Here’s what caused Paul Hewitt to stop reading the AJC
Paul Hewitt exits after losing to Louisville in the 2005 NCAA. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Perhaps you heard Paul Hewitt say last week he hasn’t read the ol’ AJC since 2005. Perhaps you heard him mention he stopped because “our columnist here” — he meant me, I believe it’s safe to say — declared the 2004-2005 Jackets underachievers. And he’s correct. I did.
I believed then — and believe still — that a Tech team returning six of its top eight players from a run to the NCAA championship game (and that had added freshmen Anthony Morrow, Jeremis Smith and Ra’Sean Dickey) should have done better than 20-12 overall and 8-8 in the ACC. It should have done better than to enter the NCAA tournament as a No. 5 seed and then lose by 22 points in Round 2 to No. 4 seed Louisville.
Was U of L good that year? Absolutely. It reached the Final Four, where it lost in the semis to Illinois, which lost in the title game to North Carolina, which Tech had beaten in the ACC semifinals only eight days before its crash against the Cardinals. After that game, Hewitt opened his press briefing by saying: “This was no upset.”
OK, that’s the background. Here, presented without one keystroke of revision, is the apparently offending article that ran in our paper on March 21, 2005. Judge for yourselves if I had, as Hewitt claimed on 790 The Zone last Friday – here’s a link to the audio – forfeited all claim to objectivity:
Nashville — Georgia Tech has come many miles these past two seasons, but the Jackets didn’t get as far as they could have this March. Paul Hewitt believed this team was more talented than its immediate predecessor, but all that talent exited Sunday as a 22-point loser in Round 2. Louisville threw a zone at Tech, and the way to beat a zone is to shoot over it. The Jackets couldn’t. Their most renowned shooter, B.J. Elder, made one basket in his final game as a collegian.
And that was your ballgame right there. Yes, Louisville fashioned a frenzied start, making eight of its first nine shots and seizing a 13-point lead not seven minutes in, but any observer of this weekend’s doings knows that 13-point leads can be overcome. But Tech needed to make treys to pull the Cardinals out of that 2-3 zone and clear the path for drives to the basket, and the Jackets could make only six.
The knee-jerk reaction is to say that the scheming Rick Pitino outcoached Hewitt, but Tech pretty much knew Louisville would play a zone and prepared accordingly.
“What it comes down to, ” said Willie Reese, Hewitt’s assistant, “is you have to make shots.” And these Jackets, for all their skill and tenacity and seasoning, weren’t good enough shooters. There was a time when Hewitt believed Elder to be one of the nation’s best players, but as an injury-saddled senior he was never a consistent force.
Louisville smacked the Jackets hard early and sat in its zone, waiting for the run that never quite came. Elder’s lone basket drew the Jackets within nine points with 10 minutes left, but Jarrett Jack threw away an inbounds pass and Luke Schenscher walked in the lane and Taquan Dean hit the two killing 3s. “They shot extremely well, ” Will Bynum said. “There was nothing we could do.”
Well, Tech might have made a few shots of its own, but Jack and Bynum are better slashers than standstill shooters. Tech had everything it needed to reach another Final Four, everything except a reasonable facsimile of J.J. Redick. “[Louisville] did a great job of staying on shooters out of the zone, ” said Elder, who played 24 minutes and hoisted five shots, one fewer than Anthony McHenry.
Give Louisville its due. Francisco Garcia had the same sort of inspirational performance that Dwyane Wade authored when Marquette thrashed top-ranked Kentucky in a 2003 regional final, with the point being: A splendid player can, on a given March afternoon, will his team to a higher plane. Tech had lots of players, but no one who could do as Garcia did. Bynum scored 35 points against North Carolina nine days ago; he managed eight Sunday.
The Jackets’ offense failed them too many times this season. They were fine as long as they could drive to the goal, but Louisville made them play in a confined space. The Cardinals simply wrong-footed Tech. “Today we got beat by a better team, ” Hewitt said, and then he added: “A better-coached team.”
It will come as cold comfort to Tech that the Cardinals saw this game as their test. “If you can beat Georgia Tech , you can go to the Final Four and win the national championship, ” Pitino had said Saturday, and here we pause for reflection: Louisville has won two NCAA titles and been to seven Final Fours. Louisville has been a fortress of a program for 60 years, and yet the proud Cardinals and their famous coach regarded Tech, which three seasons ago was happy to make the NIT, as their peer if not their better.
Having played for one national championship, Hewitt assembled enough players to make a run at another. The indifferent regular season can be written off to injuries, but Tech had no excuses Sunday. The Jackets needed a shooter to rise up and make shots, and nobody did. This really gifted team met a really rude end.
And I’ll leave it at that — almost. The folks at 790 were kind enough to ask for my reaction to Hewitt’s contention that it has become a “personal” issue with me regarding his program. If you’re inclined, here’s the audio link to my response. (And if you’re not inclined, here was my answer: No, it hasn’t. No, it isn’t.)
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286 comments Add your comment
Gordon
March 1st, 2010
1:54 pm
“I don’t see how keeping Hewitt can be justified with the multiyear trend toward mediocrity, declining revenues and attendance, the growing alumni dissatisfaction, the deterioration and erosion of branding, and the inability to effect positive change in basketball management.”
Because we can’t afford the cash flow hit from the buyout. Purely financial. Only Radakovich knows all the variables (including the mood of big donors), and I trust him to make the right decision. Another thing, you have to be sure you could get someone significantly better before you did something like this. Mark wrote a column about that a year or so ago, where he interviewed Radakovich, soon after the wrote the column detailing Hewitt’s contract. I wish he would rerun that column, because it is very relavent now.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
1:57 pm
Mark, thanks for the info on Neal. I had wondered what ever became of him. I always loved watching him play, although I can’t help but remember one attempted dunk he made in a key game that flopped. I don’t remember the game, but he really looked foolish, and Cremins spared no words in what he said afterwords.
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
1:58 pm
Mark, I had completely forgotten about Neal assisting at New Mexico. Now, THAT’s an interesting speculation. I respect the heck out of Mark Price, but as a player and a person. I just haven’t seen enough of him as a coach and administrator. I wonder how influential and active Neal is as Alford’s assistant? He’s young, should be fairly affordable initially, and would certainly inspire some enthusiasm (if not curiosity).
Gordon
March 1st, 2010
2:00 pm
I think that was the ACC championship game against Duke in 1986. We lost by 1 point.
eggguy
March 1st, 2010
2:00 pm
Fire Hewitt NOW!
I remember in 1983…I think, Duke came to Atlanta. I took a date to the game, we stood up the ENTIRE game! Most exciting game I had ever seen……..FIRE HEWITT NOW and bring back the excitement!!!
(Yes, I did get lucky later on that night!)
Mark Bradley
March 1st, 2010
2:00 pm
I didn’t mention Craig Neal to start any rumors. But Alford’s team is hot, and you’ll probably see ol’ Noodles on TV during the Big Dance.
Mark Bradley
March 1st, 2010
2:01 pm
Duke, 1986, ACC title game. I believe that was the missed dunk, Supersize.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
I was thinking it was a game I went to, which definitely was not an ACC tournament game. I just remember that he had an easy layup, but foolishly tried to dunk it, and it failed miserably. However, that’s been a long time ago now, and I may have seen it on TV instead of in person.
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
2:06 pm
Gordon: I know the financial consideration is considerable, but it won’t get any smaller over time and our ability to generate revenue (in basketball at least) will continue to decline with Hewitt at the helm. I guess if we sit back and let CPJ get the football team into a few more big-money bowl games and sell out BDS we might be better able to buy Hewitt off later. Waiting until we pay off Gailey in two years is a depressing thought. And I agree, we need to have a strong short list before ditching Hewitt. I seldom support change just for change’s sake, but I have to believe that there are plenty of hires who would at least make an initial impact in generating ticket sales and support. In the end, it will come down to math with dollar signs, as you suggest, but I really hope we are wrong.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
2:08 pm
Mark, do you keep up at all with Division 2 basketball? Are you aware that the team at Augusta State (in Augusta, obviously) was ranked number 3 in the country last week? They will probably move up to number 1 tomorrow, since number 2 and number 3 both lost last week. They have been to the Final Four in Springfield, Mass the past two years, finishing 2nd two years ago, and 4th last year. As much as I LOVE the Jackets, it is really a thrill to watch a team with a good coach play, no matter what division they are in.
Mark Bradley
March 1st, 2010
2:11 pm
Coach Dip Metress has done quite a job with ASU.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
2:13 pm
Mark, GREAT to see you say that. Metress has INDEED done a great job, and he’s a good recruiter too, although he loses his entire starting 5 to graduation this year. I know no Division 2 coach would ever be considered by a Division 1 school, but I would LOVE to see what he would do with the talent Tech has now.
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
2:14 pm
Haha. Yes, Mark, now you’ve done it. Next thing we know, Hewie will be twittering about the AJC trying to replace him with Neal. Fact is, despite the fact some of us have forgotten about Neal coaching at UNM (including myself), I am willing to bet that in some little corner of DRad’s mind where he keeps a running list of potential candidates just in case a meteor falls on any one of our head coaches he has Neal and other former Tech players, assistants, and potential replacements noted.
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
2:17 pm
I’d renew my season tickets to see a Metress Experiment in AMC next season.
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
2:18 pm
Actually, I’m just looking for any good reason to renew my season tickets….I just can’t justify it if Hewitt continues to be HC.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
2:21 pm
You and me both, FMJ, and unless something changes, I will definitely not be making the drive up from Augusta next year.
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
2:23 pm
At least the chants for “Neal! Neal! Neal!” sound much better than a silent student section, which is what I witnessed on Saturday. Before I go, I just want to say what a good job so many of our other coaches are doing, from most of the women’s sports to baseball, tennis, golf, and of course football. (Sorry if I left some of the others out.) It’s great to be a Yellow Jacket and a Helluva Engineer.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
2:24 pm
HELL YEAH, FMJ!!! Have a good afternoon. I’m outta here soon too
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
2:26 pm
Yes, that long haul up I-20 gets old real quickly when you know that regardless of your team’s talent level they are being held back by their coach’s incompetence.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
2:29 pm
no doubt about that, but it’s surprising how easy a drive it is when we win
Gordon
March 1st, 2010
2:37 pm
Our program is too important to take a chance on a former Tech player for sentimental reasons. Look what that did for NC State with Sidney Lowe. There is no evidence that Mark Price or Craig Neal have what it takes to lead our program. The same thing applied when Tech was looking for an AD and Bill Curry’s name was mentioned. I love these guys as much as the next Tech fan, but this is a BIG decision and I would rather get it right. Emotion ruled the day when Braine gave Hewitt this ridiculous contract, and we don’t want to make the same mistake by hiring someone we all “like”. I want someone just like Hewitt, except he can win more basketball games. If the right guy isn’t available right now, let’s wait another year rather than to make some rash move that makes us all feel better in the short term.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
March 1st, 2010
2:43 pm
Excellent write-up from five years ago Mark. Even after five years, I don’t see anything particularly controversial about it. If CPH takes offense to this kind of reporting, then he’s got no business being a “coach” (if that’s what you call what he’s doing). I’ve not been on the “Fire CPH” bandwagon in the past, but after his comments last week, I’m firmly on board now. Not only does he not do his job particularly well, now he’s trying to blame the fans for the team’s performance!
BravesFan79
March 1st, 2010
2:47 pm
The main reason why GT lost that year to Louiville (besides The Cardinals just being Red HOT from 3) was that Marvin Lewis was not on the team anymore to knock down 3’s, and we really had no perimiter shooters.
I still believe in this years team… GO GT!!
Tech 03
March 1st, 2010
3:04 pm
I will not renew my tickets next year if hewitt is still around—very simple.
ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
March 1st, 2010
3:35 pm
Actually Hewitt is a terrible coach but he is better at what he does than Bradley is at what he does. Now what does that say? At least Hewitt works at a place where he doesn’t have to worry if his paycheck is going to bounce.
Stan Holloway
March 1st, 2010
3:43 pm
Mark,Cant you find a job in another city….You have ZERO class!!!!!!!!….Where’s Furman
Grimmshaw
March 1st, 2010
3:50 pm
Mark, I thought the dunk Neal botched was against Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament?
support coach hewitt
March 1st, 2010
4:17 pm
supersize…… you wont get those type of players to comment at tech ever again .. but the point i was making is damn the team is winning and all you guys can do is b*tch about whats wrong …. your winning and yes i have supported this team and staff from up close and personal so i know way more about this team than you will ever know and just because you buy season tickets doesnt make you a coach !
Paul Hewitt's Tweet
March 1st, 2010
5:21 pm
Hey, guys. Now that mean writer at the AJC is trying to replace me with some Neal fellow from New Mexico, or at least that’s what I hear. My life is so tough. My employer expects results and I don’t even know how to begin to spend all the money I’ve got…. Being me is so difficult. Well, hope to see you all at the games this week. I’ll probably be there too, if I can squeeze them in between my BCA meetings and psychotherapy. If I don’t make it, don’t worry, I’ll send my life-sized blow-up doll and nobody will even know the difference. After the season is over we’ll have to all get together and celebrate another five year rollover for my contract. I’ll bring the toothpicks.
Paul Hewitt's Tweet
March 1st, 2010
5:25 pm
supportcoachhewitt: In reference to the team winning, it is true that they won last Saturday. Nobody denies the team is trying. But they have lopsided losing records on the road, in the last 10 games, in the last 5 games, and are on pace to just break even in the ACC in a down year. No one is raining on the players’ parade, but no one is going to give Hewitt the benefit of the doubt after years of losing and his recent attacks on Tech fans and supporters.
Ramblinramblinramblin
March 1st, 2010
5:33 pm
I think Gordon is stating the obvious and DRad is not going to hire anyone for sentimental reasons, which is clearly a bad idea. But holding onto Paul Hewitt for supposedly financial reasons is equally bad when he is causing the program to lose money and momentum. Everyone I have talked to at Tech in the athletic dept. and administration insists the money is not really the biggest factor in giving Hewitt this year to dramatically improve. Most say he is being given just enough rope to hang himself so that there is absolute consensus when he is fired. Money is always important, but DRad and the powers that be are smart enough to see the big picture, too.
NoCoach Blewitt
March 1st, 2010
5:36 pm
“Most say he is being given just enough rope to hang himself so that there is absolute consensus when he is fired.”
You mean I finally found something that Blewitt is good at???
Americanthighs
March 1st, 2010
5:37 pm
Hewie baby, since you aren’t reading this anyway I would just like to say that despite the raccoon circles under your eyes and the sport jacket that always looks a little worn and unlaundered, you are a quite a handsome man in a very meterosexual kind of way.
NoCoach Blewitt
March 1st, 2010
5:44 pm
support coach hewitt ….. obviously you are one of Blewey’s incompetent assistant coaches and you now know you are on the way out. Austin Peay (or some team thats similar) here comes Blewey. Better start saving that $$$
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
5:44 pm
Hiring Craig Neal would hardly be a strictly “sentimental” decision, Gordon. Neal has eight years experience in coaching/player development in the NBA, several years assistant coaching at Iowa, and has been the associate head coach at New Mexico since 2007. Of course none of us fans are qualified to hire a new head coach for Tech, but he is certainly worthy of consideration if he is interested. Until we get rid of ol’ wooden head Hewitt it doesn’t much matter anyway.
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
5:49 pm
supportcoachhewitt: And just because you don’t use upper case letters doesn’t make you e.e. cummings. No one here claims to be a better coach than Hewitt (you are the ONLY one here claiming intimate, inside information–oh my!), but we don’t have to be better coaches ourselves to see all the other better coaches out there. Open your eyes, man, and look at the big picture. You may be too close to be objective, but anyone can read the wins, losses, and graduation rates for the last five years.
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
5:53 pm
I was really discouraged last week when I heard that the consensus opinion on campus and in the press is that Hewitt will be back if Tech merely makes the NCAA tournament. My spirits were lifted considerably when he lashed out desperately via twitter against fans and the media. His thin skin and inability to adjust may just be his downfall, after all.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
5:55 pm
support, just because Blewitt has a 7 million dollar contract doesn’t make him a coach either
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
5:56 pm
FMJ, let’s hope that his arrogance last week will be his downfall…..not that he hasn’t been arrogant before, but it really shone out last week
Hewitt's athletic supporter
March 1st, 2010
5:57 pm
I’m just a little ol’ thing, but I would like to say that until each of you bloggers is able to scam $1.5 Million a year from Georgia Tech yourselves you are in no position to criticize my man Hewitt. As for the vicious rumors, no it is not true he has 3 like Hitler, in fact he only has 2 but they are really really small.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
5:59 pm
I wasn’t aware that he had any at all
Hewitt's athletic supporter
March 1st, 2010
6:01 pm
And you think your job is bad…..
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
6:02 pm
LOL
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
6:03 pm
I guess if he’s going to charge refs during games he needs to wear a jock, but like Supersize says, I’m surprised he has any at all.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 1st, 2010
6:04 pm
I guess since he’s able to grow a mustache he must have something down there
FullMetalJacket
March 1st, 2010
6:04 pm
Hewitt’s supporter: watch out for the blind squirrels, I hear even they can be a threat every once in a while.
Hewitt's athletic supporter
March 1st, 2010
6:07 pm
OK, I’ll watch out for the blind squirrels. As for the porn-star mustache, it’s a fake, a disguise. By night he is CPH, but by day he works out of Washington….I can’t really say who he is in Washington, but I will tell you my name changes to “Athletic Supporter One” when he isn’t wearing the mustache.
Hewitt's athletic supporter
March 1st, 2010
6:10 pm
O.K., I’ll watch out for the blind squirrels. As for the mustache, Stom, it’s a disguise. I’m not at liberty to give his true identity, but I can tell you my call letters change to “Athletic Supporter One” when he is in Washington.
Chollie's
March 1st, 2010
6:12 pm
You can hate on the man, but don’t hate on the porn-star mustache.
Hewitt's athletic supporter
March 1st, 2010
6:17 pm
Don’t be hatin’ on anyone or anything, especially facial hair, real or fake. Life (and something else I could name) is too short for that kind of hate. Love everyone and every follicle of hair. Love, love, love. Except for bulldawgs….you don’t have to love them, but you don’t have to brake for them, either.