Georgia Tech’s coaching search: Won’t be much longer, folks
Gregg Marshall in his Winthrop days. I'm guessing he's high on Radakovich's list. (AP photo)
Perhaps you have questions about Georgia Tech’s coaching vacancy. You’re not alone. I do, too. The man who could answer them all — athletic director Dan Radakovich — isn’t talking, but in his stead I’ll offer what I know and what I’ve been given reason to believe. And, as a bonus, even a wild guess.
What’s taking so long?
Paul Hewitt was fired nearly two weeks ago. If Tech hasn’t interviewed anyone — and as of Wednesday morning, it hadn’t — it hasn’t been to heighten the drama. Most of the coaches in whom Tech has interest have teams still playing, which would only make sense. Wouldn’t want to hire someone whose team didn’t reach the postseason, would you?
When will interviews begin?
As soon as those coaches’ teams lose.
Does Tech have a short list? Is there a leading candidate?
Yes to the first. And if there’s a leading candidate, he hasn’t been identified by any outsider in position to know. Though it seems fair to guess that Chris Mooney of Richmond and Gregg Marshall of Wichita State — both of whose teams were still alive as of Wednesday – are obvious top-of-the-list possibilities, with Tommy Amaker of Harvard, Shaka Smart of VCU and Chris Mack of Xavier mixed in.
Why didn’t you include Brad Stevens of Butler?
He could have his pick of almost any job almost any year. There’s no guarantee he’ll ever leave Butler, and if he does there’s no reason to think Tech will be the destination.
What about Mark Price? What about Craig Neal? What about Kenny Anderson?
Tech has to know those distinguished alums have expressed interest in the job, and there would seem no percentage in not making some sort of contact with each. That said, it’s difficult to conceive of a scenario in which Radakovich’s first look wouldn’t be at candidates who are head coaches.
Is money a factor for Tech?
It is. Hewitt made $1.3 million; in hiring his successor, the Institute can’t go much above that. (Anthony Grant, by way of contrast, is making $1.8 million at Alabama. The big football schools can also afford to spend on basketball.) A key reason to focus on mid-major coaches is that they’re more apt to fall in Tech’s price range.
Will the searches of North Carolina State/Oklahoma/Missouri/Tennessee squeeze Tech?
All four will aim higher than a mid-major coach. (As did Arkansas, which just lured Mike Anderson from Missouri.) Rumored targets at N.C. State include Pitt’s Jamie Dixon and Arizona’s Sean Miller; Buzz Williams of Marquette is thought to be on Oklahoma’s list. Tennessee is looking to make a splash in finding Bruce Pearl’s replacement — AD Mike Hamilton has his own job to save — but might not be as attractive as Tech. The Vols, as you’ve heard, have NCAA issues.
Some have questioned whether Tech is a good job. Is there reason to believe no worthwhile candidate will say yes?
It’s in the ACC. It’s in the capital of a state that produces a ton of basketball talent. It can pay more than a million dollars a year, and in 2012 it will open a refurbished arena. More than a few accomplished mid-major coaches would take a charge from Shaquille O’Neal for the chance to work here.
Does Radakovich know what he’s doing?
Let’s recall his admission that he’d reached the decision to fire Hewitt three weeks before doing it. Does anyone think those three weeks were spent not mulling replacements? Let’s note that Radakovich made the considered decision not to employ Parker Executive Search, the Atlanta-based firm that does almost everyone’s coach-hunting now (including N.C. State’s and Georgia State’s), but to seek the counsel of Eddie Fogler, a former coach and a basketball lifer. Let’s also note that D-Rad’s first big hire — Parker Search assisted in that process, FYI — was Paul Johnson, and two years later the Jackets were playing in the Orange Bowl.
Radakovich has said he wants a coach in place by the Final Four, which convenes April 1 in Houston. Why?
Three reasons. First, it has become difficult for a high-profile AD to interview coaches in a city overrun by coaches — their annual convention is held concurrent with the Final Four — and media. Second, the convention would give the new Tech coach a chance to hire his staff, should the need occur. Third, Tech would like to take advantage of that media glut to get a little buzz going regarding its new man.
When should we expect D-Rad to have his man?
By this time next week, give or take a day.
Last question: Who will it be?
Just guessing, I’d say Mooney or Marshall. Just guessing, you hear?
By Mark Bradley
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382 comments Add your comment
ANTOINEFORD
March 23rd, 2011
4:01 pm
Price was such an excellent assistant at Tech that he went 5-11 in the ACC that year and managed to get Cremins fired. The next season he found himself working as an assistant for a high school team. This year, he’ll be lucky to find a head coaching job in a church league.
Tech Forever
March 23rd, 2011
4:02 pm
sk
Top 10 NCAA Tournament overachieveing active coaches (min. 5 appearances)
1 – Izzo
2 – Beilein
3 – Fisher
4 – Larranaga
5 – Pitino
After this tournament is over Stevens will be in the top 5 and Pitino will fall out. Incidentally, we just fired the 17th best. Problem is with only 6 career appearances he didn’t make it to the tournament enough times in 11 years to keep his job.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:05 pm
We heard you the first time Antoine.
Wasn’t the next job as head coach of the high school team?
Whatever.
I agree it isn’t enough.
Doubtful he is on the short list.
If character was king in coaching, Curry would have done a lot better here.
Tech Forever
March 23rd, 2011
4:07 pm
sk
I agree. Richmond went over 70 points 17 times this year. That’s hardly the Carril offense he’s running.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 23rd, 2011
4:11 pm
For all of you who like to participate in guessing games, I am sure this one about the next GT BB coach is a great thing. Personally its getting old to me. I have heard so many people including the local media talk about something that they haven`t a clue about. The amount of blogs we have going on now rival the number we had about wanting to get Hewitt fired. I hope it is over soon.
JSS
March 23rd, 2011
4:13 pm
If it does not begin and end with Shaka Smart; then they need to shut the program down…
Not A Hewitt Fan
March 23rd, 2011
4:14 pm
Im rooting for Mooney. But if it falls through go with Price and Neal as asst coach. Local talk show radio hosts brought up a VERY good point regarding Shaka zulu. Hes had some dial it in nights this year, including one against a SORRY GSU team. We just ran one just like him off. No more losses to IUIPUI/Kennesaw/ UNC Asheville for a while. Need to go inna toally different direction for the next hire…..at least for the next coach imo.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:15 pm
MB’s Booster.
We’re trying to get Mark a raise so he’ll throw a big pre game party.
Skeezix
March 23rd, 2011
4:17 pm
Marshall can flat out coach and would be a great hire.
Not A Hewitt Fan
March 23rd, 2011
4:17 pm
Guess free speech isnt alive and well on this blog.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:18 pm
Now why would we need to close the program down and lose all that money?
Just using a figure of speech to exaggerate what you would consider a mistake?
Seniors can make some coaches look better than they are.
A tough decison coming up.
tech86
March 23rd, 2011
4:24 pm
Was Bobby Cremins a low mid major pick or high mid major pick? does it really matter? what we need at Tech is a guy who can coach, recruit, develop talent and graduate guys. We can still get the one and doners, but the majority need to guys who will stay 4 years. I still think that guy is Donnie Tyndall, in spite of the 4 year extension (Mooney just signed a 7 year extension, got that from a Richmond grad), the recruiting violation was minor (aren’t they all). This guy will take the job if offered, first hand knowledge and he will stay at Tech until we ask him to leave. All these other guys seem to be using jobs as stepping stones to the “next” big gig. The Duke assistants forget it, we as Tech fans should never want that especially after getting stuck with Bill Lewis,(UGA Asst). Mark you keep tossing names out jsut to get us going, it is working, but maybe we need a coach who has built a program from ground up with nothing and rather than someone who has inherited a team. Tyndall recruits Georgia and the Atl and would be a good representative for Tech. Up-tempo is the name of the game and maybe with Donnie, HewittFan and the Atlanta celtics will consider us again.
Mark Bradley
March 23rd, 2011
4:25 pm
I’m not tossing out names just to get anybody going.
BYRDDAWG
March 23rd, 2011
4:29 pm
Hey maybe tech could hire Hewitt Fan’s coach of the Atlanta Celtics……then he would be happy & have ALL the insider knowledge in the Coach K conference!!!! LOL
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:32 pm
Funny Tech86.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:34 pm
Liked the article this morning and the summation of the players in the comments, Mark.
Too bad Turner didn;t sell to the Texas guy.
He couldn’t have done worse with either franchize.
David McDavid, was it?
gh
March 23rd, 2011
4:34 pm
well Mark Bradley calls Mark Price a distinguished alum, that’s the nicest thing you can muster compared to your assessment of him last yr which stated he has no chance or experience. lol
If Marshall is the newest darling then why didn’t SC or Clemson want him when they both had openings? Anybody at AJC every thought of asking Fogler that one? Of course not.
If Bobby Cremins beats Marshall and Witchita State at Witchita State, what will you poor bloggers do then who despise Cremins? Guess you will all spin it to praise the loser and point fingers at the winner.
And then there is Mooney. Of course , you bloggers singing his praises won’t mind if he only wins 10 games his first season but would rally to have Price ousted if that is all he did. It still makes me laugh that some of you are so blind death and dumb over Price. How the blank does someone become an NBA All Star and not know a blanking thing in your minds about how to coach a college bb team?
If I had to take the educated opinions of AJC sportswriters and the GT bloggers so adamantly against Price on here OR the former GT players (Barry and Scott and others) who played in the NBA, I’m going with the players opinions.
How good was Price? Taking a look at this elite photo of the best of the best says it all. Gee, is that Mark between Jordan and Bird?
http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/1990_threepoint_shooters.jpg
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:35 pm
Thinking about this morning’s article, I wonder how the Hawks would have fared with David McDavid as the owner?
Mark Bradley
March 23rd, 2011
4:36 pm
David McDavid. Yes indeedy.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:42 pm
He couldn’t have done worse, could he?
You gave the Hawks the spanking they had coming and their coach needs to give them.
Mark Bradley
March 23rd, 2011
4:43 pm
I just don’t know how you get blown out at home. No excuse for that.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:45 pm
For the Price and Neal fans, I’m ok with the hire of either.
You advise for it.
I advise against.
DRAD could care less for either opinion.
He’ll take the heat if he gets this one wrong.
Not us.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:46 pm
How did JJ play so good the other day (Bucks?) to go back to crummy so soon?
sk
March 23rd, 2011
4:48 pm
Overachieving vs underachieving though can yield different results using different metrics. After all, Hewitt might have ranked well in outperforming his tournament seed – but if you wanted to measure wins relative to NBA talent, he’d fall well short of other coaches (and of course, as Tech Forever noted – that was his ouster). That Top 5 list is interesting … Izzo requires no explanation, Fisher had the Fab Five and that magical run in 1989 principally. Larranaga – well, the final four appearance in 2006 essentially skews his work a ton (considering how rarely Mason is a higher seed). Pitino and Beilein have ridden (Pitino moreso early in his career) quirky systems that are hard to prepare for if you haven’t seen them. That won’t win national championships in the long haul – but yes, for some interesting tourney runs, it is pretty cool.
Before we get too into what happens in March though, there is that whole November through February business – and everything starts cleaning THAT up. Ultimately I am less interested in a coach’s tournament metrics (what he does when he gets to the tournament) than his ability to turn out 10 win seasons in the ACC. If the next coach can get us more of THAT, the success on other fronts will more than likely take care of itself.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:48 pm
JJ needs to show he gives a damn.
I still can’t see resigning him if he doesn’t care more than he does or is not willing to show it if he does.
WichitanJacket
March 23rd, 2011
4:48 pm
If you want to see Gregg Marshall’s Wichita State team in action check out the game tonight (7pm ESPN2) as they take on Bobby Cremins’ College of Charleston team. You may even catch a glimpse of Marshall asking Cremins what it is like coaching at Tech.
Tech Forever
March 23rd, 2011
4:48 pm
gh
Honest question that has nothing to do with basketball. Were you in favor of letting Gailey go?
sk
March 23rd, 2011
4:55 pm
if Mark Price had eligibility left and the ACC games were decided by free throw contests, he’d be a shoo-in … what is fascinating is equating “Mark Price should not be a serious candidate” with hatred or anything. I mean, NC State went down the famous alum rabbit hole with Sidley Lowe – and he actually had head coaching experience!! Look at how well THAT went.
Gregg Marshall btw is also a solid candidate – he was not a sexy hire at the time that South Carolina hired Horn. Horn had his Sweet 16 appearance with Western Kentucky – young bloke who could win the presser. As far as Clemson’s hire … Brad Brownell was a very similar sort of hire to a guy like Marshall – just a really good basketball coach, and clearly Clemson has made a sound decision.
sk
March 23rd, 2011
4:59 pm
The amazing thing with the Hawks this season is Josh Smith unlearning what he learned a year ago. He was arguably the Hawks best player because he had a huge uptick in shot selection. This year he cleaned up his foul shooting (not great, but no longer a liability) but now suddenly thinks he should be shooting 3-pointers again (and yep, he still shoots them poorly). Not sure if that was him or Larry Drew thinking that he can make them more than he actually can.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
4:59 pm
Ex-players get hired when the choice becomes a popularity contest (and the AD is weak and takes the easy way out).
Time and again, many of the ex-players chosen have lacked sufficient experience as a head coach.
Why do many crummy players become good coaches?
Because they have to work their way up, proving they have mastered all the skills necessary for the job.
They don’t get the top job before they are ready for it.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 23rd, 2011
5:00 pm
Mark: Still your booster but please explain why there are 3 articles written by three different AJC writers at approximately the same time today on this already over hyped subject of who the next GT BB coach will be. Did your boss want you ,Jeff and Doug to do this or did you three just not communicate?
WnE
March 23rd, 2011
5:07 pm
re:
sk
March 23, 2011
3:54 pm
———————————————-
DRad’s “system” for GT FB is a sham, it REQUIRES GT FB to water down the OOC Schedule and then “hope & pray” that the ACC stays “weak” in FB; against EVERY “legit Physical robust BCS Team”, CPJ and his system have failed miserably, GT has been manhandled physically by:
L$U
Iowa
N.C. State
Miami (1-2)
Va. Tech (1-2)
ug@ (1-2)
while feasting on watered down OOC Teams and the likes of UVA., Dook, and Wake, IF DRad had so much faith in what Coach Kung Fu Panda was doing with GT FB he would have left Bama on the schedule for 2012, instead DRad tucked his tail and ran away from that Game like a wuss.
What you have posted SK is the NUMBER ONE PROBLEM with GT Athletics, GT tries too hard to “gimmick its way” into the upper ranks” of CFB & B-ball without giving enough “respect” to the role that TALENT plays.
This “anti-talent mantra” that too many GT fans believe in is what is really holding GT sports back, GT BASEBALL doesn’t try to “cut corners” with less-than-elite Talent, so why not take that same mentality to FB & B-Ball?
In summary the only thing that is keeping GT from Recruiting more elite Talent in FB & B-Ball is GT’s own stupid “self-inflicted” rules, that can be easily adjusted WITHOUT sacrificing any part of GT’s Academic Reputation, what 95 to 100 FB & B-ball players choose to major in has NO IMPACT on the Academic Reputation that the rest of the 15,000 or so students that attend GT are able to take with them into the workplace.
Just ask Stanford, Cal, Dook, UVa., UNC-Chapel Hill, Michigan, Notre Dame, all schools with EQUAL OR BETTER Academic Reputations as GT.
To all GT Fans please stop playing the Academics Card on sports-themed blogs, it only embarrasses you and the school.
GTGuy44
March 23rd, 2011
5:15 pm
The odds are better than 50/50 that Mark Price gets the job. Re-igniting the spark of the Tech faithful is critical and the consensus is that Mark would do that better and more quickly than any outsider. Every player who played with Mark and has offered his opinion thinks that Mark would do a great job.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
5:21 pm
Maybe the ex-players wnat jobs as assistants.
Just kiding.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
5:27 pm
Are any ex-players going to attend any game where they are not getting some award?
How many who have offered opinions care enough about the program to buy season tickets?
That comment could apply to bloggers as well.
UGASlobberknocker
March 23rd, 2011
5:37 pm
If Tech could get the Xavier coach, Mack ..that would be a great hire (for them..not from my UGA viewpoint)…unlike a lot of those other guys, Tech would be a serious upgrade for Mack in school and conference..thats the first of heard him mentioned..Is he a serious candidate?.
sk
March 23rd, 2011
5:41 pm
Mack is a sensible candidate also – like Mooney coming from the A-10. Not at all a bad choice. Really I’d be ecstatic is we could find a coach who could elevate this program to something like Wisconsin sucess-wise, a team that can pump out 8-11 win ACC seasons regularly, can pump out ACC championship caliber teams occasionally, play a style of basketball we can get behind.
UGASlobberknocker
March 23rd, 2011
5:41 pm
Whats Coach Woodson doing now ? Maybe him at Tech..he’s got that Indiana background and his image is on the comeback given Drew’s lack of success.
UGASlobberknocker
March 23rd, 2011
5:50 pm
@Jackets 2011..I dont know about players, but my guess on bloggers for both Tech and Ga blogs, less than 1% of the people who posts blogs here hold season tickets in football or basketball at their school. Or ever have.
Speaking only about the bloggers on the UGA blog, I have ,based on the comments, tried to take a guess how many attended UGA (not graduated just attended for a while) I would guess 10-15%., Graduates..less than 5%.
just a guess
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
5:51 pm
That’s funny and probably accurate.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
5:54 pm
And the 99% who don’t buy tickets or give to the school want everyone there from the president on down fired with every loss in any sport.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
5:55 pm
Uga has a lot more fans than Tech but might benefit from some addition by subtraction if u know what I mean.
What about Damon Evans
March 23rd, 2011
5:58 pm
I can coach in my red panties with a skank assistant and drink too. Hire me and if not, what about one of the Harrick’s?
Techster
March 23rd, 2011
6:00 pm
Just please hurry. Tickle piles have suffered and the naming of a new Coach will give us new enthusiasm and make us horny.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
6:01 pm
That’s old and lame.
Let it go.
Jackets 2011
March 23rd, 2011
6:02 pm
You teens have fun.
I’m splitting.
GT
March 23rd, 2011
6:08 pm
Mooney would be prefect, but there is a lot of traffic around the coach right now. If you really care about being successful, the Tech job may be the best one. If you are after money and you don’t mind playing second fiddle to football which has been the graveyard of many a good basketball coach go on down to the SEC. Some coaches will have no choice but to take a SEC job, Moody and Marshall will have choices, when they pick the rest will divide what is left. I am thinking you pick a place you have the most chance of winning.
Josh
March 23rd, 2011
6:28 pm
man you make it sound like Tech is an awful destination….Is the ajc ever gonna take a pro-GT stance, and not continually only support the dawgs.
spaceman109
March 23rd, 2011
6:29 pm
seems to me that tech could hire whoever they want once the ex-tech qb and real estate mogul john dewberry agrees to pay the new coaches salary out of his own pocket. even though the real estate market crashed, i bet dewberry still has enough unoccupied money laying around that he could do it.
Tech Forever
March 23rd, 2011
6:31 pm
GTGuy44
Forget 50/50. Give me some odds I can bet on. I’ll take the bet. Mark Price WILL NOT be Georgia Tech’s next Head Basketball Coach.