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
cewbee
March 25th, 2010
3:56 pm
Big mistake, Paul………………..
TechProf
March 25th, 2010
3:57 pm
I include this final comment to demonstrate that I am not always quite so longwinded. Go Jackets! and good bye.
Jesse Stone
March 25th, 2010
3:57 pm
Comparing Cremins’ and Hewitt’s Final Four runs: They both lost to the National Champ. Tech lost to one of the best teams EVER (UNLV) by 9. UNLV went on to beat duke in the championship by 30. If the only argument you have about Hewitt being better at Tech than Cremins is that Hewitt made it one game further, you have nothing.
TomB
March 25th, 2010
3:58 pm
Johnny Weissmuller: I couldn’t disagree more. Please tell me why Hewitt was hired? He had three years of head coach experience at Siena before his hire at Tech. Only one year at Siena did he go to the NCAA tournament so where were the credentials that made him a head coach candidate at Tech. And this was after Cremins put Tech on the map and made it a very attractive job. Now if the only criteria was hiring a young black head coach then you have your answer. Why couldn’t we hire someone today(black or white-who cares as long as they can coach) with more experience then Hewitt had ten years ago? We can and everyone knows it.
Paul Hewitt Fan Club
March 25th, 2010
3:58 pm
I am so glad the boss man is staying. WE RUN THIS CONFERENCE and Paul Hewitt is THE best coach in the ACC, just like at our first round win in the NCAA’s and making the final’s of the ACC.
WE are the powerhouse of this conference, NOT Duke and CERTAINLY NOT UNC.
WE RUN THIS CONFERENCE
Jackets2010
March 25th, 2010
3:58 pm
Techprof.
My first Tech game was a 14-7 win over Tenn in 1960 at the age of 12.
I want to make clear I respect your point of view.
One of the usual bloggers posted some racist remarks and I posted against his bringing race into the argument.
We would had a respectful debate in person I am sure.
I do not see what we can do about the contract Braine gave Hewitt.
You are aware of the rollover and 7.1 million he will get if fired?
cheesehoops
March 25th, 2010
3:59 pm
@TechProf – Have you had basketball players in your classes or been on athletic advisement boards … or are you just weighing in with your opinion from your perspective?
Jesse Stone
March 25th, 2010
4:00 pm
collegeballfan- What 3 “big guys” are you talking about returning for Tech? Are you including Brad Sheehan?
gt_thwg
March 25th, 2010
4:00 pm
OH MY GOD! JUST LEAVE ALREADY! The worse free throw shooting in the ACC. Horrible turnover totals. Poor shot selection. TOTAL lack of team play. It all equals bad coaching…as a Tech alum and lifelong fan, I could only hope that St. Johns would have taken him.
Happy, Happy, Happy
March 25th, 2010
4:00 pm
It’s a GREAT DAY to be a Georgia Bulldog!!!
Johnny Weissmuller
March 25th, 2010
4:00 pm
groundfog & TomB
Ok I have no problem with your differing opinion, but please answer my question….
“Realistically, WHO could you get to come here to GT and be more successful than Hewitt???”
Cannot decide ...........help me please
March 25th, 2010
4:01 pm
Simply cannot decide which is funnier. The moron navy fly by or Tech being STUCK with CPH awhile longer. Hmmm?
Can you help me? I am splitting a gut giggling about this. You all got a grin outt of Richt’s D coach overtures, so excuse us UGA fans if we just laugh it up at YOUR EXPENSE.
Tower to Hornets, Dobbins tower to Hornets, um, ah you buzzzzzzzzzzzed The Varsity, you morons. Pull up and get ready to PUMP JET FUEL.
B-U-Z-Z-Z NOW takes on an all new meaning forever clown. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzzzz
Maverisk and Cugar??????????? Try DUMB and DUMBER
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHAHAHAHHAAH
Go Dogs.
Johnny Weissmuller
March 25th, 2010
4:01 pm
Please name some realistic replacements
Coach Hewitt..
March 25th, 2010
4:01 pm
As your Coach, I just want to promise all the GT Basketball supporters that I will continue to put the same Quality teams (effort & W-L wise)that you have been accustomed to during my tenure at GT. I look forward to being the Coach at GT for a very long time……………………..
Now… $7.1 million or STFU… I run this school….Call Mike Carmandy(my UGA grad lawyer when you have my money),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LMMFAO..Paul.
All I'm Saying Is...
March 25th, 2010
4:01 pm
I told you all from the get-go that the man was staying. His extended family is in Atlanta, his kids have grown up here and in school for years, and, most importantly, his wife prefers the ATL to going back to NYC and those winters no matter how much money they were prepared to pay.
What you GT fans need to do now is
1) Stop listening to Mark Bradley and rally around the coach you’re stuck with for another year
2) Tell Favors and Gawal that the NBA dollars will be there, they have unfinished business, and that you’re only young once so enjoy college and return to GT for another year
3) Pray that Hewitt finds a point guard who won’t turn the ball over, moves Schumpert [sp.] to shooting guard where he belongs, and teaches his team how to properly handle in-bounding the ball on an out of bounds play.
With these things done, GT could have an awesome 2010-2011 season.
Jackets2010
March 25th, 2010
4:02 pm
TomB I recall a lot of hostility towards Cremins’ lack of production in March Madness.
Like Hewitt, he only had one year of overproduction there and many seasons ended in disappointment.
Cremins and Hewitt are a lot alike I am sorry to tell you.
juvenal
March 25th, 2010
4:02 pm
MB, predicted would not be about $-above post is concern, esp with 1&>, will low grad rate lead to ncaa sanctions, & is that”cause”?
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
March 25th, 2010
4:02 pm
I disagree with one poster I think with a different coach tech could be competing with duke and NC every year and always be in the top 15. I think tech can be a national power year in and year out with the right coaching . I am a proud DAWG fan but I am also a fan or any great basketball and I would like to see it at tech except for one game a year of course.
Coach Hewitt's Johnson
March 25th, 2010
4:02 pm
I’m HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE to stay. Bet the UGA folks are happpppppppppppppppY!!!!
antidawg
March 25th, 2010
4:03 pm
How can you be a Hewitt supporter. Yes he maybe a great recruiter but he can not coach to save his life. as long as hewitt is the coach we will have a losing record in the acc and never get to the sweet 16. It feels like Chan Gailey is our basketball coach.
Coach Hewitt's Johnson
March 25th, 2010
4:03 pm
Enjoy Tech Fan’s my personal version of “The Hangover”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JTH
March 25th, 2010
4:03 pm
Bobby Cremins and Mark Price must be rolling over in their graves.
TomB
March 25th, 2010
4:04 pm
Johnny Weissmuller; Are you watching the tournament? Throw a dart at one of the young coaches, and you will probably find one with more experience than Hewitt had ten years ago.
Small Johnson
March 25th, 2010
4:05 pm
Jesse Stone
Im hiring you to figure out the 100 year mystery in ATL
Here is the case.
There is a college located in downtown ATL
ATL is ranked 4th in football recruiting and 1,2, or 3 in basketball recruiting.
Yet they cant seem to win in either sport and consistantly lose to their big brother in beautiful Athens a small town east of ATL.
They never can fill their highschool sized stadium located in the middle of 5.5 million people and yet year after year their big brother in rural Athens continues to fill and add on to a stadium that is the 6th largest on campus stadium in the country.
They think they are so academically smart and yet they still cannot win.
Jesse Stone
I just think they are a bunch of wanna bee losers whose campus needs to be relocated out of the high crime area and rebuilt to look more like a campus instead of state prison.
Jesse Stone will you take this case and get back with us with your findings
IC Atlanta
March 25th, 2010
4:05 pm
Hope he teaches the guys how to inbound balls over the off season. I was excited about the prospect of a new coach, but now that he is staying I hope he improves and we win.
One thing you can say for Hewitt his players never get in legal trouble and he is a good representative of the school.
JTH
March 25th, 2010
4:05 pm
I bet Mark Bradley is off Hewitt’s Christmas card list.
WTF
March 25th, 2010
4:06 pm
It’s all about the Benjamins
Pi$$onaDAWG
March 25th, 2010
4:06 pm
A UGA fan saying GT Basketball is in the middle of the ACC pack and we can’t get better? HAHAHAH And UGA football is in the same BOAT but you think you are SEC FOOTBALL GODS. AHHAHAHA. RICHT is the SEC football version of Hewitt in ACC basketball so STFU.
BuzzGT
March 25th, 2010
4:07 pm
Let’s take the football approach here. Sometimes in football you have to use a scholarship on a kicker. We need one or two guys who can hit free throws at the end of a game (consistently).
Cannot decide ...........help me please
March 25th, 2010
4:07 pm
One more word …………..the LOOK on tech’s graduates when they left the BD stadium after a lousy, lousy UGA football team physically put a bad A– whuppin on the she men from Tech. Your DE Morgan ? He is vastly over rated as are Dwyer and baybay ( um, ah boardhands ) and Josh Nesbitt, um your passing QB.
LOL at tech.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2010
4:07 pm
I was never on the list, JTH.
groundfog
March 25th, 2010
4:08 pm
Hewitt has lowered bar of Ga Tech basketball plain and simple. He has been at tech long enough to build a resume of inconsistency. Time for him to go and give someone else a shot. He has not come anywhere near what Cremins did.
wes
March 25th, 2010
4:09 pm
2011 GT basketball = 2007 GT football.
Both teams coming off losing their conference championship game.
Both teams coaches were (and will be) booed incessantly.
Both teams will have fired their coach at season’s end.
gtjacket81
March 25th, 2010
4:09 pm
We could do alot worse. Let’s let him build on this year with another good recruiting class. Unless there’s another Paul Johnson of basketball in the wings then Hewitt should continue. But he does need to beat UGA. (See Chan Gailey) I was much more upset about the basketball loss to UGA than losing the Orange Bowl to Iowa (on the same night)
groundfog
March 25th, 2010
4:10 pm
Bradley, I congratulate you on actually reporting the facts of Paul Hewitt’s tenure iin the ACC. When all else fails,, when the whining stops-look at his achievements in the ACC. Should Tech expect better? IMO absolutely
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
March 25th, 2010
4:11 pm
Hewitt is near universally loathed at Tech by fans and administration ain’t too fond of him, either, best I can tell. I think he just wants to stick it to Tech, collect $7 million and go on his happy@$$ way.
All I'm Saying Is...
March 25th, 2010
4:12 pm
Johnny Weissmuller: I agree with you completely and have been typing much the same thing during this whole St. John’s thing.
TechProf: Where have you been? GT hasn’t been graduating its basketball players since the late Sammy Drummer and Tico Brown played and didn’t leave with their degrees. In fact Sammy Drummer left Tech barely literate. If you don’t believe me, see the ESPN Outside The Lines report on him (just search on Sammy Drummer).
So for your to get on some high horse and try to call out PH for GT graduation rate of its basketball players is a joke. No GT basketball coach has ever graduated players at a rate to write home about and this is a wide-spread problem throughout both major college sports (hoops and football) with the real crime being what courses these athletes are steered to and what majors they are often stuck with and until the NCAA puts some teeth into what they expect, it will never change.
groundfog
March 25th, 2010
4:12 pm
Hewitt wants to be fired, there is no doubt. He can be an analyst for a few years while Tech continues to pay him. He knows next year is his last year imo.
He made a smart move for himself that’s for sure, because next years team will be awful.
juvenal
March 25th, 2010
4:13 pm
because if poor academics=lost schols, DRad can pull the plug anytime, but may work out better till chans paid off, lousy next season with r-FR frontline…IF that is “cause”..
Johnny Weissmuller
March 25th, 2010
4:13 pm
TomB
Sure there are more talented HC’s out there, but that’s not my question.
Which one of those HCs REALISTICALLY could you get at GT?
TomB
March 25th, 2010
4:13 pm
Jackets2010: I beg to differ. Cremins won three ACC championships and had a higher overall winning percentage. In addition, Cremin’s teams had one final four, an elite eight and three sweet sixteen appearances in the NCAA tournament. Outside of Hewitt’s championship game appearance, his teams have only one time advanced past the first round of the NCAA. Hewitt coached teams have never reached a sweet sixteen outside of the final four year. The major reason Tech fans soured on Cremins was his flip flop via the South Carolina job. After this, Cremins had a difficult time recruiting and his last four years were a major disappointment.
CPH vs CMR
March 25th, 2010
4:14 pm
Hewitt has not the % of wins as Richt in their respective sports. Richt is the ONLY COACH IN THE ENTIRE HEMISPHERE to have WON 8 or more NCAA ( big boy ) football games over the last 9 years and with Donnan in there it grows to over 13 years for UGA.
Um, ah, with Chan The Man in there, um tech and CPJ are laughable over 3, 5 years or 15 years or 25, or 35 years or even 45 years and 50 years, even back to Dodd’s last MISERABLE YEARS.
Hewitt? STUCK WITH HIM and UGA LOVES IT. Man were the looks on tech grads leaving Athens worth a steak at Outback after that B ball game. AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHA
“Our men gone on to be OFFICERS in the US NAVY” ………….um, ah do not go there.
Duck, hide, there goes another stolen car and a bullet. Look out! Be very, very, very careful techies.
Sirens, cop car blue lights, muggings, pistol whippins, knifings …………..ah the good life at college.
DAWGFAN
March 25th, 2010
4:14 pm
Small Johnson-Hilarious,keep it coming
Gus
March 25th, 2010
4:14 pm
If SJU had offered him a similar “almost-can’t-be-fired-ever” contract with a golden parachute, he would be announcing his new college home tonight. But no one else is stupid enough to give him the kind of sweetheart deal he has right now. So no, he won’t be going. He’d be an idiot to leave unless they double or triple his salary. Otherwise, why leave one of the better jobs in the best conference with the best job security for a mediocre opportunity in a worse conference with no job security? It is sad, because to watch Tech these days is to see how much a coach can impact a team of young men (or not). I really want him to go, but unfortunately he won’t….
JB
March 25th, 2010
4:17 pm
I think Hewitt’ lawyer Jackie Childs got involved………….killed the deal……..Why would you leave Tech with a 6-7 mil buyout?……He’s hit the lottery….and he knows it.
Staring "Captain Barbosa" in Mutiny in the ATL
March 25th, 2010
4:18 pm
Arrh, Me thinks the wreck we have come to know as Tech is nothing more than a sinking Ghost Ship
Batten down the hatches boys and get ready for that whippin in November.
TomB
March 25th, 2010
4:19 pm
Johnny Weissmuller: Do you really honestly believe Tech is a bad place to coach? With the city of Atlanta, and an ACC conference school? You are sadly mistaken if you think any of these up and coming coaches wouldn’t die for the GT job. The rumors were flying that Tubby Smith would jump at the chance to go to Tech and this was from people in the know.
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 25th, 2010
4:20 pm
Johnny Weissmuller, who can GT get better than Phewitt?!?
Really, I mean REALLY?
He has 1 ACC winning season at GT IN ELEVEN YEARS!!!
You tell me, WHO CAN DO WORSE THAN THAT. Dear lord.
Wall, meet head. Head, meet wall.
there, thats better…
Jackets2010
March 25th, 2010
4:20 pm
Jesse
Now that wasn’t my argument.
One of my complaints as a long time Georgia Tech fan is with the hiring process of both coaches and ADs.
We finally have a good AD in DRAD.
And surprise, that resulted in a very good head coach.
I am neither Hewitt’s biggest critic or fan.
We replaced Cremins with a black version of him.
Good recruiter who didn’t produce in the Big Dance.
Cremins had what was called “the best starting 5 in the nation” and didn’t make the final 8, losing to LSU in sweet 16.
That year was at least as disappointing as this one.
MiamiJacket
March 25th, 2010
4:21 pm
Since he’s not going to leave by himself, can we possibly demote him to assistant coach? Let’s allow each player to take a turn running the team for the first 10 games or so and then appoint a player/coach like Pete Rose used to be. Maybe we can shame him into reducing the buyout.