Georgia Tech’s thinning search: Is anyone left? Why, yes
Shaka Smart and his astounding VCU victors: Can Tech afford to wait on him? (AP photo)
We’ve been saying for a while that Georgia Tech would have to focus on a mid-major coach due to money, or the lack thereof. Trouble is, this looks more and more like the wrong time to be hiring a mid-major coach. Because Chris Mooney just re-upped at Richmond. Because Cuonzo Martin just made the leap from Missouri State to Tennessee. And this leaves the Jackets … where?
Maybe with Gregg Marshall of Wichita State, whose Shockers are still playing in the NIT. Maybe with Brian Gregory of Dayton, although the reaction Friday night to a series of Tweets indicating Tech had already offered Gregory the job was so negative it had to give pause. Maybe even with Doug Wojcik of Tulsa, although I can’t believe he’d be received any more positively than Gregory would.
And what of Shaka Smart? The VCU wonder — no coach in NCAA history has ever had to win five times just to reach the Final Four — has at least one more game on his calendar, and waiting to interview Smart would not only put Tech far behind its April 1 target but would also leave the school open to being turned down at a very late date.
The loose consensus — on the outside, if not the inside — was that Tech had been waiting on Mooney. He apparently interviewed Sunday and then went home and said, “More money to stay in place? I’ll take it.” That he’s no longer available and that Martin, whom I’ve trumpeted for six weeks, is moving to Knoxville limits the Jackets’ options but doesn’t mean they still can’t find the right coach.
Last week I thought it would be Mooney or Marshall, in that order. Now I think it will be Marshall. But I’m also thinking the candidacy of Craig Neal — the former Jacket who’s a New Mexico assistant — is growing longer legs with every day.
By Mark Bradley
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347 comments Add your comment
Don't Panic
March 27th, 2011
8:09 pm
Don’t hire Gregory!
Ira
March 27th, 2011
8:10 pm
This is the first time I’ve gotten to one of your stories before there were any comments, Mark. Just thought you should know.
No One Knows You're a Dawg
March 27th, 2011
8:11 pm
If this were a search for a UGA assistant football coach MB and JS would be saying it spelled the end of Georgia’s program.
Worm
March 27th, 2011
8:12 pm
Perry Clark was just fired from Texas-San Antonio wasn’t he?
Don't Panic
March 27th, 2011
8:12 pm
Take a breath. Re-group. Make a smart hire.
Gregory may be a great basketball mind, who comes from a successful basketball family tree… But, that does not mean he can translate his knowledge to 18-22 year old kids. That 15-52 career record vs. the RPI Top 50 stings too much to be taken seriously by Tech.
Ira
March 27th, 2011
8:14 pm
Nah. They’d be pointing out how embarrassing it is that everyone uga goes after turns them down. They can’t do that with Tech, because our search isn’t so public.
Tech Man
March 27th, 2011
8:15 pm
We have to get Noodles. He is the only one we can afford right now and he would be a good coach with his heart into it.
misterwax
March 27th, 2011
8:17 pm
My vote goes with Noodles Neal…. if anyone can coach a kid to take a charge, he’s the one.
GT Letterman
March 27th, 2011
8:18 pm
No to Noodles Neal. Nice Guy. Not our best effort at a hire, though.
Tim
March 27th, 2011
8:19 pm
Gregory would be a great hire. He wins games and gets his teams to play hard. With the upgrade in talent at GT from Dayton he could be a little Tom Izzo. His teams at Dayton are full of terrible shooters because no one wants to go there.
O'Brien
March 27th, 2011
8:20 pm
Mark,
I’m surprised Mooney didnt get a contract with an automatic rollover like what we gave Hewitt (yes, that is sarcasm).
If they do hire the Wichita State coach, is there going to be any excitement generated among the fan base?
Ron Jirsa
March 27th, 2011
8:20 pm
What about me?!?!?
Outside Observer
March 27th, 2011
8:21 pm
Any word on if Price would be willing to be an assistant coach if Neal was selected as the head coach? Getting both would be ideal in my opinion. We get the big name guy to help with recruiting, we get the guy who really knows his x’s and o’s. Granted neither one has the experience desired but everyone has to start somewhere. If D-Rad believes he can be the guy, I’m ok with Tech being that starting ground.
cattle dawg
March 27th, 2011
8:22 pm
Im surprised that Mooney turns tech down, but Im not sure how good this guy is.
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:24 pm
If we end up with Marshall, we will look back on today as a great day for GT basketball. I’m sure Mooney would have done fine, but Marshall is a great coach. I just hope NC State is still wasting their time looking “higher”, because we can’t outbid them. Maybe they will take Fox.
B
March 27th, 2011
8:28 pm
How confident are we (on the outside) of the financial situation of Tech athletics? The first sentence of this article implies that Tech wouldn’t have the money to make an offer to a high-major coach. I could see how that *could* be the case, given the Hewitt buy-out, the Gailey buy-out, the new arena, and lagging ticket sales, but are we sure that that actually *is* the case, or is it possible that Tech could still end up luring away a coach from another power conference school?
Dawgfan0711
March 27th, 2011
8:28 pm
Better get Marshall, not a whole lot left to choose from. Smart has VCU in final four but a short track record. Marshall is the safe pick, smart is high risk, high reward kind of hire. Good luck jackets with your hire.
Dawgfan0711
March 27th, 2011
8:30 pm
Gordon…Fox isn’t going any where, UGA can afford to pay it’s coaches as much as anybody can.
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:30 pm
For all we know, Rodriquez (the point guard for VCU) is Smart’s Jarrett Jack. VCU is a special team – that are mostly Anthony Grant’s players. Smart’s price tag will be too inflated from this wild ride to be worth the risk. We’ve been down that road already. Hire a guy with a proven decade and a half of good coaching. Go get Gregg Marshall.
Jupiter
March 27th, 2011
8:32 pm
Pearl is waiting for the call!
Not A Hewitt Fan
March 27th, 2011
8:32 pm
I say go with the Price/Neal/Anderson combo. Cant be any worse than the last thing we had.
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:33 pm
Dawgfan0711,
No doubt UGA can pay whatever anyone else offers for Fox. The question is, does Fox want to coach at a school where he will always be a distant #2 in the sports pecking order? NC State cares about basketball they way you guys care about football, and that appeals to good basketball coaches.
louisville slugger
March 27th, 2011
8:33 pm
Marshall, Gregory, Wojcik – none of them will energize the base. I was hoping for Mooney, but right now, I think Craig Neal would be a better choice (at least of energizing the base) than anyone else I’m hearing about. Maybe not a perfect hire, but I’m willing to give him a chance. Smart seems like a one-hit wonder, not unlike Hewitt with Siena…
Tech86
March 27th, 2011
8:35 pm
Smart Hire Donnie Tyndall of Morehead State and he can Kenny Anderson to the fold. He is the one
Et in arcadia ego
March 27th, 2011
8:35 pm
Wojcik will be OK. Neal will be OK. Gregory will NOT be OK. Marshall will be best (better than Mooney, even) if NC State doesn’t take him.
Et in arcadia ego
March 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
NC State may be targeting Marshall and Smart (a reincarnation of a young Jimmy V?!).
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
Just watch Marshall’s team Tuesday night in the NIT semifinals before you settle for Craig Neal. Besides, Craig Neal isn’t going anywhere. He WILL take the Tech job if it is offered tomorrow or two weeks from tomorrow.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:38 pm
I have to think N.C. State is aiming higher than Gregg Marshall.
The jobs still in play: Missouri, Oklahoma, N.C. State and Tech.
TMC
March 27th, 2011
8:39 pm
“Spurned”?
Don’t think that was an accurate word for the title of this article.
Unless, i get some quotes where he rips GT for the treatment or something like it….
I think that is a little strong for someone who got a raise and stayed put.
Et in arcadia ego
March 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
DRad hasn’t interviewed Tyndall for a reason, and it isn’t because they’re still playing in a tournament. I trust DRad on this one. Fox to NC State is a possibility, but the Pack fanbase feels about Fox the way Tech fans felt about Gregory–they don’t like him a bit.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
I’ll tell you what: Shaka Smart has been unbelievable the past 10 days. How about the inbounds play to win Friday against one of the best defensive teams anywhere? How about doing an Northern Iowa on Bill Self?
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:42 pm
If Mark is right about N.C. State going for a bigger name than Marshall, then Missouri is the biggest threat. They have lots of money, and are close to Witchita. Maybe they will take the bait on Shaka Smart, and maybe Marshall wants to return to the South.
Peter D
March 27th, 2011
8:43 pm
Hey Mark!
The coach in you picture has the wrong name. His name is Shaka Smart. C’Mon buddy
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:44 pm
Hewitt was unbelievable for 10 days once long ago….
Et in arcadia ego
March 27th, 2011
8:45 pm
NC State was going after Sean Miller and making tentative gestures towards Rick Barnes, but reports seem to have them staying put. I would have thought Yow needed to hire a big name with an excellent track record, and she has the budget to do it, but who’s left of the major coaches? State is desperate for a winner and a quick reversal of fortune. Duke and UNC are killing them.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:47 pm
Sorry. His name is Shaka Smart, and he is smart.
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:47 pm
I wonder why the State fans don’t like Fox? I understand Mooney (too much like Sendek), but Fox is a darn good coach.
Et in arcadia ego
March 27th, 2011
8:48 pm
Reading the Pack blogs (I know, I know) indicates their fanbase feels a bit like Tech’s tonight: who else is out there who meets our expectations? I’m guessing there will be some big name surprises dropped in the next day or two…but no idea who they might be. State has more money for BB HC than GT, Mizzou, or OK, and are hungry!
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:48 pm
Fox is a good coach, but he’s not a big name. State is aiming for a Big Name
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
8:49 pm
My brother in law is a State man, and he just isn’t impressed with Fox’s couple of years at an SEC football school. Of course, he married my sister, so what does he know?
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:51 pm
I really think State will spend the most of the remaining programs to hire its guy: I’m thinking $2 million at the bottom
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
8:52 pm
FMJ don’t make me call your mom and tell what you said about her favorite SON(in-law). Mom alway liked your sister best anyway. LOL
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:52 pm
And let’s be clear: We don’t know if Mooney was ever offered the job at Tech. The assumption — on the outside, remember — was that it was his to lose. But that might not have been the case.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
8:52 pm
I never wanted Mooney – has everyone forgotten that GT beat Richmond earlier this year??? Why would we want a coach who got out coached by Hewitt. I say wait for Smart as Marshall isn’t going anywhwere
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:52 pm
I’m surprised Missouri didn’t offer Martin, since he is right there at SW Missouri State. I guess they want a big name too.
Good. Maybe they will stay away from Marshall as well.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
BTW, I do have highly reliable inside info and Mooney was never offered.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
I really like Cuonzo Martin. Liked him as a player, like him as a coach. I think Tennessee made a good hire.
Pitiful
March 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
Why not consider Larry Brown? He wants to coach at college and would be better than any of the above.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
8:54 pm
State’s basketball coach will likely be the defining hire of AD Yow’s tenure. They are every bit the basketball school as UNC and Duke…they’ve just been through a long down cycle. Sendek was fired after making the NCAA’s 4 years in a row, I believe, just because they did not like his style (and he didn’t dominate Tobacco Road). Their standards are high, and their basketball program impacts overall student enrollment like UGA’s football program does in Athens.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
8:54 pm
I don’t think Price and/or Neal are in ther running. Only way Neal gets here is if he comes with Alford. BTW, congrats Mark on the KY win
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
That’s odd, thwg. Because we’ve had people come on here the past month saying Chris Mooney was a done deal for GT.
But you’re right. We don’t know if it he got an offer.
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
thwg,
What makes you think Marshall isn’t going anywhere? Although I have to say I was very impressed with their fans at the NIT game with Charleston the other night. What an atmosphere!
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:56 pm
I had nothing to do with the UK win, thwg. In fact, I’m the guy who had been telling his daughter, who’s a big Cat fan, that I didn’t think this was a Final Four team.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
8:56 pm
Martin was an excellent hire for Tennessee, especially since they may (or may not) be damaged goods in NCAA eyes. He may be too good for them.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
8:57 pm
You have to be kidding if you think NCSU is a higher profile job than GT. Mark I disagree with you – of the remaining jobs, GT is the best – Atlanta, GA/ATL recruiting base, Atlanta Media market, the ACC. Maybe OK and NCST can pay more, but I wouldn’t bet on it. You keep saying GT can’t pay -but Drad has clearly stated money won’t be an option. The difference between 1.5M and 2.0M will be made up in one season. 1/2 a mil is nothing Mark.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
LOL Mark – well, I think they take Uconn with a great KY/VCU final with KY winning.
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
8:59 pm
I was in the running for the iPad until today. I had Kentucky losing to Kansas in the finals, and UConn losing to Kentucky in the semi finals. I was 12th overall, now probably 2000th.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
8:59 pm
Smart is *really* smart. I bet none of his guys would allowed to be slackers in history courses at Tech. Imagine being quizzed on the French Revolution while running drills.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:00 pm
NCSU is floating $3 Million per year out there. NCSU is ACC royalty, if you know your basketball history. That being said, I would rather be in Atlanta than in Raleigh, where the school, the city, the media market, the recruiting, and so many other things are much better in my opinion. Of course, I admit I am more than a bit biased.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:01 pm
My info says the fan base was lukewarm to Wojcik and Mooney. They love Brad STevens, Sharka Smart and would have been lucky to get Martin – who I agree was a great hire for TN. But let us not forget Grant – AL will always be a football school and Bball second – yes, AL has the budget. But honestly, where would you rather coach – AL or GT?
Mark – what would you think of Wojo from Duke?
JoeFan
March 27th, 2011
9:02 pm
Unless DRad pulls a rabbit out of the hat, I believe Neal will be the new BB head coach. But like has previously been mentioned, he isn’t going anywhere. So why not at least prolong the search and interview some of the other possibilities?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:02 pm
Sorry, guys, but I can’t take seriously any team whose abbreviation is “KY.” I bet “mens on roundball” always have KY in their bracket. I think I’ll just call them UK or the ‘Cats.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:05 pm
I do not think Georgia Tech will hire an assistant unless he’s Craig Neal.
And why would Wojo be a better candidate than, say, Chris Collins?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:06 pm
Tech fans do NOT love Smart, Grant, and Martin. Stevens is untouchable. Each of the prospects has his followers and detractors, but there was more support for Mooney than any other single name mentioned out there. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but there has not been a true groundswell of support for any of the names mentioned.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:07 pm
How could you not love Shaka Smart?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:07 pm
And I think that is just fine. We are interested, not at all tepid, but we are keeping our minds open, hopefully.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:08 pm
I’m no more sold on Neal that I would be on other assistant coaches.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:11 pm
I like Shaka Smart, I don’t know ShaRka Smart, and I wouldn’t trust either of them with the keys to my car or my basketball program (unless I got him on the cheap.)
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
I agree that in most cases it isn’t wise for a big-time program to hire an assistant. But I know Craig Neal, and I believe — as I’ve written more than once — he deserves special consideration.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
No chance of getting Shaka Smart cheap now.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
Of course, I only own season tickets to someone else’s basketball program in yet another someone’s arenas next year.
1953 dawg
March 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
The joke by the coke will hire Neal and Price. The only coaches that want to come to Tech are former players that have no clue of how to coach. Besides, Tech only requires that their new coach have high school coaching experience, which makes Price a top priority. Tech fans though their head coaching job was a top job as well as Bradley and his ignorant co-writer Schultz. These 2 clowns are more pathetic than tech fans when it comes to expectations to the Tech program in basketball and football. Bottomline is the writers for the AJC are a joke, and the Tech job is a joke, and nobody wants the task of cleaning up the mess Hewitt has left, nor does anyone want to be a bottom feeder in the ACC in basketball. Maybe Paul Johnson has a friend Tech could hire. LOL!! Tech is a joke and so is the AJC!!
UGA=YAWN
March 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
Why would a coach from Richmond even be considered!? Richmond is not GT and definitely not ACC. We need a coach that we have actually heard of – from a top program. Why not hire Bobby Knight!!?? He would kick some ACC butt – literally and figuratively. I’d love to see him wipe that smurk off of coach K’s face!!! Poor, pitiful Duke!!
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:13 pm
FullMetalJacket – How about a 4-year lease to start with?
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
9:14 pm
I would take Neal over Smart, but I am not even wanting Neal.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:14 pm
I agree, Shaka is in the big money already, which is why the meagerly funded VCU may not be able to hold on to him. Neal is much less a gamble than Smart, in my opinion, and while Smart’s stock rises nationally, Neal’s stock must be rising on North Ave.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:14 pm
Fullmettal – you are either a UGA imposter, or an idiot. I’ve been in many GT meetings are you are high if you think GT fans are not enamored with Smart and Grant. Martin, most didn’t know.
Mark, who is this idiot?
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:15 pm
I’ve certainly got nothing against Craig Neal, but once you start looking at assistants, I think you have to increase the field.
Rodney Dangerfield
March 27th, 2011
9:15 pm
Of all the names that I’ve seen I believe Marshall would be the best bet. After Marshall, Tech is better off with Neal or Price than Gregory or other not so hot coach. That is unless someone comes out of the blue that we haven’t talked about yet.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:15 pm
As I said: This is a great year to be a mid-major coach, less great if you’re looking to hire one.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:17 pm
1953 Dawg – check your meds. Fox is so overrated – he needs to kiss Feltons’ butt for having Thompkins and Leslie there – Fox has developed ZERO talent. Thornton? He’s an afterthought and would be on the bench at GT
Dollar Bill
March 27th, 2011
9:17 pm
Mark… I have no problem with Tenn hiring Martin. I do think that shows us what the market is like right now. I would have thought they would get a bigger name. Unless the bigger names are saying no. Which may be the case and what is that going to do for NCSU?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:17 pm
1953 dawg, I guess 19-53 is the range of scores you made on your IQ, back in the day. Sorry those electroshock treatments and meds left you confused. This is the Georgia Tech blog.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:17 pm
Mark, what happened with Alford at Iowa?
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:19 pm
I agree with Delbert – I would love to Alford. Mark – do you know anything. Sounds like Neal’s a friend of yours – is Alford an option?
AlabamaRamblinwreck
March 27th, 2011
9:20 pm
Hewitt killed us for the last 7 years, and now the debt we owe him is killing us….just SAD….
perk
March 27th, 2011
9:21 pm
mark: how about Bobby Hurley? a coach K disciple. Dawg fan here but is he ready?
AlabamaRamblinwreck
March 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
Mark: Our maximum per year offer must be less than 1.5….SAD….
sports
March 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
Their waiting to find a proven loser. Great to see the “dookies” drilled and manhandled and then the phony tar heels out of the NCAA Tournament. Wildcats will win it all, of the SEC.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
No, I’m not suggesting Alford. He and Neal were together at Iowa. I want to know why Alford left for New Mexico after 3 years.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
9:23 pm
perk
bobby is an assistant for his younger brother.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:23 pm
Mark – is Tubby Smith out of the running. I have inside info – friend spoke to his son who said the only 2 jobs he’d leave MN for are GT and MD.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:23 pm
thwg: I am sure you have been in many “meetings.” I don’t know what that has to do with anything. Judging by the blogs here, most fans seem to be concerned with Smart’s lack of experience and consider him a big gamble. Unlike you, most do not feel a shudder down their leg when they see him jump up and down on the sidelines. Grant, like Stevens, was never a realistic target given our salary parameters and he has only been at Bama two years–in which they haven’t made the tournament. Perhaps the meetings you were attending were for “delusionals anonymous,” and how dare you call me a UGA imposter. I can only surmise that you are a butt sniffer yourself.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:24 pm
Steve Alford left Iowa because the fans there had grown surly toward him, despite a record of success.
Iowa has since stunk, FYI.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:24 pm
Tubby Smith is not coming here.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:24 pm
Sorry Delbert – misunderstood. My understanding is that Alford was still green when he landed at Iowa. Sounds like he’s grown up quite a bit?
Rodney Dangerfield
March 27th, 2011
9:25 pm
Bobby Hurley, wtf???
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:25 pm
So Mark, if you’re a betting man, which you’re not:-) Who’s your best guess?
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:25 pm
I say Smart or Grant.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:26 pm
Gregg Marshall, thwg.
TomB
March 27th, 2011
9:26 pm
If you take Drad at his word then money cannot be the issue. He said Tech would have considerable resources to throw at a new coach. Now, either he was being less than honest, or Tech should still be in play for anyone around 1.5 million annually. Did Mooney get this big of a raise? Everyone keeps saying Tech doesn’t have the money, but this doesn’t square with Drad’s statements in my opinion.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:26 pm
Oh yeah Mark – I actually like your comment about Chris Collins – what’s your take on him?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
thwg: haha. Still talking about Tubby? Your “inside info” must involve “KY”. Really, anytime anyone says “I have inside info” on one of these sites you can hear the laughter across the Southeast. At first I pitied you, but now I see you are really just joking. What a hoot.
Lethal Weapon
March 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
hey inbredvilles, any uga astronauts flying over your s___hole in the past decade or ever for that matter? thought not, maybe you are the joke, you finished in football with the same sorry record of 6 and 7, and that was with all your 5 stars…geez guess that makes you inbreds from the woodsheds
if Shaka is leaving, GT will be the place if DRAD can wait another week. GT and company need to find a way to get to Shakas people(agent, wife, relative, best friend just to see if he would talk after the tournament. otherwise why waste this time. Surely, Shaka is aware of the deadline that is becoming an issue.
Now all the Mooney lovers are jumping on the Marshall bandwagon, why Marshall? Even if he wins the NIT, so what? I lived in SC and none in that state is as impressed with him as much as you people on this blog seem to be. (just 22 yr olds that went to Winthrop when he was coach there) Why did not SC or Clemson hire the former Winthrop darling? Both passed on him and now GT is stuck with him?
GT should call Bobby Cremins and offer him the job before going after Marshall. NOT IMPRESSED.
PRICE AND NEAL should be the choice. There are plenty who want that so do not think you Marshall people have the overwhelming majority because you do not.
BTW, when some of the reports said that Dayton coach was coming to GT, the Dayton fans on their blogs were celebrating and hoping to get rid of him.
William Satterwhite
March 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
Delbert, Alford at Iowa seems to be kind of like Sendek at NC St as a case where the fans became dissatisfied with the coach not being successful enough for their tastes.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
But the Alford/Iowa divorce was an ugly one. He left to take the New Mexico job having taken the Hawkeyes to the NCAA three times in seven seasons and having never had a losing season.
Iowa’s an odd place. Fans there are very passionate about basketball. But you’ll recall Lute Olson left Iowa to coach Arizona.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:28 pm
Bobby Hurley is currently an assistant to his brother Dan at Wagner. I picked that up from the 60 Minutes piece on Bob Hurley tonight. But, read Bobby’s Wiki entry and check out his financial problem with the loan on the race horse he owned.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:28 pm
And what would you think if it is Marshall? When do they play next and who do they play – sorry, I’ve been too busy with the NCAA
Isiah Rider
March 27th, 2011
9:29 pm
i can coach……………..
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:29 pm
Wichita State plays Washington State Tuesday night.
Ed Stone
March 27th, 2011
9:30 pm
Not that he’d be interested but what about Tommy Amaker? He had a good run with Seton Hall and who could blame him for the train wreck he inherited at Michigan? He made a winner out of Harvard who has no athletic scholarships.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
Thanks Mark.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
I think Marshall is a good coach. I believe I’ve mentioned that an AD of my acquaintance — not Dan Radakovich, I should attest — calls him the best mid-major coach in the country. I’m not sure about his personality. He’s said to have a healthy ego.
Then again, so do I.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
Tech has plenty of money to find a good coach, but not to get into a bidding war with a NC State. I agree that DRad would not have made a point of saying money was not really an issue if it weren’t true. There would be no reason to mislead anyone. But even NC State, who has floated out the figure $3 million a year several times, has found few really worthy, big names available. They will make a big hire eventually, I think. But Tech isn’t as desperate as State and shouldn’t have to pay as much to find a suitable hire.
Tim
March 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
It’s Gregory. Done deal and will get announced before noon tomorrow.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:33 pm
Let me ask y’all a question: If it IS Brian Gregory, how would you feel?
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
9:33 pm
Oh really, Tim? As of 2 days ago Radakovich hadn’t even spoken to the Dayton AD.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:33 pm
It’s not Gregory.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:34 pm
Don’t want Gregory – would rather have Alford and Alford would leave for GT in a NY minute.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:34 pm
Let me go on the record: Brian Gregory will or will not become the next Tech coach.
Skeezix
March 27th, 2011
9:35 pm
Bobby Hurley learned coaching from his Hall of Fame father and, of course, from K. He and his brother have made significant improvement at Wagner –but he has never been a head coach and I don’t think he would coach in the ACC as long as K is still coaching at Duke (unless it is at Coach K’s side).
moorman
March 27th, 2011
9:35 pm
on the real, what i would do is is TRY and rework hewitt’s contract where they could pay him on the back end, use the money upfront and get shaka smart. laugh, tech is in a peculiar situation, they HAVE to market this team. shaka would bring more than coaching, he would bring at least two years of excitement and anticipation to the program. they got to do it….
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:35 pm
Didn’t Eddie Fogler say that as well? Or maybe somebody said the same thing about Wojcik. This is getting to be confusing.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
It’s worth noting, Drad isn’t going to hire someone now that he could hire in 2 weeks after taking a shot at Smart, Stevens or Marshall. Gregory, Neal, Price, etc, etc will all be there in 3 weeks
Tim
March 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
Alford knows GT is a black hole. Gregory is the only guy who can win a press conference that is willing to jump to a tough spot right now.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
There is something about Shaka Smart’s enthusiasm and passion that reminds me of a young Bobby Cremins. And every head coach he’s worked for raves about him. But he’s winning his way right out of our price range. (Yes, we have money, but we don’t have enough to throw away on a gamble, lest we end up worse off than Hurley on his racehorse.)
Tim
March 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
Smart and Stevens are definitely not coming. Marshall, who knows what he might do.
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
9:37 pm
I would feel very very disappointed. To not even talk with Marshall would be a mistake (unless he has said he has no interest behind the scenes). I would rather have the Tulsa guy (record not bad if you look closer) or Neal before Gregory. Neal is a risk, but he comes cheap and said something I really liked: “I would have to hire my assistants with my weaknesses in mind”. But he is at least 3rd on my list. Gregory is way down the list, and hiring him means surrender to mediocrity.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:37 pm
People, if it was going to be someone who isn’t coaching any more we’d have already hired them.
Skeezix
March 27th, 2011
9:37 pm
Don’t know why no one has called Dino Gaudio–a proven ACC head coach who is available and has something to prove.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:38 pm
DRad knows more about Tech’s needs and situation than all of us put together. It’s fun to speculate and pontificate, but I’m willing to trust him.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:38 pm
Let’s put it this way, Gordon: I would be stunned if Gregg Marshall had said behind the scenes he has no interest in Tech.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
9:38 pm
Mark
Funny
Tech will HAVE a new coach. That much I do KNOW. LOL
Dollar Bill
March 27th, 2011
9:38 pm
Ok so our first choice has said he will be staying put.I wonder if Marshall would dance again with NCSU? Yow will handle the situation much better. Heck he may go to OU now that Buzz Williams is rumored to re-up at Marquette. OU has to be sweating it. Amaker still in play for GT I would imagine.
gomabman2
March 27th, 2011
9:38 pm
Mark, nice blogs running on the GT coaching search. Shaka Smart would be the right coach for the program and is worth the wait for the asking. I do believe that they should not get desperate on the count of money. A couple of other names come to mind. Hmmm…Danny Manning, Rod Strickland. And what of the Anthony Grant and Brad Stevens situation?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:39 pm
Well said, Gordo.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:39 pm
I don’t know, Skeezix. Dino Gaudio wasted so much talent at Wake Forest.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:39 pm
I said this earlier, but I took another look at Gregory’s bio on the Dayton site, and I don’t understand all of the negativity, even though I pounced quickly and hard on the BS Sports (whatever) website rumor on Friday. It looks as if Dayton fans are similar to Iowa fans.
gomabman2
March 27th, 2011
9:40 pm
Gregory isnt even liked in Dayton. I’ve seen several blogs in his area wanting him to leave. Doesnt sound too inviting.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:40 pm
Exactly Mark – GT is an upgrade for 90% of the jobs out there. Tulsa, Wichita, Richmond, VCU – are you kidding? If offered, any of those guys would come. Steven is building Butler like Few did at Gonzaga – no real reason for him to leave, but would love it if he would.
Skeezix
March 27th, 2011
9:41 pm
GT can just forget about Smart and Stevens—ain’t gonna happen.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:41 pm
Grant makes too much money, gomabman2. Stevens isn’t leaving Butler, at least not anytime soon. Strickland just got demoted from assistant coach to administrative assistant at Kentucky after another DUI. Danny Manning works for the guy who got outcoached by Shaka Smart.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:42 pm
One reason why searches are kept secret is the “Catch 22″ that if you hire the first guy you like you are open to criticism for not shopping around, and if you interview too many guys and pick an earlier guy, you then you look like you’ve been spurned and you’re settling.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:42 pm
Mark – how about the coaches at George Mason, Marquette or Morehead State?
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
9:42 pm
FullMetalJacket – I bet that Smart can pronounce “nemesis”, as opposed to Bobby Cremins’ “nemis”.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:43 pm
Oh yeah, I also heard the coach from BYU might leave since they have a conference change next year?
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
If you are right, Mark, we should go after him with everything we’ve got. I would be very excited if we hired him, and would be a Mooney fan forever for not coming. If he doesn’t come, I think the Tulsa coach should be plan B and Neal plan C.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
Having grown up two hours from Dayton, I can say this: That’s a mid-major that takes the sport very seriously. (The Flyers were NCAA runners-up to Lew Alcindor’s first UCLA team.) I believe he’s a good coach with a good pedigree. But this was supposed to be a very talented Dayton team, and it didn’t make the NCAA. There’s a lot of disappointment up there at the moment.
Bill
March 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
From someone who actually got to watch Dayton a few times, I really don’t want Gregory. His teams play hard defense, but he does something Hewitt used to do….call TIMEOUTS at inappropiate points of the game. This is a very bad sign as any Tech fan should know.
Find it funny that geniuses on this board are calling Tech a ‘Black Hole”. Atlanta, ACC and NBA players. My guess is Mooney didn’t get enough ( as in $$) to leave. REMEMBER this…sometimes hiring a hot coach from a mid major can be deadly. Keno Davis led Drake to the NCAA’s and Providence jumped on him after one fabulous yaer at Drake. Three years later, he is gone.
That being said, Mooney would have been a good fit for Tech. Hopefully, Rad will not hire the next comparable Chan Gailey as Men’s Hoops coach.
gomabman2
March 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
Speaking of Danny Manning…he is in part responsible for the talent that Kansas gets. No lack of coaching ability. They ran into a buzz saw. But it does not negate the fact that they know how to get ready for the dance.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
Jim Larranaga isn’t leaving Mason. Buzz Williams just re-upped at Marquette today. And Donnie Tyndall of Morehead State … well, that’s a huge leap from the OVC to the ACC.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
There are many reasons to accept or refuse a job offer, even for ultra-competitive coaches. One man’s “upgrade” is another man’s disrupted life, angry wife, or hassle and woe.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
9:47 pm
Sorry, I was redundant with “angry wife” and “hassle and woe.”
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:47 pm
Don’t go getting philosophical, FMJ. Sets a bad precedent.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
9:48 pm
Are there any NBA assistants that might be considered a good fit?
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
9:50 pm
Agree with FMJ. I’m not sure that Tech offered Mooney, but even if they did he got a big raise and long term security in a job where there will be considerably less pressure. What’s wrong with that? Stevens could have tripled his salary by going to Oregon. Sometimes the grass isn’t greener. I hope Marshall doesn’t feel that way. Bring that big ego to Atlanta and let’s see what you got, Gregg.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:50 pm
I can’t think of an NBA assistant who would be, and that’s a gray area: NBA assistants are under contract through June 30 and their teams will be playing at least through mid-April.
William Satterwhite
March 27th, 2011
9:52 pm
I wouldn’t have too much of a problem with Gregory if he ended up being the best candidate available, he has a solid resume and generally fans are never the best judges of how good a coach is or isn’t. I didn’t like the idea of offering Gregory the job Friday night as was reported and I wouldn’t like hiring him before taking a shot at Smart or Marshall (though Smart might be a longshot now just due to the Final Four’s effect on the timeline). But if Gregory is the best hire Tech can make after legitimately going after all the other top guys, I’m fine with that.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
9:52 pm
OK MARK good answer. I ws not sure if a NBA Head Coach might be ont he chopping block and his assistants were looking to jump.
Skeezix
March 27th, 2011
9:52 pm
Mark: Not really, I saw his teams play. They were well coached and played hard. He had a solid won loss record and had Wake rated #1 for a while in the 2008-2009 season with a start to that season of 16 wins and 0 losses. –Wellman, the AD at Wake, who wants all his programs to top tier, fired him because of his poor won-loss record in ACC and NCAA tournaments (I bet Wellman has second thoughts now). His teams had reasonable success against top tier ACC teams like Duke and UNC.
Many speculate that Wellman really fired Dino due to a personality conflict.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:53 pm
Well, sounds like Mark that if we can get Marshall then we should do it since sounds like he be better than Smart anyway?
Jacket Insight
March 27th, 2011
9:53 pm
Gregg would prefer the Tech job over NC State. Why? 1) There is extensive talent in Atlanta and Georgia. He already has proven recruiting pipelines to the Carolinas, Texas, and the Midwest. 2) Magnificent new arena is coming. 3) Tech is a great school. He wants smart and disciplined players who can play defense, pass the ball, make foul shots, and are gentlemen. 4) It’s crowded up in Raleigh with Duke and the Heels.
I hope this works out. A great Georgia Tech basketball program in Atlanta would be fun to watch. You can be sure Gregg will build a consistent winner the right way.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
9:54 pm
What does HEWITT FAN think?
HEWITT FAN needs to tell us what the ATLANTA CELTICS want us to do.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:55 pm
I thought Dino Gaudio’s Wake Forest teams were horribly coached.
Dollar Bill
March 27th, 2011
9:55 pm
How much would it help to have a member of the Dollar family on the Tech staff? Chad Dollar is an assistant coach at Wichita.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
9:56 pm
Mark – one last person question: Steve Fisher at SDSU?? What say you?
gomabman2
March 27th, 2011
9:56 pm
Strange as it may seem I believe that Smart and Stevens will be called by DRAD. If this search party is worth their salt, they will at least make an offer. The one thing about those who think that they would not leave, Butler and VCU are stepping stones. These coaches realize that they are and/or will be heavily sought after with enough money and a big enough program to lure them into their dream job, so to speak. It is just a matter of time, now or in the next couple of years.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:57 pm
Don’t think Tech would touch Steve Fisher. That tarnished Fab Five legacy will never fade.
Gordon
March 27th, 2011
9:58 pm
At the end of this process, we may be forced to admit we are as delusional about our basketball program as UGA is about their football program. I consider Tech a top 20 job, but obviously that is not the case if we are being asked how we would feel of Brian Gregory, a not horrible coach from Dayton, was our coach. I know we are not elite, but I thought we were better than that.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
9:58 pm
thwg
Fisher is as old as DIRT.
heath
March 27th, 2011
9:58 pm
THANK GOODNESS THEY DID NOT HIRE MOONEY AND I HOPE THEY DO NOT HIRE MARSHALL.
do any of you people know Marshall? The guy is dry as toast. Do you think Marshall can recruit McDonalds All American players like Cremins use to do? Do you think “a Kenny Anderson” is coming to play for him?
hahahahahahaha, or do you think the real Kenny Anderson would fly let’s say to New York to help sign a kid from Brooklyn for Marshall? DOUBT IT
Would Kenny Anderson help Price/Neal? YES in a heartbeat
Why did SC and Clemson pass on Marshall? BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT IMPRESSED, hello anyone listening?
Even Hewitt had a better personality and was able to recruit.
Marshall belongs back in Kansas wherever that city is. And good luck in the NIT, hope it drags on forever so you won’t come anywhere near GT.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
9:59 pm
Gordon
many coaches use this to get more money from the Devil they know than move to a DEVIL they don’t know.
thwg
March 27th, 2011
10:00 pm
Thanks Mark – plus I think his age might be against him.
I tned to agree with Gomabman – no harm in making the call. They are both going to eventually leave. Perhaps not now and perhaps not GT, but I know Smart will leave, Stevens could be a ‘Few-like’ lifer.
Et in Arcadia Ego
March 27th, 2011
10:00 pm
5150, I think you’re on to something. Even as we speak DRAD is probably sitting under the Cone of Silence with Hewitt Fan and the rest of the Atlanta Celtics, awaiting their input. Heaven forbid we should make a move without their blessing.
Bill
March 27th, 2011
10:00 pm
Folks should recall Hewitt was hired 2 years after his NCAA run at Siena. Just because a good mid major coach had a slightly worse year than the previous outstanding one shouldn’t lessen his resume. Hewitt was a good choice when he first came. But he lost his fire for many reasons.
But please, Gregory isn’t the answer for Tech. Love Noodles, but Rad will be putting his job on the line if he hires him. Then again, is Rad looking at the school in Florida?.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
10:01 pm
If you’re asking me: If the choice is between hiring Wojcik or Gregory tomorrow or waiting on Shaka Smart, what would I do?
I’d wait.
Et in Arcadia Ego
March 27th, 2011
10:01 pm
Kenny would fly anywhere for anybody who can pay him. He can’t afford to be choosy, which is why he is begging for a job.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
10:02 pm
If Radakovich leaves, I don’t believe it will be for another ACC school. I think it will be for an SEC school.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
10:03 pm
For all of the great reasons to want to come to Atlanta vs. Raleigh, there is the passion of basketball in the state of North Carolina that offsets that quite a bit.
William Satterwhite
March 27th, 2011
10:04 pm
heath, South Carolina and Clemson passed on Marshall because Big South coaches just don’t jump all the way straight up to the ACC or SEC. That kind of jump just doesn’t happen for the most part, has nothing to do with his coaching ability.
Et in Arcadia Ego
March 27th, 2011
10:04 pm
Wait, wait, wait. Wojcik and Gregory and Neal will all likely be available in a couple of weeks, if it goes that long. Aim higher and take a shot, first….just try to not get caught getting rejected.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
10:04 pm
Et in ARC
Kenny would fly from alaska to africa with a glass of ice if the price was right.
Et in Arcadia Ego
March 27th, 2011
10:06 pm
I agree with you on Drad, Mark. I imagine he has a short list of only a handful of jobs he’ll leave for. Not because Tech is such a great job, but because it is a great job for him. Just like Mooney at Richmond, and Stevens at Butler.
gomabman2
March 27th, 2011
10:06 pm
TWHG…thanks. Smart and Stevens are coaches that come along very seldom. They are both young, smart (no pun), recruit well, coach well in key moments, and have a good rapport with youngsters. They do not just happen to win, they win with determination. Tech must at least extend the offer or we are in trubb-le.
Et in Arcadia Ego
March 27th, 2011
10:07 pm
5150, you got that right. I love the guy but man did he blow some cash.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
10:10 pm
G. Gordon Liddy will be selling shares of Shaka Smart by this time next week. Gold, Oil, and Mid-major Coaches are all way up.
atlrambler
March 27th, 2011
10:11 pm
what about Lawrence Frank?
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
10:13 pm
Frank is an NBA assistant. He’s with the Celtics. They may be playing into June.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
10:13 pm
You know, if not for Memphis blowing the lead in the 2008 final, Bill Self might be available.
Jacket Insight
March 27th, 2011
10:14 pm
Heath: I have known Gregg Marshall for 30 years since Randolph Macon. He can recruit. He truly cares about his players. He is strict, He can Coach. He has a beautiful family and runs a clean program. And he is very good with the media. This is a self made man and an over achiever.
Gregg reminds me a lot of my friend and neighbor here at Lake Norman- Joe Gibbs. I know them both very well.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
10:15 pm
Would Joe Gibbs take the Tech post?
atlrambler
March 27th, 2011
10:17 pm
To be Frank, Rivers OK with interviews for assistants….says ESPN Boston.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
10:21 pm
Not sure why you’d hire an NBA assistant as head coach, especially one who hasn’t worked in college in 15 years.
Jacket Insight
March 27th, 2011
10:22 pm
Mark: Joe is happily retired . He spends 80% of his time on his granchildren and 20% on JGR. I always see him on the driving range with his grandchildren. Great family man.
If Gregg comes to Atlanta you will see Lynn, Kellen, and Maggie behind the bench at every game. By the way, Lynn Marshall played B-Ball at U. of Maryland and she is an excellent recruiter in her own right
Good night. Have a good week..
AlabamaRamblinwreck
March 27th, 2011
10:26 pm
Georgia Tech, which had to pay $7.2 million in a buyout settlement to fired coach Paul Hewitt and is renovating its arena, reportedly only wants to spend $1.5 million annually on its entire coaching staff.
This is an excerpt from the Dayton Daily News…..and it is really SAD….
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
10:29 pm
AlabamaWreck
No way in hell TECH is expecting to spend just 1.5 mil on the wholes staff. We might get that for Neal and Price with Price getting lil money to start because he is rich. But NO WAY TECH expects a whole staff for that price.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
10:29 pm
I know Tech isn’t looking to splurge, but I think it would be hard to put together a staff for $1.5 million.
TomB
March 27th, 2011
10:31 pm
AlabamaRamblinWreck: How the hell would the Dayton Daily News know this and not the AJC?
AlabamaRamblinwreck
March 27th, 2011
10:32 pm
I agree, but with reports like that out there and Mooney turning us down, it can’t be too far off…..
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
10:34 pm
AlabamaWreck
you are listening to the wrong people then. Tech is expecting to pay $900k to $1.3 for just the head coach depending on the coaches resume.
boots
March 27th, 2011
10:34 pm
A New Mexico assistant coach is no step forward, even if he did play for the Jackets. Ray Goff for the Jacket’s hardwood.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
10:35 pm
AlabamaRamblinwreck –
“This is an excerpt from the Dayton Daily News”
Maybe the Daytonians are soliciting funds to help Georgia Tech to hire Gregory.
AlabamaRamblinwreck
March 27th, 2011
10:37 pm
5150: I gotta say that I have no idea what you just said…did you say we only plan to pay a top notch coach 900K to 1.3 mil? Or did you say that we are going to pay more than this? I’m not sure I can make out what you are trying to say. THAT IS VERY LITTLE FOR AN ACC SCHOOL TO PAY A HEAD COACH.
GaCracker
March 27th, 2011
10:37 pm
Hey the former Tennessee coach is available.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
10:39 pm
Delbert D that doesn’t sound good for their coach or our choice.
I don’t think Tech is looking to over pay for a coach just to get a coach. Maybe we didn’t offer enough to steal away a coach, but it was more than some of the coaches are making right now.
gomabman2
March 27th, 2011
10:39 pm
You are right 5150. More like 1.3-1.5. Otherwise they can call off the search now and call PH.
atlrambler
March 27th, 2011
10:42 pm
Mark Gottfried was a solid coach at Alabama for years, multiple ncaa bids….just sayin’
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
10:43 pm
I don’t see Mark Gottfried as a fit at GT.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
10:44 pm
AlabamaWreck
these mid-major or assistants are not going to get huge money from TECH is they do not have a better resume than 2 years or just an assistant. SHAKA is making $400k he has not done enough to get $1.5 mil just yet. contract has to be back loaded if he meet some lofty goals.
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
10:48 pm
I think Tech will slow down and hold out for an interview with Shaka which will be inquired about this week through Shaka’s agent. Then depending on how that goes, if it goes, Tech will hire Shaka or Craig Neal.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
10:50 pm
AlaWreck I also don’t think you offer more than 5 yrs. More like 4 yrs. The coach coming in will have a pretty good core group of players and a good recruit. The NO HOME COURT sucks. So a 1st yr is ifybut winable. That is 3 yrs in a new home with the ACC and ATL recruiting market for the new coach to prove himself. Don’t pay a ton with little expectations.
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
10:51 pm
As far as funds go for a new coach and his staff, people keep saying Tech has plenty of money and there’s no way the Hewitt buyout could be hurting us. Well I firnly believe Drad stretched the truth if not flat out lied when he said hwat he said about money not being an object. and one thing eveyone is forgetting, we are playing in Philip’s and Gwinnett for every home game next year…..THOSE AREN’T FREE. We have to pay those facilities a huge amount of money to use them.
Hat/LawVol - Page 6 - VolNation
March 27th, 2011
10:53 pm
[...] Georgia Tech's thinning search: It there anyone left? Why, yes | Mark Bradley Good read in the ajc….bradley had wanted Martin at Ga Tech. [...]
Dadgum.....
March 27th, 2011
10:55 pm
If I was Drad, I would at least extend a feeler to Smart to gauge any interest by tomorrow. The VCU plane touches down here in Richmond in about an hour. Showing Smart that GT is interested in him can’t hurt.
Whoever coaches GT must light a fire under this program and get the fans back. They want to return. Marshall and Gregory might be good coaches but I don’t see the enthusiasm. Is Anthony Grant totally out of the picture?
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
11:00 pm
For example:
Brian Gregory made $541,891 in 2009.
Roy Williams just over $1.5 Million + $83k tournament bonus.
Source is coaches who made the 2009 NCAA tournament (best I could do in a hurry.)
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2010-coaches-salary-database.htm
GT65
March 27th, 2011
11:03 pm
Rads said money was not a problem..u got to believe him. Mooney stays for many reasons….it didn’t mean GT was not a good job are bad place to work, money etc….he had what he wanted there and the 10 years was extra …good luck Mr Mooney. GT will get a good coach bet on it.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:03 pm
NC State is all aflutter about luring Donovan away from Florida, as unlikely as that sounds.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
11:04 pm
Shaka Smart in 2009, $401 thousand + $236,979 max tournament bonus.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:04 pm
No way Donovan leaves Florida again. And I’m not sure I’d want him off the strength of his coaching Saturday.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
When Radakovich said money would be no object, I believe he meant to say that a reasonable amount of money would be no object. But that’s the thing about trying to hire in a month when two mid-majors have made the Final Four: Their asking prices are going up, up, up.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
NC State is welcome to Donovan if they’re that stupid.
GTFAN
March 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
I would make Grant a offer he couldn’t turn down.I’ve heard all the BS he wouldn’t come but I would be knocking his door down.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:07 pm
It would be hard to ask Grant to take a nosedive in pay.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:09 pm
Regardless of who State gets (and they’re hinting at a Tuesday presser), they’re not going after the same guys we are apparently. What other connections does Fogler have that might come into play? I think he was behind the Gregory interview (not the bogus story, but the interview) as they coached together before.
WnE
March 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
All you smart GT folks realize that one part of GT’s problem is DRad himself:
DRad over-reacted and re-upped CPJ from $1.6MM to $2.3MM after CPJ’s first(?) season when he beat ug@, plus he threw in Bonuses that allowed Coach Fish Fry to get a $75K bonus for making it to the Shreveport Bowl and ending up with a losing season.
In summary, GT & DRad would have a much easier time finding a HC for B-Ball had DRad not over-spent and gave Coach Kung Fu Panda that extra $700K per/yr. when no one else wanted him.
DRad bids “against himself” 2 years ago and over-pays CPJ an extra $700K when no one else “seriously” wanted him and now GT is having to make crappy offers to mid-major HCs in a market where all of our competitors can out-bid us.
With that extra $700K that went to coach Fish Fry in pocket GT would already have the best candidate out there and this thing would be over already.
Not one GT fan has mentioned that extra $700K that went to CPJ when no one else was seriously bidding for his services.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:11 pm
Grant is not leaving BAMA money. He would just use TECH’s offer in to a raise. We could talk to him, but I don’t think the ACC, a new Arena in 2 years and a downgrade in Pay is going to sell the guy. I think he will take the Bama money and know he is not going to beat the Gators and Kentucky while getting rich. You know the Paul Hewitt Plan.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:12 pm
I don’t believe Gregory and Fogler coached together. Where would it have been?
GTFAN
March 27th, 2011
11:14 pm
I have no problem with Rads are Coach Johnson.. Braine was the problem giving PH that un-godly contract.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:14 pm
WnE
Go and Marry HEWITT FAN and y’all can be happy in your Tech hating misery.
Dollar Bill
March 27th, 2011
11:14 pm
Way too much chatter that Dayton coach is our guy. It’s scary.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:15 pm
I want to like Grant but what I see are three very good years at VCU and two decent years at Bama, with no NCAA appearances at Bama. His SEC record is 18-14 in a couple of seasons where the division was down. Somebody sell me on him. I realize that Smart is coaching Grant’s recruits. He seems to have reached his peak level of performance, or at least it is too early to tell. So, please, sincerely, somebody sell me on Grant as a good fit for Tech. (A school which is nothing like VCU or Bama.)
Ralph
March 27th, 2011
11:15 pm
N.C. State Wolfpack holding out for VCU coach Smart. Unless they get somebody else, Tech has little chance to get him.
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
11:15 pm
GT65
I’m not equalting my money comment to Mooney staying. I’m saying the math isn’t that hard…..GT has money issues. We had money issues when Drad got here, we’ve spent more the last 3 years on facilities than maybe in the previous 25 combined when you add in the debt and interest for the BDS expension we’ve paid over that time frame, and we have two coaches currently getting huge buyouts. We have small fanbase, small alumni base, and even smaller alumni base who actually care about the athletics department. Money is an object at Georgia Tech…..especially now.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
11:16 pm
With a decent relocation bonus, I’d take a little bit less to relocate from Tuscaloosa to a nice little place (semi-mansion) on Northside Drive.
TomB
March 27th, 2011
11:16 pm
There must be other reasons beside money that a mid major coach at Richmond would not be attracted to an ACC job like Gt’s. I mean I could see it if say Mooney was from Virginia, and he didn’t want to leave. But that isn’t the case here. Is there so much parity now in college basketball that an ACC job like Tech is no longer attractive to the head coach of Richmond. I believe there is more to the story than is being reported….just sayin.
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
11:17 pm
Mark Bradley
You might be right regarding his money is no object comment, but what he should have done is kept his mouth shut altogether about money.
Dollar Bill
March 27th, 2011
11:17 pm
Oh yea and NCSU is hiring Epic Win. They are talking a BIG monumental hire. We shall see.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:19 pm
I stand corrected. They did not coach together. I thought that their paths crossed at Wichita State but I was wrong. Gregory was never there.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
11:19 pm
FMJ – “So, please, sincerely, somebody sell me on Grant as a good fit for Tech. (A school which is nothing like VCU or Bama.)”
He graduated magna cum laude. Not summa, like you, my wife, and a couple of buddies, but close.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:20 pm
and it’s been 20 yrs since Fogler was there so probably little advantage with Marshall either.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:22 pm
I like magna cum laude (how did you know I was summa?), but want to know more about his coaching style. I’ve heard his teams play disciplined, but that’s all.
GTFAN
March 27th, 2011
11:22 pm
what about Beilein . Is he to high? 2 mills a year
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
11:23 pm
GTFAN
Yes.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
11:24 pm
FMJ – Good instincts . Oops, I forgot to list my son. My wife is responsible for the brains in our lineage.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:24 pm
Delbert D
You did enjoy the 60 min piece on Hurley too. I though it was great too. Odd to see a man of Character these days I guess. Can’t believe he does so much for so little pay. He is a Basketball SAINT for sure.
GTBob
March 27th, 2011
11:24 pm
Not one GT fan has mentioned that extra $700K that went to CPJ when no one else was seriously bidding for his services.
There were some pretty serious rumors that Auburn was offering him a ton of money to come over there. Nobody knows the truth except those involved but there is obviously some reason that he got the pay raise that fast.
Tech86
March 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
I’m not stopping on the Donnie Tyndall train here, read his bio, see what he has done at other schools and how each school has improved after he got here, maybe we need to step back and re-think our position and look outside the box, maybe look for a coach who is not this weeks flavor of the month and all he wanted to be is a college Basketball coach. Yes the mid majors winning ups the price, but maybe we need to say, yes money is a problem and let’s not over pay just because. Read Donnie’s bio you should be impressed that his kids graduate. And on this years team an All-American and quite possibly a lottery pick. Don’t discount the OVC, where did Bobby Cremins come from App State, Coach Rat face came from Army, so it can be done. Just look him up, 29-3 last 2 years at home. Just saying..
heath
March 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
before TN announced who they hired, some of their fans were calling for Shaka..and said please get him before GT does. The Tn fans did not mention NC St as if GT is the biggest competition.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
Well, my “inside” snitch in the Biology dept. says it will be a few more months before they get Brad Stevens cloned and then we’ll have to wait 18 years until he’s old enough to sign a contract…so we can afford to wait a few more days to interview other guys.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
Didn’t Tyndall just get a raise or extension last week or so ago? I think I read that on ESPN.com
surfrider
March 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
Price then Neal or the combo would be nice. It’s kind of like when Lewis came in some thought it would be better to go with the O’leary or the Fridge who had worked under Cremins. They understood recruiting and the academics and were good on scheme. They only needed some real time experience like three or four games before they clicked. The same with Price and Neal. It can’t get much worse than current level. Recruiting, attrition, scheme will turn Tech around.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
Donnie Tyndall should be affordable, if nothing else. His contract (as of last season) is $182,500 + $27,500 tournament max.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
Delbert, I hear you. Fortunately for me and my kids, my wife is responsible for the “good looks” lineage in our family (even though she was a sorry student, haha.)
GT65
March 27th, 2011
11:30 pm
Tech Forever…u probably right on the $$
William Satterwhite
March 27th, 2011
11:31 pm
TomB, ten years worth of job security at a job that’s not much lower than Tech all things considered is something that can’t be undersold. There is more parity and that helps level the field some but the big thing is a ten-year contract, that’s almost Hewitt-like.
GT65
March 27th, 2011
11:32 pm
agree william
Dollar Bill
March 27th, 2011
11:33 pm
Donnie Tyndall re-upped for a 4 year deal with Morehead State. He is not going any where this year probably.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:33 pm
has agreed to terms with coach Donnie Tyndall on a new contract, the school announced Tuesday.
The new four-year agreement will pay Tyndall $230,000 per year, which will place him at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference.
GT65
March 27th, 2011
11:35 pm
are we back to Marshall
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:36 pm
AFter checking out Tyndall’s bio, I think he is worth a look by DRAD and Fogler, and maybe an interview (not that they asked, haha.). He does have a strong resume for rebuilding MSU’s program and strong leadership indicators with grad. rate and campus popularity. He just signed a new 4-year deal with Morehead, but that is more of an endorsement than a hindrance, I would think. If we’re talking about taking chances on a Smart or an assistant, Tyndall is worthy of a look.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:36 pm
I heard the same money-is-no-object proclamation when the Hawks were hiring. Odd that they wound up with Larry Drew.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:38 pm
Dollar Bill
$230 is so beatable for TECH. We can double that and not break a sweat. Again make it for 4 years and He should love that chance, but who knows. Again the Devil you know over the Devil you don’t
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:38 pm
Marshall. Smart. Neal. Wojcik. Gregory. anyone heard about anyone else who is a legit target? Maybe Grant, but a long shot.
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
11:39 pm
Looking at the salaries, “One-Time Bonus” may be in play for some of these hires/rehires. Who knows, Mooney may have gotten considerably more per year, plus a 1-Time Bonus and high incentives for the NCAA tourney results along with the 10 year guaranteed contract. Richmond is private, so we’ll never know.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
Can’t wait to read the VENTS this week.
GT65
March 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
I don’t want any home boys..it just never works out.
Agree about Drew..its not working
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
Too easy to outsmart ourselves, but was DRad answering a question about money, or did he just volunteer the comment that Hewitt’s payout wouldn’t hinder our next hire? DRad is a shrewd operator, I can’t see him floating out false info unless there was a genuine advantage or angle. Better to use the money as an excuse if things don’t go well, indirectly deflecting it onto Hewitt and his big payout.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:44 pm
I grew up in Kentucky and I know a bit about the Ohio Valley Conference. It’s a very competitive league unto itself. But Tyndall did have one of the best big men in OVC history — Jim McDaniels of Western Kentucky, who led the Hilltoppers to the 1971 Final Four, would be the best — in Kenneth Faried. And the Eagles didn’t win the OVC regular-season title. Murray State did.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:46 pm
Too many reasons for taking or not taking a particular job, for any of us. No use speculating about the past unless it can help with the future. I have no doubt we could offer more money and perks than Richmond, but we couldn’t offer to let he and his family stay in their home, their schools, their church, with their friends and their jobs, etc. And (I know this may be shocking to some of you), he might LIKE Richmond. He might even LOVE it. Bobby Cremins LOVED Tech like that, and now I bet he LOVES Charleston, too. Too many reasons for a man to choose where he works and lives.
Dollar Bill
March 27th, 2011
11:46 pm
I bet we had a deal with Mooney. If he had made a quicker exit from the NCAA – he would be our coach. Would he have come here for 750K before the tournament started?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:48 pm
I trust your judgment on the OVC and Tyndall, Mark. I just liked what I learned about him, but know nothing of MSU and of his suitability to Tech.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:48 pm
I don’t think Mooney would have taken $750,000 to come here at any point.
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
11:48 pm
FullMetalJacket
Amen. People who are baffled as to why Stevens would stay at Butler at all much less over coming to Tech have been one of the most frustrating parts of this job search for me (enchanges with them that is).
GT65
March 27th, 2011
11:49 pm
Royal was just on 11 alive Sports extra……….waiting on GT coach???
Delbert D.
March 27th, 2011
11:49 pm
Somebody mention Tommy Amaker, currently at Harvard:
Losing conference record:
Big East- 4 years (32-36), Big Ten – 6 years (43-53)
Winning conference record:
Ivy League- 3 years (31-25)
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:49 pm
I was disappointed but not surprised that we did not apparently even get to offer Mooney. His mind was made up to stay at Richmond, who had been putting together this deal for weeks, and who had been able to talk with him about it all along.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:49 pm
I thought Tyndall coached a fabulous game against U of L. But the OVC isn’t the ACC, nor is it the Colonial or the A-10. Not all mid-major conferences are created equal.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:50 pm
That’s one of the perils about banking on hiring a mid-major coach whose team is in the tournament. What if he keeps winning?
Kurt
March 27th, 2011
11:51 pm
Brian Gregory would be a good hire. He is young and energetic and he can win big time with the right athletes. His style is fit for a big program, he just can’t get those type to go to Dayton. Bring him here and he will prove all of he doubters wrong!
GT65
March 27th, 2011
11:51 pm
Mark
Who would you go after…Smart and who ?
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:51 pm
Royal?
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
11:52 pm
Kurt
Rule #3 – Never hire a guy who’s current fanbase is extremely eager to unload.
NoShamSam
March 27th, 2011
11:52 pm
I wonder if the colleges really do talk to the coaches before the season is over, even if they are not supposed to?
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:52 pm
Gregg Marshall, GT65. And I would take an even harder look at Neal.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:53 pm
A H.S. kid is the last person who should decide our next coach.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:53 pm
Mark you must be right on the OVC. Tyndall is making 230K and Smart in his 2nd year is making $400k that is a big difference compared to each coaches resume.
NoShamSam
March 27th, 2011
11:53 pm
If we wait for Smart and he says no, what then?
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:54 pm
I probably should also report that I touted Brian Gregory for the Georgia job two years ago. (Anthony Grant was my first choice.) So it isn’t as if I’m unfamiliar with his work. The difference is, Gregory had Dayton in the NCAA in 2009. He hasn’t had the Flyers there since.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:55 pm
Well, I’ve just about finished this barrel of rum and sugar two hundred pounds. Good night all.
GT65
March 27th, 2011
11:55 pm
Royal the kid signed by Hewitt ?
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
11:55 pm
NoShamSam
Craig Neal will never say no…..never. I’m not saying he’s my first choice (I’d definitely interview Smart and Marshall…..who I liked more than Mooney anyway), I’m just saying Tech is actually in a pretty good position….if you think Neal is a decent hire, and I do.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:55 pm
Fold the program, NoShamSam.
In all seriousness, I think Tech could offer Craig Neal the job the Fourth of July and he’d take it.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:55 pm
Yes, only two hundred pounds. I’m on a diet.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:56 pm
Neal did say Tech was his “DREAM” job. IF true, and I think it is, he’ll be there waiting for a while.
NoShamSam
March 27th, 2011
11:56 pm
I would love Neal, especially if Price was his assistant.
Tech Forever
March 27th, 2011
11:57 pm
Mark Bradley
They could offer it to him at Midnight Madness and he’d say yes.
FullMetalJacket
March 27th, 2011
11:58 pm
Good night all. blog on…blog on….
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
11:58 pm
That would, you’d have to think, be a pretty dramatic slice of Midnight Madness: “Come watch as we unveil our brand new coach!”
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
11:59 pm
If I am backing NEAL then I want to know the WHOLE package. When you vote for President you get the VP too. Well if we get NEAL I want the whole package of who Neal wants as his assistants too.
heath
March 27th, 2011
11:59 pm
so let me get this straight, there are now 68 teams who get invited to the NCAA tournament and neither Gregg Marshall nor Doug Wojcik have made it there yet with their current teams and I am suppose to be re-energized? And you laugh at me for wanting GT’s own players.
Tech Forever
March 28th, 2011
12:00 am
Mark Bradley
That would be awesome.
I have a new name I want them to interview too in another week; Kim Mulkey.
Mark Bradley
March 28th, 2011
12:01 am
There’s a difference between Marshall and Wojcik: One has made the NCAA tournament seven times as a head coach; the other is stuck on zero.
And with that, I’m headed to bed. Who knows? This could all be over by noon tomorrow.
Delbert D.
March 28th, 2011
12:01 am
I wonder where will Paul Hewitt will go.
Tech Forever
March 28th, 2011
12:02 am
Delbert D.
ESPN next year sitting right between Digger and Jay.
NoShamSam
March 28th, 2011
12:03 am
The Tech players might be let down if they knew everyone turned down the Coaching job and that Neal was a last choice.
GT65
March 28th, 2011
12:03 am
Thanks Mark for info..I like Marshall and maybe Gregory but not crazy about Neal.
Good night all….God bless.
William Satterwhite
March 28th, 2011
12:04 am
Tech Forever, fan opinions aren’t always the best indicator of a coach, especially fans of schools who probably think higher of their program than most neutral observers would think they should. It seems Dayton fans opinions are heavily skewed by the fact that their biggest rival has become one of the nation’s top programs under Gregory’s watch- I dare say nothing he could do himself would have Dayton’s fanbase satisfied as long as Xavier is winning A10 titles and going to Sweet Sixteens (3 straight prior to this year).
TomB
March 28th, 2011
12:05 am
William, you said the Richmond job was a little lower than Tech and that was my point. This would have been unheard of several years ago. Parity in college basketball has obviously changed the landscape so maybe we should just stop calling them mid major programs.
KevinM
March 28th, 2011
12:05 am
So I guess it means Tubby isn’t coming to North Avenue?
NoShamSam
March 28th, 2011
12:05 am
Tubby is too OLD
heath
March 28th, 2011
12:06 am
they should hire Mark Price as head coach, Neal the associate head coach, and Kenny Anderson the assistant to sign the All Americans in NY.
YOu know, 68 teams head to the NCAA tournament and 32 more go to the NIT, and you people tell me you would settle for a coach who has yet to make it to the NCAA tournament with his current team. But Price isn’t the answer? Price can be an assistant in the NBA, a former NBA ALl Star superstar, and above board student while at GT not to mention character..but he’s too untalented and inexperienced to get GT to the NCAA tournament in 3 years? That is what you people are saying? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
William Satterwhite
March 28th, 2011
12:10 am
Mark, good point on the difference between Marshall and Wojcik, however there’s another difference- Wojcik has spent all but the last two years coaching in John Calipari’s Conference USA while all of Marshall’s NCAA bids came out of, well, Greg Marshall’s Big South. I like Marshall more than Wojcik for what it’s worth but it’s not fair to compare the two based only on NCAA bids- Conference USA and the Missouri Valley are roughly comparable conferences and Marshall hasn’t had any more success than Wojcik since coming up to Wichita St.
gt
March 28th, 2011
12:10 am
heath go back to uga.
KevinM
March 28th, 2011
12:11 am
Throw 2 more names out there:
Mark Jackson – ESPN analyst
Patrick Ewing – Magic assistant
I would venture to say either one would get instant credibility with recruiting kids in Georgia and perhaps in the country?
Delbert D.
March 28th, 2011
12:11 am
Neal-Price; I think it could happen. Price is not just window dressing. He has been committed to basketball for a long time, especially in player skills *and* character development.
I’m checking out for tonight, ‘bye all.
Tech Forever
March 28th, 2011
12:12 am
William Satterwhite
“fan opinions aren’t always the best indicator of a coach, especially fans of schools who probably think higher of their program than most neutral observers would think they should.”
That comments could easy be directed at our program too though
Tech Forever
March 28th, 2011
12:16 am
KevinM
Neithwe would come to Tech…..or any other ACC school for that matter. Both are Big East elitest snobs who look down on the ACC…..there are lots of those guys from the 80s wuth that attitude.
Atl Sports Fan
March 28th, 2011
12:17 am
Funny, how a few days ago y’all were ripping the Tech blog writer about posting a false story from a UGA alum Now it seems most of you wouldn’t mind having the coach from Dayton.
Tech Forever
March 28th, 2011
12:18 am
heath
Why would Price who has virtually no team coaching experience work under Neal who has 10+ seasons of it in the NBA, at a power conference school, and at a mid-major school?
Tech Forever
March 28th, 2011
12:19 am
Atl Sports Fan
I’d mind.
jack bauer
March 28th, 2011
12:25 am
This Hewitt debacle has screwed us good…we have no shot at hiring a good coach. Gotta spend a $ to make a $. Pay Smart whatever he wants and we’re a perinial contender in 3 years.
Tech Forever
March 28th, 2011
12:27 am
jack bauer
You said we have no shot at hiring a good coach and then called Shaka a good coach who we should hire all in the same post.
William Satterwhite
March 28th, 2011
12:29 am
TomB, I’m not sure Mooney’s exact situation would have been too unheard of, the A10 has always been just a small step below the Big 6 conferences and has always had it’s fair share of longterm coaches who could have presumably gone elsewhere at some point- Cheney at Temple, Martelli at St. Joe’s, thinking about it I’m not sure Calipari wouldn’t have stayed at UMass if not for the NBA. Your basic general point is spot on in that it’s easier for mid-major coaches to pick their spots and not jump at the first “big” job that comes their way, I’m just not sure Tech was actually a victim of this phenomenon- I’m not sure Mooney wouldn’t have made the exact same decision if in the exact same position 20 years ago. The A10 has always been a notch above the other mid-majors.
William Satterwhite
March 28th, 2011
12:33 am
Tech Forever, following this whole coaching search drama on the blogs and message boards, I’m not too sure it shouldn’t be
!
William Satterwhite
March 28th, 2011
12:42 am
Atl Sports Fan, I can’t speak for anyone else but my problem was never with the Dayton coach himself (or Wojcik for that matter) but the timing of the supposed offer (trying to figure out how Mooney could spurn an offer Gregory supposedly already had…). I’ve said all along Gregory would be a solid choice if that’s who we’re left with after taking a swing at Mooney, Marshall, Smart, etc….
Hewitt Fan
March 28th, 2011
12:59 am
Just got back from Jacksonville, i get home and guess what, EVERYTHING I SAID WAS 100% TRUE…GT fans should all thank Mark Bradley!
5150 UOAD
March 28th, 2011
1:07 am
Hewitt Fan wouldn’t you love to believe that you were right.
You were out of town so DRad couldn’t hire a coach without your approval. Why didn’t you give DRad your cell # so he could run it by you. We would have had our coach tonight.
Hewitt Fan
March 28th, 2011
1:12 am
@ Mark
What happened to the list of coaches you had?..Remember when you disrespected Coach Hewitt and the whole team when you did that crap while the man was still the coach.., I know you feel horrible now, No one wants the job, they might have to hire you!..lol..But Craig Neal would be a great hire, due to his connections with the great ATLANTA CELTICS and he is a great guy who will do wonders in the ATL area…Cullen will be an All AMERICAN in 3 years..sort of like a package deal….But would he even come now, after you ran Hewitt out of town and caused a whole fan base to turn on not only Hewitt, but their student athletes also?..Mark, i give you credit, you are the man that runs GT,I have never seen anything like this before!!
ATLnsider
March 28th, 2011
1:32 am
Shaka Smart would be the best choice. He is smart (pun intended) , a good coach, and he would be able to recruit very well in metro Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia.
Shaka Smart will create excitement for GT Basketball, and will help GA Tech recruit 5 star talent
braves70
March 28th, 2011
2:23 am
Good site to keep up with all the coaching changes & rumors: http://collegesportsinfo.com/2011/02/08/2011-college-basketball-coaching-changes-potential-candidates/
By the way, Paul Hewitt is listed as a possibility at Fairfield.
mike
March 28th, 2011
3:24 am
Shaka Smart is worth the wait just wait but go ahead and think about Mark Price as a ssistant or Kenny Anderson or Neal.. Come on guys be Smart bound..
mike
March 28th, 2011
3:48 am
Shaka comes I’ll buy season tickets.. I’ve watched every game in the tournament dude is Coach K Smart.. Dude can coach with the best trust me.. Players will love him
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 28th, 2011
4:29 am
This is article No. ? about the hiring of the new GT BB Coach. Notwithstanding thousands of comments, recommendations and whatever other input from fans and media, no coach has been hired. I am not surprised.
Relax everyone. DRAD will make an announcement when he decides who the coach will be.
Buzz Me
March 28th, 2011
4:46 am
Couldn’t stand the choice of Mooney…hell, Hewitt beat him this year. Go get SHAKA and if he says no give the job to Neal with Price, Anderson and D Scott all involved and watch the excitement return and the Jackets own the ATL for recruitting.
b.cunningham
March 28th, 2011
5:01 am
In case you guys are not aware, gt does not have the money. 1.5 mil for all the coaches period. A team of mark price, c.neal, and k. anderson would get the job done. They have gts best interest at heart.They have connections. They are acheivers.They are teachers. They are not born yesterday, and realize they hqave to hit the streets and bring in talent.They would have alot of talent in the nba helping them and refering them.We were not told the truth re having the money to hire these big name people.BRING BACK GT BB HIRE PRICE NEAL ANDERSON
threetrone
March 28th, 2011
6:10 am
I agree with heath on this page. Price, Noodles assistant, Anderson staff for guards, maybe, unless Price and Noodles are capable of that. Maybe Yvonne Josef as assistant coach for centers. I recall him playing for Cremins in the 80’s, the bearded black guy from Haiti. He was pretty good. An all Tech staff would help Tech regroup from Hewitt years of recruiting a gd RAT who made it into the NBA. Price can help with that, offering his analysis to his staff and everybody else as to how a gd RAT from Tech made the NBA. It’s kinda hard to understand, and that’s why Tech needs an explanation from someone with NBA experience and Tech experience to explain about RAT Derrick Favors. People think Tech needs a coach with coaching experience, but what we need is a former Tech and NBA player like Price to explain why gd RAT Favors made it to the NBA. And for a new building to play in, gotta have Tech staff only, no coaches from any other schools. Anderson said in AJC article he would contribute at Tech in any way since he blew 60 million bucks earned in the NBA. Give him a staff job payng just thousands, not millions.
GTT
March 28th, 2011
7:03 am
Craig Neal. Do it now, Dan. I’ve given the order, make it happen.
Clueless @ the AJC
March 28th, 2011
7:35 am
Why would these guys leave Winning programs for LOSING programs like Tech?
papadawg
March 28th, 2011
7:45 am
Now what were you GT people saying about nobody wanted to coach at UGA.
SC Boy
March 28th, 2011
7:48 am
Marshall will wait a year to go to South Carolina. It’s his dream job.
Rumor Mongor
March 28th, 2011
7:56 am
I understand DRad is talking to Bobby Knight about coming out of retirement for three years to take the GA Tech job at $750K per year, until all of the other payouts are off the books. Knight wants one more chance on the courts before he retires for the last time and doesn’t need the money any more, and he always wanted to coach in the ACC.
O'Brien
March 28th, 2011
8:00 am
Mark,
I will not be surprised if Tech goes with Neal. Why?
1) He will generate some buzz, and with the team not playing at home while the new arena is built, they need all the excitement they can get
2) His price will be cheap, and he may accept a shorter term contract.
GT may be thinking …If they hire him, and he works out, great. If they have to let him go in 3 years, they will be almost halfway through paying off Hewitt’s contract, they will be finished paying off Chan Gailey’s contract, and they will be playing in a new arena, making the job more attractive.
O'Brien
March 28th, 2011
8:01 am
Wow. Breaking news. Gregory is taking the job. Yawn…
JOD
March 28th, 2011
8:06 am
? BOOORING HIRE? PUT ME TO SLEEP!
gomabman2
March 28th, 2011
12:33 pm
DITTO…
gto
March 28th, 2011
2:49 pm
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
9:34 pm
Let me go on the record: Brian Gregory will or will not become the next Tech coach.
BB fan
March 28th, 2011
7:04 pm
People thought Hewitt was smart in 2004. Shaka Smart is Paul Hewitt 2.0