Rx for Hewitt: Coach more, Tweet less (new Tweets added)
Here's "GTCoachHewitt", perhaps pondering his next Tweet. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
I understand what Paul Hewitt is trying to do. He’s trying to foment belief in a team that, after losing four times in six games, has cause to doubt. But I’m not sure Twitter is the vehicle for that. I’m not sure a coach who’s under .500 in a diluted ACC with three McDonald’s All-Americans in his first five needs to be daring Georgia Tech fans to prove their fanhood.
Tech folks have been patient with Hewitt. He hasn’t won an NCAA tournament game since 2005. He has had four losing seasons in his first nine years on the job. He has a losing record against Georgia. Since Tech played for the national championship in April 2004, his record is 96-86 overall and 35-58 in ACC regular-season play. At a place that cared deeply about the sport, he’d have been gone long ago, his $7 million golden parachute absorbed as the cost of doing business in big-time basketball.
But he’s still here. Does he have critics? Yes. (I know. I’m one.) Is he booed when introduced before home games? Not so you’d notice. (And I try to notice.) But when a coach challenges his constituency on his Twitter account, it’s a signal he’s feeling the heat. A sampling of Hewitt’s latest Tweets, all offered in the past three days:
• Clearly we are playing our best basketball of the season. Don’t believe what you read from the “experts.” Believe what you see.
• As we are coming to the latter part of the season, now is not the time to be judgmental. You all need to come out and support this team.
• Are you a critic or a supporter of this team? Supporters will continue to watch this team fight.
• To you critics: when athletes say some of the things you say, then you condemn them as quitters. Are you quitting?
• I believe in this team!
And here are three that arrived Thursday afternoon:
• Our team deserves to be treated truthfully. This young basketball team is on the verge of earning an NCAA [berth].
• We realize we still have work to do but no one should ever question the effort, intelligence, or dedication of our program.
• Their effort and level of commitment should never be questioned.
I don’t think anyone is questioning the team. (Questioning the coach, yes. Is that not allowed?) But saying the Jackets deserve “to be treated truthfully”? Has someone miscalculated the record? Is Tech really 25-2?
And that tired old bit about this being a “young basketball team”? Tech starts a fifth-year senior, a junior and a sophomore. Its sixth man is a senior. In contemporary college basketball, that’s a fairly seasoned bunch.
But that’s not the way Hewitt sees it. Before practice Thursday, he told reporters that coverage of his team has been reduced to “cyberbullying.” He also claimed he hadn’t read the AJC since 2005 because the team that went to the ACC finals and lost to Louisville in Round 2 of the NCAA tournament was “absolutely bashed.” (Given that I covered the ACC tournament and the loss to Louisville, I assume he was referring to me.)
He also contended that the past 3 1/2 games have been the best stretch of Tech basketball in two years. Yet Tech has won only once in that span, and to claim that this team is better than last season’s isn’t saying much. Those Jackets were 2-14 in ACC play.
I should stipulate that, for as critical as I’ve been regarding Hewitt, he and I have never had a heated exchange. I was surprised he took umbrage at a question after Tech nearly wasted a 16-point lead against North Carolina State. He’s usually the essence of professionalism. But he has to know that this season is his last real chance to win back those who’ve lost faith in his stewardship. That said, do you win anyone back via a dare?
Loading ...Some folks laughed when, after losing at Maryland at the horn Saturday, Hewitt said he believed Tech was on the verge of something big. I didn’t. I remember how I laughed six years ago when, after a home loss to North Carolina State that took the Jackets’ ACC record to 6-7, Hewitt said Tech was “playing as well as anyone in the country.” But seven days later it won at Duke, and a month later it was in the Final Four.
Former assistant Dean Keener once told me: “You know Paul — he’s the most optimistic man in the world.” And I submit there is reason for Tech to keep the faith as it heads into March. It is playing better. It could well have a nice tournament run. But it isn’t “critics” and “experts” who have lost seven of the past 14 games. It’s Tech, as coached by Hewitt.
Believe what you see, Tweeted GTCoachHewitt, but I’m not sure he means that. Because some Tech rooters might say, “Know what I see? I see a coach who’s 6-7 with the most talented team in his league asking why I’m not rooting harder.”
That’s the trouble with a dare. Ask someone to look hard at your program and that someone might decide your program isn’t half what it should be. If several such someones band together, it might not be your program much longer.
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275 comments Add your comment
NoCoach Blewitt
February 25th, 2010
9:12 pm
Sope ……. no dumb tweets = no Bradley article
todd grantham
February 25th, 2010
9:12 pm
overtime
Heath
February 25th, 2010
9:14 pm
Hunker down, dawgs! We’ve had enough of moral victories this year.
SMITTYSTHEMAN
February 25th, 2010
9:16 pm
Got an idea. At the remainder of the home games, when the players are announced, cheer like crazy. When Hewitt’s name is announced, let him know LOUDLY how much you think of his tweets! I’m sick of lame excuses and getting outcoached by other coaches with inferior teams. Like Chan, he’s had more than enough time to make this program a consistent force. But with the exception of a decent season every so often, he’s failed. Plain and simple.
Paul is the man?
February 25th, 2010
9:17 pm
Just in case you were wondering, since the league expanded to 12 teams (2005-6 season) here is the up to date total regular season ACC wins by team. Of course, GT is in last place. By the way, if you add tournament wins, GT is still in last place.
CPH can tweet and rail against his critics all day long but only someone who is not all there can be proud of the worst ACC record over the last 5 years and an overall losing record in the ACC and against our arch rival during his entire career. CPH probably thinks he deserves a bigger raise than the unconditional 150K raise he gets each and every year.
REGULAR SEASON Total Wins
Duke 57
North Carolina 53
Maryland 43
Florida State 41
Clemson 40
Boston College 39
Virginia Tech 38
Wake Forest 34
Virginia 32
Miami 30
N.C. St 28
Georgia Tech 27
willie
February 25th, 2010
9:22 pm
As a GT guy, I have also been disappointed the last several years, particularly this year. But enough of this junk. They have 3 important games to go and then the ACC tournament. Let them concentrate on this important stretch and lay off of Hewitt. If they fall on their tails in a few weeks, then you vultures can start in again.
Golden Tornado
February 25th, 2010
9:29 pm
As a general rule, most Tech graduates strive to excel in all they do. How can a Tech alum support a coach whose teams have the worst conference record in the last 5 years – that is not excelling but rather failing.
indianman
February 25th, 2010
9:32 pm
i don.t feel sorry for your i wish your would lose every every year
indianman
February 25th, 2010
9:35 pm
i dont feel sorry for your i wish your lose every game your play every year
bring back Bobby
February 25th, 2010
9:38 pm
There is a an excellent coach available
……………………………………………at The College of Charleston.
NoCoach Blewitt
February 25th, 2010
9:41 pm
I like another former coach from this state ….. Tubby Smith. He actually coaches the talent UP which we be a welcomed change.
Delbert D.
February 25th, 2010
9:44 pm
Crucify him.
Wait....you mean he isn't gone yet?
February 25th, 2010
9:53 pm
If he doesn’t go to the Sweet 16 with this team, he’s done. We should play over/under……over/under 6 alumni it takes to fully buy out the rest of his contract?
Admiral Ackbar
February 25th, 2010
9:58 pm
Hewitt is a d-bag. Unacceptable results. It’s a trap and no we do not want Hewitt at Ole Miss.
Admiral Ackbar
February 25th, 2010
10:00 pm
Enter your comments here
Hannibal Lector
February 25th, 2010
10:02 pm
Disembowel him
NoCoach Blewitt
February 25th, 2010
10:04 pm
He would make a great mascot though with that over inflated head
mtraininjax
February 25th, 2010
10:05 pm
Coach Blewitt is still the same on Twitter or AJC. He needs to be gone this year.
You might be a redneck if...
February 25th, 2010
10:21 pm
…you think Coach Nerdstrom and uga are going to the NIT.
Mark – My freshman year at Tech was Bobby Cremmins’ last year. I remember going to games and hearing the dorks and tools booing Bobby Cremmins. Now the court is named after him. Perhaps Paul’s time has come, but stop being one of those tools. Wait for the season to be over and then judge. And if you are on this blog bad mouthing Paul – put up the money to buy him out or shut your nerdy mouths. GO JACKETS!
Phil
February 25th, 2010
10:42 pm
Way too much talent to be a bubble tournament team. Hewitt’s been giving a fair chance anything less than sweet sixteen and it is time to make a change!!
GT FAN
February 25th, 2010
11:13 pm
Mark,
Please dont be a spoon and stir the pot. Write something positive about the school.
TECHFIRST
February 25th, 2010
11:42 pm
Its clear Gailey never developed a quarterback. Its also clear Hewitt never develop a player if u look at the 2004 team top 7 players talent and exp. take a look at all Hewitt’s teams and you will see alot of pros GUYS IT WASN’T COACHING I WILL ALWAYS BE A TECH FAN REGARDLESS OF THE COACH AND ILL MAKE TECH NATION A PROMISE IF I HIT THE MEGA MILLION TOMORROW ILL PAY THAT TAP (FOOTBALL ACC CHAMPS, BASEBALL #3 IN THE NATION, BASKETBALL COACH MOVING BACK TO THE MID MAJORS WHERE JUST MAKIN THE TOURNEY IS ENOUGH PRICELESS)
bugsquacher
February 26th, 2010
12:06 am
tech still sucks.
FullMetalJacket
February 26th, 2010
1:49 am
Mark, fully realizing that a big part of your job is to provoke responses here, I must say that you have absolutely nailed it this time in summarizing the Hewitt/Tech fans situation. Proof that one can be a provocateur and not compromise on the truth.
FullMetalJacket
February 26th, 2010
1:54 am
The administration and fans of Georgia Tech have been more than patient and supportive of Paul Hewitt over the years. Despite never satisfactorily explaining the mediocrity since 2004, and usually deflecting criticism rather than acknowledge his own role in his teams’ performance, Tech has given him more and more rope. It seems he’s been given enough to hang himself and the noose is tightening.
FullMetalJacket
February 26th, 2010
1:55 am
Clearly, Hewitt is poison to the program at this point.
FullMetalJacket
February 26th, 2010
2:08 am
I tought I taw a Tweety Bird! I did! I did! I did see a tweety bird named Hewie. Somebody get a cat and let’s get rid of this canary.
Col. Reb ain't dead yet
February 26th, 2010
2:16 am
Hewitt indicts himself when he says this is the best the team has played all season: have lost 3 out of 4, losing record in conference play, and now criticizing a fanbase that has been supportive and patient far longer than he deserved. Time to kick him out, buyout or not, and begin rebuilding the program that Cremins built.
Move it on
February 26th, 2010
2:52 am
Time to pack it up paul and move it on down the road. This is not a ‘young’ team—it’s just poorly coached. Tech needs to suck it up and pay the millions in bribe money to get him out the door.
uberVU - social comments
February 26th, 2010
5:28 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MarkBradleyAJC: Advice for Georgia Tech’s Paul Hewitt: Coach more, Tweet less. http://bit.ly/bLMktp…
All I'm Saying Is...
February 26th, 2010
8:21 am
Dear Coach Hewitt:
Wag more, bark less.
Your pal,
All I’m Saying Is…
Kirk
February 26th, 2010
8:36 am
Hewitt’s program is so popular that they are begging people each game to buy tickets for upcoming ACC games–and the Thriller Dome isn’t exactly massive. We bought two season tickets just before the season started. If Hewitt is back next year, we won’t be.
Dick
February 26th, 2010
9:07 am
Hey Sienna is in first place! 15-1 in the metro conf. Let’s go hire that coach! LOL
justin
February 26th, 2010
9:22 am
As a lifelong Duke fan, I fully support keeping Hewitt on the GT staff. He’ll never compete for an ACC crown. On the other hand, just look down the road to Raleigh to see what happens when a fan base turns on a coach (Sendek) because he’s mediocre. Sometimes you get better, sometimes you get worse. Be careful, Tech fans. Change isn’t always good.
GTGuy44
February 26th, 2010
9:47 am
Thillerdome Forever I think you miss the point. What is we finish with a small winning record in the ACC? Any fair person would say that is a gross unachievement considering the conference is the weakest in 20 years (one team in the top 25) and supposedly the best talent we have ever had. The totality of what he has done is what matters. He cannot coach and must be fired.
Tech Fan
February 26th, 2010
10:00 am
I don’t care if the team does well over the next 2-3 weeks. That will be a flash in the pan, that is less significant than the consistent (bad) coaching the past 9 out of 10 years. It’s still Groundhog Day people…years later…
Good Article But...
February 26th, 2010
10:00 am
Mark very good article! Doubt it makes any difference at all since the same conclusions have been reached several years in a row. The only real question with Hewitt keeping his job is whether or not Tech can find the funds to buy him out. We already owe Gailey money and we increased Johnson’s contract (very worth while) at a time when the athletic budget is very stretched. We do have less than half of the alumni base of UGA so we simply can’t throw money down a drain (see Grantham with basically no DC experience) and hope the clog clears. Hewitt is a clog that just may have to wait another year before we can call a plumber. Economics not desire is the issue but Hewitt should be commended for running a program of integrity – just wish he could have found a way to compete much more effectively.
BobinBuford
February 26th, 2010
10:37 am
Notice how Heath and todd grantham stopped posting once UGA lost that game??
The only way UGA makes either the NCAA or NIT tournament, they would have to win the SEC tournament. If they did, they would probably be the lowest seeded SEC team in the NCAA tournament in history.
Does it matter if CPH stays?? With Gani, D’andre, Zach and probably Derrick gone, next year will be a rebuilding year anyway. So why not start off with a clean slate all around??
Bill
February 26th, 2010
11:23 am
Sad part is if Hewitt gets fired, the fallout will be enormous. Favors and Lawal are gone anyway. But we’ll probably lose Oliver, Rice and another of the frosh. Thee is an outsatnding frosh class to build on, even with Favors leaving early. But sooner or later, the bottom line has to decide the future. If Hewitt can’t get this team to the nCAA”s…..excuses are for losers…..it’s time to change. The facts support this. I am not a Hewitt hater. But I love Tech and this is ridiculous. 8-8 is unacceptable. It’s time to put up or shut up. No more grace periods. BTW, last time I checked, Peacock, Lawal, Miller and Bell were upperclassmen. Shumpert is like a Jr at this point. Enough with the frosh garbage.Favors, Rice and Oliver have been fabulous. LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED.
UGA is so 3 DECADES AGO
February 26th, 2010
12:17 pm
A couple things. Why hasn’t he read the ajc blogs in the last 5 years!? He should. Then maybe he’d get his s#%t together! Also, anyone want Cremins back!? I agree his last years were not so good but I would much rather suffer with Cremins then with Hewitt.
a. romero
February 26th, 2010
12:29 pm
anytime the north avenue trade school has trouble is a great day for UGA. and for all you tekkie slide rule boys: remember, Dawg b-ball kicked your acc, highly recruited all-americans ass. GO DAWGS
OG-T
February 26th, 2010
12:40 pm
If Blewitt is barking about the critics, imagine if he would have got the Knicks job in 2005. The media would have baked him within one week. He always talks about Feb as the most important month — nice run at 2-4 so far.
good grief
February 26th, 2010
12:53 pm
Dude, you act like you’re the good guy in all of this. Fact is you and other writers at the ajc are negative team bashing critics of all the atl market teams. That’s how a lot of people feel and this isn’t the first or last time you’ve tried to write a guy out of atlanta.
You’re not even good at what you do. If only the critics would write about your crap filled columns
CMS
February 26th, 2010
2:02 pm
ESPN’s take on things: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/errorMessage/Forum+espnmb%2c+folder+1%2c+Message+posting+failed%3a+Problem+posting+your+message./affiliateName/espn/count/0/status/exception/SUBMIT/1/prosaction/newpost/password/18611865/id/4757/username/cmsmith1970/regFormId/espn/language/en/y/6/x/38/sort/oldest/maybe-paul-hewitt-should-stop-tweeting-now
NoCoach Blewitt
February 26th, 2010
2:14 pm
Good showing on 790 this morning Bradley …….. Blewey seems to think that the team turns the ball over 20+ times a game and the players can not make a free throw because what you write about the team in the paper
I guess it is also your fault that the player rotation is a joke …… Oh wait Rice just hit 3 shots in a row, better pull him out. You can not get a rhythm as a group when every dead ball one or two players are rotating. I would bet that half the time the players are clueless as to who is actually on the court and who is not. But this all falls on your shoulders Mark.
Blewitt is a joke. Same results, same excuses, same coach. It was time to make a move 3-4 years ago and it is still time DRAD. Lets make it happen and get this team headed into a direction (right now we are in a complete stalemate)
Hewitt is a Joke
February 26th, 2010
4:49 pm
NoCoach Blewitt, you’re exactly right! I had never seen a college basketball coach consistenly pull hot shooters out of the lineup until Tweet Man Hewitt came to GT. I think he has a version of Tourrette’s with his substitutions.. I forget the game, but Favors was dominating early in one recent game having scored 6-8 quick points. And Blewitt pulls him at the 17:51 mark in the first half!!! The guy is TERRIBLE and he knows it.
Supersize that order, mutt
February 26th, 2010
5:10 pm
Everybody who goes to the game tomorrow ought to bring whistles and “tweet” them when Blewitt is introduced. lol
Just Saying
February 26th, 2010
8:42 pm
If there is one thing the cyberbullies at the AJC sports department know how to do it is to join the bandwagon and attract additional readers in order to make the revenue objective set by Cox for the AJC by kicking a man when he is down or even appears vulnerable.
So how do the advertising numbers look this month?
You people are awful and are the very definition of yellow journalism.
Speed Howell
February 27th, 2010
12:25 am
Dear Mark Know-It-All:
After years of never giving Bobby Cremins any credit at all, even when he beat Dean Smith three times in one year and consistently had a good record against Duke and brought more winning and glory to Tech basketball and championships than all previous coaches combined, and after years of your gunning for Cremins, whose program was gutted by increasingly early leaves for the NBA(first Scott as junior, then Anderson as sophomore, next Marbury as freshman), you coddled his replacement Paul Hewitt for years and watched obliviously as Hewitt’s program was likewise ransacked by early NBA departures and, more importantly, by poor play and coaching, to the point where he is no longer welcome; and now you belatedly discover that your pet replacement for Cremins can’t cut it at Tech, it turns out you want to get back out front of the disgruntled Tech alumni mob that you first stirred up against Cremins and now wants Hewitt gone. Well, if Hewitt leaves, to be fair, you should have to go with him.
BobinBuford
February 27th, 2010
12:54 am
I see the women’s team hit 27 of 33 free throws tonight to beat UNC.
Maybe Coach Joseph can go over and help out with that for the men’s team.