How Hewitt can win back Tech fans – and win games, too
Yes! There's still a chance for Paul Hewitt to win friends and influence people. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Paul Hewitt is still Georgia Tech’s coach. At issue is whether Hewitt can again be the people’s choice. His dialogue with St. John’s extended hope to many disgruntled Tech fans — and there are many disgruntled Tech fans — that they might not have to witness the same underperformance next season. Those folks are now in a curious position: They’re sorry their coach is still their coach.
The onus is now on Hewitt to win back his constituency. For that to happen, these steps need to be taken:
Stop the excuses: Hewitt often acts as if circumstances are beyond his control. He’s paid to control circumstances. If somebody gets hurt, coach up the next guy on the bench. If a talented player leaves after a year, find someone to replace him. If your guards can’t feed the post, teach them how. Tech people no longer want to hear about point guard Austin Jackson choosing the Yankees and baseball over playing for the Jackets — that happened in 2005, but Hewitt brought it up just last week — or about your team being “too young” or “snakebit.” They just want results.
Shore up his staff: Is it only coincidence that the Jackets are 81-78 since assistant Cliff Warren left to coach Jacksonville after the 2004-2005 season? (Fellow Tech assistant Dean Keener departed for James Madison a year earlier.) Current assistants Peter Zaharis and John O’Connor came to Tech not as coaches but as directors of basketball operations. Both have known Hewitt from his days at Villanova. Former Tech player Darryl LaBarrie was hired as an assistant last summer after stints at Campbell and East Carolina. Put simply, there’s a need for stronger voices and new ideas on the bench.
Coach offense as hard as he does defense: With few exceptions, all Hewitt’s players have defended at a high level. His offense has functioned less well. Too often Tech doesn’t seem to know what it should be doing. Chris Bosh averaged only 9.7 shots his season as a Jacket; seven years later, Derrick Favors averaged 8.1 shots. If you’re going to recruit one-and-done talents, you’d better figure out a way to get them the ball. A creative assistant with an offensive background would be most welcome here.
Reach out to fans and alums: Hewitt doesn’t appear to have any idea how unpopular he has become. (His stock response is something along the lines of, “Everyone always tells me we’re doing great when they see me in the airport.”) But Tech hasn’t done great, or even all that good, for five years now. Hewitt needs to cultivate his base — as opposed to challenging it via Twitter — through brunches or dinners or fan-appreciation outings. He can be charming and persuasive. He needs to be both now.
Offer to renegotiate his golden contract: It’s hard to ask anyone to put guaranteed money at risk, but this would do wonders for Hewitt’s image. Too many people have come to believe Hewitt is still coaching Tech only because the athletic association can’t afford to pay him $7.1 million to go away. Hewitt should go to Dan Radakovich and offer to relieve some of the financial burden. He should say, “I’ll waive the perpetual rollover if you’ll give me a five-year deal worth $8.75 million.” That would offer Hewitt a nice salary bump — from $1.375 million per season to $1.75 million — but would remove the most oppressive aspect of his never-ending deal. And it would earn him a mint’s worth of good will.
Win more games: It sounds simplistic, but it’s a time-honored panacea. Win big and people like you. Win big and we in the media sing your praises. Nobody complained about Hewitt’s offensive sets or the new contract Dave Braine handed him in 2004. Nobody was hoping he’d leave for St. John’s back then. Indeed, Tech fans were terrified he wouldn’t stay.
Six years have passed, and there’s no way for Hewitt ever to be as beloved as he was then, but he can reclaim some of those folks who’ve grown disenchanted. He can gripe less. And win more.
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623 comments Add your comment
Tech Fan
March 25th, 2010
5:23 pm
If everything you said happened Mark, then I would reconsider my current feelings. That is very unlikely, though your suggestions are certainly valid and would work!
About Paul Hewitt:
(credit goes to various sources for some of these points)
1) In the last 5 years (including this year), he is 76-74. With all of the McDonalds All Americans and future NBA players, he is two games over .500 in all games, which include 8 or so each year against the likes of Arkansas Pine-Bluff and Winston Salem State.
2) In his entire 10 years, he is 26 games under .500 in regular season ACC games, and has only one season over .500 (9-7 in 2004).
3) In his entire 10 years, he has a winning record against 3 ACC schools and a losing record against the other 8.
4) He also has a losing record against mostly poor UGA teams.
5) “This seventh-seeded Tech team cannot dribble, cannot pass, cannot hit free throws, cannot exploit a massive size and talent advantage when it has one, cannot inbound the ball to save its life” – Pat Forde ESPN article that sums up our coach brillianty
6) TV commentators talking during the tourney saying things like, “This has to be one of the most talented teams in the country…they look like world beaters…this has to be the most sloppy and undisciplined basketball team we’ve seen this year…this team has to be very frustrating to watch for the Tech fans…”
7) Tech set a record for # of turnovers and missed free throws in the 57th ACC tourney, plus the announcers used the ineptness of simply getting the ball in bounds as a running joke on TV, embarrassing.
9) More national media, The Wall Street Journal has an interesting piece showing how Hewitt is the WORST DEAL IN THE COUNTRY, which doesn’t even take into consideration his horrible golden roll-over. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123690294088913675.html
It’s truely unfortunate that the admin have let it get to this point. They clearly are aware that blind loyalty turned to mass appathy turned to vocal majority long ago. They are telling us that we didn’t scream it enough yet. I love my Jackets, have NEVER spoke out against a coach, but this coach has to go, like 8 years ago….
**GO JACKETS…but…FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!!**
**GO JACKETS…but…FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!!**
**GO JACKETS…but…FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!!**
**GO JACKETS…but…FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!!**
**GO JACKETS…but…FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!!**
**GO JACKETS…but…FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!!**
**GO JACKETS…but…FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!!**
Jackets2010
March 25th, 2010
5:26 pm
You’d have to be Mark to run a blog.
I’m trying to be and still have about 4 arguments going on at once.
Having a good time with them though.
George P
March 25th, 2010
5:30 pm
Thanks “The Sting” for sending me an official e-mail reminder
79
March 25th, 2010
5:30 pm
Don’t care. Used to care about GT BB. Now I don’t. Very liberating.
Jackets2010
March 25th, 2010
5:31 pm
The Tech folks who forced Cremins out were unhappy with underperformance in March Madness and with one and done players.
I repeat that I was a Cremins homer then and now.
So the knock on Cremins is similar, not exactly though, to the knock on Hewitt.
Best starting five in the country not only didn’t win it all but didn’t make the final four.
Folks paid a lot just for disappointment.
Eventually they tired of it and wanted him gone.
I didn’t.
debbie
March 25th, 2010
5:32 pm
I ask every Jackets fan to boycott 680. Today, John Kincaid had the nerve to say that he wondered if GT fans wanted rid of Hewitt because of race. What an idiot. Fans called and called trying to get him to understand how sad it is to watch the very talented kids miss free throws and struggled to do what should be jr high things like get the ball thrown in! John, you are not a jackets fan and a real jackets fan needs to not listen to your insulting comments.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
5:32 pm
Correction, Mark. I and many Tech fans were not TERRIFIED that Hewitt would leave after 2004. Certainly we were more pleased with him then than now, but the cracks were already beginning to show. His penchant for making excuses and for pushing a social agenda were already clear. I was shocked when I read the minutes of a meeting at which he was a speaker back in the summer of 2004, after the great run. He mentioned Georgia Tech about twice in his presentation, but talked incessantly of his success in “raising up” (his words) minority (by which he clearly meant African-Americans only) youth by giving them the opportunity to get an education and to play in the NBA. He has put a few in the NBA. HE hasn’t seen fit to help many get an education, however. He made other comments foreshadowing his “coaches recruit players that look like them” comments (which I know is oversimplified here). He had a captive audience who did not question him, but from that point on I have questioned his motives, his loyalty to Tech, his commitment to academics and education, and his overall intelligence.
TomB
March 25th, 2010
5:33 pm
Jacket2010: You’re full of it. You said both Hewitt and Cremins were flops in the tournament. I said you couldn’t compare the two and your response is nothing. No facts to back up your statements. You site the 1986 year under Cremins as pivotable from a fans point of view. That’s bull. Cremins had won his first ACC championship in 1985 and was just beginning years of success at Tech. In 1990, he took his team to the final four and was named Naismith Coach of the year. In 1996 he won another ACC championship and took his team to the sweet sixteen. No one was pressuring Cremins to leave until the final two years(1998-99). I was there and I remember. I can’t say the same for you.
Born2Buzz
March 25th, 2010
5:34 pm
All of you folks that are griping about this situation, if you are truly Tech fans, alumni or not, please read DRad’s latest issue of The Good Word. You will feel better about the situation, and hopefully you will be moved to part of the solution and not a detriment to the program.
http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/ot/geot-good-word.html
rj
March 25th, 2010
5:35 pm
Oh —-! He’s gonna stay. I knew it was to good to be true!
Technophobia
March 25th, 2010
5:35 pm
Doug Roberson just wrote a pretty good article about the situation.
Here’s Hewitt’s comments:
“I strongly believe in what Georgia Tech can do for young people, and I am committed to returning the Tech basketball program to the level of success our fans have come to expect. We took a step in that direction this past season, and I fully intend to continue on that path.”
Call me an optimist (or worse) but I think that shows he “gets it” and realizes that although we improved this year much more is expected.
Johnny Hazeltine
March 25th, 2010
5:35 pm
Things will be fine at Tech as long as Hewitt keeps recruiting at a high level, and gets to the NCAAs more frequently.
BamaFan
March 25th, 2010
5:36 pm
If he renegotiated his contract I would be a happier Tech bball fan. Whoever wrote and approved of the perpetual lifetime contract should be fired if they are still with Tech.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
5:36 pm
It takes a smart man to make the kind of deal he made with Braine and Clough. It takes an immoral and unethical man to not live up to his end of the agreement to do his best to succeed. It takes a truly foolish man to stick around where he is not wanted and can do no good when he could go elsewhere where is wanted and can do some good. Hewitt has been all three, and now that he is back, I wish him the worst.
supersize that order, mutt
March 25th, 2010
5:38 pm
DRad’s latest comments have been posted in “The Good Word.” I don’t like them, and I don’t agree with them, but I have to be honest and say that at this point there was probably nothing else that he could say We are stuck with Hewitt, and we can’t afford the buyout, so we might as well accept it for now, but I still will not be buying season tickets next year. Mark, I like your comments; I hope that some fraction of them will be accepted by either or both DRad and Hewitt, but I doubt it. Here is the link to DRad’s comments –
http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/genrel/032510aaa.html
richtreignisover
March 25th, 2010
5:38 pm
I am done with GT bball until blewitt is gone. I’ve been a fan for over 20 years and an alumus for 9, but I cannot stand this man, his excuses, his god awful game management, the 15+ turnovers per game his teams have consistently produced on his watch, the lack of offensive flow, and simple fundamentals (inbounding the ball, free throws, post entry passes). Oh and for all of you out there that think he is a great recruiter, take a look at our recruiting class this year. 1 medicore player. And he’s not even a big man! That’s all we have coming in to replace Lawal, Favors, Bell and Peacock. 1 great class every 4 years does not make blewitt a great recruiter.
Billy Howard
March 25th, 2010
5:38 pm
BamaFan:
So you are a Bama football fan, but TECH basketball fan?
You are all that is wrong with Atlanta. Choose a side lol.
Billy Howard
March 25th, 2010
5:39 pm
GTPhenom & BAMAFAN:
There are many times that someone doesn’t live up to their contracts. It happens all the time every single day, but at the end of the day TECH got what they wanted and they should pay the man what he is owed. How can you fault him for getting as much money as possible and signing the best possible contract for him and his family???
Being worthy of the contract has nothing to do with reality. The reality is that they gave him that contract (worthy or not) and they should pay him according to the contract and no one should complain or tell him to renegotiate.
Was Barry Zito worthy of his 7 Year $129 million dollar contract to the San Fran Giants? Many say no he isn’t, but do you hear anyone complaining about his deal and telling him that he should take less money??? NOPE!
Go Jackets
March 25th, 2010
5:40 pm
Mark, you have a great article, but Blewitt wont read it, still will be ironic now for Rad to fire Blewitt anyway. Hewitt has lost at least 75% fan support and next year and probably the next few, GT will be in the bottom ACC standings. Had Blewitt left, then hopefully a Duke assistant would have taken the job. At least they know how to win and get 4 year players.
George P
March 25th, 2010
5:40 pm
I have to say Born2Buzz, you seem to be a plant from the AA.
Gordon
March 25th, 2010
5:42 pm
What an absurd position we have reached. Tonight’s press conference will be a smile fest where everyone will pretend that what everyone knows is true really isn’t: Paul Hewitt is only the coach because his wife doesn’t want to leave Atlanta and his employer can’t afford to buy him out. There will be talk about how Paul is a good leader, a great developer of character, and a fine person, ignoring the mountain of evidence that he is at best a mediocre coach.
I am sick of Georgia Tech basketball. I’m sick of spending money on it, spending time on it, talking about it, and blogging about it. I look forward to enthusiastically supporting the program when this sad situation has come to an end.
Technophobia
March 25th, 2010
5:44 pm
Born2Buzz, that was a good post. I think Hewitt’s flirting with a job change can do a lot to re-invigorate his commitment and make him reconsider how things are done. I also really think that bringing in an assistant coach who can help with the point guards would really help. You’ve GOT to have good point guard play to go far in college BB. Mark Price might be the guy if he’s interested but I’m sure there are plenty of others as well.
Effn Amazing
March 25th, 2010
5:44 pm
Why didnt tech just hire you Mark Bradley??? You seem to know it all….
Connie Lingous
March 25th, 2010
5:45 pm
While many will disagree, in my opinion this is very good news for Georgia Tech University – Coach Hewitt has always represented us very well and will continue to do so as a valued member of our University community.
Technophobia
March 25th, 2010
5:45 pm
I’ve got a feeling Hewitt WILL read some of these articles. How could anyone resist seeing what was being said after something like this.
supersize that order, mutt
March 25th, 2010
5:45 pm
Not only has he alienated many of the fans (myself included) with lackluster seasons, Twitter remarks, radio interviews and the like, now he has alienated us even more by even entertaining the overtures by another school. I mean, I am glad that he did, and I wish he had accepted, but to entertain and then reject is akin to Cremins’ move to South Carolina only to ultimately change his mind and return. He should never have returned, or Tech should not have allowed him to, and Hewitt should not have talked to St Johns unless he had planned on going.
Tech Fan
March 25th, 2010
5:45 pm
Yeah, everything is fine, unless you’ve pay attention to the details for the last 5 years. One winning ACC record in ten years guys. One. Let’s keep this guy!!! (not)
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
5:46 pm
Technophobe and Jackets2010 have been Hewitt apologists from the beginning. That’s fine, you are Tech fans with a different opinion and I respect that. If you like the old Hewitt and expect him to be the same way, that is your right. But don’t insult the thoughtful adults in the room by suggesting that this middle-aged man who has been doing these things for 10 years is going to suddenly “get it” and change for the better. It is counterintuitive to think he could change when the very root of his problem is that he can not adapt. He lacks the objective perspective to accurately evaluate himself or his team so he is incapable of adpating, adjusting his actions. He doesn’t coach well in games because he can’t make adjustments. He still hasn’t adjusted to the NBA cradle-robbing trend, because even though he can lure the children to play for him, he can’t keep the stable full enough to replace them when they leave early. Get real, and get honest, people. If you are happy that he is back, then that’s OK for you. But don’t start playing the hope and change game, or more accurately, you HOPE he’ll CHANGE. He won’t change, and maybe he shouldn’t even try. He should have just gone to St Johns where he doesn’t need to change. He will never change because he doesn’t believe he needs to, or at least doesn’t believe he should have to. History proves this point, gentleman.
MakesSenseandCentsforBlewitt
March 25th, 2010
5:47 pm
Doing the math, I think it makes sense for Hewitt to stay. At $1.8 million a year, it will take St. Johns about 4 years to figure out that this guy no longer has the desire or interest in coaching. Considering that St. Johns proposed a six year deal, Hewitt would get $7.2 million for his four years and let’s presume $1.8 million for the buyout for the last two years for a grand total of $9 million for four years of mediocrity, blame game, and indifference in Gotham.
While this would be more than the $8.3 million that he will get after coaching this year and inevitably getting fired by Radakovich, you have to figure that there is some stupid and desperate AD out there who would buy into the CPH excuse making and finger pointing and offer another gig. Further, it would be easy for said AD to sell it to desperate alumni (ACC coach, NCAA 2nd Round, St. Johns wanted him, good recruiter, “irrational” fan base in Atlanta). Add a few million more with a new contract to feather the retirement bed and the scales tip appreciably.
I hope Tech didn’t cheap out when it came to the buyout….
Donna
March 25th, 2010
5:47 pm
ACT QUICKLY!!!! Call UGA and offer to swap coaches — the Dawgs might be dumb enough to bite. Quick!!!!!!!!! Oh, I forgot — GT and Paulie Walnuts lost to a UGA team with inferior talent — even the UGA guys can see the obvious. Well, this will drag out for 3-4 more years, then maybe we can hire a real coach. How painful for us.
supersize that order, mutt
March 25th, 2010
5:47 pm
Connie, there is no such place as Georgia Tech University, and it is certainly not OUR university. If you think that is the name of the INSTITUTE, then you apparently did not go there.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
5:48 pm
It would have been a lot easier to change cities and schools than to change his whole approach to life and coaching in the university.
AE 87
March 25th, 2010
5:49 pm
I just read D-Rad’s “Good Word.” I still think that Coach Hewitt was encouraged to look for other work about a month and a half ago. Tubby began to talk about what a good job Tech would be. Coach Hewitt began to tweet in the same way that Wommack gave pressers when he secretly heard what was coming. St. John’s job opens up. Everything has the scent of back-room deals.
When I was at Tech, we learned one way to answer the question, “What’s the Good Word?” Now, I can’t escape the feeling that somebody’s added “Tech” to the end of it.
Paul in RDU
March 25th, 2010
5:49 pm
I haven’t stopped laughing since reading Clemson being called better or equal to GT as a b’ball program. Clemson??????
Clemson is a founder member of the ACC and has NEVER won the Tourney – heck they have lost in the first round about 50 times. South Carolina has won the ACC more times than Clemson and they left the league 40 years ago.
GT’s win in Chapel Hill this year was one more than Clemson has won in their entire history.
TomB
March 25th, 2010
5:49 pm
It sounds like DRAD has backed himself in a corner somewhat with his comments. He obviously is trying to get everyone aboard supporting Hewitt. I just don’t understand especially in light of Hewitts twitter comments and rants against the AJC. But the most troubling thing to me, and I agree with Bradley here, are the excuses. His Austin Jackson excuse being the worst of the lot. How will this sit if next year Tech finishes last in the conference with 2 ACC wins?
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
5:50 pm
supersize, amen. In fact, the name is Institute but the school’s status is that of a university. No true Yellow Jacket or any other intelligent being has ever called Ma Tech “Georgia Tech University.”
DaWg
March 25th, 2010
5:50 pm
Dear Paul, please ignore Mark’s advice. Don’t change a thing. Your program looks fine from our end. GO DAWGS!
Jackets2010
March 25th, 2010
5:50 pm
Had to take a break Tom.
Why, pray tell, did Cremins leave?
He did not retire as we all know.
He did not leave for a better job.
Just who was it then that pushed him out the door?
Johns Creek Jacket
March 25th, 2010
5:51 pm
Great article, Mark. I find DRAD’s assessment of CPH in the school’s official statement very revealing – - “I think what has transpired over the last few days speaks volumes about Paul Hewitt and about Georgia Tech,” Tech director of athletics Dan Radakovich said. “Paul’s credentials as a human being, a family man, a leader and a builder of character are impeccable. All of us at Georgia Tech are committed to assist him in providing an outstanding men’s basketball program.”
Notice that DRAD says nothing about Hewitt’s credentials as a coach. What’s the old adage — if you have nothing good to say then say nothing at all. DRAD obviously sees the same thing we all see, a “nothing special” coach with a very special contract. DRAD is trying to make the best of a bad situation. My advice to DRAD is get some very special coaching assistants in there to run the basketball side of the operation and let CPH be the figurehead.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
5:52 pm
AE 87, tell it, brother. And I am afraid that DRad is sadly one of those who is inadvertently adding the “Tech” to it. THWG
Jackets2010
March 25th, 2010
5:53 pm
Paul I think the article said Clemson had 43 one and done’s in the ACCD tourney. Only original member never to win it.
But help me out in an argument I’m having with Tom.
Wasn’t Cremins rudely pushed out the door?
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
5:54 pm
TEchnophobe, I hope you are right and that Hewitt does deign to lower himself to our standard by reading some of this. I believe he has been following all of it a little closer than he let on, though I doubt he ever reads AJC blogs. Just in case he is reading: WE DON’T LIKE YOU. IF YOU WON’T GO TO NYC THEN JUST GO TO HELL. IT IS A LOT SAFER THERE.
Johns Creek Jacket
March 25th, 2010
5:55 pm
Wilson and supersize, give Connie a break. She obviously had her nose some place other than the books when she attended the Institute.
McBubba
March 25th, 2010
5:55 pm
He’s not a good coach. Another year of mediocrity awaits..
TomB
March 25th, 2010
5:56 pm
I’m glad you’ve come back Jackets2010, and I see you brought all those facts with you. Why don’t you respond intelligently to my comments?
MD
March 25th, 2010
5:57 pm
Mark, to me it is absolutely amazing that you are still working at the AJC, because you are so incredibly adept at telling EVERYONE else what they should be doing, how and when they should do it, and why. You should probably be the GM and head coach of the Falcons, Bulldogs, Jackets, Braves and Hawks all at once. A veritable Oracle of sports. Why someone is not paying you to run everything is a mystery.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
5:58 pm
Cremins did not want to leave initially, but by the time he left it was a mutual acknowledgement that it was time for him to go. Part of this was because he was a class act and did not trash Tech after the fact, but he also admitted that it was time for a change. He admitted to be burned out on basketball, and stayed out of it for awhile. Cremins had several bad years record-wise, and the writing was on the wall. Still, even those who knew it was time were generally sad about it all. Sometimes you have to fire those you love, too, when they don’t do the job. You don’t have to stop loving them.
AE 87
March 25th, 2010
5:59 pm
Wilson, I think D-Rad’s been had too and is now trying to make the best of the undesired outcome. I’m still expecting a tweet telling fans, err press, to stop being so hard on his family because their young . . . etc
TomB
March 25th, 2010
6:01 pm
Jackets2010; Why did you mention the 1986 year if you weren’t suggesting Tech fans were mad and wanted to run him off? This is bunk. Tech fans didn’t tire of Cremins until the 1998-99 season some 13 years after your 1986 team reference. Why don’t you respond to this? I’m not arguing that Tech fans didn’t tire of Cremins but your timeline is wrong. Cremins resigned by the way.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
6:02 pm
Johns Creek Jacket, you are absolutely correct. Connie may be a cunning linguist but she obviously was preoccupied during her time here.