn’t that what good coaching is all about?
superDawg
March 28th, 2010
7:31 pm
No habla nerd.
Need a new coach
March 28th, 2010
8:51 pm
I will just be a Duke fan during basketball season. I’m fed up with Hewitt just like I was Gailey. I quit buying season tickets until Gailey was fired and I will do the same until Hewitt is gone.
Stinger
March 28th, 2010
8:51 pm
How many SEC teams are in the final four? I didn’t think so.
Go Jackets
March 28th, 2010
9:06 pm
“Empty seats is the fastest way for fans to send a clear message. That is why I will not be attending games until Hewitt is gone or has 3 winning ACC seasons in a row, Which ever comes first.”
“Anyone that buys a ticket to a GT basketball game next year is just plain stupid.”
You people should hand your Georgia Tech degrees in if you have them. It is not all about winning and losing. I support Georgia Tech win or lose. It is my alma mater and will always be my second home. This is not the NBA or NFL – this is family.
Go Jackets
March 28th, 2010
9:08 pm
I love “The Truth.” Given that he thinks the athletic director’s name is “Dave” it shows you how much his opinion counts about anything.
Unless, like me, you pony up the big boy money for season tickets, I am not even sure you have a right to complain about GT basketball.
Sarcasticus.
March 28th, 2010
10:26 pm
Support is freely given for only so long. If CPH wants our support, then he should offer to re-negotiate his no-risk contract. Stick your neck out Paul. If you are as good as you think you are then you should be able to earn your salary on merit, not what you did years ago. Face it you are overpaid for what you produce.
jojo sunshine
March 28th, 2010
10:34 pm
BRAD STEVENS AND BUTLER ARE IN THE FINAL FOUR! NUF SAID!
Lil' Barry Bailout
March 29th, 2010
2:01 am
Duke’s in the Final Four again. Georgia Tech is so much more “athletic” and can’t make it out of the first weekend of the tournament.
How does that happen?
wesleywhatwhat
March 29th, 2010
8:44 am
the GT athletic association is failing us.
BigTimeTechFan
March 29th, 2010
9:04 am
Take note of West VA, no point gard on the floor, no problem with Kentucky’s press, no timeouts needed, they knew what to do.
I’m ok with Hewitt staying, good move.
WNCGTMAN
March 29th, 2010
10:25 am
Who can fire DRAD? He fired Chan Gailey who had winning records every year at GT, but could not beat UGA (where players do not even know how to spell calculus, much less pass it) and was not popular in ATL. If I remember right, he had a big contract that had to be bought out, but it was done. I think Paul Johnson is a great coach, and I like his style of play, but he only beat UGA once.
Now we have a basketball coach who has only one winning season in the ACC, poor showings in the NCAA when the coach has to run the offense (Jarrad Jack ran it in 2004), poor retention of players, poor record against UGA (who really cares) and very low popularity in ATL and anywhere that alumni care about basketball and GT. DRAD’s defense of Paul Hewitt is inexcusable! I liked Hewitt when he came to GT, but he’s not up to competing in the ACC. He’s proven that over 10 years. His only winning season was 9-7. If DRAD does not have the intelligence to see that Hewitt is not a good representative for GT, let’s get rid of them both.
Tech Fan
March 29th, 2010
10:53 am
Bloggers are pointless to argue with, but it’s intellectually dishonest to say that the GT fans have not supported the basketball team. We supported when they were loosing, winning, then when we became disgusted, we supported with mild vocal displeasure, then it turned to apathy, then it’s now finally turned to out right betrayal and disgust. We are doing everything we can to get through to the admin that we do not like nor support this coach anymore. You cannot be intellectually honest about the entire process and say we haven’t been supportive. It’s been ten years, and at least 4 too long. We won’t continue to support a product we are infuriated by indefinitely. This has been a gradual process that now is ugly. You can’t look at ‘today’ and judge the entire ten years on it. Today is a new day and an ugly one at that.
Kleenex
March 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
I got a kleenex for you pathetic GT fans if you need it.
Stop you crying and accept the fact that your athletic program sucks! We certainly know your football team sucks but stop trying to hang on to basketball. I know you think GT is a “national” program but in reality, you’re a nobody. Nobody is talking GT basketball except you losers!
You’re not even relevant in the ACC!! You’re a 10th rated team in the conference at best. Accept it.
Buzz Sawya
March 31st, 2010
1:28 pm
I really wonder how many of you making these negative comments fail to realize that early NBA defections have really hurt this BB program. Paul Hewitt is the same coach that nearly won it all in 2004, so think hard before making these idiotic posts about firing the man. I have one question, what you’re gonna say next year when this team fares very well all year long without the hoopla about who’s leaving early fot the NBA ?
GTalum78
April 1st, 2010
9:15 pm
Hewitt must go. Another “lost decade” of GT basketball is un-acc-eptable. Bags over the head (Aint’s! make it fun til he just leaves) should be the new way to go to the games … but don’t waste your money on season tickets until we hire a new coach ….
Lil' Barry Bailout
April 11th, 2010
8:21 am
“The mission here is clear. We need to win more basketball games. We will continue to do everything within our power to do that — as an organization — with Paul Hewitt as our basketball coach. It is not a one-man mission. We are all committed to scour every inch of the program, suggest and effect the needed changes and to give the coach every ounce of support.”
Glad to hear it. We anxiously await that winning ACC record next year.
Lil' Barry Bailout
April 11th, 2010
8:26 am
I’d love to hear Radakovich’s explanation for why we aren’t winning more games. Can’t attract top athletes? Poor coaching? Weak fan support? Subpar facilities? I think he could pretty easily eliminate three of those four as possible reasons.