Hewitt is staying: Tech fans, how do you feel? UPDATED
Georgia Tech has now confirmed that Paul Hewitt has turned down St. John’s. Here’s the school’s official statement:
Georgia Tech head basketball coach Paul Hewitt said Thursday afternoon that he will remain at the Institute and is no longer a candidate for the head coaching position at St. John’s University.
Hewitt, 46, just completed his 10th season at the helm of the Yellow Jackets’ program, guiding Tech to a 23-13 overall record. The Jackets advance to the championship game of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA Championship for the fifth time, where it defeated Oklahoma State in the first round before being eliminated by Ohio State.
“My family and I have developed deep ties to Georgia Tech and the city of Atlanta,” said Hewitt. “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.”
Hewitt, who has record of 177-144 at Georgia Tech, ranks third among active coaches in the ACC in games coached and fourth in career victories. He ranks 18th in career victories all-time. He has taken the Yellow Jackets to six post-season berths, including one NIT appearance, twice to the championship game of the ACC Tournament and the championship of the 2003 Preseason NIT.
“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.”
If you’re a Tech fan, how do you feel? Relieved that your coach is staying? Disappointed that he’s staying?
My thoughts on what Hewitt staying would mean for him and Tech will be forthcoming, but I’d be obliged to hear yours. Thanks in advance.
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538 comments Add your comment
crap!!
March 25th, 2010
1:50 pm
Well say hello to more mediocrity. Hopefully this a$$clown doesn’t think he will be here when this contract expires. When does it expire? He may have NO job at that point.
okiemon
March 25th, 2010
1:50 pm
“Let’s give him one more chance”. Seems like I kept hearing that about Chan Gailey, too, from those who think if you just keep doing the same thing, in the same way, maybe you’ll get different results.
VR Jacket
March 25th, 2010
1:51 pm
That was a punch in the gut.
Things were never the same after Cremins flip-flopped @ South Carolina.
Deja-vu all over again!
some sense
March 25th, 2010
1:51 pm
His going to St. John’s would have raised the standards of both schools.
acowa
March 25th, 2010
1:51 pm
This is a low blow Mark. You already know how the majority feel. No need to punch the guy in the balls.
Puke on DUKE
March 25th, 2010
1:51 pm
can’t take it anymore
TECHnician
March 25th, 2010
1:51 pm
With the season everyone forsees next year, he’s going to wish he had left.
gt3O
March 25th, 2010
1:52 pm
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I HATE MEDIOCRITY!!!!!!!!!
CAN’T……TAKE IT…………..ANY………MORE………….
BYE, BYE SEASON TICKETS!!!!!!!!! GTAA WILL NOT GET A RENEWAL FROM ME!
GT2002
March 25th, 2010
1:52 pm
Mark, I am crying on my keyboard as I type. You need to light him up for this one.
DAWGFAN
March 25th, 2010
1:52 pm
who would want to move to New York. Remember what John Rocker said. He nailed it.
Tech First
March 25th, 2010
1:52 pm
WELL SO MUCH FOR THAT!!!!!!!
GT2002
March 25th, 2010
1:53 pm
I am sending Drad an email now telling him I will NOT renew next year and I will not donate another dollar to the GTAA until he is gone.
BrokeBackJacket
March 25th, 2010
1:53 pm
Your hands are not tied! Get off your pc and write GTU Atheletic Dept..Buzz..you are right…dont like him fire him…you techies make more money than God…according to you…..Put up or STFU!!!
Keep it coming….funnier by the day!
Ya’ll are crazy as a car struck dog…CPH can coach..hell he almost has a winning recored against UGA….geeeeze….what you expect?
Bobby Cremins
March 25th, 2010
1:53 pm
Mark Bradley what have you unleashed? I haven’t seen a reaction like this since Health Care passage!
Buzz
March 25th, 2010
1:53 pm
CRAP!!! The contract NEVER runs out!!!!! IT’S GOLDEN and that’s why he wont leave until he’s fired to collect the almost 7 million!!!!! He’s no fool and I said he wouldn’t leave, he’s a bad basketball coach but not a FOOL!!!!
SoWeGa Jacket
March 25th, 2010
1:53 pm
I personally am pleased Hewitt is rumored to stay. According to NYT, the Atlanta media
is cited as a factor pressuring him. The media’s apparent support for Tubby at
Tech does not represent the interest of the school’s alumni. How about writing
an article about Hewitt’s strengths…He’s done a much better job than UGA’s coach,
IMHO, over the past few years in terms of recruiting among other factors…
acowa
March 25th, 2010
1:54 pm
GT2002,
Send me your address and I will send you a $5 UGAG shirt. They need you worse that we do.
TommyP
March 25th, 2010
1:54 pm
This is GREAT for Georgia basketball.
Hilarious that Georgia fans want him to stay and Tech fans want him out of there.
Jesse Stone
March 25th, 2010
1:56 pm
Don not go to AMC next year. Send a loud and clear message to Hewitt and DRad. Better yet, try the paper bag method that fans used with the NJ Nets. Nobody wants him here. He’s the drunk uncle that just won’t leave the party.
The Real Buzz
March 25th, 2010
1:56 pm
Jackets, we need to remember that we are not Duke or UNC. The fact is, whether you like to admit it or not, that we have a mid-teir program that is struggling to break in to the top 20 every year and that considers it a “win” for us to get to the tournament. We had better stop pretending to be a Final Four lock and just be grateful Hewitt stayed. Otherwise, we would suck even worse next year than we will already.
nickj0321
March 25th, 2010
1:57 pm
this is horrible news..i am pretty upset about it
Jacket Fan
March 25th, 2010
1:57 pm
This just proves that Hewitt is an idiot! He must be living in a bubble. He is not wanted at Tech! Back to underachieving and no hope!
Lance
March 25th, 2010
1:57 pm
Big deal. UGA owns you in B-ball too.
JJ
March 25th, 2010
1:58 pm
As a Georgia alum and fan, I love it. But I think it’s pretty stupid for CPH as it seemed to be a win win for both teck and him. If he fails to make the tourny next year he’ll likely be fired (assuming they can afford to do so) and without any immediate prospects for a job.
Had he left, he’d at least have stability for a few years. Now, what would be really great is if teck was really in such bad financial shape that they COULDN’T fire him and they were actually held hostage by Hewitt. That would be hilarious.
My blood runs yellow
March 25th, 2010
1:59 pm
Honestly, folks, who would you rather have coaching our team: Hewitt or Mark Fox? I have to say UGA is in a better spot than we are, and they are paying much less. We have a one & done this year with many of our players, and are stuck with a bad coach. Ugh.
gt3O
March 25th, 2010
1:59 pm
SoWeGa Jacket….
You have developed a severe case of Stockholm Syndrome. You’re simply empathizing with the captor (Paul Hewitt) and are not thinking clearly.
Remember that Paul Hewitt has finished sub .500 in ACC play over the last 6 years, and that’s WITH those good recruits you point as a “bright spot”. Better?
Charlie Dalton
March 25th, 2010
1:59 pm
The man lead our program to five NCAA tourneys in 10 years. He is a top recruiter. I’m grateful to have such an coach. I hope he stays for a long time. Coach Hewitt, best of luck whereever you end up…hopefully here.
Dink
March 25th, 2010
2:00 pm
Mark:
I don’t believe teh Tech fans can comment at this time, they’re both at a Star Trek convention.
Puke on DUKE
March 25th, 2010
2:00 pm
Brokeback Jacket is correct, why waste your time on this blog, blah blah blah, write GTAA. Yes DRAD but that Wayne Hogan too who thinks according to the quotes in AJC that everything is business as usual at GT and all is just peachy. Well, I got news for you HOGAN, if you people do not have the kahoonas to do something about this mess, hopefully, your job will be eliminated to pay for it because don’ ask me for money. I am sick of you people walking around with blinders on.
The truth
March 25th, 2010
2:00 pm
Posters here are so dumb. He turned down $11M guaranteed over 5 years to stay at $7M over 5. I wish he had gone, it would have been better for us and them. However, money was not the issue. Try to be smarter when you post.
critic
March 25th, 2010
2:01 pm
I don’t care if they lose them all anymore – GT basketball is dead to me.
GTGuy44
March 25th, 2010
2:01 pm
A very sad day and probably the saddest of so many for the last 6 years.
Johns Creek Jacket
March 25th, 2010
2:02 pm
I think ten years is long enough to establish your program and show the school what you are capable of achieving. Hewitt has shown that he is a 7 and 9, 7th or 8th place in the ACC kind of coach. He has shown that he can recruit NBA-type talent but can’t develop that talent at the college level. He has shown that he can get his teams to play with some intensity and success on defense but can’t develop any consistency, continuity or chemistry on offense. His teams, however, are quite consistent in leading the ACC in turnovers and missed free throws. His resume and record speaks for itself. We should expect nothing more than the same level of mediocrity we have experienced to date. I think many of my fellow alumni have higher hopes and expectations from the progam than Paul Hewitt has demonstrated he can deliver. Its time to move on.
DAWGFAN
March 25th, 2010
2:02 pm
What yall need is a gimmick offense like the football team. oh yeah 30-24 all year.
Gordon
March 25th, 2010
2:02 pm
Radakovich should NOT reward him by firing him and then watch him take the St. John’s job anyway. The fans should make his life a living hell until he resigns.
The Dude
March 25th, 2010
2:03 pm
This makes me want to puke. Sorry Georgia Tech, but I will not support Paul Hewitt. I will support Georgia Tech, but not Hewitt.
oldfart
March 25th, 2010
2:03 pm
Lose/Lose
TomB
March 25th, 2010
2:03 pm
I believe this is horrible news for Tech and Hewitt. For Tech, season ticket sales will continue to plummet and there is no excitement in the program anymore. For Hewitt, this is the worst decision for him professionally, as this was the opportune time for him to leave while he still has some market value. Financially, Hewitt can’t lose either way. Bad decision for both.
The Dude
March 25th, 2010
2:04 pm
The truth, how dumb are you?
crap!!
March 25th, 2010
2:04 pm
He stayed because he knows he will get his A$$ handed him to him in the Big East. His coaching ineptness would be exposed quickly there. Calhoun, Pitino, Boeheim, Huggins, and more were licking their chops at the prospect of this arrogant “coach” coming north. He will be booed out of the arena next year…with what few fans are there.
Steve
March 25th, 2010
2:04 pm
Ha ha ha. It’s so great to be a Georgia fan! Pretty funny that UGA will have a better record then Tech in both basketball and football this coming season. Mark Fox has done a great job with what he has had to work with at UGA and they will only get better (they are already good enough to beat Tech). Richt had one bad year (8 wins is not really a bad year but is for UGA. For Tech, that is a great year). Next year and years after that UGA will be back to winning 10-12 games a year. Tech will be lucky to win 9 next year and we all know how bad they will get beat in Athens in November!
The Bee Keeper
March 25th, 2010
2:05 pm
Now who went and stirred up all these bees again? And it’s just been 4 days since that bad old Brutus the Buckeye got’m all stirred up, dang it!
Doug the Jacket
March 25th, 2010
2:05 pm
It’s time to go – one more season and fired with a golden parachute, but it is time to go. Just flirting with another school ensures drop-off in talent. Go!
Puke on DUKE
March 25th, 2010
2:05 pm
all that is on these blogs are idiots primarily UGA that wants Hewitt around forever. No reall GT fan beside 5% wants this to continue. 2-14 in the 2009 season was the last draw. I am also sick and tired of comments about be thankful GT got in the tournament, blank that crap. GT can do much better ….
Jacket Fan
March 25th, 2010
2:06 pm
How can anyone say we cannot compete with UNC or Dook. Does anyone remember the good Cremins years. We are sitting in the middle of the ripest recruiting area in the country, in a top BB conference, with a brand new facility. A good coach with recruiting skills in Metro Atlanta can bring the program back! one winning record in ACC in 10 years is not acceptable at any ACC school. One losing ACC season for UNC or Dook puts their coach on the hot seat. Hewitt is an idiot and Drad aint far behind.
GTBlogScott
March 25th, 2010
2:06 pm
I am sad either way. Bottom-line is that I wanted nothing more than for Coach Hewitt to be successful and take Georgia Tech to a higher level of consistent winning. At this point I’m like many who are convinced he’s a great person, great recruiter, great representative but just not a great teacher of the game.
I believe we have seen the ceiling with Coach Hewitt. We will never be a regular season power (even 1 year out of 10 would have been nice). Our hope will always lie in winning enough just to get to the dance and hoping to catch lightening in a bottle. It happened 1 time in 10 years. There were many other years I just wanted to hit the bottle.
Coach Hewitt will work hard, recruit hard and push his players hard. He’ll do it with class and integrity. He’ll also lose more close games than he wins. He’ll have more one-and-done players than anyone else, primarily because he’s so good at getting them, but also because at Georgia Tech, they just don’t stay.
On every day of the year he’s the right guy for Georgia Tech, except on gameday. However, I’ll say it again – I want Coach Hewitt to be THE guy who succeeds here. He gets “it”. He understands what Georgia Tech is about.
So I am a bit sad he’s staying because I don’t see another mountaintop……. and there was going to be sadness to see him go. The sadness is just a reflection on years of great players but too much standing around waiting for lightening.
nickj0321
March 25th, 2010
2:06 pm
Steve – UGA basketball sucks…you my friend are an idiot…
GTPhenom
March 25th, 2010
2:06 pm
Our one chance . . . gone . . . just like that. Well, that is it then. He has this one lifeline left. He F’s this up, not only will he have little hope left from the GTAA, he will be RUN out of Atlanta. This was our chance out of the never ending contract, and him not taking this opportunity to get out instantly changes the eggs he WAS walking on into spikes. Screw it up, and things get even worse. He thinks people (myself included) are angry now? You come back and dissapoint, and people will be gunning for his head.
Duke Yellowjacket
March 25th, 2010
2:07 pm
Gordon says: The fans should make his life a living hell until he resigns.
You can bet we will, Gordo.
DAWGFAN
March 25th, 2010
2:07 pm
Season tickets at tech? What a joke.You guys are funny.