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
FSUnoleInDC
March 24th, 2010
11:03 am
The coach doesn’t want to leave so stop trying to run him out of town..my goodness, this paper is nothing but a dang hack job..go criticze your own work.
GT
March 24th, 2010
11:03 am
Who would want to stay in that pussdump? I would leave too!
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
11:04 am
Face it Tech
Your meaningless in your own conference
In all sports
The ACC is good in basketball but Tech is the adopted step child that will never be considered a UNC, Duke, Wake, or NC State for that matter.
Football, the entire conference sucks and so does Tech when you win the conference and cannot beat a Terrible UGA team
Baseball sucks
Tennis sucks
Does Tech have badmitton that will probably suck too!!!
Oh and again academics suck too!!
FOOOUUUURRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hewitt Fan
March 24th, 2010
11:04 am
jacket3,
Finally someone who actually wacthes the game….The refs control the games ….i cant believe u are the first one to admit that….
Ramblin Wrecker
March 24th, 2010
11:05 am
I never thought I’d say this, but Paul Hewitt wishes he had Chan Gailey’s ACC record.
Wilson Dunkit
March 24th, 2010
11:09 am
Refs are human, subjective, flawed, and sometimes even political. They are ideally objective but can’t help but be biased and influenced by coaches, players, situations, crowds, past experience, history, reputations, the spotlight, etc. No doubt in my mind that certain coaches, players, teams, and venues elicit certain responses from refs, and then there is just the matter of style and preference: do they allow a more physical game or expect greater technique and finesse? Sometimes one team just has to be much better than their opposition to overcome the competition, the bad breaks, and even the flawed officiating. And, it’s always easier to blame a third party or “luck” for your failures. That’s what refs are in the ACC, luck incarnate.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 24th, 2010
11:11 am
Refs are human, subjective, flawed, and sometimes even political. They are ideally objective but can’t help but be biased and influenced by coaches, players, situations, crowds, past experience, history, reputations, the spotlight, etc. No doubt in my mind that certain coaches, players, teams, and venues elicit certain responses from refs, and then there is just the matter of style and preference: do they allow a more physical game or expect greater technique and finesse? Sometimes one team just has to be much better than their opposition to overcome the competition, the bad breaks, and even the flawed officiating. And, it’s always easier to blame a third party or “luck” for your failures. That’s what refs are in the ACC, luck incarnate.
Buzz
March 24th, 2010
11:12 am
If Hewitt thinks the refs are screwing Tech over then why the Hell has he almost NEVER received a Technical???? Some times getting a Technical sends a message to the refs! Hewitt just smiles and takes all the crappy calls. He didn’t have to throw chairs but my gosh grab your stones and lash out at the refs!!! He knows win or lose he will still have a job with this GOLDEN CONTRACT!!! win or lose he WINS!!!!
FullMetalJacket
March 24th, 2010
11:14 am
Gailey hss more ACC road wins. Johnson has more ACC wins the last two years. My grandmother has more ability to coach an inbounds play. My rat terrier has more ability to teach fundamentals such as ball control and free-throw shooting.
God and Grayhound
March 24th, 2010
11:14 am
Mark, you could not have been any more spot-on in your assessment of the situation. It is beyond time for Hewitt to move on. If you’ll recall, he left the final home game to a chorus of boos from his constituency.
FullMetalJacket
March 24th, 2010
11:15 am
And Buzz, don’t forget the hands on his head move. That always gets’em.
Fillin' up @ Juniors
March 24th, 2010
11:16 am
Everyone ignore Tiger, he’s obviously a child.
Hewitt Fan, I can see what you mean in the ohio State Game but the other 12 games I caught in the season give me no reason to think the refs had anything to do with it. Bad free throwings, terrible turnover ratios, and very little outside shooting doomed us to our 13 loses with a team with 3-4 future NBA players.
Ramblin, Absolutely the best line of the blog…A+
CanHewitt
March 24th, 2010
11:17 am
Hewitt Fan, those two schools have legendary coaches who can both recruit and actually coach decently at least. Hewitt has won what 6 road games in 5 years. I think that’s the worst of any ACC team. As you said Hewitt had numerous NBA talents during that time. How is that possible then? It’s fine Tech can’t beat Duke or Carolina on the road but what about all other schools? Why can’t he beat even 25% of those games with that much talent? How can you justify that?
FullMetalJacket
March 24th, 2010
11:17 am
Just like a fat heater off Heyward’s bat (or an errant inbounds pass from a Hewitt-coached player)…I’m OUTTA HERE! Hope we’re talking short list by this time tomorrow.
FullMetalJacket
March 24th, 2010
11:19 am
Tiger who? Is there a Tiger around?
Eric
March 24th, 2010
11:21 am
My bad ,Wilson. You are correct, as it is “Nit” picking,
Despite my lack of spelling skills, I remain positive on Hewitt’s results.
He got GT back to the Big Dance, as runner-up in the conference tourney.
Then, GT blew away #16 (or so) OK State to crawl into the last 32,—- same progression as MD.
Amongst the ACC entries only Duke managed to advance further.
Meantime, Clemson and FSU once again left the Dance just as the music started.
UNC & VT received demotions to the NIT, ( the Not Important Tourney )
As for the rest— NC State, BC, VA, MIA, and WF– well,they’re in Panama City for Spring Break.
GT’s achievements don’t deserve a quick dismissal.
CanHewitt
March 24th, 2010
11:26 am
GT’s achievements don’t deserve a quick dismissal. If those teams mentioned had Gani Lawal, Iman Shumpert, Derrick Favors, etc., they would’ve been getting ready for this weekend’s game.
CanHewitt
March 24th, 2010
11:26 am
I meant GT’s achievements do deserve a quick dismissal
Ed
March 24th, 2010
11:31 am
Why am I NOT surprised? Just like Georgia fans, and Georgia Tech fans in general. Very fickle. The man Paul Hewitt took the team to the NCAA tournament. Do you know how many Division I collegiate teams there out there in the country? Try about 400 plus. So Paul Hewitt, congratulations for a job WELL DONE! You aint going no where Paul. We love you and are going to hold you firm to your contract here at GA Tech.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
11:31 am
Hey Fillin’ Up my Cup of Coffee
Whats the matter truth hurts doesn’t it.
Throw Hewitt out and hire Coach K, you still won’t win why?
Because fan support at Tech is on the level of a highschool team.
Whats that mean for you Techies, I will tell you, MONEY, and PRESTIGE
Without that you will never bring in quality players or coaches that will want to make Tech great.
Players want a place to feel proud of and they don’t feel proud looking at empty seats from lousy TECH fans
Coaches want money and an opportunity to recruit with a little ease and Tech does not offer it PEOPLE
Just rember O’Leary left the train wreck of Tech because he wanted prestigue and an opportunity to get great talent. Oh thats right he was unqualified anyway TECH just didn’t let that one out because they knew no qualified coach is comming to TECH
Stick with what you do best and get over to my place, I dropped another huge log in my toilet and I need one of your toilet engineers to come fix it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jojosunshine
March 24th, 2010
11:32 am
I can’t believe some of you and the posts that you have made. Paul Hewitt may be a great guy, but that and the fact that he made a decent run one year does not mean we (GT fans) can’t wish for more. Heck if you want to bring up a final four appearance what about George Mason. Does that mean their coach gets a max contract and stays for a long period of time? I like Paul Hewitt. I liked him when he came and I like him now, but I do not think he is right for GT and ACC basketball. His style of play is much like the Big East (scrappy hard nose defense but limited offense).
With that said I will again make a plea to bring in BUTLER’S BRAD STEVENS. He is exactly what we need and he is only 33 years old. He will be the next guy to start a dynasty where ever he goes. Coach Hewitt please take the St. John’s job and be blessed. I would love to see you bring St.John’s back to prominence. I believe if Coach Hewitt takes the job he will be helping two programs (GT and St.John’s)
Thanks Coach for 10 years here in Georgia.
hedge puller
March 24th, 2010
11:34 am
Maybe senility is taking hold, but Bradley, you are writing good columns these days. Keep it up.
I do not believe the mediocre Hewitt was approached by St. Johns’s seriously: I believe that a NYC Hewitt buddy requested that St. John’s ask DRAD for permission to speak to him so it would look like Tech has a coach who is wanted by another school.
Who wants to go to NYC to live? Maybe a brief visit to get mugged or to breathe God knows what. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’ll help you pack, Hewitt. Ain’t room for but one Paul in this town.
CanHewitt
March 24th, 2010
11:34 am
Tiger, why you keep saying four at the end of your comment? Four of what?
Joe Fan
March 24th, 2010
11:36 am
As part of the negotiating process Hewitt just can’t come out and say he will take the St. Johns’job. He has to make them court him otherwise he loses his negotiating leverage. I believe he sees the hand writing on the wall at Tech and will ultimately accept the St. Johns’ offer. Hopefully Tech will not let him leave without getting a portion of buyout money. In any case, given the circumstances, it is best for both parties to separate before there is a greater rebellion among Tech supporters and further lost of support for the basketball program.
Fillin' up @ Juniors
March 24th, 2010
11:38 am
Here is the deal. He gets the talent, the talent leaves, So he has teams that go through cycles. This is Hewitts style. The cycles take 3 years, if at the top end of the cycle we win the ACC or go deep in the NCAA Tourney, then its worth it. He has gone through three cycles, Jack and Bynum cycle(Success), the Crittendon and Young Cycle, (failure) and now the Favors, Shumpert, Lawal cycle (disappointment). No ACC Championships, One great run. Is that worth it? Would you support a program that has given you one crowning achievement in 10 years knowing that this cycle is over and we probably won’t be back to this level for another 3 years…
I want a different system. Give me a competitive team every year, or give me a ACC championship or deep NCAA tourney run every 3, but don’t withhold both and expect me to keep paying the coach. If that means taking a risk and being willing to fall on my face a few years knowing we are trying for consistency then so be it, its the risk you take for sustainable success.
Buzz
March 24th, 2010
11:48 am
ED>>>> YOU MUST BE CRAZY!!!
T3
March 24th, 2010
11:49 am
A specific type of pattern has been present in GT BBall for manyears: One & Done.
That MUST change.
Buzz
March 24th, 2010
11:50 am
Mark—– Anyway we might talk to Geno A. if Hewitt leaves??? (which he never will… see my other post on why!!)
DunkinBallsScoringDonuts
March 24th, 2010
11:52 am
Nice capture of the big picture concerning Hewitt, Mark. NYC blogs and radio are already saying it’s done and Hewitt is their man, but I wouldn’t believe them any more than I believe Hewitt’s postgame excuses. I do think Hewitt will go. He strikes me as the kind of man who finds David Letterman funny, whereas I find both of them rather vapid.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
11:53 am
FOUR means to look out
So look out for the truth TECH is meaningless
And so is Fillin up @ Juniors comments
How about Fillin up MY Coffee JUINOR!!!
FOUR!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
March 24th, 2010
12:02 pm
I don’t think it’s a done deal. I think it’s anything but a done deal.
Mark Bradley
March 24th, 2010
12:03 pm
I can’t imagine Tech would approach Geno, Buzz.
Fillin' up @ Juniors
March 24th, 2010
12:15 pm
Lets not count our chickens before they hatch. I don’t want to get all hyped up about a prospect coach only to end up sleeping in the same bed at night…if you know what i mean.
Paul in RDU
March 24th, 2010
12:18 pm
Tiger – You do realize that when you hit the golf ball in the wrong direction youi shout “FORE” not “FOUR”, don’t you? I guess you didn’t take any English classes when you were in Palo Alto.
And how does it feel to see your most successful b’ball coach in the last 25 years taking your arch enemy to the NCAA tourney?
I guess Stanford is just a stepping stone to Cal-Berkeley
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
12:25 pm
Paul in RDU
I think you need to look up Stanford Athletics before you say were a stepping stone to anyone in the NCAA
Fillin' up @ Juniors
March 24th, 2010
12:34 pm
I took a look at Standord Athletics and I can now conclusivey reply, they are stepping stone in the NCAA…in Academics, and in generally everything else.
Technophobia
March 24th, 2010
12:47 pm
The only thing that Hewitt and Gailey have in common is the disdain of some of the fans. Gailey was a caretaker coach, getting us to a bowl every year but not capable of anything beyond that IMO. Hewitt took us farther than we’ve ever gone before but has also had some pretty disappointing seasons as well. The irony of the situation is that if Hewitt goes there is a pretty good chance we will get someone very much like Gailey to replace him. Someone who will put together a decent record every year but with little chance of ever competing for a national championship again. To borrow a phrase, groundhog day.
Technophobia
March 24th, 2010
12:49 pm
Mark, if Hewitt leaves what do you think the chances are that we can get and keep a coach who can both recruit and coach well enough to return us to the final four in the next 5-10 years?
Technophobia
March 24th, 2010
12:52 pm
Buzz, I have to agree with you on Hewitt never getting a technical. Lord knows it would have been justified many times and it makes the refs think about what they are doing as well as calling attention to it.
Paul in RDU
March 24th, 2010
12:58 pm
Technophobia – Don’t be so pessimistic. If Hewitt leaves for St. John’s, I am sure that DRad will make a good hire. Bobby Cremins took a program that was a complete laughingstock and within 5 years built a program that was one of the top ones in the ACC. It all went sour after he had his “mid-life crisis” and accepted the South Carolina job but from 1985 – 1996 GT was one of the best programs around – and the ACC was much tougher back then.
All I'm Saying Is...
March 24th, 2010
1:05 pm
GTech did not have a talented team this year, not one of the most talented in the ACC, and, in fact, had sub-par talent everywhere else besides Favors. Is that Hewitt’s fault? Maybe. He certainly didn’t do a good job recruiting point guards.
The other reasons cited by Bradely et.al are flawed and false. As someone else typed, only Duke and NC consistently have winning record in ACC.
PH is not going anywhere. He’s interviewing with St. John’s as a courtesy and to know how much they value him — that’s called re-setting one’s market value — not one’s value to one’s current employer which often takes current employees for granted as is the case with some GT faithful but probably not the AD.
Bradley can type it all he wants but PH is not leaving and has done as good a job at GT as the coaches at the other ACC schools not named Duke or NC and has taken GT further than any other coach before him.
GTFan
March 24th, 2010
1:08 pm
I agree with the article. The only thing us fans can do is try and make Hewitt (let’s not use CPH because it raises him to the level of CPJ) as uncomfortable as possible here. Tech needs him to leave on his own. The AA can not cancel his contract. With the tuition hikes coming up, the AA will be strapping for cash. And with this economy, donations may be hard to come by.
Buzz
March 24th, 2010
1:15 pm
All im saying…. You must never listen to the announcers on tv during Tech games…. Almost any coach in the ACC would of taken Techs talent this year!!! 5 of these players WILL play in the NBA and you think we have no talent??? Favors,Lawal,Shumpert,Rice,Oliver.. Maybe Peacock?? The no talent excuse is ridiculous!!! HEWITT JUST CAN’T COACH!!!!
Technophobia
March 24th, 2010
1:15 pm
Paul in RDU, I don’t think I’m being pessimistic I think I’m being realistic. If it wasn’t difficult to get to the final four then everyone would do it. If I’m not mistaken, besides Duke and Carolina only Maryland and Ga Tech have made it that far in the last 10 years in the ACC and it was 10 years ago for Maryland. Having a good regualar season is an important goal but the measure of success is in the tournaments. Only two teams go to the championship game and with multiple appearances by some teams the number of coaches who have done it in the last 10 years is much less than 20. That is why St. Johns is so excited about the prospect of getting Hewitt. Few coaches have the ability to take a team that far no matter how disappointing other seasons have been.
Tiger
March 24th, 2010
1:27 pm
Fillin up @ MY TOILET
I think Tech academics are real good considering the Athleletic Department is second to last in graduation rates
Buzz
March 24th, 2010
1:33 pm
All im saying…. You must know nothing about how Ga. Tech was viewed by other (Coaches,announcers agents, etc…) 5 maybe 6 of the players on this team WILL play NBA basketball. Talent we have tons of talent just NO coaching!!! Lawal,Favors,Shumper,Rice and Oliver will play at the next level and maybe peacock!!! It’s not talent it’s coaching!!!
Buzz
March 24th, 2010
1:33 pm
Enter your comments here
All I'm Saying Is...
March 24th, 2010
1:38 pm
Reasons GT Wants PH to Go:
1) Sub .500 record in ACC — Reality Check: Top ACC Coaches based on record in ACC are Roy Williams, Mike K., and Gary Williams. After that, huge drop-off and no one else with more than 5 years coaching in league with .500 or better record.
2) Recruits One and Done Players — Reality Check: After Duke and NC, what ACC team gets to pick and choose their recruits? Certainly not GT. So tell me what choice does PH have if he is seeking to be competitive.
3) Fan Base Disenchanted with Coach — Reality Check: Happens every where and all the time. See Joe B. Hall at Kentucky despite winning a championship. More recently, before Bill Self won his championship two years ago, Kansas fans wanted him gone. After this season, that sentiment is probably being revisited too.
4) GT Can Do Better w/ Another Coach — Reality Check: Really? Says who? Nostradamus? First, GT needs to hire someone with head coaching experience (scratch Mark Price off list) and, second, no coach known to be better (Roy, Mike K, Gary Williams, Bill Self, Pitino, Calipari, Boeheim, Rick Barnes (maybe), etc.) is going to take the GT job because they all and other coaches like them have a better job now with a better future. Third, we do not even know if a coach at a mid-Major can do a better job.
5) Hewitt Fatigue — Reality Check: Really? That’s the reason you want to get rid of this guy because he’s been around for ten years? And you’re tired of his demeanor (lack of technicals?)? Man, that’s mature.
Question the man’s recruiting, his coaching decisions, and his tin ear for public relations (as shown by his asinine Twitter postings and calling out Bradley since pointless to argue with someone who buys ink by the barrel and can, therefore, always have the first, second, and last word as well keep trivial nonsense going) but please don’t delude yourselves into thinking that people are beating down the door to coach GT.
Please have a plan for who you would go after if he leaves and brush off the buy-out if he stays and you don’t want him anymore a year from now but PH is not leaving and I’ve yet to read any real legitimate argument for why he should be fired.
GT did not have the most talented team in ACC this year and has never been a top tier basketball program as everyone knows the ACC has always been NC and Duke and the rest.
CanHewitt
March 24th, 2010
1:40 pm
All I’m Saying Is…, I respectively and completely disagree with your statement on talent of this year’s Tech team. It was more talented than any team in the nation except Kentucky and maybe Kansas. I wouldn’t be surpirse if we see 6 players from this team playing in the NBA in the future. We all know Favors. Gani will be drafted in first round. Forde at ESPN believes Iman can be a lottery pick next year if he improves his shooting. Rice Jr. and Brian Oliver are great blue chip prospects. Don’t be surprise either one of them becomes next Morrow in the future. Udofia will play in next level too. Do you know why a lot of people including you believe that this team is not that talented? Because of Hewitt’s coaching. That’s what’s really frustrating. If Hewitt can’t recruit great players and lose them to Carolinas and Dukes of the world, we can accept that Tech doesn’t have much chance except an occasional upset or two but it’s not. The reason why he got that insane contract was because he was able to bring in good players and believed to be able to sustain that success. He’s failed. He’s saying that Tech is not UNC or Duke. This year’s team was UNC or Duke, very good one at that even on their standard. We’re getting tired of his excuses. Just man up. There’s no accountabiliy given his contract situation. If he can’t take it and improve, it’s time to move on.
All I'm Saying Is...
March 24th, 2010
1:46 pm
CanHewitt: Thanks for your post and lets discuss. Here’s more of my two cents.
1) Ability to play in the NBA is no indication of talent but based on perceived potential by scouts which frankly is often driven by having a tall and big body. See Thabeet and his failures at the NBA level this year for latest example of failure. See Kwame Brown for less recent example.
2) Given the guard play by GT, are you seriously telling me that their players were talented at anything other than turning over the ‘rock’?
3) The reason why GT played better at the end of the season is actually support for PH’s coaching as he was finally able to get through to his inexperienced players.
I’m interested in your thoughts, CanHewitt.