How can Tech turn things around?
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Georgia Tech lost its fifth consecutive game, 102-77, on Sunday to Virginia Tech. It hasn’t beaten an opponent on its court in more than a year, a stretch of 14 games.
Other than by winning the ACC tournament, the Yellow Jackets have no hope of playing in the NCAA tournament. Even the NIT tournament seems a long shot at this point.
While the postseason seems a long way away — there are still six regular-season games remaining — what Tech do to avoid a losing season for the second time in three years?
Getting off to better starts might help.
During its past six losses, the Jackets have found themselves behind by at least eight points in the first half of each game. The Hokies had an unfathomable 25-point lead with 7:41 remaining.
When a team is having trouble scoring, like the Jackets are, that’s not a recipe for success.
FSU was able to race out to a 20-4 lead with 10:37 remaining in the first half. Clemson had an 11-point lead with 2:58 left. That came after Tech led by 12 with 10 minutes remaining. Miami led by 11 with 9 minutes remaining and eventually pushed it to 21 in the second half. Maryland led by eight just five minutes into the game. Virginia led by 16 with less than a minute left.
Even in its wins Tech has had to come from behind. The Hokies led the Jackets by seven with less than 12 minutes remaining when Tech’s jump shots finally started to fall in the 72-57 victory in Atlanta.
“Offense is just not clicking,” coach Paul Hewitt said. “We aren’t making shots.”
No, they aren’t. Tech is hitting just 40.7 percent of its field goals, including a miserable 29.3 percent of its 3-pointers.
The Jackets had some good looks early against the Hokies on Sunday, but the shots wouldn’t fall. As a result, Virginia Tech bounced out to a 9-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. Hewitt said he called a timeout at that point to tell the team to keep running the offense and the shots would fall.
By the time the shooters found the range it was too late.
“We started chipping it away and then I had the error in judgment that I had,” Hewitt said, referring to the technicals he received with 7:53 remaining. The Jackets were trailing by 20 at that point.
Iman Shumpert said the players didn’t follow the game plan. That has been a common reason given for losses by a few of the players during the streak. He also said they weren’t aggressive enough.
“We need to come out and play hard,” Shumpert said. “This had nothing to do with coach Hewitt, this had nothing to do with the system. They played harder. They wanted it more.”
Now, Georgia Tech is left to ponder how to break this streak with Chattanooga coming to Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday, and a game at Duke next Sunday.
“We can’t do anything about this game,” Hewitt said.
– Doug Roberson, AJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
154 comments Add your comment
just a fan
February 13th, 2011
5:08 pm
first? Second?
just a fan
February 13th, 2011
5:09 pm
wow, never been first before!
So what’s the take on Hewitt now? Is he just trying to get fired and collect the $7M?
crb
February 13th, 2011
5:12 pm
New coach would be a good start!
NOBODYYOUKNOW
February 13th, 2011
5:15 pm
THEY CAN”T, THEY”RE TECH,
Hewitt = Mubarak
February 13th, 2011
5:16 pm
Well the answer to Doug’s headline is obvious; we have to get someone who knows X’s & O’s. In most jobs, if anyone displays the continual degree of incompetence that Paul Hewitt has, they serve hard time. But thanks to one of the most preposterous contracts ever written, the only prisoners are fans of the program. Radakovich needs to not only rid the cancer that is Paul Hewitt, but bring in a credible coach to reinvigorate the life of a proud basketball tradition. I’m hoping it will be done sooner than later, because next year would be a great year to burn (yet another) for a transition. Although I really want DRad to get a good coach in here – someone like a Lon Kruger or Brad Stevens.
5150 P.O.A.D.
February 13th, 2011
5:16 pm
MAKE HEWITT’S life HELL so he will leave on his own. If we are not going to pay him to leave then treat him and his wife like the CANCER they have become.
StingerSplash
February 13th, 2011
5:17 pm
“not clicking on offense”?
That would presume that there is some semblance of an offense at some point.
To answer the larger question, how does Tech turn this around the answer is thus — it doesn’t this season. But the road back starts after the coming opening loss in the ACC tournament with a change along the bench.
And it ain’t the players.
B
February 13th, 2011
5:17 pm
I respect Iman Shumpert’s loyalty in coming to Coach Hewitt’s defense. But Tech not “wanting it” enough (supposedly) has been a perennial problem for at least 6 seasons now, especially on the road; surely at some point it has to have something to do with the coach and/or his staff… doesn’t it?
Tech student
February 13th, 2011
5:19 pm
Enter your comments here
NCJacket
February 13th, 2011
5:19 pm
I dont think he could have done anything about this game even before it started. He has always had a poor road record and one winning ACC season. I watched and cheered for the team but it was exactly as I expected.
Ozzy
February 13th, 2011
5:20 pm
How can they turn things around? They can’t, or they would have already done it.
The season was in the toilet when they lost to Kennesaw.
Who cares at this point?
Tech student
February 13th, 2011
5:23 pm
Well, we can finally do the thing that tech fans have ben clamoring for since 2008 and get a new coach. Heck, we could hold a ‘ raise money to buyout paul hewitt’ event in the stadium and probably get more people than attend a game to come.
HSV Jacket
February 13th, 2011
5:24 pm
What game plan? What system? Shumpert or Rice dribbling outside the 3 pt line for 10 seconds on each possession like they’re Kobe or Lebron? Then throwing up a fadeaway jumper or trying to drive through 3 defenders? And how about guarding the shooters on defense?
mtraininjax
February 13th, 2011
5:24 pm
Hewitt is gone if he can’t make the NCAAs. Plain and simple, without super talent, he can’t coach his way out of a paper bag.
GT
February 13th, 2011
5:27 pm
I supported CPH for as long as I could but he has turned our program into a laughing stock. I will still support the program but I know the casual fan won’t. The new building will be a complete waste because we have a joke of coach running the show. It is embarrassing to watch. Do we practice?
Cliff
February 13th, 2011
5:29 pm
Enough is enough! The men’s basketball program is beyond repair with Hewitt as coach. The program only gets better with a new coach. Dan needs to make the move.
Ralph
February 13th, 2011
5:35 pm
Not only is Hewitt a poor coach — he can’t graduate players either. This program has become a disgrace on several levels.
Coach(sic) Paul Johnson
February 13th, 2011
5:36 pm
Georgia Tech has lost 5 of it’s last 6 football games, only beating Duke.
Hewitt is a loser
February 13th, 2011
5:36 pm
Anyone else get the email “A Defining Moment in College Basketball”. Come out to the Miami game to celebrate. I laughed so hard. I’m a season ticket holder too. Anyway the only way we will celebrate is if HEWITT is fired at center court before tipoff. How’s that sound DRAD?????
Gordon
February 13th, 2011
5:44 pm
Why would Radakovich wait until the end of the season to do what we all know must be done? I’m getting this nervous feeling he won’t. With a good hire, there hasn’t been any damage to the program that can’t be fixed rather quickly. We still have talent on our roster. But if Hewitt is here next year, it will take a while to recover because we will have a historically bad year on and off the court, especially if Shumpert leaves.
NovaJacket
February 13th, 2011
5:48 pm
We can’t. We’re irrelevant even in our own state, much less the ACC, in basketball. It’s shameful.
moboman
February 13th, 2011
5:49 pm
Shumpert’s half-court failed alleyoop pass when and easy pass for a layup would have sufficed speaks volumes about the state of this program. There is no discipline being taught on offense or defense. Helter skelter may have worked at Sienna, but it doesnt cut it in the ACC. We need a coach.
Buzz 2010
February 13th, 2011
5:51 pm
Calling for Bobby Cremmins… Look his name is on the court, bring him back!!
Coach(sic) Paul Johnson
February 13th, 2011
5:51 pm
Georgia Tech is simply a lower tier athletic program.
Tweets that mention How can Tech turn things around? | Georgia Tech -- Topsy.com
February 13th, 2011
5:52 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by franklincalhounwhite, ajcgatech. ajcgatech said: How can Tech turn things around? http://bit.ly/dWFwSp [...]
RAMBLE ON!!!
February 13th, 2011
5:54 pm
I’m glad I didn’t waste a beautiful day to watch this crap (knew better), although I would have loved to seen Phewitt get canned.
All that is left is the ceremony, and then GROUND HOG DAY IS OVER!!!!
bigstack19
February 13th, 2011
6:02 pm
REPLACE THE COACH WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS A CLUE!
rich
February 13th, 2011
6:08 pm
How Can Tech turn things around? Is this a rhertorical question?
the ole ball coach
February 13th, 2011
6:11 pm
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/021311/foo_784830837.shtml
Dawgs in trouble click the link
Watkinsville
February 13th, 2011
6:12 pm
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE listening to all the whining take place amongst you pompous dorks.
You TRULY deserve the turmoil.
ArkyTech
February 13th, 2011
6:12 pm
I think we all know the answer to this question……
JWooden
February 13th, 2011
6:12 pm
Unfortuneately, BCremins is too old, Brad Stevens isn’t doing too well at Butler so who knows about him, and JFox couldn’t make that move…..could he? Boy what a coup that would be…Even Michael J Fox would be a good move…come on Rad before all the recruits give up on Tech.
Genius Jacket
February 13th, 2011
6:18 pm
We are bad because we don’t hsve players who can pass calculus and physics.
Tech Forever
February 13th, 2011
6:21 pm
Watkinsville
Why such hate?
Tech Forever
February 13th, 2011
6:24 pm
Genius Dog
Our recruiting issues are significantly less prominent in basketball than football…..that doesn’t make them any less existent or relelvant with regard to football though.
blazer
February 13th, 2011
6:28 pm
get better-it is getting worse-lose Hewitt-sent miller to the bench and play udofia.
can we not play the rest of the bench the last three minutes knowing we had lost the game!!
Tech Forever
February 13th, 2011
6:30 pm
Watkinsville
So in other words you get satisfaction out of other people’s pain. Very telling.
Watkinsville
February 13th, 2011
6:31 pm
Tech Forever……
Because it is a bitter in state rivalry. I wish your athletic teams NOTHING but failure. A large part of your fanbase are good people, but a large part are also pompous d-bags who belittle everyone who happens to NOT have an interest in Engineering.
The End.
sports
February 13th, 2011
6:33 pm
Tech basketball sucks almost as bad their football…which both are a joke.
The Scranton Strangler
February 13th, 2011
6:41 pm
I agree with Watkinsville.
Even those of us who have no affiliation with a rival of Georgia Tech are extremely turned off by their fan-base. I have never listened to a group of people who are so arrogant about off field issues when it comes to a sports debate in my life.
Tech “fans” want to have an image of superiority and true class, but the attitudes they adopt actually make them and their sports teams the easiest to hate.
I also agree that watching them fail is enjoyable. Spin that as being sadistic all you want. But when I see your “fans” upset that things are not going the way you’d like, I cannot help but to smile and think how it couldn’t be happening to a better bunch of people.
GO HOKIES!!!!
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
6:44 pm
What the hell is a hokie?
Tech Man
February 13th, 2011
6:47 pm
Ma Tech is a proud institution. She will find her way on the hardwood. And, yes, we are proud of Georgia Tech. All Georgians, Southerners, and those who take pride in the US competing in a global marketplace should take great pride in Georgia Tech.
Always a Jacket
February 13th, 2011
6:47 pm
This embarrassment is on DRad
Anyone who follows ACC BB knows about Hewitt
DRad’s Priorities are the problem
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
6:54 pm
BTW,
The “Scranton Stangler” outed himself as just another Georgie fan trying to sling mud…probably the same person as “Watkinsville,” agreeing with himself.
VPI fans would never refer to Georgia Tech as “Tech,” as they consider that nickname to be theirs.
Is that you, Logan???
The Scranton Strangler
February 13th, 2011
6:56 pm
Hokie (ho-key): def: A mascot of a basketball team who just, today, dropped 102 (one-hundred-and-two) points on Georgia Tech.
But it’s obvious Va Tech isn’t good….. it’s all Paul Hewitt’s fault. Right?
Buzzy
February 13th, 2011
6:57 pm
We can turn things around with a new coach and a couple guys that can shoot the rock.
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
6:57 pm
Give it up, man…you outed yourself…probably not the first time, huh? Was it difficult telling your parents?
Jacket Backer
February 13th, 2011
6:58 pm
Pretty simple….Hire a new coach!
hbtd
February 13th, 2011
6:59 pm
Join the Southern Conference. Techs athletic programs are obviously way over their head in the ACC.
The Scranton Strangler
February 13th, 2011
6:59 pm
I live in Atlanta. I know the lingo on AJC is to refer to the University of Georgia as the “Dawgs” and Georgia Tech as “Tech”.
Who on earth does anybody who doesn not like “Tech” athletics instantly have to be a “Dawg”?? I am from Brookneal, VA, now living in Atlanta. Today is the only day you will see me as Your team played my team.
And my team demolished yours.
hbtd
February 13th, 2011
7:01 pm
Strangler. They’re a very sensitive group.
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
7:02 pm
Uh-huh…an actual VPI fan would tell us that we don’t deserve the name “Tech,” as their fanbase ravenously defends this moniker.
But nice try…
Nation of Dawgs
February 13th, 2011
7:05 pm
As a Dawg fan, I would love to see your guys just man-up and fire Hewitt. Pay whetever it takes. If you guys are such math-geniuses you should be able to see you will lose more money over time with him than the money you need to get rid of him.
You are embarrassing the State of Georgia basketball.
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
7:06 pm
And until Hewitt is gone, you will not find a Tech fan who takes any offense to making fun of our basketball team. We all know what will happen before the game even starts.
Any team coached by a monkey in a suit can only go so far…
Maybe we should move to the SEC so our team can finally compete.
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
7:08 pm
Hewitt is the only coach I know of who calls timeouts for the other team. Anytime we score a few baskets in a row, he calls a timeout, effectively killing our momentum. He is honestly the worst game manager I have ever seen.
Watkinsville
February 13th, 2011
7:08 pm
Why do Tech fans think it is such a crime to hate Tech athletics??
For a school who takes a MASSIVE amount of pride in belittling UGA, you sure don’t know how to take it when somebody returns said hate.
You guys are pretty tough behind a computer screen, but you and I know darn well when you see an arrogant UGA fan in public, you do nothing but sit there and keep your mouth shut.
hbtd
February 13th, 2011
7:08 pm
Ramble. Wrong conference. See 6:59 post for more appropriate conference the Institute.
Watkinsville
February 13th, 2011
7:10 pm
COME PUNCH ME IN THE FACE!!!!!
“CPJ” TOLD YOU TO!!!
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
7:11 pm
No, not really. The SEC is pathetic. I saw the Georgie/USCe game the other night. It was a shame that someone had to win that one.
Kentucky’s the only team worth a damn and they have the advantage of playing no one with a pulse all year.
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
7:14 pm
Watkinsville,
Irony is telling someone else they’re tough behind a computer screen when all you have done is “cyber-bully” a fanbase on their message board.
Glad you got over your recent bout of split personalities. It must be exhausting being fans of two different teams.
Who
February 13th, 2011
7:16 pm
It appears Hewitt is the problem. But what do I know.
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
7:18 pm
But I can admit one thing.
We are not as good, and probably never will be as good on the football field as UGA.
We may know calculus…. but those boys sure know their X’s and O’s when it comes to playing us.
I will continue to settle for Moral Victories with mounting up rushing yards.
RambleOn84
February 13th, 2011
7:19 pm
Cute…so that makes three personalities for you now? You’re regressing…
JoeFan
February 13th, 2011
7:19 pm
The team has lost all sense of direction and doesn’t seem to have a clue on how to play on either end of the court. Only one way to get this ship turned around and that is a coaching change. Drad sees the hand writing on the wall and all signs seem to indicate the change will come by season’s end. Time to be patient. Only a few games to go and hopefully this nigthmare will be over.
UGA Athletic Department
February 13th, 2011
7:24 pm
You guys need to borrow $7M for something??
We should make that when Coastal Carolina comes to Athens this September. Maybe we could spot you…..
eBuzz
February 13th, 2011
7:26 pm
Ayers had enough sense to do what Drad needs to do. Otherwise, new stadium and empty seats.
4 Jacks
February 13th, 2011
7:27 pm
We all know why he hasn’t been fired already. If the man had any class or dignity, or loved GT a tenth of what coach Cremins did, he would take a lesser buyout to help GT and resign. However, this classless bufoon with his agenda will not take the classy way out…no he and his wife will take the money and run. I hope his whole stinkin family goes back to N.Y. He had an excellent chance to safe face and help everybody out by going St. Johns last year. The guy is a joke as a coach, and his wife wears the pants in the family. Please Drad, do something as our once proud program is in ruin thanks to Paul Hewitt, and everyone knows it. If you don’t, you are completely blind.
GTBuzz85
February 13th, 2011
7:28 pm
Who cares?! I chose to clean out my attic rather than waste the time to watch us lose again.
Reality Bites
February 13th, 2011
7:28 pm
What doies it take besides 7 mil to fire this Aff Action hire…..Damn him and Obama.
Axe is Falling
February 13th, 2011
7:30 pm
Inside sources say there may be an announcement Monday afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed.
Reality Bites
February 13th, 2011
7:31 pm
Hey UGA Athletic Dept…plz plz plz loan us the money we r good for it….
Od School
February 13th, 2011
7:34 pm
Like someone posted earlier, I too received the email entitled “A Defining Moment in College Basketball” from the Tech athletic dept in which they are pushing the game against Miami next month as the “last game ever in the Thriller Dome,” or at least the Alex Memorial as we have known it, I too laughed out loud and thought: “The only ‘defining moment’ I want to see regarding Georgia Tech basketball is to see and hear that Paul Hewitt is AMF!!
How much longer DRad? When will the misery and embarrassment and ridicule end?
@DOUG: what is the red letter date that Tech has to notify Hewitt that his contract will not be renewed before it rolls over for another year?
One other question for the AJC: has anyone thought of contacting Dave Braine and asking him “wht the hell were you thinking?!?!?” Sure, I was thrilled that Tech made it to the NCG back in ‘04, but when I saw the terms of Hewitt’s new contract I was stunned. Does anyone know of a contract in college sports anywhere close to this one?
NYJacket
February 13th, 2011
7:38 pm
Does anyone seriously think Dave Braine had the authority to approve Hewitt’s deal by himself? There are more fingerprints than Dave Braine on the most outrageous contract in college basketball.
GT Fan
February 13th, 2011
7:39 pm
When does football season start? My vote is we take the tallest 3 basketball players and see if they can run routes and catch the ball. It’s a better use of their time than attempting to play basketball.
ACC Basketball
February 13th, 2011
7:39 pm
GET HIM OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UGA Athletic Department
February 13th, 2011
7:40 pm
I don’t know Reality Bites……
For a program comprised of so many people who claim to be money making machines, your school and athletic program sure does flirt with red numbers often.
I think you should submit a legit application to us before money changes hands.
Washaun E,
February 13th, 2011
7:44 pm
I got suspended on purpose so I could transfer and play somewhere good. As bad as Hewitt is, and that’s plenty bad, it’s far worse winning the Fulmer Cup.
How can Tech turn things around?
February 13th, 2011
7:46 pm
`
Paul Hewitt sure does’nt know.
GT hulk
February 13th, 2011
7:46 pm
When GT beat UNC, everyone started talking NCAA, remember–beat someone on the road, its easier to win at home—Blewitt showed an embarrasement today with the ejection. He’s on the way out. Had he’d gone to St.Johns, we could have got Lavin—look what he’s done at St.Johns.
UGA Athletic Department
February 13th, 2011
7:46 pm
Washaun,
I agree with your tactics.
EVERYBODY in Athens wants you gone. When Tech think they have an upper hand in smack talk by bringing you up, they are right. You suck at life. Please leave!!!
Tech Forever
February 13th, 2011
7:48 pm
Here’s the funny thing. I am a Georgia Tech fan. I don’t care for a HUGE portion of the UGA fanbase but that portion is the overwhelming majoirty, like Watkinsville, who ndidn’t graduate from Georgia. Graduates who actually went to the school are extremely nice people who have the ability of keeping their love for UGA athletics in perspective. Regardles, I have never posted anything on a UGA sports board….ever…I have never given a cross look or word at a UGA fan in public…ever. My passion lies in loving Georgia Tech and wanting the best for Georgia Tech, not in hating UGA and wating the worst for UGA. I root against UGA one football pre year….other than that game I don’t pay the team any mind. I’d rather live for something than against something.
Now if you have “issues” with some Tech fans who are arrogant and upity then do to them what I do to them; ignore them. Just like I ignore those UGA fans who’d just as soon spit beer in a visiting fan’s face as say “hello, welcome to Athens.” I don’t let those people define me as a Tech fan nor define what it is to be a Tech fan. I’ve gotten into my fair share of arguments and potential physical altercations with fans from other schools over the years….but nothing near the number of times I have with other Tech fans who I fee are simply embarassing to the Institution by their words, actions, and behaviors.
So on behalf if those Tech fans who have wronged you or slighted you, I apologize. Being present in those situation I, as a true Tech fan, wouldn’t have put up with it.
Robert Hall
February 13th, 2011
7:49 pm
Yo Washaun,
come see me and I’ll teach you how to be a REAL ignorant thug.
Washaun E,
February 13th, 2011
7:50 pm
I have to leave, UGA. You losers in life and in football have dragged me down enough. I was your one ray of hope and I’m out of this craphole program.
TechRedNeck
February 13th, 2011
7:51 pm
A dawg fan calling Tech fans arrogant and whatever else bad he can think of? Are you kidding me? Look in the mirror goofballs.
South Ga
February 13th, 2011
7:52 pm
I guarantee you Tech Forever has screamed “To Hell with Georgia” at every single game he has attended, including those that UGA had nothing to do with.
It is so much a part of his vocabulary that he has no idea he does it.
Tech Forever is a liar, folks.
Tech Forever
February 13th, 2011
7:53 pm
South Ga
It’s part of a fight song!!! Are you kidding me? The lyrics to a song hurt you?
Washaun Ealey
February 13th, 2011
7:55 pm
Yo Yo!!!!!
Check me out, dog!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUf7rOaOOHk
GTsports
February 13th, 2011
8:04 pm
Hopefully gt can draw unc in the tournament. Roy Williams is the only Coach that Hewitt can out scheme.
Love GT Bball Not
February 13th, 2011
8:05 pm
I attended GT in the 80s when we had such great players as Price, Salley, Hammonds, etc. Those days are long gone. I attended the UNC and Fl State games this season and was embarrassed by the apparent apathy. 20% – 30% empty seats for an ACC game is just sad. I was a Hewitt defender but no more. He must go and he must go now.
GThoops
February 13th, 2011
8:13 pm
Gt also had better fans in the 80’s. Those days are not long gone. Bosh, favors may turn out to be as great as those it is just that the NBA rules and dollars have killed college basketball. The play across the board is nothing like the 80’s.
aztec
February 13th, 2011
8:20 pm
radodich needs too start courting NOODLES(craig neal) right now.
(G-V)T >>> 0
February 13th, 2011
8:30 pm
As to the “debate” over which school should be called Tech between GT and VPISU: the one that has actually been to a final four, the one whose football trophy case actually contains a national championship trophy, the one with the unambiguously superior academics, and the one whose fanbase is not reminiscent of the cast from Hee Haw.
jay
February 13th, 2011
8:31 pm
This toolbag is blaming everything on the team, hardly ever taking personal responsibility. He sucks and is clueless, what college player would want to play for him. Look at the NBA his kids are under developed and never make super star status. I understand the contract arrangement, but this guy will ruin Ga. Tech basketball for decades Dan R. He f@Ck!ng sucks!!
Supersize that order, mutt
February 13th, 2011
8:54 pm
Since the contract prohibits his being fired based on wins and losses, can we use the very unbecoming and embarassing conduct by a Tech coach resulting in ejection from a game as “reasonable cause” and fire him tomorrow?
Supersize that order, mutt
February 13th, 2011
8:56 pm
All DRad has to do is come up with a valid “reasonable cause” to nullify the payoff requirements of the contract. Getting ejected sure sounds like reasonable cause to me.
Phil
February 13th, 2011
8:59 pm
Fire Hewitt and Johnson!
Gary
February 13th, 2011
9:01 pm
Fire the coach. He clearly can no longer do the job (and hasn’t for several years). I sent an email to Rad several weeks ago pleading for Hewitt to be fire, no matter what the cost. It is really costing more to keep him since no one is attending the games (I am a season ticket holder and I have only been to the UNC game – I sold the rest on Stubhub). Why would I make the trip from the suburbs to see GT play?!?!?! It is no longer worth my time. I understand that donation are down from the season ticket holders…GT will loose more money by keeping Hewitt in the long run. His time has come and gone…I am not sure any major program would want him as their coach. Fire him before the additional year is automatically added to the contract!!!
Jake Astron
February 13th, 2011
9:31 pm
This has become utterly shameful. The basketball program is, and has been, a mess for years. No offensive scheme, no real defense, no ability to shoot FG’s or FT’s. In fact, watching us miss lay up after lay up is the only reason I watch. I set an over/under every game and laugh every time I set the bar too low. When will the rerun that is Tech basketball end.
south
February 13th, 2011
9:33 pm
Well, we can all hope this team makes a run, wins the ACC tourney, and Hewitt’s contract is renewed.
south
February 13th, 2011
9:35 pm
Did Doug actually say the NIT was a longshot? We’ll be lucky to be invited to play in the ACC tourney.
markprice
February 13th, 2011
9:36 pm
Paul Hewitt will not be satisifed till he runs this program into the ground. As a man he should resign now. We know that want happen meanwhile all the talent in georgia is leaving the state.
south
February 13th, 2011
9:43 pm
markprice – if Hewitt resigned and took another job, he would owe Tech 3M. He is not resigning…give that pipe dream up.
GssiT
February 13th, 2011
9:46 pm
Bring in a coach who can recruit more than one player who can play on a national level. Shumpert could come off someone’s bench, maybe even start at a few places, but there is no room on a college roster for “specialists” @ zone buster-defensive specialist-etc. Todays players must be complete players. ph can not deliver.
Kevin
February 13th, 2011
10:17 pm
Hey, I know, fire Hewitt – oh, that’s right, they can’t – he’s got a LIFETIME contract! Too bad Paul “Triple Chins” Johnson didn’t have as good of an agent as Hewitt or tek would be “stuck” with ol’ “Fish Fry” forever too!
Moosic Mauler
February 13th, 2011
10:31 pm
What’s a wussy from Scranton doing on an AJC blog? Must be a dropout from Westside
Michael
February 13th, 2011
10:32 pm
I know what Paul Hewitt is thinking now…
Thank goodness for Wake Forest!
Coach Hewitt, “Hey, we won’t finish last in the ACC, I think that speaks for the success of myself and my wonderful staff”
I still want the first phone call to be to Mark Price after firing/buying out/resigning Pault Hewitt.
I would welcome back Cremins too…even if he targets only one recruit a year and has only 7 players on the bench (depth was always his teams handicap). At least the talented players he got could play well under him and most could shoot. Hewitt hasn’t recruited more than one or two decent shooters in 8 years. I am tired of 6′4″ slashers that can’t do anything well.
Last year Tech had two of the better big men in the country and had a below-average inside game. How pathetic is that? I can see that of a high school team whereby the head coach is also the chemistry class teacher, just kind of helping out in his spare time, but a coach payed over a million each year, that is horrible.
The fans aren’t any worse now, but the product is…fans will come back like in the 80s and early 90s if the play comes back to levels that are worthy of our pride.
Clarks Summit Comet
February 13th, 2011
10:35 pm
Moosic Mauler is wrong – Scranton Strangler was probably a rich kid from Scranton Prep who couldn’t stand losing to Abington Heights all the time.
Buzz-in or buzz out
February 13th, 2011
10:54 pm
How low can we go? Hewitt is a cancer to GT BB program. The answer is simple fire Hewitt. I know the problem is $,$$$,$$$ but the longer we keep him the more it will cost to fix the problems. New gym etc is not the answer, I’d rather have a new Coach than a new building (empty). Players thats don’t play hard are not worth keeping, thats Bewitt fault.
Drads needs to get with Alum and come up with the money…..In other words get a pair on B- – -s and do you job! The Fans want a winner and want action Mr. AD.
Fire hewitt
February 13th, 2011
11:05 pm
Hewitt ejected in Texas………should be ejected by GT.
Hewitt's Hero's
February 13th, 2011
11:14 pm
This team sucks! They have given up and don’t give a crap. What the hell is the AD waiting for………he end of the season? I hope the new coach brings in new players who understand HEART!!!
pcb mike
February 13th, 2011
11:25 pm
Fire Hewitt, fire Hewitt, fire Hewitt. How many times do we have to say the obvious. Nothing personal Paul, we need a change. You should resign, that would show some class.
bigstack19
February 13th, 2011
11:30 pm
I would have fired him when they lost to Kennesaw State!
GT fan
February 14th, 2011
2:02 am
Right on, hire a new HC.
drew
February 14th, 2011
6:05 am
I can answer that questions in two words: FIRE HEWITT!
If D-Rad wants folks to show up for the final game at AMC, he knows what needs to happen.
Time to pull the trigger and cut our losses.
brent cunningham
February 14th, 2011
6:30 am
MARK PRICE IS THE MAN…HE WILL COACH FOR FREE UNTIL THEY PAY OUT DUM-DUM’S CONTRACT.
St. Richt
February 14th, 2011
7:46 am
How can Tech turn things around? Isn’t that obvious by now? FIRE HEWITT!!!
JROLL1
February 14th, 2011
7:53 am
IM WITH CRB…FIRE HEWITT
GT Grad 1995
February 14th, 2011
8:21 am
Business Proposition for Radakovich – I’ll be glad to take Hewitts place and you can pay me half what you’re paying Hewitt. There’s a 100% chance I’ll win at least one more game than he does.
gt
February 14th, 2011
8:26 am
I have come to the conclusion Hewitt has decided to hijack our basketball team. He has that buy out clause and he is not leaving until someone pulls that trigger. I don’t think Hewitt has ever been too sold on a college education being a ticket out of a situation and he very well may be giving Tech an education itself. In what real world business does the “smarter” college educated take a beating like this. As far as we know he is losing on purpose to escalate the matter. He is like the wife that stops having sex with her husband hoping to run him off so she can not only have the alimony but a new lover too. His newest trick is to not coach at all, just get kicked out of the game, still collect the check. Hewitt and his one and done guys are making a joke out of college education. They even got me leaving the dust on my diploma a little more often. Maybe I was a fool wasting my youth on such extravagance, maybe they will give some of that money back, Hewitt is helping me win that case. I knew he had a purpose.
Chuck Allison
February 14th, 2011
8:58 am
Tech fans have been telling Dan Rakadovich for 4 years that Paul Hewitt just has to go. He is disloyal and has his own agenda which is above the Tech athletic program. He is an NBA groupie and he has to go. Even if Paul took us to the national championship, we would still want him gone. There will continue to be many empty seats until Rakadovich starts to listen.
Hewitt Fan
February 14th, 2011
8:59 am
when CPH leaves I will be so happy!..Finally He can get out of the “Coach K” basketball confrence..Hewitt always has talent..last year he had a championship team..but…The refs made sure that Gt would not do that..Lawai and Favors both stayed in foul trouble and neither could take the bad calls so they left.. same with young,Bosh, and Javaris Critt..GT is the only school in the ACC who get top talent..Not top players want to play in the ACC…Most of duke and NC players are bust in the NBA but shoot 200000 free throws in college and you idiots say nothing about it..the ACC sucks , its all about the coaches not the players..the refs control the game..CPH has to sub every 30 seconds to prevent fouls from piling up…He had big LUC and the Acc refs let people just hammer this kid for 4 years….I remember in 2004, CPH heard a ref tell Coach K ” I got you” during the game, you guys did not back CPH at all….Last year Singler shot more fts than the whole GT team in the confrence championship.the refs let them play the first game, and .GT beat Duke easily at home last year, the 2nd game, Favors and Lawai were both hammered with 2 fouls 3 mins into the game..You guys said nothing..i know 100% that when GT hires another coach unless its coach K, they will never win..No one cares about the ACC anymore….just check the ratings..i dont blame CPH for not taking the St Johns job..Which is a better job in a better fair confrence…Its all about $$$$..He knows he will get another job easily..Until you so called ‘GT” fans stand up and grow some basketball balls and complain, GT will never win the ACC
WOW
February 14th, 2011
9:15 am
P.O.A.D. You take being ignorant to a new level…calling Hewitt AND his wife a cancer?? Do you even know them? Do you have ANY idea at all what kind of people they are? Criticizing a coach for doing a poor job is fair game by all means, be ruthless…but calling members of his family a “cancer” is just plain ignorant…get your priorities in line.
Rambleloser
February 14th, 2011
9:31 am
What the HECK GT basketball is what the Football will look like starting next year!!! Can we spell LOSERS!!!
GT B-Ball fan
February 14th, 2011
9:31 am
Unfortunately, GT is stuck with Hewitt thru the 2011-12 season.
After the 2011-12 season, Hewitt’s contract enters a 5th year
“re-negotiation period, where the 7 year rollover can be voided.
So, as a FORMER B-Ball season ticket holder, I know that it will likely be one more year of this.
Which highlights the #1 point I’ve been making.
Hewitt has NOTHINIG TO LOSE by trying to get fired, which it certainly seems like he’s doing.
I suspect that D-Rad and Hewitt might comes to terms on a buy-out after this season because…if Hewitt DOES NOT GET FIRED, then he will enter next season with NO CONTRACT EXTENSION OPTION. That means no big dollars.
So, I would look for some kind of agreed-upon buy-out after this season
or Hewitt behavior and GT’s performance is going toget dramatically worse in the next two weeks.
BartBuzz
February 14th, 2011
9:40 am
I guess it’s too much to hope that Paul Blewitt would have enough shame to resign. But even with a coaching change the basketball program will take a few years to turn around.
Yurtle_the_turtle
February 14th, 2011
9:46 am
Is it possible to screw up a program any worse than Blewitt has with this one? I’m praying that Chattanooga beats us Wed. That will seal the deal!!
BartBuzz
February 14th, 2011
9:53 am
All these postings about Tech’s sports program being second tier are getting old. You guys need to come up with some new material. Tech football won the ACC championship a year ago and the basketball program has it’s share of glory too. So give me a break. I’m as frustrated as any other Tech fan but I don’t feel a need to tear down the entire sports program. We compete at the highest levels in baseball and golf. Our football team will rebound too. But unless there’s a change at the top in basketball I’m afraid DRad’s hair will only get grayer.
Ramblin Man
February 14th, 2011
9:53 am
GT B-Ball fan,
I agree and hope you are right. My main concern is can GT get a good coach with the money they will be able to offer depending on the Hewitt buy out. It is amazing that this guy cannot or will not coach up the talent he has. Shumpert can’t carry this team all year on both D and O and how in the world is there nobody to step up when Oliver got hurt?
Mike!
February 14th, 2011
9:54 am
Hey 4Jacks, you say go back to N.Y., I say to you, go back to school! Two words. . . PROOF READ!
Doug Roberson
February 14th, 2011
10:01 am
GT fan, that is not accurate.
Mike!
February 14th, 2011
10:04 am
I agree with WOW! Regardless of the the poor job he is doing and/or the lack of success of the team, cancer? Come on man, if it’s that serious, when the GT coaching job becomes available. . . apply for it! Guess what, I’ll bet you don’t get the job.
GTSteve
February 14th, 2011
10:13 am
Doug, what you think the chances would be that Hewitt is fired after the season
RAMBLE ON!!!
February 14th, 2011
10:17 am
Hewitt Fan, that was the dumbest post I’ve ever read. Excluding 80% of the UGA post, of course.
Doug Roberson
February 14th, 2011
10:17 am
GTSteve, I couldn’t say. That’s really not for me to do as the team’s beat reporter. That’s more of a topic for our columnists, one of whom has weighed in on this.
Hewitt Fan
February 14th, 2011
10:19 am
Doug,
Are you ok with the refs in the ACC?..Just admit it, He has always had problems with the refs..never seen you defend CPH..Are you a Gt fan or just a writer?
Reality Bites
February 14th, 2011
10:22 am
I seem to recall that when Hewitt went 1-15 in ACC play 2 or 3 years ago, he promised it wdnt happen again. Well, we r staring at 3-13 this year. Not only is he a bad coach, he is bad liar as well.
DawginLex
February 14th, 2011
10:23 am
By April 1st, the 2 happiest fanbases in America:
1.) St John’s-Happy that Hewitt didn’t come instead of Lavin
2.) GA Tech-Happy to finally be rid of Hewitt
Who are the candidates?
Is Mark Price really on the list?
Good grief, you hire that guy and I may start pulling for y’all except when you play us.
Supersize that order, mutt
February 14th, 2011
10:29 am
GT B-Ball fan, your post was 100% WRONG. The contract rolls over EVERY YEAR. The 7 million dollar payoff caps off at 8.1 million, but Tech will have to pay that much if at any time it terminates Hewitt’s employment without cause, and the contract specifically states that wins/losses are not cause. Unless Hewitt quits, agrees to settle for less, or is found “guilty” of reasons of “cause,” then Tech will owe him 7 million dollars this year, and more if we wait. It is, for all intents and purposes a self-perpetuating lifetime contract.
Hewitt Fan
February 14th, 2011
10:29 am
@RAMBLE ON!!!
Everything i said were facts..During a game at Duke, CPH over heard a ref telling Coach K ” i got you” after that Gt was in foul trouble he reported it to the ACC..they did nothing..the ajc did nothing..you did nothing…if you dont believe me look it up for your self….In the Acc championship game Singler shot more free throws than the whole GT team…Look it up..He complained for 4 years about the punishment big Luc recieved….He has to sub every 30 seconds to keep guys out of foul trouble….He cant press like he did at siena due to foul trouble..Also, every coach in the Acc has a losing record out side coach K and Roy Williams…..look for him to leave NC very soon…He hates this league…Other than Tech, No other Acc teams get super players..The top players go to the big east,sec and big ten…Duke had no NBA starters on their roster last year..they shot 400 more free throws than their competition..Oliver purnell got the hell out of the ACC quick…He never got any calls…
Saban
February 14th, 2011
10:30 am
How`s richt`s recruiting of the Florida penal system going?
Like Crowell`s facebook page. Goe`s with Richt`s religious views.
Supersize that order, mutt
February 14th, 2011
10:30 am
Mark Price has NO experience coaching basketball at the college level. I love him for what he accomplished at Tech and in the pros, and for what he has contributed to Tech since then, but he is NOT the man for the job.
Reality Bites
February 14th, 2011
10:35 am
Hewitt Fan, ur blogs smack of ole timey rhetoric about “The Man” keepin us down. I aint buyin it brah….Hewitt suks, his players dont respond to his coaching, and Tech suffers as a result. It aint “The Man”. Oh btw, we can all sit where we like on the bus now too.
Doug Roberson
February 14th, 2011
10:37 am
Hewitt fan, you are correct about the ACC records. I wrote a story about it last year.
Here are stats from last year:
ACC in the past 10 seasons
Paul Hewitt took over at Georgia Tech for the 2000-01 season. A look at how ACC programs have fared during the time Hewitt has been at Tech:
School
Coach (seasons)+Overall+ACC+NCAAs+Best finish
Boston College
Al Skinner+215-109+94-66*+7+Sweet 16, 2006
Clemson
Larry Shyatt (3)+40-49+11-37+none+none
Oliver Purnell (current)+138-88+50-62+3+First round
Total+178-137+61-99
Duke
Mike Krzyzewski+293-60**+120-40+10+NCAA champ, 2001
Florida State
Steve Robinson (2)+21-38+8-24+none+none
Leonard Hamilton (current)+153-106+57-71+2+First round
Total+174-144+65-95
Georgia Tech
Paul Hewitt+177-144+67-93+5+NCAA runner-up, 2004
Maryland
Gary Williams+225-110+96-64+7+NCAA champ, 2002
Miami
Perry Clark (4)+65-54+26-38***+1+First round, 2002
Frank Haith (current)+108-86+37-59+1+Second round, 2008
Total+173-140+63-97
North Carolina
Matt Doherty (3)+53-43+23-25+1+Second round, 2001
Roy Williams (current)+194-53+77-35+6+NCAA champ, 2005, ‘09
Total+247-96+100-60
N.C. State
Herb Sendek (6)+118-74+51-45+5+Sweet 16, 2005
Sidney Lowe (current)+71-62+20-44+none+none
Total+189-136+71-89
Virginia
Pete Gillen (5)+85-65+32-48+1+First round, 2001
Dave Leitao (4)+63-60+27-37+1+Second round, 2007
Tony Bennett (current)+15-16+5-11+none+none
Total+163-141+64-96
Virginia Tech
Ricky Stokes (3)+30-54+10-38+none+none
Seth Greenberg (current)+132-94+55-57**+1+Second round, 2007
Total+162-148+65-95
Wake Forest
Dave Odom (1)+19-11+8-8+1+First round, 2001
Skip Prosser (6)+126-68+52-44+4+Sweet 16, 2004
Dino Gaudio (current)+61-21+27-21+2+Second round, 2010
Total+206-100+87-73
* Member of Big East from 2001-05
** Still playing
*** Member of Big East from 2001-04
Hewitt Fan
February 14th, 2011
10:48 am
@Reality Bites
I said nothing about race…I said he does not get any calls..you brought up race….I wonder why?….Oliver Purnell took a pay cut to leave the ACC .. ..CPH would love to leave but GT owes him plenty and he will have schools beating down his door the moment he leaves the ACC..you guys say he cant coach, but Steve Lavin was not st Johns 1st choice, it was CPH.. he turned them down..And St johns is a wayyyyyyy better job than GT..you know it and i know it… if Hewitt had some of the teams he has had at Tech in the big East, he would be a legend now…they let the kids play over there…its not about the coach
Hewitt Fan
February 14th, 2011
11:00 am
@Doug Roberson
Its sad at what this league has become..they dont play good bball in the ACC anymore..its almost like a wrestling match…I know Derrick favors..from AAU….He hated the refs the moment he played his first ACC game..He feels very bad for CPH…He just could not stay another year in the Coach K conference…I remember the year we had Bosh…oh my god!…It seem like that was the 1st year it started.He left asap lol..the year tech made the championship game they were barely 500 in the ACC..They had a monster team that year with 3 or 4 NBA players but still could barely win on the road in the ACC due to foul trouble..I cant wait until next year, unless they hire a Duke assistant i know they will be worse, and CPH will leave at least 2 nba players next year to the new coach (Iman,rice Jr)
Paul in RDU
February 14th, 2011
11:13 am
Hewitt Fan – I can’t believe you posted this
Also, every coach in the Acc has a losing record out side coach K and Roy Williams…..look for him to leave NC very soon…
Gary Williams has a winning record in the ACC and Hank Greenberg is exactly 0.500
The idea that Ole Roy is going to leave his alma mater is ridiculous.
Road Warriors
February 14th, 2011
11:13 am
Road Losses avg 14 pts
KSU by 17 (down by 20 at one point)
NW by 20 (down by 26 at one point)
Siena by 5 (largest deficit)
BC by 11 (down by 13 at one point)
Clem by 25 (down by 29 at one point)
UVA by 8 (down by 18 at one point)
Miami by 2 (down by 21 at one point)
VT by 25 (down by 30 at one point)
GPB
February 14th, 2011
11:25 am
New coach for a new court. I really wanna like Hewitt but his loyalty to the other coaches on the bench is killing me. Notice the dropoff after Warren and Keener left. And notice how no one’s been fired since we’ve bottomed out. If he’d replaced a couple of people two years ago, I might have a little more patience.
Dadgum......
February 14th, 2011
1:04 pm
I mentioned this in a prior blog and I will repeat: Hewitt will be fired on or before March 14th. Based on my source I am 110% confident in that. While certainly it is not in official print nor will the source be divulged it also is not gleaned from water cooler gossip. Part of the credibility and only a small part is that Hewitt’s salary amount is not listed listed as a liability on the business plan submitted for the new stadium construction. Drad will not fire him until the ACC tourney is over however.
Further, the new coach will not have the pedigree you might expect. Think more along the lines of young, up-and-coming, exhubirant, good recruiter type. Somebody like a Rick Barnes in his early days if you will. That’s the word I am getting….The Good Word!
wesleywhatwhat
February 14th, 2011
1:15 pm
if radakovich doesn’t negotiate a buyout of hewitt’s contract at the end of this season (for no more than 2 years wages), we’ll know he is completely alseep at the wheel and his priorities are too skewed to properly represent GT athletics.
GTSteve
February 14th, 2011
1:35 pm
I hope you are correct Dadgum…this program deserves better
St Johns is Lucky
February 14th, 2011
2:28 pm
This is an easy answer – No, NO and NOOOOO! He’s had his chance and D Rad will have to determine what costs more – to keep him or cut him loose!
Brinson Early
February 15th, 2011
1:15 am
A lot of carpers among you.
Donna Greenway
February 17th, 2011
8:29 am
Hire Mark Price. He is loved by the fans, knows basketball, has lived basketball all his life, lives in Atlanta, is a man of integrity, doesn’t shy away from challenges, and know what it means to turn Georgia Tech around.