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
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218 comments Add your comment
Reggie Ball
March 25th, 2011
10:49 am
What about Luke Schenser?
markmjtx
March 25th, 2011
10:51 am
Hope they go with Neal.
greenjacket
March 25th, 2011
10:51 am
mark, how would you rank Mooney vs Marshall?
markmjtx
March 25th, 2011
10:51 am
Hey, look who is first!
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
March 25th, 2011
10:53 am
4TH
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
10:55 am
I’d take Mooney over Marshall.
markmjtx
March 25th, 2011
10:55 am
If it is between Neal and Wojcik, I am picking Neal. I pick Mooney over Marshall.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
10:56 am
Kudos, markmjtx.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
March 25th, 2011
10:58 am
yes the mark price name drop was a brilliant marketing move , but it would bring excitment to the fanbase .
JM
March 25th, 2011
11:00 am
Mooney sounds like a coach with everything GT is looking to find. Hope the interview goes well, when it occurs.
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
11:00 am
Mark,
You answered my first question already, saying you’d take Mooney over Marshall. I’m wondering why? I think Marshall has a longer track record of success.
Second, if Mooney loses tonight, and has an interview in the next few days, do you think Radakovich would wait to interview Marshall before making his final decision, or go ahead and try to lock up Mooney right away?
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
11:03 am
Mark,
Can I ask why you would take Mooney over Marshall? It seems like Marshall has a longer track record of success and is a less risky hire.
Also, do you think Radakovich will wait to give Marshall an inteview assuming Mooney loses tonight and has a good interveiw in the next few days?
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
11:05 am
Can someone tell me why they’d pick Mooney over Marshall, especially you Mark?
Thanks
ormewood
March 25th, 2011
11:05 am
Mooney is impressive. His teams play hard and appear to be well-coached. What about Shaka Smart?
Biff Pocoroba Fan Club
March 25th, 2011
11:06 am
Won’t Mooney be courted by those other big time schools seeking a coach, OK or Tenn or whoever else? He will likely follow the money (Tech can’t compete with those other schools) and then Neal will fall into Tech.
P R I C E
March 25th, 2011
11:06 am
I do not care for these tournament darlings. Every year, there will always be a handful that are in the spotlight.
What I do know with Neal/Price is their hearts would be in it. Nothing and I mean nothing and no one could bring back the ambiance of what Tech basketball use to be better than these two. How anyone could think these two would be incapable of winning 20 games or more is beyond me.
Hammonds, Ferrell, Anderson, Scott, Oliver, Mackey, Dalrymple, Salley, Neal and Price, etc…these players and more could tell you what it was like playing at the Thrillerdome with standing room only crowds screaming as if every game was the National title game. GT winning on last second shots by these players.
Bring Price and Neal into the mix, and that “revival” would break out once more.
Those that were there know what I am talking about.
Even Bobby Ross said “GT is a basketball school” when he left to coach the Chargers, even though he would have left anyway.
You can hire all the Marshalls and Mooneys you want, but neither is fit to carry Mark Price’s shoes and never will be. I will always appreciate what Bobby Cremins did for GT. Price and Neal could continue that.
BTW, why doesn’t AJC get Bobby’s opinion on this matter?
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
11:07 am
I agree with Tech Forever. Why pick Mooney or Marshall, who has a better long term track record. Mooney (and Shaka Smart) may turn out to be great coaches, but Marshall has proven he is over a much longer period of time.
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
11:08 am
Should be “Mooney over Marshall”.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:08 am
Let’s note that Marshall hasn’t had Wichita State in the NCAA tournament in four tries. He won big at Winthrop, less big at Wichita State.
juvenal
March 25th, 2011
11:11 am
er, Mark-Reggie was 1st……
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
11:12 am
P R I C E
So you’d prefer someone who’s never been a head coach EVER over someone whos’ coaching their team in the Sweet 16 as a head coach or has been to multiple NCAA Tournaments as a head coach because “their hearts would be in it”? That could only mean you don’t think Hewitt’s heart was in it too. That could also only mean that when Tech hired Cremins, someone with absolutely no ties to Georgia Tech who was a “tournament darling”, you felt like his heart wasn’t in it either. Right?
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
11:15 am
Mark
So you’d weigh one season as more important than a total body of work?
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:19 am
Kudos to Reggie, then. (I didn’t notice his post because it got caught in the spam filter.)
tech rules
March 25th, 2011
11:19 am
what about john pelphrey? would he come to tech and would we want him?
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
11:20 am
“Let’s note that Marshall hasn’t had Wichita State in the NCAA tournament in four tries. He won big at Winthrop, less big at Wichita State.”
But the Missouri Valley Conference is a one bid league. One average day in the post season tournament (or one great day by your opponent) and you don’t go to the NCAA that year. We got stuck with Hewitt because of one or two great days back in 2004, and I would hate to see us not get a great coach because of one or two average days now. His win totals at WSU are 11, 17, 25, and 27 (and counting). The entire body of work is what counts. What if Mooney and Smart just have a special group of seniors?
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:20 am
Let’s look at it this way: Which is more impressive — making the tournament at Winthrop, which is a smaller mid-major, or doing it out of the Atlantic 10 and then reaching the Sweet Sixteen?
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 25th, 2011
11:23 am
Craig Neal is the ticket.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:24 am
Pelphrey? Why would you want somebody who just got fired?
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:27 am
And the Missouri Valley hasn’t always been a one-bid league. It had four in 2006.
T-Bone
March 25th, 2011
11:35 am
If the Butler guy won’t leave, then Mooney (but I’m still not sure his Princeton-esque offense will draw the top talent). After that, I say take a chance on the Noodles/Price connection.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:37 am
Something else to remember: We don’t know if Mark Price would accept Craig Neal’s offer to be an assistant coach.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
11:39 am
Mark
What’s more impressive to me is making the tournament repeatedly at Winthrop and then bringing a program in a very difficult league back from the brink of ruin to post nearly 30 wins in year 4. Moreso than parlaying a very good 2007 recruiting class into two great seasons (granted Richmond plays in equally as tough or maybe even tougher league). My issue with Mooney is simple, he’s never had to deal with a program in the dumps. He took over Air Force when they were riding high and Richmond’s cupboard was far from empty although Wainwright is horrible. Next year, if he stays at Richmond, will be the tell-tale of how good Chris Mooney is coaching a team losing 4 Senior starters. Marshall has already succeeded coaching that team.
Another reaosn is Mooney has not pedigree at all. He basically runs Carril’s offense with a little bit of Bzdelik injected into it. I’ll take Kresse over that combination every time. Lets remember Winthrop was 7-20 the season before Marshall took over and went 21-8 in his 1st season. And then continued on to 7 NCAA Tourneys in 9 seasons. I don’t care what league you’re in when you come in and go from 7-20 to that……you can flat out coach.
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
11:40 am
Good points, Mark. But Winthrop made the tournament 7 times in 9 years! They weren’t good before and haven’t been good since. Watching WSU these last 3 games (destroying Nebraska, beating VT in Blacksburg which something Hewitt never did, and comfortably beating Bobby’s very good CofC team) has convinced me that the Missouri Valley deserved should have been a two-bid conference this year.
I like Mooney and won’t be disappointed if he is hired, but I think Marshall’s long term record is more impressive than an unexpected sweet 16 run (with the second win over a 13 seed). If he beats Kansas tonight I’ll eat my words.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:42 am
I also think Mooney might be a better fit with Georgia Tech than Marshall would be.
gcs
March 25th, 2011
11:43 am
Craig Neal gets my vote.
.
T-Bone
March 25th, 2011
11:45 am
Mark, what fo you think about Mooney’s Princeton-esque offense? Is it too slow or methodical to draw top talent?
T-Bone
March 25th, 2011
11:45 am
Obviouslly should be “do” not “fo”.
BigTimeTECHFan
March 25th, 2011
11:46 am
Mark, Are any schools looking at Hewitt, my guess is if Smart and Moody move on to other schools Hewitt may replace them. He would do nice job and build up his resume again.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:48 am
And I don’t think we can say Richmond was riding high when Mooney took the job. It had made the NCAA twice in 14 years (and once in seven).
And we can’t compare the Big South (Winthrop’s league) to the A-10. In the A-10 you’ve got Xavier, Temple, Dayton and St. Joseph’s.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
11:52 am
That is a legitimate question, T-Bone. Richmond averaged 70 points, 133rd best in the nation.
Still, that’s better than Georgia managed with two NBA-type talents on its roster.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
11:53 am
BigTimeTECHFan
If Hewitt takes another job he loses his buyout. He won’t coach for at least three more seasons. He’ll get a TV gig and once that income matches or exceeds what he’ll lose by coaching again then he’ll leave TV and go back to coaching….or just stay in TV if he likes it.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
11:54 am
Mark Bradley
I didn’t say Rochmond was riding high. I said the cupboard wasn’t bare…..and it wasn’t.
Seymour Heiny
March 25th, 2011
12:01 pm
Jerry Tarkanian or Jim Harrick!
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
12:03 pm
Mark
You’re right you can’t really compare the A-10 to the Big South, but you also can’t discount those 9 seasons to the point that it essentailly never happened which is what you’re doing. Especially when in those 9 seasons Marshall and Winthrop also beat Missouri, Clemson, Georgia, Providence, East Carolina (three times), Marquette, Mississippi State, and Notre Dame, and gave a host of other big 6 conference teams a great scare.
Paul in RDU
March 25th, 2011
12:03 pm
Tech Forever,
Are you sure about Hewitt losing his buyout of he takes another job:? My impression is that he will continue to receiv it no matter what – like Gailey at Buffalo.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
12:07 pm
Let me ask this question. If Richmond loses by 30 tonight and Wichita State wins the NIT does that make a difference? What is Richmond loses by 30 and VCU makes the Final Four?
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
12:10 pm
Paul in RDU
Gailey kept his buyout because he moved on to an NFL job. I don’t know for sure but my guess is that it’s a standard buyout and says if he takes another college coaching position he loses the buyout. One thing I do know for sure is that Hewitt’s not going to get an NBA head job and he won’t make as much as his buyout pays him if he takes an NBA assistant job. Nah….I’ve thought all along he’ll be on TV next year; knowledgeable, articulate, good looking, and in the world of TV being black doesn’t hurt. He’ll be great at TV….if he does it.
btgt69
March 25th, 2011
12:16 pm
Now that dook is out of the tournament, D Rad can announce Coach K as our next head coach.
Brainiac
March 25th, 2011
12:16 pm
There is no clause in Hewitt’s contract that his buyout is affected in any manner if he gets another job. Radakovich was asked this twice at the Hewitt-fired press conference. He made it clear. Hewitt gets every bit of the $7.2 mil. No matter what.
Aardvark Base
March 25th, 2011
12:21 pm
I love how Reggie Ball got First up at the top. Just know that if he’d gotten 4th, he would have thought he was 3rd. My only comment is this- if we hire Craig Neal or Mark Price, who have almost no significant head coaching experience, then the rich big-mouth alums who are behind it deserve what we get. There is no reason to think they will succeed at this level, and no reason to think they can recruit. It would be an ignorant fan-driven move, and that is a terrible way to make a decision.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
12:21 pm
I’m not saying Marshall wouldn’t be a good choice. He would. I’m saying I’d prefer Mooney, given my druthers.
John
March 25th, 2011
12:22 pm
I actually prefer Neal and Price. No matter how good a coach is (emphasis on good which excludes bad) the great bball Tech alums will bring the best of best local, regional, and national talent to Ga Tech. Ga Tech bball should be to Atlanta what UGA football (argh) has done with the state. James Forrest is running a first class AAU program located in Atlanta and has top national talent from ages 10-18. Hewitt, for whatever reason, failed to listen to Forrest, Anderson, the Barrys, etc. over the past years. Neal/Price is well worth the shot.
Mark Bradley
March 25th, 2011
12:24 pm
As for the notion that Marshall would be the “safer” choice … why? Has he taken his latest school to the NCAA? No. He did it with regularity at Winthrop, yes. But he hasn’t done it at Wichita State, which is a higher level of competition. And that is, for better or worse, the standard of judging mid-major coaches: Did you get to the NCAA?
Mooney has done it the past two seasons. No question he’s the hotter guy.
Hewitt Fan
March 25th, 2011
12:25 pm
It looks like i was right!..No coach with a good resume wants to come to GT…Mark Bradley is the one to blame!
Hewitt Fan
March 25th, 2011
12:28 pm
@ Tech Forever…
If you really coached at GT, where were you in 2005 when Hewitt got reprimanded after the Duke game? I don’t believe you at all!
ATLER Ramblin Wreck
March 25th, 2011
12:32 pm
M B you are a loser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ATLER Ramblin Wreck
March 25th, 2011
12:32 pm
Kudos, to me!!!!!!!!!!
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
12:33 pm
Brainiac
Wow. That sucks.
blewitt
March 25th, 2011
12:35 pm
Word is that Mooney is the first choice if he wants it. Price/Neal is being strongly considered and is getting a big push from former players and supporters of the program. If Mooney turns us down It sounds like Price/Neal (one or both) would get the job.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
12:41 pm
Hewitt Fan
In 2005 I was working for the Tennessee Titans.
GTT
March 25th, 2011
12:42 pm
I’m appointing myself an ex officio member of the committee and voting for Craig Neal. Mark Price might not take an assistant’s job, but Kenny Anderson would.
J W
March 25th, 2011
12:44 pm
Craig Neal.
Jim Shorts
March 25th, 2011
12:55 pm
Mark Bradley, you might want to keep an eye on a website called Inside Tulsa Sports. They reported Wojcik’s connection with Georgia Tech last Sunday and were the first to report he would interview this week. They had an update on it today as well.
collegeballfan
March 25th, 2011
12:58 pm
Do all the coaching record comparisons you want, but bottom line is Tech is a school full of Nerds and Brad Stevens looks like a Nerd. He would be the perfect fit for Tech.
Plus you can compare his record to anyone now coaching, retired or dead.
And yeah, I hear all the “He won’t leave Butler” stories also.
Make him an offer. Let him say NO before giving up on him.
Delbert D.
March 25th, 2011
12:59 pm
Tech doesn’t need “top talent” (one-and-done prima donnas.) Tech needs student-athletes who can be coached to win.
Delbert D.
March 25th, 2011
1:03 pm
Stevens said he would leave Butler if they fired him. He’s under contract through 2022. He’s from the Indy area, close family ties to the area, community active and his wife is a lawyer there.
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
1:03 pm
“And that is, for better or worse, the standard of judging mid-major coaches: Did you get to the NCAA? Mooney has done it the past two seasons. No question he’s the hotter guy.”
Hiring the “hot” guy gets people in trouble sometimes. Even though Marshall hasn’t gotten WSU into the NCAA’s, he HAS won 52 games the last 2 seasons. He’s less risky because he has a good coaching record for the last decade and a half.
The good news here is that either one of these choices will probably work out well, and some other school somewhere will have a great coach with the one that is not hired here. No matter who is hired, I will be behind them 100%.
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
1:10 pm
Thank heavens that Radakovich will make his hire based on the probability of success rather than emotion or nostagia. Neal should be about the 5th or 6th choice behind (at least) Marshall, Mooney, Smart, Martin, and Mack. Price shouldn’t be considered at all. As far as the assistants go, it will be the head coach that decides that. Price coming in a package deal with Neal is a gimmick. I love Price and Neal to death, and have many great memories of them both, but there are much better choices for Georgia Tech at this time.
sportsfan
March 25th, 2011
1:16 pm
Mooney is 1st on list.
T3
March 25th, 2011
1:19 pm
It seems like the honrable thing to do to
intereview former GT alum/great Mark Price and Craig Neal.
D-Rad interviewed also John Tenuta for the Football HC job.
The point being Tenuta had ABSOLUTELY ZERO chance of getting that job.
I strongly doubt D-Rad would choose Price or Neal.
However, I do think D-Rad wants to (needs to) make a “splash” with this B-Ball hire.
He just spent $50+ MIllion to make a BIG chnage.
Now is NOT the time to scrimp on a Head Coach.
Like I’ve been saying. I wouldnt rule out the possibility
of Jamie Dixon from PItt or Jim Beiline of Michigan.
PItt has “hit the ceiling” on what they (and the State of Pennsylvania)
can pay Dixon.at $1.2+ MIllion. For $1.2+ PLUS Incentives,
GT looks a HELLUVA LOT better than Pitt.
I think Dixon could be the guy.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
1:20 pm
T3
Drad interviewed Neal earlier in the week I believe.
T3
March 25th, 2011
1:20 pm
Dixon or not, I’m reamin confident D-Rad will make the right choice.
UGA=YAWN
March 25th, 2011
1:22 pm
Lol. Wichita St – Richmond!!?? Dude – we are getting the coach from Butler!!!! That is why it is a ‘might’!!!!
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
1:23 pm
UGA=YAWN
Well he’s my 1st choice but I don’t see it happening nor see any reason why he’d leave Butler for Tech…..I wouldn’t
UGA=YAWN
March 25th, 2011
1:28 pm
Anyone would leave wherever they are to coach in the ACC week in and week out versus the likes of Duke and UNC. We still are, irregardless of what the NCAA committee thinks, the premier college basketball conference in the country. And last I checked, Atlanta is a spectacular city to do it in!!!
Butwadduino
March 25th, 2011
1:32 pm
I could support Mooney or a couple of the other ‘next great coaches’, but I’d prefer Craig Neal. He may not be the absolutely best qualified candidate on paper, but his legitimate college and NBA resume as a player, coach, and administrator, combined with unique intangibles (e.g., well-liked alumnus who would not have to adapt to Tech, energetic and engaging personality friendly with the media, solid recruiter with Atlanta and GA connections, reasonably affordable) make him a very solid choice to resurrect the program. If DRad believes Neal has all of the inherent tools necessary to succeed but that the lack of HC experience is a weakness, it should not prevent him from going with Neal. Instead, hire Neal and address this potential issue by (1) augmenting him with a strong staff and (2) hiring a recently retired HC (Fogler?) for a year or two to act as a consultant/consigliore to ‘the program’ and to advise on any part of the job that only an experienced HC could know.
okiemon
March 25th, 2011
1:35 pm
Might as well get into the fray. I could get excited about Neal, but primarily because he’s got a decent coaching – though not head coaching, yet – resume. The fact that he’s a Tech b-ball alumnus is icing on the cake, but not the reason we should hire him. That didn’t work out so well with Bill Curry in football, did it?
Having said that, I agree with collegeballfan – his name-calling and poor logic aside – that if DRad wants Stevens, he should ask him. But if he does ask him, and he says no, we’ll probably never know that he asked. So it would be nuts to assume we “gave up on him”.
My money’s on Mooney.
BYRDDAWG
March 25th, 2011
1:35 pm
I say bring back phewitt!!!!! He’d coach for nothing & we REALLY like him! Just sayin…
Gordon
March 25th, 2011
1:36 pm
Look at this from Stevens’ point of view. If he were to come here, the expectations would be sky high. If he hadn’t won the ACC or taken us to the final four in the first 3 years people would be disappointed. He would have to do this competing against two elite programs in our conference. I just don’t think he wants to sign up for that.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
1:39 pm
UGA=YAWN
Oh I don’t know. I do think the ACC is still the premier conference, but Stevens has an opportunity to be the John Wooden of Butler basketball. He already makes over $1M per year. He’s a talent-rich region of the country. He has a fraction of the pressure other places put on coaches. I mean I’m not so sure I’d leave Butler if I were him. Byrd has been asked 1000 times why he’s never left Belmont and his response is always something to the effect of “why would I leave? I make more than enough money, I love where I live, I love the university. Leaving would just be fueling my ego and uselessly fattening my wallet.”
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
1:40 pm
Gordon
Well said.
Marquis
March 25th, 2011
1:45 pm
What about Anthony Grant??
Dink
March 25th, 2011
1:47 pm
I agree Mark, definitely Mooney.
BTW, wondering what your thoughts are on Arizona. Were you surprised at the ease with which they handled Duke? Do you think ‘Zona and the Buckeyes are the two best teams right now?
UGA=YAWN
March 25th, 2011
1:48 pm
Kansas is the best team and will win it all!
GT hulk
March 25th, 2011
1:48 pm
Whoever we get, hope he goes after 4 year players and less tattoos. No wonder GT players cant hit free throws, all those tattoos weigh arms down.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
1:50 pm
Having said that about Byrd, I could see the Knoxville native leaving for the Tennessee job. But that would have nothing to do with the SEC or money and everything to do with a 57 year old man ending his career at the school he grew up in love with and then played at.
Tech Forever
March 25th, 2011
1:52 pm
Ken Pomeroy has picked the NCAA Champion 6 years straight and 8 of the last 9. I’m going with him and the Buckeyes.
Buzzzed
March 25th, 2011
1:56 pm
@Hewitt Fan
I said that Duke getting calls from the ACC refs was “good for business”. Now here is the proof. Looks like Duke floats the ACC. Check out the entry from March 14:
http://blogs.forbes.com/sportsmoney/author/prishe/
TECHLOSERS
March 25th, 2011
1:56 pm
Why don’t we hire Dennis Felton, I think he beat us once or twice he was at the best BB program in GA. I personally think we should hire Bruce Pearl!!!
Not A Hewitt Fan
March 25th, 2011
1:57 pm
I aint so sure bout this Princeton O. That being said, look at our Football O. If we gonna be weird on the Flats, might as well go ALL the WAY (turnt up).
William Satterwhite
March 25th, 2011
1:59 pm
Mark, while Wojcik from Tulsa obviously shouldn’t be Tech’s top candidate, I think you’re being a bit too harsh. For one thing, comparing him to past Tulsa coaches ignores on vital fact- Nolan Richardson, Tubby Smith and Bill Self (don’t know anything about the other guy you mentioned) never had to compete for an NCAA against an elite John Calipari-built Memphis program like Wojcik had to do for all but the last two seasons. And that’s not to mention the likes of UAB, UTEP and Houston (and now Southern Miss and UCF could be added to that list) who are solid programs in their own right. When dealing with mid-major coaches, overall postseason appearances (and how the team does in those appearances) are a much better barometer of their success and Wojcik holds his own in that regard. Again, he’s clearly a step behind Marshall and Mooney but as long as those guys aren’t available yet anyway, he’s a good guy to interview and have on the shortlist.
Buzzzed
March 25th, 2011
2:07 pm
Wojcik wouldn’t excite the fan base. This would be compatible to Auburn hiring Chizik, who had a horrible record, as FB coach. The Chizik hire has turned out well for them recently though – the whole national championship thing and all.
Buzzzed
March 25th, 2011
2:08 pm
correction – “This would be comparable… “
blewitt
March 25th, 2011
2:16 pm
Not a chance they hire Wojcik.
the murf
March 25th, 2011
2:22 pm
Maybe MB should run a column on who will not be the next Tech coach…
GT
March 25th, 2011
2:23 pm
Craig Neal’s not Noodles any more. I would not have pick him out of a lineup.
Hewitt Fan
March 25th, 2011
2:28 pm
@Buzzzed that was an interesting article..but it still is not fair!.
Dennis Benedict
March 25th, 2011
2:39 pm
Craig Neal would be an outstanding choice, former Georgia Tech star, former NBA player, former NBA coach, sports agent, and the man who calls the offensive shots in New Mexico. He also is an Indiana native who has strong connections to the basketball talent in that state. You can’t go wrong with this guy!!!
TomB
March 25th, 2011
2:39 pm
Mooney is the best fit for Tech, no doubt. Is he interested? I don’t know why not. I believe this is who Drad is waiting for.
Now, if it comes down to the former GT players, then I would prefer Price as Head coach and Neal the assistant. Why has Neal not been asked to be a head coach? No one has taken a chance on him. Why not? He has years of experience as an assistant and now associate head coach, but still no offers. Makes Neal more of a gamble in my opinion. I would take the smarter player, and Price has the best basketball IQ of any former player out there. If I had to gamble, then it would be on Price.
G
March 25th, 2011
3:01 pm
Craig Neal? Come on you can’t be serious
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.
dadgum......
March 26th, 2011
10:14 am
Sports radio 910 in Richmond has opined that Mooney is already considering a GT offer to be their head coach. Folks, we could be hearing today of a hiring or that GT will be moving to plan B.
sportsfan
March 26th, 2011
10:20 am
Mooney don’t run Princeton “O”..get over it. Stop making excuses u don’t know are facts. Did you watch any of his games. Buzz me– needs to Buzz on your dad bewitt is gone. thank God.
GT65
March 26th, 2011
10:23 am
Thanks again Dadgum….U the main insider info man on blog. Keep it coming and hope you right.
SEC Observer
March 26th, 2011
11:07 am
Where’s Buckeye now? He was spouting off all season about how great Ohio State is and the supposedly “down” SEC spoiled their season.
The SEC has 2 teams in the Elite 8. More than any other league.
GT FAN
March 26th, 2011
11:08 am
Can you imagine: Craig Neal, Mark Price and Kenny Anderson as coaches at Georgia Tech? Awesome…
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
11:45 am
The ACC may end up with both Mooney and Marshall. NC State likes Marshall a lot, and just because they have $3M/year to spend doesn’t mean they will, especially now that Miller seems officially out of the mix. Marshall was seriously considered back in 2006 when State picked Lowe, and he has been mentioned prominently in State’s search by many sources. Mooney seems the better fit for Tech, and while some of the other openings (UT, OK, etc.) may have a similarly high profile, Mooney seems more like an ACC/East Coast prospect with his Richmond/Princeton background. I will say that Shaka Smart’s youthful enthusiasm and excitability reminds me of a younger Bobby Cremins at times, and his stock continues to rise. There are other prospects that look better suited to UT and OK.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
11:48 am
The job in Knoxville comes with a lot of baggage (courtesy of Bruce Pearl and the NCAA) and the spectre of a beleaguered AD who likely won’t outlast the next hoops coach. Tenn must hire a squeaky-clean coach with a whole truckload of positive energy, patience, and one who is preferrably hearing-impaired (so he won’t be driven crazy by the repeated strains of RockyTop.)
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
11:52 am
The Wojcik interview is a bit puzzling, but maybe Fogler is trying to get his ol’ buddy a little extra money and/or confidence. While I’d prefer Neal 10 years from now when he has a lot of HC experience and the next coach retires, I could definitely get behind him if DRad has the confidence in him to hire him. Bringing in Price as an assistant or even a temporary consultant, if it happened, would be a great bonus of course.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
11:54 am
Coach Mooney, your phone is ringing!!!! Pick it up, please!!!!
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
11:57 am
After a late return home and sleeping in, Chris Mooney is probably going to have an obligatory courtesy meeting with Richmond’s AD who will pitch him a sweet new deal to stay. Then he will have about a half-dozen serious phone calls to set up interviews with the major suitors for his services. Will probably pursue a couple of those over the next couple of days, and by Monday or Tuesday, maybe an announcement….
JoeFan
March 26th, 2011
11:57 am
If a hiring isn’t announced by Tuesday, then I would venture to guess that the likely new coach has a team still playing in the NCAA or NIT. However. it does sound very likely that Mooney is the new coach. He is a solid choice and one that most fans can support.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
11:58 am
Marshall should be available to talk by Wednesday.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
12:00 pm
If Tech is really his dream job, Neal is a solid fall-back who would be unlikely to actively pursue another job (unless seriously offered) until DRad tells him he is either in or out.
Dawg'94
March 26th, 2011
12:03 pm
Fox and Marshall will be serious contenders for the NCState job. Mooney looks like a good man for GT. I’m afraid UGA will be competing with UT for a coach in the very near future, because Fox will get lured away.
Dawg'94
March 26th, 2011
12:05 pm
While I think UGA’s dominance in football over GT is likely to stay in place, the worm will turn in basketball when Fox leaves and GT gets their next man.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
12:07 pm
I’m surprised we haven’t heard more about Fox and the NCSU opening, but I think they (State) are looking at higher-profile names generally. Yow really can not afford to make a less-than-stellar hire since State fans are fed up and it is a full-blown ACC BASKETBALL school.
GT65
March 26th, 2011
12:08 pm
I’m a GT man but Fox has done a great job at UGA. I really hope in stays its good for both schools and State.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
12:09 pm
I think Fox will be happy and safe at UGA for another year or two. If he gets them into another NCAA or two and they go a little deeper in it, Opp will come a knockin’
GT65
March 26th, 2011
12:10 pm
he not in..
Dawg'94
March 26th, 2011
12:10 pm
I hope Fox is here for years to come, and I think the university will pay him competitively, but he hasn’t made huge gestures or indications of wanting to stay in Athens a long time.
Dawg'94
March 26th, 2011
12:11 pm
And anyone can see that Hoops will always be at best Number Two behind Football, and some might say even behind Baseball. (Still safely ahead of Women’s gymnastics and swimming, thank goodness.)
GT65
March 26th, 2011
12:11 pm
The best gesture is winning I believe.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
12:14 pm
I agree, GT65, I hope Fox stays and keeps UGA competitive in hoops….good for Tech, too, and the region in general.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
12:15 pm
Yeah, winning is THE gesture.
Dawg'94
March 26th, 2011
12:17 pm
He definitely has us winning. And he has made the obligatory references to liking UGA and Athens, but you know some guys get really invested in their locations and I don’t think he has. which is a wise move when you are young coach
Jack Daniels Terrier
March 26th, 2011
12:18 pm
Mark, what’s the latest on interviews?
Jack Daniels Terrier
March 26th, 2011
12:19 pm
Thanks for yesterday’s recap and update. When nobody knows nothing (DRad running a tight ship as usual), it’s nice to get whatever info and perspective we can get.
O'Brien
March 26th, 2011
12:38 pm
Mark,
I heard on the radio that the VCU coach should be high on Tennessee’s list due to his SEC connections, but do you think he should be an option at Tech?
Jack Daniels Terrier
March 26th, 2011
1:42 pm
Smart only served one year under Donovan at Gainesville. Does he have other SEC connections? He has a couple of year at Clemson, and several more at various schools further north….seems more like an East Coast/ACC kind of guy than SEC to me, but interested to hear other opinions.
Jack Daniels Terrier
March 26th, 2011
1:45 pm
While UT can pay well and I am sure it could become a good job overall, a young coach wouldn’t seem to be the logical choice to deal with upcoming NCAA static and an unstable AD situation. I’d think UT and whoever they hire would be more comfortable if that hire were already well-established with unassailable integrity.
RockyJob
March 26th, 2011
1:48 pm
Tennessee’s Hamilton has to make the “safest” pick of any of the AD’s looking to hire a hoops coach. On the other hand, he probably won’t be around long enough himself to see next basketball season.
U r kidding me
March 26th, 2011
1:50 pm
Great move.. Hire Neal, no head coaching experience and hire Price, no recruiting experience… Yea great move
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
1:53 pm
Mark, if you’re still following this line….
At first Shaka Smart reminded me a little of Cremins with his energy and enthusiasm, but the more I think about it, it’s really a young Jimmy V that he reminds me of. Wonder if the folks in Raleigh see any resemblance?
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
1:58 pm
I think most of the high-majors will need another year or two of sustained success to pull the trigger on a Shaka Smart hire. He obviously has potential, but some comets flare out too early. Love his intensity and initial success, but the verdict is still out on program-building and managing long-term success.
FullMetalJacket
March 26th, 2011
2:00 pm
Neal and Price in any combination would be popular hire among most fans, especially the more casual fans, and they’d be given a reasonable honeymoon to get things going. But in the absence of proven success as head coaches, they would need to land some stellar recruits and field some very competitive teams fairly quickly.
nhe
March 26th, 2011
2:13 pm
Bushwacker………nice spin………you failed to mention that Alford and Neal were run out of Iowa on a rail, and they left the program in shambles.
juvenal
March 26th, 2011
2:26 pm
1(no new post yet?-my bad, too eager……)
So, the AJC Sports staff doesn't work on weekends?
March 26th, 2011
4:09 pm
Apparently not.
David
March 26th, 2011
5:20 pm
Thanks for the update. Hope GT gets the best guy. Consigliere is spelled with an e not i on the end.
paul has a small jonson
March 26th, 2011
6:48 pm
4 free hot dogs + 4 free Cokes = the joke by Coke. hahaha
GTBasketball Fan
March 26th, 2011
7:50 pm
Mark….. Have you done your research on Doug Wojick. This guy is a great choice! 1st…. look at his background as an assistant. When Roy won his first National Championship at UNC that was Doug’s recruiting class. 2nd…. he leaves UNC and goes to Michigan State and works with Tom Izzo who knows how to run a program and develop coaches. He recruits for Tom and wins a National Championship there. 3rd…. He gets hired for his first college coaching job at Tulsa and inherits a program that fell apart after all those great coaches left for big schools. 4th point… Before he got there Tulsa gave it to an old assistant who didn’t recruit after the GREAT run Tulsa had. The program fell apart and he came in to clean it up. He comes in there and has them at the top of the league and competiting for championships against Memphis (Calipari) and Houston. 5th… He gets the C-USA tournament out of Memphis and into Tulsa. 6th… He graduated from Navy and played with David Robinson. He is a hard nose coach and knows what it takes at an Academic School. Tulsa is considered the Harvard of the Mid-West. Doug is a GREAT CHOICE!! He gets it and is familiar with the ACC and winning National Championships!
opie
March 26th, 2011
8:10 pm
Brian Gregory is a name you missed on and he has “possibly” been offered the Tech job. From Dayton to Tech is interesting. He’s a pretty good coach, but is he good enough?
So, the AJC Sports staff doesn't work on weekends?
March 26th, 2011
8:19 pm
The only source for the Gregory story was a single blog by an unreliable source I won’t even mention. When a second independent source confirms it, I might consider it, but there is nothing in Gregory’s background to suggest he would get the offer before completing the interview process…and I can’t see him getting the offer at all. Perhaps Fogler was throwing his old buddy a bone as a salary-booster or vote of confidence by interviewing him, but he would be completely unsuitable for the Tech job.
So, the AJC Sports staff doesn't work on weekends?
March 26th, 2011
8:21 pm
The same blog has made derisive comments about Tech’s ability to find a quality candidate and Tech’s ability to pay. Gregory story was a hoax, a stick in the Yellow Jacket nest.
Delbert D.
March 26th, 2011
8:22 pm
Just in case nobody has said this today, I think DRad should offer the job to Roy Williams and make him turn it down.
So, the AJC Sports staff doesn't work on weekends?
March 26th, 2011
8:23 pm
Tech ass’t AD Hogan took the unusual step of breaking search silence to refute the Gregory story, which would be pointless if the rumor was true, since an announcement would be imminent. Hogan said they are still interviewing people.
Delbert D.
March 26th, 2011
8:23 pm
Hmmm…I do indeed feel like a complete moron after that post. Wonder why….
GT65
March 26th, 2011
8:41 pm
Mooney is thinking over GT’s offer..per dadgum the Insider.
sports
March 26th, 2011
11:14 pm
great to see the “dookie” blue devils get manhandled and drilled out of the NCAA tournament. Their not much better than the high school team ga tech
Russ GATA
March 26th, 2011
11:51 pm
Sammy Drummer?
kshizzle
March 27th, 2011
1:27 am
Mooney got smoked, way too smoked to be a good hire. I like Shaka Smart as the only coach still Coaching that would be worth a dang. If not Shaka then let’s try Neil. He has Bobby Knight and Bobby Cremins’ in his blood. That works for me.
dawggone
March 27th, 2011
7:37 am
Sports…..u don’t know crap about sports!
Dadgum.....
March 27th, 2011
9:31 am
To clarify, I am not an insider. My sources are definitely insiders in a very big way. Mooney’s job to lose as they have told me. I wanted Grant and still think Smart may enter through the back door. I found it somewhat puzzling that no Richmond media outlets today have anything new.
D A DoubleU G
March 27th, 2011
10:58 am
I hope “sports” is not a Dawg fan. That was a pretty stupid post.
opie
March 27th, 2011
11:03 am
“Tech ass’t AD Hogan took the unusual step of breaking search silence to refute the Gregory story, which would be pointless if the rumor was true, since an announcement would be imminent. Hogan said they are still interviewing people.”
a) it is not unusual, at all, to refute rumors. Actually, kind of status quo.
b) What Hogan said is they hadn’t finalized their search. He didn’t specifically address the offer to Gregory, so he’s got a loophole, of sorts.
c) I do agree with you in that I don’t know why he’d be the one they offered. I don’t know why they’d offer coach from Richmond either. He’s like “Jimmer”, hot right now, but 3 years from now will anyone even care? Save the money and take the time to make the right choice, not the media darling choice of right now.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:59 am
So, now we’re hearing that Georgia Tech did NOT meet with Mooney on Saturday. Did they speak by phone or do they have plans to meet?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
12:05 pm
Mark, good afternoon. We’re hearing that Tech hasn’t met with Mooney yet, have you heard anything recently? Technically speaking, they could have talked by phone, but we haven’t even heard that yet.
CHUCK UGA
March 27th, 2011
12:07 pm
We just hope Tech doesn’t come after that Butler coach. That man is really good.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
12:08 pm
I don’t see Mooney as a flash in the pan, though that is all that Shaka Smart is SO FAR. Mooney seems more methodical, building for the long term, which makes him more suitable for Tech than for NC State, which needs a fast turnaround. I like Smart, too, and his references are stellar, but only two years at VCU with Anthony Grant’s players isn’t enough to tell just yet.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
12:09 pm
Stevens’ feet are nailed to the hardwood floor at Butler. He isn’t going anywhere.
ormewood
March 27th, 2011
12:18 pm
Stevens will leave Butler at some point, but when he does it will be for a top-tier program only. I’m thinking Indiana, UCLA, Kentucky, UNC, maybe Ohio St.
81Dog
March 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
Lee Goza is rested, ready, and can bring the same level of sportsmanship to Tech basketball that Fish Fry has brought to Tech football. Think outside the box, nerds.
ct
March 27th, 2011
12:57 pm
full metal, you know nothing and DRAD isn’t listening to you so knock yourself out, you have no authority
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
12:57 pm
81Dog, we rather hoped that CMR might come coach basketball at Tech so that our whole team could swarm the end of the court after we scored our first basket every game….
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
ct: I don’t think anyone here, including myself, knows anything special, and I am sure DRAD isn’t taking his cues from any of us. What aspect of your inferiority complex triggered your brilliant, insightful attack on me, I wonder? Was it the “un” missing from between the first and last letters of your handle, perhaps?
Jack Daniels Terrier
March 27th, 2011
1:03 pm
Never met the man (or woman) personally, but I get the impression that “ct” really is a “c–t”. Good call, FMJ.
Et in arcadia ego
March 27th, 2011
1:06 pm
It’s this darned waiting….we’re all climbing the walls and lashing out at each other. I used to have a life, but now all I have is the AJC blog….waiting for news about the new coach, waiting, waiting, tick tock tick tock….somebody save me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Et in arcadia ego
March 27th, 2011
1:07 pm
OK, not really. I am a UGA fan….I’ve never had a life.