It’d be better for Hewitt and Tech if the two sides part ways
Even millionaire coaches need to be loved. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It would be better for both parties if Paul Hewitt leaves. Better for Georgia Tech, which would be free of an increasingly unpopular coach and his onerous contract, but also better for Hewitt, who could return to New York as the people’s choice. As coach of St. John’s, he wouldn’t be viewed as the guy who hasn’t really delivered since 2004; he’d be the man from Queens come home to save the Johnnies.
There was a time when Paul Hewitt seemed the savior of Tech basketball. In his first season he took Bobby Cremins’ remnants and turned them into an NCAA tournament team, and in 2004 he took a team of his own creation to the championship game. And for all those who’ve looked at Tech lately and decided Hewitt cannot coach his way out of a paper bag, the memory of 2004 stands as a golden counterpoint: That team was a triumph of coaching.
I’ve said it before, but here it is again: I don’t know if any other coach could have taken Tech further than Hewitt did in 2004, but I can think of three dozen who could have done better since. Tech hasn’t finished above .500 in its conference or reached the Sweet Sixteen over the past six seasons. His record over his first five seasons was 96-66; his record over the past five is 81-78.
Even more distressing has been Hewitt’s penchant for seizing every crutch. Tech’s too young. Or it’s overscheduled. Or it has injuries, or academic issues, or players who’ve left early. Or it’s just “snakebit.” This willingness to explain away mediocrity has always seemed bizarre, given that the 2004 Jackets were handed a gold-plated excuse — leading scorer B.J. Elder sprained his ankle in Tech’s third NCAA game and didn’t score another point until the final against UConn — and persevered.
There are no perfect collegiate teams. The aim isn’t to see who can cry the deepest river but who can maximize what it has. Thad Matta took an Ohio State team without a true center — or even a real forward — and won the Big Ten; Hewitt took a team with the nation’s best complement of big men and finished seventh in the 12-team ACC. On Sunday, Matta’s team spotted Hewitt’s eight points and won by nine.
Hewitt wasn’t Chan Gailey, who was unpopular among Tech fans from the start. Hewitt was warmly received at the start and beloved after the Final Four, but there was never a follow-through to the daring deeds of 2004. It took Jacket backers a while to get impatient, but they’re there now. They’ve seen the same game lost the same way too many times over too many winters, and they’ve read about his never-ending contract and they wonder if the underachieving will ever cease.
This gifted team was Hewitt’s last best chance to persuade his doubters, and all it did was give rise to deeper doubt. If he couldn’t win big with Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal, what will happen next season when both figure to be gone? Will it ever get better for Hewitt than this? And is 23-13 good enough?
St. John’s isn’t a better job per se, but for Hewitt in 2010 it’s a better situation. He can leave the ACC, in which he has a career record of 67-93, and try the Big East, for which he has great affection. (He was an assistant at Villanova under Steve Lappas.) He can charm the New York media, which has the reputation of being nasty but is a pushover for a return-of-the-prodigal yarn, and he’ll recruit well and have the Red Storm back in the Big Dance soon enough.
Six years ago there seemed no better fit than Paul Hewitt for Georgia Tech, but today the two need fresh starts. No coach wants to fall into the disfavor of his constituency, and no constituency wants to root against its coach. But that, sad to say, is the reality at Tech. Paul Hewitt wasn’t Chan Gailey, but Paul Hewitt has become Chan Gailey.
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567 comments Add your comment
MeandMr9MMhere
March 24th, 2010
4:55 pm
DRAD’s secretary: Coach Hewitt, there’s a call for you from Chris Monasch at St. Johns on line 1.
Hewitt: Tell him I’m busy counting money, I’ll call him back later.
DRAD’s secretary: Coach Hewitt, he says it’s very important, that they want to talk to you about a job.
Hewitt: Just take a message.
DRAD’s secretary: But, sir, he says it’s urgent.
Hewitt: Just tell him to take a message!
DRAD: Paul, you NEED to take this call.
Hewitt: Hello, Mr. Monasch, what can I do for you?
MeandMr9MMhere
March 24th, 2010
4:57 pm
The best way to deal with bullies is to ignore them, but this guy is a real pussycat minus the cat.
MeandMr9MMhere
March 24th, 2010
5:01 pm
Paul Hewitt, former coach at Sienna and Georgia Tech was elected Godfather of the AAU Mafia today after twice turning down the coaching job at St. Johns here in New York. Asked to comment, Hewitt replied, I said before and after I was fired from Georgia Tech, I don’t read the papers and I have no comment other than to say that it is the fault of the refs, the media, the NBA, luck, and here…just take this list of people to blame. YOu can make a copy but give it back to me, I’ll need it later.
FullMetalJacket
March 24th, 2010
5:04 pm
No word yet on Hewitt? It won’t make tonight’s 6:00 news but I bet it makes tomorrow nights.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
5:09 pm
Ricky
I truly understand why it is so hard to stay on topic.
I couldn’t stay on topic either if someone on my blog kept pointing out the truth about my team.
The truth on how irrevelant TECH is to NCAA sports and to the academic community.
The truth about your sorry no-show fan base.
The truth about you being second fiddle to UGA
The truth about how your campus is a dump with a high crime rate lerking just around the block.
YES CRY TO MARK.
HE WILL BE ON HERE SHORTLY TO GIVE YOU SOME HOPE ABOUT ANOTHER LOSER COACH TAKING OVER THE MIGHTY POWERFUL TECH PROGRAM ONLY TO BE HUMILIATED BY A SORRY UGA BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL TEAM, AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
5:45 pm
By the silence from the TECH crowd
Tiger wins again. He has shut the mouthy Techies up
Mark would you please present the Green Jacket!!
Wilson Dunkit
March 24th, 2010
6:16 pm
“I tought I taw a puddy cat. I did! I did! I did tee a puddy cat!”
No, Tweety Bird, it’s just that moronic pu$$y, Tiger.
Mark, it’s your blog, but I don’t think anyone would blame you for shutting this thing down, or at least blocking this cat out. He’s off his meds and may harm himself or others.
Mark Bradley
March 24th, 2010
6:34 pm
I’m wavering, Wilson. Wavering, I tell you.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
6:58 pm
Cmon
Mark, wavering on what, the truth. So your telling me your a closet Tech fan under the guise of a fair and balanced reporter for the AJC.
I know you have been to plenty of Tech and UGA games. Tell the truth, there is more passion at UGA than Tech, therefore a better program (UGA) has emerged.
Just like Stanford we have passion, thats why we win, too.
Wilson Dunkit
March 24th, 2010
7:17 pm
Hanging tough, Mark, hanging tough. The NY press is reporting (speculating?) that the offer would be about 1.7 M a year for six years. I think it would take more for Hewitt to uproot his extended family and move them back to NYC, where a million bucks doesn’t go nearly as far as it does down here. What say you, Mr. Bradley?
chuck allison
March 24th, 2010
7:24 pm
Mark, thanks so much for trying to help us Tech people get rid of this albatross around our neck. I would be willing to contribute to ST. Johns if they took Hewitt off our hands.
QuickDrawCrittenton
March 24th, 2010
7:25 pm
I’m getting the sinking feeling that Hewie may be seriously considering sticking it out here in Atlanta. I’m hoping he’s just biding his time to drive up the salary offer, but I’m thinking that their apparent eagerness to hire him and Tech’s clear eagerness to unload his contract should result in a quick deal. Maybe his contact with them last night was him giving them a figure and today they’re chewing on it. While recruiting may be impacted by a delay in hiring a successor if one is needed, there is really no other big hurry. It’s just frustrating to hear nothing out of NY or ATL. Maybe someone will see him in an airport or St. John’s will announce a presser soon.
QuickDrawCrittenton
March 24th, 2010
7:27 pm
The waiting is the hardest part.
QuickDrawCrittenton
March 24th, 2010
7:30 pm
It’s true, of course. Hewitt would have to make 2.5 M in NYC to come even close to his same lifestyle here in ATL. Of course if he stays people will relentlessly make his life miserable since he’s gotten our hopes up he will leave. Wait a sec, life in NYC is miserable, too. Uh oh, there is no upside.
LovetheTeam, SupporttheHiredHelp
March 24th, 2010
7:45 pm
This deal sounds good, looks good, smells good, tastes good, feels good… IS good. Go, Hewitt, Go!
LovetheTeam, SupporttheHiredHelp
March 24th, 2010
7:47 pm
Love the Jackets. Support Hewitt…show up with moving boxes at his house Saturday morning.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
7:50 pm
There is never an upside to anything at GT
Campus, no upside, high crime area
Stadium, no upside, high school size
Winning tradition no upside, one shared UPI championship
Fan support, no upside oposing fans out number tech fans
Great facilities, no upside rusting away players do pushups and jump rope to stay in shape
Academic prestigue, no upside, where the rejects who dreamed of MIT go
I'm Delta. Fly me.
March 24th, 2010
8:11 pm
Paul Hewitt and small entourage sighted at Hartsfield! My sister’s cousin’s hairdresser’s mother-in-law’s friend who had the breast job and the chihuahua with cancer just saw Hewitt walking through the terminal. Then again, maybe it was Oprah. I’m not sure.
I'm Delta. Fly me.
March 24th, 2010
8:13 pm
Maybe it wasn’t Hartsfield, either. Oh, well, I’m still watching Hewitt’s subdivision entrance for his Lexus up here in this tree with my binoculars. At least it’s Spring this time, I like to froze my a$$ off in Anapolis a couple of years ago.
I'm Delta. Fly me.
March 24th, 2010
8:16 pm
With only nine posts in the last hour, and one of those from the nutjob formerly known as Tiger, maybe DRad’s fears have been realized: APATHY has settled in around Tech hoops.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
8:21 pm
Apathy has been set for the past 100 years at GT
Whats your point
ILuvHewitt
March 24th, 2010
8:48 pm
GaTech, the school, students, alumni, and fans: You all are a bunch of dumb a$$e$ if you think you will find a better coach than Paul Hewitt. And if you think the last 6 years have been bad, then the next 6 to 10 will be worse.
GaTech will NEVER compete on the level of Carolina or Duke. You will ALWAYS be in the middle or bottom of the ACC. You will always have embs and flows, as you have with coach Hewitt. And you will rarely IF EVER be at the top. Tech Fans are in lala land and DREAMING!! Coach Hewitt runs a clean program and GaTech will miss him!
Black coaches don’t get a break in the ACC (ALL CAUCASIAN COACHES or ALL CAUCASIAN CONFERENCE), they don’t get white recruits and the don’t get calls!
Yes, Coach Hewitt SHOULD leave GaTech. The fans are ungrateful, unappreciative, and stupid to think that they will have a more classy guy, or a more better run program or recruits than what Coach Hewitt has brought to the table. ALL of you will be sorry, TRUST!!! Good Luck! LOL
ILuvHewitt
March 24th, 2010
8:49 pm
CORRECTION: ebbs and flows
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
9:06 pm
The fans are stupid and never around when you need them!
Which explains why Bubba Dump field is never filled
I'm Delta. Fly me.
March 24th, 2010
9:07 pm
ULuvHewitt, but clearly you don’t love Georgia Tech. That’s fine, everyone can’t be perfect. About your allegations of racism, if you KNEW Hewitt as I do, instead of just blindly “luving” him, then you would know that he does not recruit white or hispanic kids. Never has. The best white player at Tech in recent years was a walk on, Matt Causey, who did not get as much playing time as he clearly deserved. Hewitt’s aversion to recruiting outside his own race is evidenced by his own statements and even a cursory look at his rosters. Don’t tell me that the ACC is racist when you clearly are yourself. No one at Tech claims to be the basketball equivalent of UNC or Duke, but it won’t take much of a coach to outperform Hewitt’s record of only 1 winning season in ACC play in 10 years, 6 ACC road wins in 5 years, and the list goes on.
Singer
March 24th, 2010
9:12 pm
The only way I will be sorry is if Hewitt decides to stay at Tech. It’s time for him to leave. Lawal was a better player as a soph. Miller was better as a fresh. What happened to Storr?? Peacock is about the same as he was as a soph. What’s the deal with the big white kid? He plays 5 seconds against Ohio State and scores 3 pts. Go figure. Gailey didn’t get this many chances. Time to move on.
I'm Delta. Fly me.
March 24th, 2010
9:14 pm
As far as a clean program, there is nothing clean about Hewitt’s affiliation with AAU figures and producing the lowest graduation rates in the league. The patient Tech family has given him 6 years after his lone Final Four appearance, including the debacle of last year, to establish the program and prove his worth. I don’t say that he has violated NCAA rules but he isn’t exactly Mr. Clean, either. An objective observer might even suggest that he has made himself rich exploiting minority players without empowering them with the academic opportunities their scholarships entitled them to.
ILuvHewitt
March 24th, 2010
9:28 pm
I’m Delta. F*me:
“An objective observer might even suggest that he has made himself rich exploiting minority players without empowering them with the academic opportunities their scholarships entitled them to.”
When was the last time any player opting to go pro was “forced” to stay in school and get their degree? That’s what I thought! Hewitt can’t force these kids to stay to improve his graduation rate! That’s not even realistic!
Hewitt has had a winning program the past 6 years (collectively), but if he had (after taking GaTech to it’s ONLY NCAA Championship game) and other schools were to shop for him – you all would be pissed. It was a good contract at the time for both parties. Unfortunately, for GaTech, it hasn’t worked out well. Hell, Hewitt hit the lottery! No need for you all to be upset with him because of the contract. It is what it is!
I did not say the ACC was or is racist. I’m only talking about the elephant in the room. And I’m not racist! But the truth HURTS!
And for the record … NO I AM NOT A GATECH FAN … Never have been! Never will be!
ILuvHewitt
March 24th, 2010
9:29 pm
CORRECTION: Has NOT had a winning program …
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
9:30 pm
Mark Bradley
Today we have brought the truth forward and laid it out on the table.
We have determined that Tech:
1. Is a program of wanna beez
2. Has the fan support of a small highschool
3. Cannot compete in sports period
4. Cannot compete with UGA football much less any sport unless they are last place in the SEC
5. Cannot compete with Stanford academically or athletically
6. Campus is a dump and needs to be rebuilt and relocated to a safer part of town
7. Tech fans are delusional to believe they are relevant in sports and academics
8. Cannot fill Bubba Dump stadium during football season
9. Worry more about gramatical errors when challenged instead of a good comeback on a blog
10. Need I say more, yes but whats the point Tech sucks
Tiger wins again at Augusta
Mark will you present the GREEN JACKET
Technophobia
March 24th, 2010
9:36 pm
Hmmm, so Hewitt doesn’t recruit white kids huh?
http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/miller_daniel00.html
http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/craig_derek00.html
http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/sheehan_brad00.html
http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/shew_sam00.html
I'm Delta. Fly me.
March 24th, 2010
9:38 pm
Hewittluver: “NO I AM NOT A GATECH FAN … Never have been! Never will be!” Obviously, and you admit yourself that Ga. Tech got the raw end of the contract since Hewitt has not produced. No one questions that and I certainly don’t blame Hewitt for taking the money, heck I would have. And while you claim to not be calling the ACC racist, you still assert that “racism” is the “elephant” in the room. Since I am sensing that you, too, may be an elephant in this room, I will decline your invitation to F*** you. Have a nice life.
I'm Delta. Fly me.
March 24th, 2010
9:40 pm
Finally, discounting the players that left Hewitt’s program early for the NBA, Hewitt still has the lowest graduation rate in the ACC. He doesn’t belong here, not because of his color, but because he can’t do the job.
ILuvHewitt
March 24th, 2010
9:47 pm
To Username: I’m Delta F*Me … That’s YOUR username. You’re the one sending out invitations … But from your comments, you’re too small to do anything anyways …
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
9:47 pm
I would like to say thanks again for another wonderful time at Augusta
I would like to thank all of the idiot wanna bee Tech fans for trying their best to out wit me but unfortunatley their entire program sucks academically and athletically.
I would also like to think Mark for this blog to showcase my skills on debunking the revelance of Tech
Thanks again for another victory and another GREEN JACKET. Party is at my house.
ILuvHewitt
March 24th, 2010
9:49 pm
AND if you “knew” Hewitt as you claim … you wouldn’t state such LIES and NEGATIVE comments about him! You’re a LIAR- I’m Delta F*Me … You just want ppl to think you know him! You don’t know him! You WISH you were in his circles!!!
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
9:57 pm
People we should be celebrating another Green Jacket won by me
Cmon now
Ryan
March 24th, 2010
9:58 pm
I for one would like to see Hewitt stay but change his staff and keep LaBerrie but if it’s a young mid major guy that we need to go after like DRad has stated then how about Josh Pastner at Memphis. He’s in his 30’s, he can recruit and recruit big big talent. He was Lute Olsen’s lead guy at Arizona and has the top class in the country coming to Memphis next season. Along with Jalen Kendrick! But whomever it is it has to be someone that can bring in the talent to compete with the rest of the ACC and convince the kids not to transfer or go pro early(Gani and Iman) or else we are looking at a situation like Indianas and living in Big 10 country even with Tom Crene as coach they are a joke. We have a solid young core returning and need to keep it in tact or it could be a loooooong rebuilding process.
FullMetalJacket
March 24th, 2010
10:14 pm
Just checking in….I see no new info is out there. NY press reports that Hewitt is convincing his wife and family to move and working on buyout issues are not apparently based on anything concrete. I think we all could imagine (and even sympathize with) Hewitt doing these things in the course of any potential job change. Well, maybe we’ll know something by tomorrow this time. Good evening, everyone.
I'm Delta. Fly me.
March 24th, 2010
10:26 pm
Hewittluver: No, my handle here is “I’m Delta. Fly me.” YOU are the one who said “I’m Delta. F* me.” Since I have stated no lies about Hewitt I guess that means I know him pretty well. In fact, I don’t know him well, only speaking with him 8-10 times a year at meetings. Thank you for saying I am small. I actually am rather petite, only 5′3″, about 110 when I’ve been eating too much fast food, and very happily female. I don’t care to know anything else about you since you base your commentary on prejudice, thoughtless assumptions, and your apparent crush on Hewitt. If you wish to rationally argue your points using facts and empirical evidence then perhaps you will find someone here or elsewhere who will give you a second chance. I, for one, do not think you are worthy.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
10:40 pm
We just lost to Furman…that’s right FURMAN in baseball (hasn’t happened since 1925)
It’s great to be a bulldog!
Skeezix
March 24th, 2010
10:42 pm
The door to New York is wide open. Let us hope he walks through it.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
10:45 pm
Answer:
Shreveport
Last in the SEC in hoops
Lost to Furman
UGA Sports rock! Rock bottom that is.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
10:47 pm
If we s uck any worse, we are going to need a bigger straw
ILuvHewitt
March 24th, 2010
10:53 pm
TO: I’m Delta. F*me. Speaking with him 8 to 10 times a year – yeah that makes you tight buds! LOL … ALL of your statements have been LIES – and YOU DON’T KNOW HIM!!! 1st LIE: “then you would know that he does not recruit white or hispanic kids. Never has.” Luke Schenscher
2nd LIE: “he has made himself rich exploiting minority players without empowering them with the academic opportunities their scholarships entitled them to” … HE didn’t make himself rich. GEORGIA TECH did that!
3rd LIE: HE doesn’t drive a LEXUS!!!
4th LIE: We’re NOT talking AAU – So, HEWITT DOES RUNS A CLEAN PROGRAM at GEORGIA TECH
5th LIE: NO INVITATIONS!!!
and BTW … I have a WONDERFUL LIFE!! And Hewitt will also, when he leaves all you deadbeats in the dust!!!
CanHewitt
March 24th, 2010
10:56 pm
Technophobia, you must be joking. One of those four transfered from UGA and two of them are walk ons. In other words, Hewitt only recruited one of them.
GT Fan
March 25th, 2010
12:31 am
if anyone says paul hewitt deserves to stay after to the run to the NCAA has lost it. I read where someone tried to compare him to Roy Williams — and i don’t see how. There is no comparison whatsoever. 6 straight years Tech has been under .500 in the ACC. Roy Williams has had 2 national championships since 2005 and has had one bad season in a long time. continue to say paul hewiitt deserves to say here and you will have decreased ticket sales. Notice when we got Paul Johnson how everyone was excited about tech football again?? well imagine if hewitt left. people and alumni may want to come back. Paul Hewitt needs to be a recruiting coach but def. not head coach material.
Wilson Dunkit
March 25th, 2010
12:55 am
So Virginia Tech loses in the NIT tonight which means that if St Johns wants to pressure current frontrunner Hewitt a little they will ask for permission to speak to Seth Greenberg. It’s the smart move to hedge their bets and to nudge Hewitt along a little perhaps. There is no question that Hewitt is their CURRENT first choice but the SJU AD doesn’t seem to want to waste time.
Wilson Dunkit
March 25th, 2010
12:57 am
oh, man.
Wilson Dunkit
March 25th, 2010
12:59 am
Seth Greenberg is free now that VT is out of the NIT. St John’s will ask for permission to speak to him tomorrow, just to hedge their bets and maybe to nudge Hewitt along a little. Hewitt is still their current first choice, but Greenberg has gotten a lot of talk as their second choice.