Tech’s search: Craig Neal, Doug Wojcik and D-Rad’s timetable
Craig Neal (foreground): Is the Georgia Tech man in with a chance? (Photo courtesy of New Mexico)
Georgia Tech has begun its interviews, and there has been much debate over whether one of the projected interviewees would actually be interviewed. It was Tweeted on Wednesday that Doug Wojcik of Tulsa would be granted an audience with the Tech committee. (Yes, Tech has a committee, although athletic director Dan Radakovich and consiglieri Eddie Fogler are the guys who matter.)
Later that day Wojcik told the Tulsa World he hadn’t heard from Tech and described the Twittered reports as “hilarious.” Well, Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News reported Thursday that Wojcik would indeed be interviewed, and DeCourcy isn’t known for flights of fancy.
So let’s just assume Wojcik has had some manner of contact with Tech. And now we ask: What exactly would the Jackets see in Doug Wojcik?
Beats the heck outta me.
He has been at Tulsa six seasons and hasn’t yet lifted the Golden Hurricane to the NCAA tournament. (And it is possible to get Tulsa to the NCAA. Nolan Richardson did it. J.D. Barnett did it. Tubby Smith took it to the Sweet 16, and Bill Self to the Elite Eight.) Wojcik was also part of the only North Carolina staff, meaning Matt Doherty’s, to get fired over the past half-century.
I don’t know why Tech would have interest in Wojcik. Maybe Fogler, once a Tar Heel assistant, sees something in this former Tar Heel assistant. Even if that’s the case, I can’t imagine a scenario in which Wojcik would be Tech’s first choice or even its third. He just seems like someone to interview while you’re waiting to interview somebody else.
That said, I’m beginning to think there could be a way for Craig Neal — who was interviewed Wednesday and whose candidacy I advocated – to become the next Tech coach. I’m not sure Noodles would be the first choice, but he might well be the third. Or the second. (And his tactic of saying he would seek to hire Mark Price as his assistant was rather inspired, don’t you think?)
One thing more: In Radakovich’s latest “Good Word” on RamblinWreck.com, he offers this intriguing sentence: “While there are no guarantees in this difficult world of coaching searches, I still feel strongly that we might be able to have a new coach selected before next weekend’s Final Four in Houston.”
Key word: Might. Previously Radakovich had said he wanted to have a coach by the time the Final Four commenced, and I outlined Tech’s rationale the other day. But I interpret the word “might” as D-Rad’s nod to reality: Chris Mooney and Richmond are still alive in the NCAA tournament — the Spiders play Kansas tonight — and Gregg Marshall and Wichita State have advanced to the NIT semifinals, which will be staged Tuesday in Madison Square Garden.
I still believe Mooney and Marshall are the two leading possibilities at Tech, but there’s a chance the Jackets wouldn’t be able to talk to either before the Final Four. Which might, to invoke the (good) word of the day, render Radakovich’s target date null and void.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
218 comments Add your comment
you can't fix stupid
March 25th, 2011
3:06 pm
@collegeballfan
“…bottom line is Tech is a school full of Nerds and Brad Stevens looks like a Nerd.”
What are you, a 2nd grader? That’s very sound and mature reasoning. In honor of your idiocy and childishness, here’s some on-par responses:
1) “Oh yeah, well … your momma!”
2) “I know you are but what am I ?”
3) “Well, my big brother can beat up your big brother!”
You, sir, are an idiot.
mikeb
March 25th, 2011
3:18 pm
I hope they have at least made a call to Brad Stevens at Butler. He inherited a solid program 4 years ago but by any standard he’s made it better. He’s won 82% of his games during his reign, and he’s done it the right way, at a school with high academic excellence. National runners-up a year ago and his Butler team is still dancin’ this year. He’d be a great fit for Tech basketball and the university if he could be persuaded to leave Butler.
Ben
March 25th, 2011
3:22 pm
Brad Stevens is my top choice, but I know that’s a pipe dream. In lieu of him, no one else that’s already a head coach and is potentially available really gets me excited, so I’m gonna have to throw my support (for what it’s worth) to Neal. And it would be very cool to have Price as his assistant.
Mojo
March 25th, 2011
3:27 pm
Mark, create an online bracket (Field of 16 candidates) on the coaching search and see who would be the popular choice!!
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 25th, 2011
3:39 pm
I am a GT fan. However, after reading so many of these
blogs from everyone who wants to hire a new BB coach (starting before Hewitt was fired) I wonder why you all are not tired of the same old same old. DRAD does not pay any attention to any of you. Why not just think about Football Spring Practice for a while and leave the hiring to GT?
Worm
March 25th, 2011
3:51 pm
As Lewis Grizzard would say,”Shoot low boys, they’re riding Shetland ponies!
IndyGT
March 25th, 2011
3:53 pm
Being from Indy, and having been to a couple of games at Hinkle Fieldhouse.. and being a Butler fan, I can assure you Stevens is not leaving Butler. Why would he? Can you name one other school in the Horizon League? Last year, they were picked to go 5th in the HL, and we all know what happened there. Easy league, great Indiana BBall tradition, very little pressure compared to the ACC, the whole state of Indiana loves him. He was asked last year what he remembered most from talking to Coach K – and he said Coach K told him to not to leave, and build up a powerhouse at Butler. He’s not going anywhere folks… and he is a heckuva coach. And if you’re complaining abouot a Princeton offense, don’t even watch Butler’s, but they play tough D, and win games.
IL Jacket
March 25th, 2011
3:57 pm
Buzzed, thanks for the Forbes link, I had not seen this before. It appears, however, that something is wrong with the numbers. FSU cannot only be generating $19 million from football and have total revenue of $76 million. Likewise, I doubt that Tech is generating more football revenue than FSU. Interesting on the BB comparison between NCSU and Tech. They generate a $7 million profit off MBB operations while Tech generates $5 million, so if they confine themselves to money from the basketball pool, their ability to pay a lot more than Tech is not as wide as I would have assumed. Still those discrepancies I noted leave me a little suspect of the numbers.
RochesterJacket
March 25th, 2011
4:14 pm
I think Neal or Price will be the next head coach after Mooney, Marshall and Stevens take jobs at bigger schools; NC State, Oklahoma, Utah, etc.
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
4:14 pm
Led Tulsa to two, not one, but TWO NIT’s. Go Tech.
Dadgum.....
March 25th, 2011
4:17 pm
Folks don’t buy into the Wojcik interview. It amounts to nothing more than window dressing. If indeed Drad interviews this guy there is no intention of hiring him. When you interview you don’t always interview for the exact purpose of hiring the guy but instead to give a perspective or set a bar. It is nothing more than that. Mooney is the guy at this point. If he loses tonight he could be hired tomorrow when the plane lands in Richmond.
Dadgum.....
March 25th, 2011
4:24 pm
Wojcik is a bar setter, window dressing. Not a serious candidate. Mooney will be the coach when the plane lands in Richmond. Probably tomorrow.
Jackets 2011
March 25th, 2011
4:33 pm
Mark,
The three Muskateers – you, Jeff and Paul – have sure milked this hiring process for site hits.
You’re probably hoping those coaches Tech is looking at keep winning.
Paul N Destin
March 25th, 2011
4:36 pm
GT doesn’t have enough money to get Grant from Bama beside GT isn’t what you jacket folks believe it to be! Alabama is Ruth Chris …GT Western Sizzlen…I know it’s still steak.
tyger
March 25th, 2011
4:48 pm
Falcoons Easy Button 1.0 2011
1.27 Justin Houston DE UGA
2.54 Jon Baldwin WR Pitt
3.81 Bruce Carter LB UNC
4.108 Curtis Marsh CB Utah St.
5.135 Ray Webber WR UAPB
6.162 Frank Warren RB Grambling
7.189 Rico Lockette WR FVSU
YoungDawg
March 25th, 2011
4:56 pm
Tech is interviewing who they can afford to pay! Mooney will likely be out of of there price range.
Jackets 2011
March 25th, 2011
4:57 pm
I meant Doug instead of Paul.
My bad.
Ralph Nader
March 25th, 2011
5:30 pm
I said that athletic scholarships should be eliminated because I am an idiot. I prefer to deny opportunity to young people than go after the college presidents, athletic directors and coaches who are mostly responsible for the problems we have now in college athletics.
Buschwacker
March 25th, 2011
5:36 pm
Look everyone… here it goes.
A while back… Georgia Tech took a chance on a three year coach out of Siena… P Hew bombed and is the reason our basketball program is in the crapper. Nobody is showing up… we are getting killed economically… and our spirit is broken.
The Skinny
Mooney could be the same way. Comes to Atlanta as the flavor of the month….. then turns sour over playing in the ACC. Why would any big time player want to play in a Princeton offense? Does he have the ability to recruit Georgia talent? One token guy on his team does not count. Does he actually understand the magnitude of Georgia Tech basketball… absolutely not. In regards to attendance, it will be even harder because games will not be here which makes it harder to get people here. Will people turn out to see a northeast Philly guy in Mooney? Maybe. But not enough to make a difference. Will the Princeton office immediately draw people? HELL NO. The system takes about 2-3 years to implement.That is 2-3 years of lost time…. lost recruits… and most importantly lost money.
Economics
Mooney is making about 700,000 dollars at Richmond. G Tech can only pay about 1.2 million dollars a year for a coach. Richmond has a chance to match this offer. If they can’t and Mooney comes to Georgia Tech… GT would have the burden the buyout…. which is not cheap. In addition, you have programs like NC state, Tenn, and Oklahoma who have deeper pockets and will out bid Tech.
Mark Price
The Skinny
Hell of a basketball player. Brings back great memories. Needs to be involved in the program at some level… just to bring back some of the disgruntled alumn…. BUT NOT AS HEAD COACH. He has no solid coaching experience at any level whether it be an assistant or head coach. To hire Mark Price would be as stupid as when IU hired Kelvin Sampson after he was sanctioned by the NCAA at Oklahoma. But most importantly, Price does not have the AAU connections needed to recruit the high level athletes to Tech.
Craig Neal
The Skinny
Well wasn’t he? Noodles knew how to bring the house down… and I think it is time for Tech to give him a chance to do it again. After a successful college career, and stints in the NBA, Europe, and CBA… For the first few years at Toronto, Craig Neal was a scout for the Toronto Raptors. In 2000, Craig Neal became an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors under NBA’s all-time most winningst coach, Lenny Wilkens. In his first year as an assistant for the Toronto Raptors, a struggling Raptors of the past team excelled all the way to game 7 of the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference. Toronto was a Vince Carter shot away from going to the Eastern Conference finals. In addition as an assistant coach from 2000-03, Neal was involved with practice preparation, advance scouting, and the preparation and implementation of opponent scouting reports. He managed and directed Toronto’s player development program, both during the season and the summer. Neal coached Toronto’s summer league team for three years and was the lead coach in directing all Raptor college pre-draft workouts. His duties also included assisting with the operations budget, working with advance scouting team and coordinating schedules for Toronto scouts. In 2003-2004, Neal was involved in scouting and player development for the Toronto Raptors.
At Iowa In August 2004, Craig Neal joined long time friend and head coach Steve Alford at the University of Iowa. Steve Alford and Craig Neal combined their knowledge and turned the Hawkeyes into a force. Iowa posted a 63-35 record while Neal was the associate-head coach, including consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes won 25 games in 2005-06, the second highest total in school history. They also captured the Big Ten Conference tournament title, set a school record with 10 wins over top 25 opponents and ran off a school record 18-game winning streak in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, winning all 17 home games in 2005-06. Neal displayed his network genius and was instrumental in Iowa’s recruiting efforts. More than one publication ranked the 2006-07 class as one of the top 10 catches in the nation, which included players like stand-out player Tyler Smith.
At New Mexico Noodles has helped turned the program around. A program who once was a bottom dweller in the mountain west… is know toward the top. In addition, their graduation rating was so low (before Neal got there) that they actually lost scholarships. Now it is back up and they are receiving the full amount of scholarships. In the years he has been there NM has (compared to where they were at)…… have excelled… 2 mountain west titles… 2 NIT appearances… and one NCAA appearance…. and they will continue to get better.
Yes Neal is a risk. But so is Mooney. The difference is Neal will immediately spark spirit back into the program… and also… I hate to say it… the almighty dollar. If Neal and Mooney were both to get the job and fail after three years… at least we will have some money in the bank from Neal’s instant spark. Economically it makes sense. But I do truly feel Neal is something to jump on. There is reason Alford pays him big money to be an assistant…. and in fact I believe Neal is one of the highest paid assistants in the country. So high that it makes it tough to except one of those BS jobs at a smaller school.
It seems to me… based off his resume… Neal has worked his butt off to put himself in the position to get his “dream job.” Why not give a shot to somebody who not only has a diverse and excellent resume…. but a guy who will go balls to the wall for us like he did when he played. Why? Can the same thing be said about Mark Price regarding experience? No. Can the same thing be said about Mooney? Can Mooney look kids in the eye across the table and say…I have played, scouted, and coached at the college AND (WHAT THEY REALLY WANT TO HEAR) NBA LEVEL. NO! Neal knows what it takes. But do we?
Skeezix
March 25th, 2011
5:40 pm
As a big ACC fan and one who hates what has happened to Tech basketball, I would love to see Brad Stevens at Ga. Tech. Can you imagine what he would do with the talent he could attract to Tech? But alas, it is a foolish thought, a stretch, a silly dream, ………………cause it ain’t never gonna happen.
Ray Ferraro's Bobble Head Doll
March 25th, 2011
5:44 pm
Gregory offered job?
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/georgia-tech-source-gregory-offered-hoops-job-29587
Bobby Knight
March 25th, 2011
5:47 pm
Mark: I know you aren’t my biggest fan but if you would just this one time put in a good word for me with the Ga. Tech AD, I just might get that Tech job.
Please Mark, let’s be buddies and furthermore, this ESPN gig is getting boring. Vitale has a bigger mouth than me, I mean the guy just won’t shut up–it’s driving me crazy.
George Bush
March 25th, 2011
5:47 pm
what bushwacker said !!
Delbert D.
March 25th, 2011
6:27 pm
Don’t want that “big-time talent.” Those prima donna one-and-done NBA trainees can go play for some *no IQ required* university.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 25th, 2011
6:48 pm
WOW, Buschwhacker, that was impressive. I think you made up my mind for me….not that that means anything. lol
Tech Fan
March 25th, 2011
6:56 pm
Can we all put the Brad Stevens thing to bed..I mean his comments were that of Mark Few comments, hes goin nowhere…where? Nowhere
Tech Fan
March 25th, 2011
6:57 pm
And the Mooney runs a Princeton offense thing is getting a bit old too
blazer
March 25th, 2011
7:31 pm
Bye Bye Dukies_Mooney will be the Tech coach Monday morning! I hope!
Delbert D.
March 25th, 2011
7:31 pm
The Wojcik interview is one of those equal opportunity things. Schools have to interview at least one candidate of Eastern European origin.
Delbert D.
March 25th, 2011
7:42 pm
Tech Fan – Well, the Harvard Architecture is very popular. PIC microcontrollers use it.
Jackets 2011
March 25th, 2011
8:18 pm
Here’s hoping their a talent mismatch tonight.
Otherwise a couple of folks getting outcoached.
OldTimer
March 25th, 2011
8:19 pm
Go with Neal.
Chris
March 25th, 2011
9:34 pm
Well… as of 9:25pm Mooney is officially available.
IL Jacket
March 25th, 2011
9:46 pm
I have a lot of confidence in Drad and will support whoever he chooses, but I just am not convinced Chris Mooney is the right choice for Tech.
GT89MEAW
March 25th, 2011
10:12 pm
Bushwacker can you forward your summary to DRad, but don’t think DRad will get it.
So many bring up the no head coaching experience. The way you get to be a head coach, or move up in any business, is build a resume like that with experience in all facets of the business and do it with success. Admittedly, there are some very good life time assistants and life time middle managers out there who couldn’t handle the next step. But the interview is where you decide if the guy can handle the promotion and you got to have the balls to take the chance if you think he does. Don’t really think DRad has the cojones.
braves70
March 25th, 2011
10:19 pm
Who do you have at Tech with a connection to Navy? Wojcik and Brian Gregory (Dayton) were team mates on the 1985-86 Navy team led by the Admiral, David Robinson.
braves70
March 25th, 2011
10:24 pm
Nevermind. Paul Johnson was from Navy and Radakovich hired him for Football. Maybe he has a thing for the Navy.
sportsfan
March 25th, 2011
10:28 pm
Buschwacker—damn that was long BS.
sportsfan
March 25th, 2011
10:30 pm
Money is not the problem…GT can go up to 2million for right man.
Jackets 2011
March 26th, 2011
12:11 am
I’m very glad Kentucky won.
I don’t agree with the 5 second call by the ref.
I’ve always hated that rule.
With a shot clock, there is no need for it.
Total BS call but Kentucky won in spite of the refs.
Also a little earlier the ball went off an Ohio State player but they got the ball and a technical was called on Kentucky.
Jackets 2011
March 26th, 2011
12:12 am
Guess we won’t be hearing from Buckeye for a few days.
Joe
March 26th, 2011
1:09 am
Tech needs to hire the VCU coach period!!!!!
Buzz Me
March 26th, 2011
4:49 am
Hewitt beat Mooney this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
threetrone
March 26th, 2011
5:54 am
I am Tech grad. Price is the best. He has clean cut image, sang on church choir, was best player, never missed a free throw. Noodles was not as good as Price. Noodles could be assistant coach, not the other way around with Price as assistant. Noodles might have a little coaching experience, but he still was not the better player. Then select from the remaining blacks for staff jobs. Go with a Tech grad for all positions, nobody from outside such as Marshall, Mooney, Smart, Wojcik. It would not be appropriate to introduce the new coliseum with a new to Tech head coach also. That’s too much new, disregarding the history of all the retired jerseys, and former coaches who worked out ok for Tech. Coach Hyder gave me an “A” in basketball in Physical Training sophomore year. He was the coach that coached the Tech team that beat Adolf Rupp’s Kentucky team in the old gym when Roger Kaiser played for Tech. My dad, a Tech grad, took me to the game as a boy. I don’t remember seeing any of it, just hearing it. Do not experiment with a green, wet behind the ears outsider to break in the brand new Tech McAdish Arena. That McAdish is sure alot like McAshan, the black cube when I was going to Tech. I understand Eddie McAshan was a pretty good basketball player in hs in Talahassee also.
threetrone
March 26th, 2011
6:11 am
The remaing blacks I refered to are Scott, Salley, Anderson, Ferell, Josef, to name a few. At this time, I believe since Hewitt was the “yin”, Tech needs a white coach for the “yang” to balance out the bad yin from the opposite end of the spectrum. Balance, and then “break even”, and then “earn profit” with wins for Tech coached by Price. Mark Price came to Tech from the same hometown, Shawnee, OK, that my dad, a Tech grad, was from originally. This is the town that Sonic drive in’s were founded in. Hiring Price sure would make my dad happy. My dad was on his hs basketball team, not in Shawnee, so he was pretty good at roundball, but he didn’t play at Tech, he was married then, and lived in 10th St. married student housing with me on the way.
JustAThought........
March 26th, 2011
8:14 am
IMO, the person that GT need to hire is someone that knows how to build a program. GT basketball program is in dire straits at this time, and the wrong hire is just going to make it that more difficult to bring the program back. The program is in transistion (new coaching change and building new facility). The local high school talent is not enough to do what’s needed, it also has to be someone that is connected to the game nationally and a great recruiter. Good luck with the hire.
It Ain't Rocket Science
March 26th, 2011
8:29 am
Enter your comments here
Fire Fogler
March 26th, 2011
8:55 am
I saw nothing in Richmond’s offense last night that is any different than what I have been watching for the last 6 years at Tech….dribble outside the invisible fence called the 3 point line for 30 seconds, then jack up a fade-away as the shot clock expires….wow!
Maybe throw in a high pick n roll with the out-of-position center every once in a while for good measure…..
Marlon
March 26th, 2011
9:17 am
There is definitely something to be said to back up all the posts who support Craig Neal. He would have that little extra motivation being a Georgia Tech alumnus. I support Donnie Tyndall because he and I are Morehead State graduates. Morehead State has benefited greatly because of his passion for his alma mater. Georgia Tech Alums should rally around Neal and support one of their own and bring back the thrill in the thriller dome. GT is my adopted team and I just can’t get excited about 55-51 games with Mooney ball. If not Tyndall then I will join the GT alums and cheer for a true Yellow Jacket!
sk
March 26th, 2011
9:33 am
Hewitt also beat Roy Williams this year – one datapoint … Mooney and Marshall have presided over winning programs. Sure Mooney runs the Princeton stuff, but so does Georgetown. It’s about the players. Mooney has recruited in tough academic environs. I have seen concerns about whether a Princeton thing could hurt recruiting. However Hewitt while being a crackerjack recruiter of sorts, the last few years seemed all or nothing … no backup plans when kids decided to try to get jobs that paid.