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
MiGT
March 25th, 2010
9:11 pm
For what it’s worth, Mark, I wrote to him right after his comments about “not holding a gun to anyone’s head” etc. and suggested that he tell DR that he no longer wanted that automatic rollover. I told him that would end the comments that the contract is the only reason he still has the job. [Actually, I hope it is.] He did respond, but not to that suggestion. He just said that his comments were inappropriate and that his lack of success wasn’t due to lack of effort.
One of the other submitters said that he hopes they have another run next year and then Hewitt leaves Tech “high and dry”. Well, I hope so, too. For lots of reasons, I think that the program isn’t healthy. Playing consistently well, and graduating, might just be more important than “being a gentleman”.
By the way, I watched Gani in high school, and his coach there (Eddie Martin) knew that winning was important, and high schools can’t recruit.
NoCoach Blewitt
March 25th, 2010
9:13 pm
This day started so so so so promising and now I just watched the coach that could have been GT’s coach next season beat a #1 seed to get into the Elite 8. When will it end???
NoCoach Blewitt
March 25th, 2010
9:15 pm
Everyone root for the Blewey antithesis tonight and even tomorrow night … Cornell & St Mary’s
James
March 25th, 2010
9:17 pm
Bradley’s suggestion was NOT to pay Hewitt less money, it was to make hi significantly more in exchange for the dropping of the perpetual rollover. That’s a reasonable deal that both sides should consider. I repeat my point: if that same contract remains in effect for the next year, Hewitt will be fired next March.
Cracker Jacket
March 25th, 2010
9:17 pm
Georgia fans are happy again!!!!!!!!!!
Old Fashioned
March 25th, 2010
9:18 pm
Could there possibly be 70,000 fans/alums out there somewhere who would contribute $100 each to get rid of the guy? I suppose that’s impossible and wishful thinking,but I’ll happily be one of the 70,000.
COLLEGE of CHARLESTON
March 25th, 2010
9:20 pm
`when will it end……….
ACC... middle of the pack crap
March 25th, 2010
9:23 pm
gt deserves better
Technophobia
March 25th, 2010
9:33 pm
Wow, check this out. It’s the list of coaches who’ve been to the final four. Two of the top four are currently coaching in the ACC and 3 of the top 4 have coached in the ACC. It drops off pretty quickly too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Men%27s_Division_I_Final_Four_appearances_by_coaches
CNN Money
March 25th, 2010
9:34 pm
Coach Hewitt deserves a raise and a bonus for his devotion to such a low paying position.
The Georgia Tech adminisration must find the funds somewhere and cut the budget in other departments.
SPELL CHECK
March 25th, 2010
9:38 pm
ADMINISRATION
A Rob
March 25th, 2010
9:41 pm
We all know coach does not read the AJC, but if someone else can relay Mark’s talking points claiming them as their own, then maybe he will address those issues and take us back to relevance…….Nah
Rowdy
March 25th, 2010
9:42 pm
Shumpert hitting a 3 from downtown isn’t a sustainable offensive play, that’s talent not coaching. Hewitt doesn’t know offense, which is 1/2 the game! Hewitt, take the next job!
GTMike
March 25th, 2010
9:50 pm
As a season ticket holder for GT basketball for 10 years, I will NOT be renewing. Tech basketball is dead to me as long as Hewitt remains.
He has proven, over the course of years, that he does not hold himself accountable to the same degree that I do. The excuses are sickening, but I have come to believe Hewitt really thinks that way. He is VERY unlikely to change, so why bother watching this train wreck anymore?
StingerSplash
March 25th, 2010
9:50 pm
Another great Al Ciraldo moment:
In introducing the Tech starting lineup in pre-game, said, “Yvon Joseph, the 6-10 center from Haiti, Georgia…”
Technophobia
March 25th, 2010
9:55 pm
So Syracuse is out now. Hey Mark, how’s that bracket lookin? Sorry I couldn’t resist.
Jim Jackson
March 25th, 2010
9:57 pm
Good points, but after ten years at Tech if he is not doing all of the above already then he should not be coaching in the first place.
But he's a good christian
March 25th, 2010
10:07 pm
just like Mark Richt….
This guy is past time to go, he should’ve manned up and told the wife and kids “listen, if I stay, I’ll lose all integrity that I have. I’ll be fired next year and, yeah, I’ll get a huge buyout so you can buy all your goodies, but then we’ll be living in bumblefark Texas because no other Div. 1 program will hire me. And also, kids, get used to all your friends that you claim to want to be around hating you next year because my team is gonna really submarine since we won’t have Favors and Lawal around anymore. Hope you guys like being run out of Atlanta on a rail, I’m betting you would have liked NY a lot better than a community college town.”
Born2Buzz
March 25th, 2010
10:08 pm
If you read DRad’s statement closely and read between the lines a little, i think it’s clear that he’s having conversations with Hewitt about ways to improve the program, such as higher more competent assistants. I know what DRad said about hearing the criticism, he hears it, all of it. I also know he doesn’t accept mediocrity. So look for improvements from here on out.
As critical as we’ve all been of Hewitt, me included, he is still our coach and we have to pull for him to succeed.
MrRecker
March 25th, 2010
10:15 pm
Mark, I truly wish YOU would point out some things that were out of CPH’s control–things that negatively impacted his w/l record, that in essence victimized CPH for being good at what he does. Dig out and factor in the details of recruitment of Dwight Howard and Randolph Morris. Consider the unexpected 1-and-done of Chris Bosh. The surprise of Thaddeus Young leaving after the one year he had. And the total shock of Javaris Crittendon leaving after one. And how many college BB coaches can point to the New York Yankees buying your “franchise” point guard for $10M or whatever. CPH has recruited the very best, and it has been nothing but disaster. Do you honestly think he should have done it differently? Do you honestly believe he had control over all that? Give me a break.
Not only that, the fact that GT plays every ACC game against Duke and UNC spotting them 5-10 points because of Swofford’s officiating crew is out of CPH’s control. Likewise for all the away games against the rest of the league. (Is it any wonder that CPH and GT come in just under 500 each year in the ACC. We hold serve against all but Duke and UNC and we lose the rest, generally.) To be fair, you should point out things like this. To be really fair, you should point out that YOU, with your bully pulpit, should be playing a role to turn this officiating scandal around. You should be taking up for the home team. But you do nothing but tell the story of what a bad job CPH is doing. Nice.
Maybe we should be talking about your contract. What do YOU think?
Gen Neyland
March 25th, 2010
10:25 pm
In the immortal words of Clash :
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An’ if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know!
Beam me up…
Hewitt's friend who reads the paper
March 25th, 2010
10:31 pm
Low Class MB to call out the assistant coaches.
Hewitt's friend who reads the paper
March 25th, 2010
10:31 pm
Focus on basketball criticism, not contract talk or calling out guys by name to be fired
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
10:34 pm
Cremins’ departure was mutual. Tech fans were ready for a change. Bobby was ready for a break. There certainly had been increasing pressure on Cremins as some of his usual fine recruits were leaving early. Remember, that was when the NBA was really starting to become a force in the NCAA. Some Tech fans were vociferous, but I think the majority of fans had mixed emotions when he left. I haven’t really been following the apparent debate here but that’s the way I remember it.
4 Jacks
March 25th, 2010
10:36 pm
My God, we didn’t even lose a game tonight, and we have another apologist for Hewitt blaming the referees for his record against Duke, N.C. and every road game we play. Again, for you mentally challenged, we, GT, has the WORST record of any ACC team over the last five years, and would be for his full tenure of ten except for league expansion. Miami, I am talking Miami has a better basketball conference record than we do. I am truly sorry to be offensive, but statements and excuses like this are just so out of left field, it is friggin amazing. If you will check some of the other ACC message boards, like N.C., Duke, N.C.State and others you would see that it is not just some of us here that know we have the worst coach in the conference. Maybe our coaches credibility is why we do not get more calls from the officials, if you are so parinoid and beleive the conspiracy against Mr. Hewitt and GT. Good Grief.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
10:36 pm
Recker, surely you jest, sir. Victimized? Surprised? The coach’s responsibility is to know who he is recruiting and if he acts surprised when a recruit bolts early he is either being disingenuous or dishonest. A coach who is “victimized” by adolescents isn’t worthy of leading young men.
westcoast techie
March 25th, 2010
10:37 pm
Mark, I agree with all of our points. However, I’d like to add one more very important point. Hewitt’s players have a low graduation rate. The graduation rate is so low, Tech is on the verge of losing future scholarships. I’m surprised that the administration hasn’t made more of an issue of this.
Coach Hew-nit-wit
March 25th, 2010
10:39 pm
He didn’t “choose” Tech over St.John’s — He just chose not to pay $3.4 Million to leave! St. John’s told him he had to pay his own buyout. Now we get the “this is where I wanted to be all along” rap! He should have asked Tech fans — most would have taken up a collection to pay his buyout!
FL Jacket
March 25th, 2010
10:40 pm
I’m looking forward to the great seats that I will be able to get next year after all of you yahoos don’t renew your tickets! I still support my school and the student-athletes. That’s who the games are about!
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
10:40 pm
B2B, I respectfully disagree that I owe any allegiance to the hired help of the Institute. It is true that if I want the student-athletes to excel I would typically pull for their leader to help them achieve that excellence. However, when I feel in my own best judgment, inexpert as it may well be, that someone is doing more harm than good to the student-athletes and by extension the Institute, I will not, I can not, in good conscience support that person.
Herschel Talker
March 25th, 2010
10:41 pm
Mark Fox > Paul Hewitt
KBP
March 25th, 2010
10:41 pm
How many of you would voluntarily give some of your income back to your employer to earn goodwill? Mark, would you? I am not a Tech fan and some of the things said about Hewitt is totally ridiculous. Most of Tech’s players, especially the guards are over-rated right now. Schumpert is not a point guard. Udofia is an over-rated freshman. Oliver is a streak shooter. Rice is a nice player but not what Tech needed this year. Why not ask Gary Williams to re-structure his deal? Coach K has done nothing since 2001, what about him? Tech basketball will have an exceptional year every 5 years or so. Making the tournament every would be very good, going beyond the Sweet 16 consistently would be exceptional.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
10:43 pm
Congratulations, Mr. Recker! You have obviously graduated from the Paul Hewitt School of Making Excuses. (Better frame that diploma, very, very few of his players ever graduate.)
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
10:46 pm
Hewitt’s friend. The assistants, just like the head coach, have chosen a profession that relies on the public for its success and is subject to scrutiny in public forums. If any of them have thin skins, as Hewitt obviously does by your very existence (he can’t bear to read it himself? boo f***ing hoo.), then they may be in the wrong profession. OR, they might want to try doing their jobs better so that they can enjoy praise as well as criticism. IF you can’t stand the heat, get out of Mrs. Hewitt’s kitchen.
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
10:48 pm
FL Jacket, you will have a lot to choose from. Cheer on the boys, and even cheer on Hewitt if you like. I am confident the echoes will comfort and motivate them to no end.
jojo sunshine
March 25th, 2010
10:49 pm
NOW BUTLER HAS BEATEN THE MIGHTY SYRACUSE! WOW! BRAD STEVENS IS THE MAN! TO BAD WE WILL NEVER GET THE CHANCE TO SEE WHAT HE COULD HAVE DONE FOR TECH. LISTEN, MARK FOX AT GEORGIA WILL OWN TECH AS LONG AS HEWITT IS THE COACH. I WANT TECH TO BE BETTER. HIRE BRAD STEVENS PLEASE!!!!
Coach Hew-nit-wit
March 25th, 2010
10:49 pm
This just in: Paul Hew-nit-wit calls out media for failing to host a “Hooray, He’s Staying Party.” Tells fans who failed to bake him a cake for staying that they should just STAY HOME NEXT YEAR! (ironically, like Tech will do from the Big Dance next year with Hewitt-Blewitt at the helm!)
Bully Dawg
March 25th, 2010
11:00 pm
Tech should take a play from Georgia’s playbook: everyone groused when the Dawgs hired Mark Fox instead of getting a “big school coach.” Now, no one is complaining, because CMF can coach-up players.
Tech should do the same. Skip the big-school coaches and go after a successful mid-tier school coach who is known for coaching-up players (see, e.g., Brad Stevens), pay him big bucks to come to a bigger conference, and create a program where guys stay for more than a year — a winning program! (OK, a winning program except for ONE certain out-of-conference game a year, that is!)
wardo
March 25th, 2010
11:00 pm
I am sorry that he didn’t leave. He can’t coach. No question about that. But MB you forgot to have “ego” on your list of changes that CPH should make if he wants Tech fand behind him. Lose the ego dude. You are a very well paid basketball coach. Shut up and coach. I am considering penning “basketball coaching for Dummies” and send CPH the 1st copy. I would cover basics like protecting the basketball thus avoiding turnovers, the inbounding of the basketball, free throw shooting basics and the proper use of the time out. I should probably include a chapter on “keeping your ego in check”. I can get CPH to assist me in the chapter on “excuses are for losers”. He is quite an expert on this subject matter. Sounds like a best seller that CPH needs to read!
Go Jackets!!
Voice of Reason
March 25th, 2010
11:00 pm
Its fine with us if Hewitt’s wife and kids stay here, we just want him to go. Acceptance of mediocrity is not in the best interest of the Institute. Look what it has done for football. Why the double standard, Drad?
NoCoach Blewitt
March 25th, 2010
11:01 pm
Paul my dislike for you has been elevated to hatred, loathing, and complete contempt ….. can not wait to watch you completely destroy your career next year
Mrs Hewitt
March 25th, 2010
11:03 pm
For my next trick I will make Paul start to show interest in caucasian athletes ……. followed by making him bark like a dog ( I mean he obviously a secret fan of the ugay nation)
NoCoach Blewitt
March 25th, 2010
11:04 pm
Come on Cornell …. make a run at them in the 2nd half
Wilson Dunkitt
March 25th, 2010
11:05 pm
I know he is a popular figure, but Dan Radakovich has chosen to cast his lot with Paul Hewitt. Before, I assumed he was just keeping his criticism and guidance on the down-low and out of the spotlight for the benefit of the coach and the program. Now it is clear that he is sincere in his support of Hewitt (we always knew they were friendly). I am not willing to give him a free pass. No, he did not sign the original contract and yes, there are “unique” financial burdens created by that contract, but Radakovich has had several years to force the changes MB and many others have been suggesting for some time. At some point why hasn’t he said, “Paul, don’t you think it’s time we hire at least one assistant who is not a part of your personal buppy program?” Or, Radakovich could have been more forthright in discussing Hewitt’s situation with alumni who might be able to help him effect some change. Certainly, instead of putting efforts in building new luxury boxes and re-building the inside of AMC for $30 M he could have encouraged funneling some of that money into finding a worthy coach. And at no point have I heard Radakovich in public or private address the academic issues such as graduation rates and inappropriate recruiting of unqualified student-athletes. I know DRad is the darling of the administration and he has indeed made some excellent hires, but this fiasco should serve as a wake-up call that there are times when he may not have the Institute’s best interest in mind.
wardo
March 25th, 2010
11:05 pm
NoCoach – I thought that our dream of a real basketball coach was coming true. I feel your pain. I’m crushed.
If only
March 25th, 2010
11:06 pm
Coach Hew-nit-wit, that is too bad about the 3.4 mill CPH would have to pay GT, GTAA should have said to him “look if want to go, that is fine, go ahead and we will call it a day, do not worry about the money.”
wow Wilson, your still on here ..I was on here earlier around 5 and now I’m back and your still going at it..but I know how you feel..it is like we GT fans are all being punked. Maybe we will wake up in the morning and find out we were. Maybe, we should form a protest line outside the GTAA office.
Technophobia
March 25th, 2010
11:06 pm
Nocoach, don’t you think you’re over reacting a bit? Hatred? Loathing? Complete contempt? I’m starting to think you have a real problem.
Taco
March 25th, 2010
11:08 pm
I hope Urban Meyer cusses you out for bending over for CPH. You need a finger in the chest. Just teasing. Next time you see Hewiit I dare you to tell him to take off Colin Montgomerie’s Rabbit Ears and loosen up.
If only
March 25th, 2010
11:13 pm
well if DRAD doesn’t overrule Hewitt on some changes, the majority of alumni who give money will shut down and at some point the hand will be forced. An athletic director does have to at some point listen to what donators are saying
NoCoach Blewitt
March 25th, 2010
11:13 pm
How am I over reacting?? He attacked all the fans and people in the local media …. How can this eunuch think he can just come crawling back and all will be okay …. Do not think so
He had an opportunity to save his career and maybe create some success ….. he just threw that away for either the reason stated or because he just wants to stick it to GT, to the point of no short term recovery …. so no i do not think it is over-reacting