Tech

By jaxjacket

December 15, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this

No. Need a coaching change. Same old stuff year after year. Excuses have changed, results haven’t.

By carolonajacket

December 15, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

No. This team can’t shoot the ball and plays poor defense. Check out all the empty seats at courtside. This will be a continuation of the past few years.

By Tech OldTimer

December 15, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this

The “Chaos Theory” in basketball of running the floor and shooting without looking for the best potential shot…rarely passing more than twice…etc. is just not conducive to winning at the highest level in the NCAA. Duke, UNC, Kansas, Kentucky, and other powers have a half-court game. Tech has a run and shoot wildly game and can’t hit a free throw. New coach needed.

By reebok

December 15, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

No. It’s time for a change at the top.

By T-Bone

December 15, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

I think I agree concerning the need for a coaching change. I just don’t want to disturb the stellar recruiting class coming in.

At the same time time, let’s not forget that PH took Tech to the championship game only a few years ago.

By Slick

December 15, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

No, same old stuff, different year. What’s the next excuse? We are due for someone to dislocate a kneecap again. Why don’t we ever schedule Savannah St, it will cure all that ails ya!

By RAMBLE ON!!!

December 15, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Wow, poor free throw shooting under Hewitt!!!

Oh wait, it’s always been that way.

Hewitt should have been fired two years ago.

Another 7-9 ACC season and a run for the bubble.

By BravesFan79

December 15, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Lets give Hewitt at least till the end of next year to make judgment. I still believe in this program, and wanna see Bell, Shumpert, and D Favors lead the way next year to the elite 8 at least! What Hewitt needs to do is bring back that assistant coach that left after the title run… last i heard hes available now!

Lets not miss out on the best big man in AtL since Dwight Howard! If Hewitt gets canned this year, the top 5 recruiting class in the country will all go down the drain…. so KEEP HEWITT!! Have a little foresight people, and a little faith. This year has potential…..lets see what they do during the USC game on ESPN next week when more players are back and healthy.

By Rags

December 15, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

No. I am afraid the conference schedule will be ugly. It has all been said before. Tech does not have an offensive identity, does not adjust well, cannot shoot free throws, and never seems to get the most from some very talented recruits.

To T-Bone’s comment, the “stellar recruiting class coming in” is only as good as the coach who leads them. I think we have good players who try very hard, but it’s the first month of the season, and ALREADY we’re saying the same things we have said for years now - including the perennial plea to just wait for the NEXT class. Hewitt is a fine man, represents the school well, and apparently can recruit fairly well, but what he puts on the court every season is very disappointing. He is overmatched in the ACC.

My $0.02.

By Rags

December 15, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

To Ramble On. “Run for the bubble” is a great line. I wish I had thought of it. Thanks for a good laugh.

By BravesFan79

December 15, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

What this team needs is some white players who hit freethrows, play SMART, and stretch the floor by hitting NBA range 3’s.
And why didnt Hewitt recruit Steph Currys little brother?? Because like Curry he wasnt highly thought of enough?? The dudes getting mention at Liberty (i believe) as freshman scoring leader in the nation, and hitting over .400 on 3’s. Dumb dumb…

So who else would yall rather have as coach? Would yall perfer if we had a coach that was a better x’s and o’s coach, yet get alot less high recruits??

How well did that work for Texas Tech with Bob Knight?

By GT76

December 15, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

I think I blogged in late 2007 that Hewitt should get two more seasons and that if the team did not make the NCAA’s and get to the sweet 16 that he should be canned. I still think that is a good barometer. So no sweet 16 in March 09, no Hewitt. There are a lot of GOOD coaches who would love the job.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

December 15, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

BravesFan79…go pull for UGAg, please!!!

By It's all about the money..

December 15, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

Fan opinions about our coaching are interesting but irrelevant. Fan expenditures are the real story.

CPH will be evaluated based on ticket sales. This is the first year in a very long time that season tickets have been available.

Football is rebounding. We need the thrill back in the Thrillerdome.

By GTFAN

December 15, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

bravesfan79, WOW! I know there are backwards thinking racists in all parts of our country, thank God not all of them have the audacity to make posts like you do. See what spell checker gets us (there is a downside to everything I guess).

I’d take a couple of smart Chinese, Jewish, Native American or any other basketball players to go with our already talented and smart crew we have now.

I guess we need a couple of those brilliant George Bush types. Haha!!

By jabster

December 15, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

I think there were season tix available last year due to some folks not willing to pay for the new TECH Fund PSLs….

By Tech82

December 15, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

I agree with the consensus that Hewitt should be gone. Sadly, I think the prospect of next year’s recruiting class will provide him with at least one more year of job security.

The pattern should be obvious by now. We will have teams that are immensely talented but consistently under perform due to being completely undisciplined. Every four or five years we will put a team on the floor that – completely by accident – lives up to its expectations. We had one of those in 2004 and will likely have another next year. In the meantime, get used to being firmly entrenched in mediocrity.

Hewitt’s inability to produce a team with any sense of discipline or one that can shoot free throws at better than a 50% rate is an embarrassment. The time has come for a change. I wonder if Paul Johnson has any friends that are basketball coaches?

GO JACKETS! THWG!

By RAMBLE ON!!!

December 15, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Thanks Rags. I wish I was joking though.

By Rob

December 15, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Hewitt’s contract gives him this season and sadly two more (I think). Tech BB won’t make a comeback until Hewitt is gone. This will cleanse Tech of Dave Braine’s mistakes. Hope I am wrong but 4-12 in the ACC looks about right.

By Ruptured

December 15, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Paul Hewitt is Chan Gailey redux. Forget the false hopes for a recruiting class that will turn things around.

What happens when such a class arrives on campus? They join a “system” that has no offensive strategy, except one-on-one. They play no defense and never dive for loose balls….. We are going to get steam-rolled during ACC play.

I’ve had it with this coaching regime.

Ruptured in VA

By Jo Bling

December 15, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

2004-05 was lightning in a bottle. That team was pretty average most of the year and then caught fire at the end. Tech basketball should have higher expectations than hoping we get lucky and go on a hot streak every few years - with a bunch of 7-9’s in between.

I like Hewitt but don’t think he is getting the job done. Losing Thaddeus and Javaris crushed him. I think he really expected those two to stick around at least two years. But good coaches are able to move players in and out year after year and coach them up. Good teams have good shooters, play strong defense, rebound well, protect the ball and shoot free throws well. Tech does none of that - and never has under Hewitt.

Also, I can’t speak to BravesFan79’s intentions, but I don’t think it is racist to point out that Hewitt does not recruit white players - for whatever reason. That’s just a fact, and I also think it’s odd.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

December 15, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

GT Basketball under Hewitt is like the movie groundhog day.

Every year, terrible f/t shooting, sloppy play can’t inbound the ball, and then the team starts coming together mid way through the season after digging a very big hole. Two exceptions, The 2004 NCAA run, and the 2006 team that admitted they quit (that’s when I realized we need a new coach). No coach gets the benefit of doubt from me when the team quits.

DRAD knows it and will do something about it at the end of the year (I’m praying). It’s been a matter of buyouts. Thanks to David Brainless.

It will be the same next year if Hewitt’s the coach even with D. Favors on the team.

By KJ

December 15, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

To all of you who think Hewitt is the most terrible, underachieving coach of all time, who, exactly do you suggest we get to replace him?

By GTmiata

December 15, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

The Final Four run was five—count ‘em, five years ago now. The team and Hewitt have done nothing but disappoint since then. We have had nothing but stellar recruiting classes, full of McDonald’s All-Americans, but Hewitt seems to have little ability to teach them how to play offense any other way than one-on-one, break your guy down off the dribble. This looks great in the And1 mixtape or on the streets of Harlem, but not in the ACC (or apparently the Horizon League). I understand and agree that he earned himself a few years with that 03-04 team, but for the last couple of seasons, it’s just felt like we were waiting for the time to come that it would be appropriate to make a change. I’m honestly surprised that there hasn’t been more of a movement to get rid of him. It seems like it’s time.

By The Bitter Gus

December 15, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

D-RAD is reluctant to replace Hewitt for all the financial reasons stated above - PLUS THE FACT HE KNOWS that whoever he replaces Hewitt with will also STINK UP THE JOINT (since college hoops are dead in the “south”). So, he would rather defer having “his personally selected coach” fail and therefore become under fire himself.

DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By KC Kid

December 15, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

You’re not going to win when your starting point guard is 1 of 10 from the field. I’ve been to every game this year, and I’m starting to cringe when I see Mo Miller getting ready to shoot. Maybe it’s the concussion. Let’s hope so, and he’ll get better with time. Otherwise having him back is no big bonus.

Aminu was 3 for 11 yesterday. Granted they had a 7 footer clogging the middle, but between Miller and Aminu, it was tough to watch.

I’ve been following Jackets bball since the Mark Price/John Salley days. Man that was good basketball back then. I don’t know the answer but Hewitt doesn’t seem to either.

By CW

December 15, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

I’m a huge Tech football fan, but just haven’t followed the basketball team very much since Hewitt came to Tech. The only year that I really followed Tech hoops was the year they won the preseason NIT and then went on to have a fantastic season.

My question and comments may seem ignorant because of not following the team closely, but it seems like every year that Tech has no bench and no depth. Larry’s original story above could have different player’s names substituted for any of the past few years. Tech has a full complement of scholarships and has had a few outstanding recruits, but they either leave early, can’t hack the academics or don’t pan out and the team is perpetually short-handed. It just seems like Coach Hewitt hasn’t been able to build the Tech program to any level of consistency.

Considering where Tech hoops was when Cremins finally left, I think we’re in worse shape now. The only consistency I see is 1) lower end of ACC and 2) not making field of 64.

BTW, what is Hewitt’s record against UGA?

Am I wrong about this?

By BLAZER

December 15, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

DOES HEWITT KNOW WHAT A

ZONE DEFENSE IS??

By BLAZER

December 15, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

THE WOMEN ARE DOING GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Jo Bling

December 15, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

CW - I think you are wrong. Tech’s program is most definitely better off today than it was at the end of Cremins’ term. That’s not to say it is where it should be, but we are not worse off today than we were in Cremins’ last few years. Those were a disaster, lest you’ve forgotten Tony Akins, Alvin Jones, et. al. Bobby’s last few teams were pretty hard to like.

The way I see it, Hewitt’s contract is good through 2010-2011, so they aren’t going to get rid of him now, barring a disaster. At the end of the 2009-2010 season, Radokovich is either going to have to extend the contract, or leave Hewitt hanging which would be a pretty strong indicator he wants to bring in his own guy.

Hewitt will have to make a strong case next year with his stellar incoming freshmen. But he hasn’t been able to do that in the past. When you look at players like Bosh, T. Young, even Anthony Morrow, you see players who are doing more in the far tougher realm of the NBA than they ever did at Tech. Granted, Bosh and Young were just freshmen, but it just seems like other coaches get more out of their superstar freshmen - Carmelo Anthony, Mike Conley and Derrick Rose quickly come to mind.

I’d love to see Tech become an elite program, one that consistently makes the Sweet 16, and occasionally runs all the way to the Final Four. This city should be an easy sell for top-of-the-line recruits, and the program has quite a history of putting players in the NBA. So where are the players? Why do we have a walk-on playing valuable minutes and taking shots at key points in the game? Other teams have injuries and players who don’t make grades, but how many really good programs end up using walk-ons? Where is the depth? When I look at the current team, I wonder where are the superstars? Lawal is a player, but he’s not going to win every game for us.

Before the start of the season I saw a lot of potential in this team. After seeing them play twice now, I have to say I am just disappointed. Yes, it’s too early to make an overall assessment, but you are kidding yourself if you don’t think that so far this team looks exactly like what we’ve come to expect under Hewitt. Granted, the Jackets would be a lot better if Miller was healthy and on his game. Seems like there’s always an excuse, though. I want Hewitt to succeed, but I’m just not sure he’s the answer.

By Tech OldTimer

December 15, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

I believe he has a losing record to UGA but this is not the same “hate” that exists in football. Of much more concern is his record against Duke, North Carolina, Maryland and Wake Forest. In the past we certainly held our own against these powers and truly were only beaten regularly by Duke. Now we can’t seem to win against those teams.

UGA gets more up about playing us than we do them in men’s basketball. But we certainly detest them more in women’s basketball.

AS for whom TECH should get…The options are unlimited. We are a premier basketball school in THE PREMIER conference. Coaches can recruit to TECH thanks to the city of Atlanta. Both Cremins and Hewitt have proven that theory out. What we lack is a coach that knows X’s and O’s and how to get the most out of his talent…regularly…and with consistency.

By GT66

December 15, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

It amazed me last year that some who wrote on this site actually believed that this year’s team would be better. You that wrote that must have been watching a different team than I was watching. The coach is bad and we should have made the change two years ago. The worst is yet to come. We will get eaten alive in the ACC. He does not recruit well and does not coach well. Also, as I mentioned last year several times, he will not go after any great white players. Just look at the roster and then look at who is on the active recruiting list. That fact is certainly not enough in and of itself to fire a coach, but it should be unacceptable behavior and should be no more tolerated than the reverse discrimination. He is an articulate nice looking man, but the facts are the facts (the record) and he cannot coach. We need another Paul Johnson.

By GT66

December 15, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

I agree with Jo Bling. It is not racist to point out facts and the facts are he will not recruit white players. GT Fan please look at the current roster and the recruiting list. Also, Tech 82 you must be kidding. We have never had an immensely talented team since he has been there. Thaddeus Young is doing fine and Javaris is doing nothing. Was their team immensely talented? Far from it.

By Born2Buzz

December 15, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

I have been a big PH fan but even I think his days are numbered. But due to the financial situation at the Flats he will not get run off until his contract is up. And he has a tremendous recruiting class coming in.

We need Miller to get back to his end of last year form and Clinch to get back to provide another outside shooter. That will make everything better. We are still an incredibly young team, so have a little patience.

By cewbee

December 15, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

What about a coaching duo of Mark Price and Dennis Scott? Both have remained in BB coaching/operations and might be able to really connect with both the team and potential recruits?

By sunday

December 15, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

paul hewitt is a fantastic recruiter and a decent coach. anyone who says he needs to be fired is off their rocker. let’s not forgt that we are at georgia tech, people, not kansas or carolina or even wake. paul has an amazing recruiting class coming in and did leads tech to its first national championship game EVER just a few years back. i say give him one more year after this one just to see what he can do with a lot of talent and hopefully no injuries.

By GTGoodwin

December 15, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

it’s called not having a point guard for 3 yrs and miller got to have something change. Now what is crazy is that freethrow shooting is a constant pain in the arse since day 1. You would think that after the first 2 yrs something would be done. whatever i’m sick of that subject. If he can get this next class in and does something he has a pass. this year we’ll be lucky to be over 500 in the ACC unless Mo wakes up or Shumpert steps up at the point.

By GTGoodwin

December 15, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

it’s called not having a point guard for 3 yrs and miller got to have something change. Now what is crazy is that freethrow shooting is a constant pain in the arse since day 1. You would think that after the first 2 yrs something would be done. whatever i’m sick of that subject. If he can get this next class in and does something he has a pass. this year we’ll be lucky to be over 500 in the ACC unless Mo wakes up or Shumpert steps up at the point.

By GTGoodwin

December 15, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

OH yeah this used to be the POINT GUARD school what happen???

By Zach

December 15, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Do any of you watch the games? Did anyone read this article? We beat Penn St. if Bell is playing. We’re going to miss his defense this season. We’ve missed a deep threat, which would be Clinch. Miller hasn’t been the same as he was at the end of last year.

Coaching is nowhere NEAR as important in basketball as it is in football. John “Free throw shooting is not a problem” Calipari took his team to the Finals last year. Coaches can come up with fantastic game plans, orchestrate great practices during the week, but in the end, the players have to hit their shots, make smart decisions, and do their job.

This isn’t the SEC. This program is still much better than where it was before Hewitt took over. Stability is important in any sport. If Lewis and Crittendon didn’t leave, we would be outstanding this year and none of you would be complaining. He can’t just NOT recruit the best players because they might leave early.

Injuries are killing us this year, not Paul Hewitt. And the argument about him not recruiting white players is ridiculous. For one thing, most teams don’t have many. And if you watch the games, there’s a big, tall guy named Brad Sheehan that plays. And last year there was Matt Causey.

If you’re looking for a reason to hate PH, you can find much easier reasons than that.

By Mike

December 15, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Tech basketball needs a change … in their coach that is. Paul Hewitt is a nice guy but he’s run his course. Hewitt micro manages from the bench DURING the game. All the Tech players constantly watch him during play for specific directions. NO OTHER ACC COACH does this. It is very distracting to the players. Coach them on Saturday, and let them play on Sunday.

I didn’t buy season tickets this year for this exact reason. Tech is mediocre at best. It seems to me that most ACC are very competitive but Tech isn’t.

Time for a change ……

By Scoots

December 15, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Tech has fallen off each year since the 2004 Final Four team. The following year was the most disappointing - that team was stacked with talent, but didn’t amount to anything. Luke Schenshuer played without heart and Will Bynum was completely undisciplined. Kind of the same deal with Thaddeus Young and Crittenton.

It’s obvious Hewitt can recruit some top-tier talent, but he just doesn’t seem to be able to integrate individual talents into a functioning team. I hope Tech can put together a good season this year, and build on that for next year, otherwise I think our boy Paul is out.

By Jack

December 15, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Once again we have a lot of people defending our coach. I don’t know what you folks base your optimism on. Tech will be lucky to win 10 games this year and may not even scratch in the ACC. Unless Coach Hewitt gets Derrick Favors to come to Tech this incoming class will not be the answer either. From what I can gather there is only one of the incoming players rated in the top 10 at his position. The only answer is to fire Hewitt. Remember where we were 2/3 years ago with Gailey? A lot of people were defending him and saying we could not get anyone better. I believe that Coach Johnson has exploded that myth. Fire Hewitt!!

By AlabamaRamblinwreck

December 15, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Larry…

Any updates on today’s bowl practice? How is it looking on the injury front? Any updates on CPJ and his new deal?

The BB team will continue to underachieve with CPH. I decided that early last year, and I don’t see anything that makes me change my mind. On top of that, he never recruits great spot-up shooters, just athletes it seems.

Anyway, our football team is keeping me on an upbeat note.

Go Jackets!!

By Me ahole

December 15, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

GT is terrible because of one reason, and one reson only. ll you dopes that make excused for PH are reaching. PH is the aboslute worst BB coach in the ACC. Dan will fire PH after this season, ragardless of thes “stellar” class that you speak of. This class has one ACC recruit and that is MU. All the others are just role players like MM, LS, AA, etc. These guys would be playing mop up minutes for the good teams in the ACC. Get over it. PH is a wanna be. He uses his “off the court” BS to mask his inabilities ON THE COURT!

By Jeff

December 15, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

Fire Paul Hewitt! Enough already.

By Rags

December 15, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

To Zach - I certainly do not hate Paul Hewitt. I have stated many times that he is a fine man and a good recruiter. However, his body of work does not lead me to believe Tech will ever consistently achieve better than .500 in the ACC. Emphasis on consistently. Many, many people have pointed out the shortcomings in his coaching, and in the teams he puts on the court, and those shortcomings do not improve year-over-year. I do not believe that Tech should accept that level of performance, but obviously others (including DRAD at the moment, apparently) will accept it, at least for the time being. I am tired of “just wait until NEXT year”, especially at the beginning of THIS year. I appreciate your passion, and I do not hate Coach Hewitt, but his resume for the past five years does not reflect an ACC caliber coach, nor someone who will become an ACC caliber coach. I wish it did. Admittedly I did not play basketball, either in HS or college, but I have a hard time believing that coaching in basketball is less important than in other sports. With only five players on the court at one time, it would seem to me that it is VERY important.

Just my $0.02. Thanks for your comments.

By Sautee Dawg

December 15, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Where’s that Paul Johnson when you need him?

By the sage

December 15, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!Jackets lack the discipline necessary to compete in the ACC. Our basketball is similar to the football with CC. Yes, I’m suggesting that a change will be made at the end of this season. Selah

By crackbaby

December 15, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

Coach Hewitt has been victimized by early NBA defections. The one and done experience hurts a program more than it helps.

I hope that CPH realizes that one-year departures of Chris Bosh, Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenden significantly hurt the program. The program is of greater importance than the financial needs of an individual player.

My greatest personal frustration is to have nearly every player come to Tech without knowing how to play great defense. Perhaps CPH needs to stop recruiting the best athletes and target some skills that fit his “system.”

I understand that Tech fans are restless and want a change. “Significant improvement” this season and next and consistency would help CPH.

By trailort

December 15, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

There is only one thing wrong with the Jackets and that’s our coach. Hewitt has got to go! It took me a very long time to get to this point. I have several friends who wanted him gone before Chan. I refused to listen, but they were right. If you saw the game Sunday, you had the priviledge of seeing a very, very well coached team. Unfortunatly they were from Illinois Chicago. Maybe we could get their coach!

By Bill

December 15, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

This GA TECH team will not win 15 games. There will be lots of just misses and what ifs but the bottom line will be no post season once again and only 5-6 ACC wins.

By JB

December 15, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

Some of you jokes keep making excuses people! nba defections, hurt guys, PLEASE! people dont come to watch these guys because they stink! it is what it is!!! can’t shoot or play defense, we have a guard who is 0-22 from 3 point range for godsake! other programs adjust and recruit after nba defections AND STILL WIN!! HEWITT has donr nothing since 04 really. and one guy said favors is the answer? that kid may not go to tech firstoff, and secondly, he will stay 1 year and bolt! we dont need that anyway.this program needs a high energy guy from a big time program, a top assitant at kansas,nc,duke,ucla!! and those schools all play DEFENSE PEOPLE! I SAY GET RID OF THIS LAME DUCK COACH IN PAUL HEWITT, IF I WANTED TO CONTINUE AND WATCH MEDIOCRITY, I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR CHAN GAILEY TO STAY!!!!!!!! IF PEOPLE ARE REAALY TIRED OF HEWITT, SEND D-RAD AN EMAIL LIKE I DID. THE MORE HE GETS, HE WILL LOOK HARDER AT THIS CLEAR ISSUE WE HAVE AS FANS, GT BASKETBALL DESERVES BETTER! LETS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! WE HAVE LOST ALREADY 2 GAMES WITH A RELAXED SCHEDULE? WAIT TIL WE GET THUMPED IN THE ACC BEFORE SOME OF YOU GOOFBALLS WAKE UP AND SMELL THE LOSING THAT WILL CONTINUE UNDER HEWITT!!!

By Jeff

December 15, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

NBA defections is no excuse. GA Tech is not unique to this variable. Fire Paul Hewitt!

By Navigator

December 15, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

Rather than getting into personalities, it’s obvious that the Jackets don’t have a lot of offensive talent. It seems several of the players think they’re the next coming of Lebron James, and they don’t work hard enough setting up plays for the inside big men. They are sorely missing a good point guard, and their defenses really suffers at times. If you go back to the final four run, they had inside play, good shooters, and were cohesive as a team. Since that time, they’ve had none of that.

By GT66

December 15, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

Sunday you are living in a dream world. Bobby Cremins was not a good coach, but recruited so many more great players NBA and non NBA than this guy has. When we play NC and Duke do you not see the talent difference? There is no comparison. Young is the only guy that can be as good as Price, Salley, Geiger, Anderson, Marbury, Harpring, Scott, Best,Joseph and Hammond to name a few. You are in a bubble. And to Zach with his statement that most teams do have many white players is absurd misses the point. The question and problem is he does not even try and recruit them. Duke, Kansas,Notre Dame, Boston College, Stanford and all the Big Ten schools have many outstanding white players. The fact that we have a stiff in Sheehan and a walk on last year in Causey makes my point. I do not feel that anyone hates Hewitt, but many fans and alumni are objective and look at the record and the record does not lie. You defenders have no case. He and Gailey cannot coach. By the way Gailey had a much better ACC record than Hewitt by far. Check the facts.

By GT4LIfe

December 15, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

I wonder if these same fans that lament the fact that Hewitt “doesn’t recruit white players” whine about Ga Tech’s Baseball team not recruiting any black players. Just my $.02

By Bill

December 15, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this

The point is not white vs black players. The point is that Hewitt just does not seem to recruit many all around, fundamentally sound BASKETBALL PLAYERS but seems to attract the athlete with a lot of upside. There is a huge difference. These players with upside, by the way, do not seem to improve very much during their tenure at GT.

By IndyGT

December 15, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

Zach makes some real good points, and its obvious he follows GaTech ball. Look, CPH hasn’t forgotten how to coach, he did take us to a championship, you don’t just get lucky and do that. And the losses we’ve had this year are huge, not mentioned is Dickey who left also.. This is why I’m willing to give CPH this year, but NOT next year. We’ve really been decimated bc of the PG spot, we’ve had years where a shooting guard was playing PG, and that kills us.. and that I do blame CPH. Its usually those years that we do poorly. As for the white players recruited (Ed Nelson, Sheehan, Luke, Causey) etc.. so quit w/the race card here. You think people at UNC are complaining that they’ve only had all of one white player get quality minutes in Roy’s years?

By Jimmy

December 15, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this

I see all of you “wannabe AD’s” suggest Tech fire CPH, but DON’T see who you want to replace him. When firing someone, it’s best not to fire them for the sake of firing them, but firing them in order to replace them w/ someone whom will do a better job. Otherwise you have yourself a situation like Auburn currently does, firing CTT for Gene Chizik, and that’s an upgrade how?

By BravesFan79

December 15, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

GTFAN December 15, 2008 9:40 AM | You can kiss my white a$$ cat……. how am I racist when im one of the few that actually SUPPORT Hewitt??
Did you know that in England, blacks are 7 times more racist than whites, and the same is true in Sweden. Their immigration policy is tearing apart there country and getting their daughters raped at a alarming rate.
Funny tho when a white person says the truth the first thing a black wants to do is cry “racism!”

If they stopped doing so much violent crime and having 70% of their kids with no fathers their race would get more respect!
That being said, i respect anyone thats a good man and takes care of his family…. regardless of race!

And sorry but its proven that white players shoot free throws better…. just look at Memphis last year!
I got faith in GT tho…. go Jackets!

And Ramble on…. i like both schools, but im a GT fan first! Your posts make me think your a UGA fan in disguise trying to bring down our program and ruin our 2009 recruiting class!

By BravesFan79

December 16, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

What i said is 100% true….. google it if you want….. But im sure someone will quickly label me a racist, or uncle tom for stating the facts. Its amazing what the media covers up when it comes to black on white crime!
But we sure heard Don Imus say “it figures” now didnt we!! The NAACP is a bunch of CRAP!! Because now most of the racist are BLACK!!
If you doubt me, do your own research on Interracial crime in the US and Europe.

And as far as baseball goes, yes im VERY proud we have no “all about me” mannys, elijah dukes, or lasting millidges on the Braves!

By jim

December 16, 2008 5:21 AM | Link to this

Tech basketball has returned to where it was in the early 80’s: a footnote in the ACC. Sad.

By DecaturTechFan

December 16, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this

If Favors doesnt sign, I say PH goes after THIS year! If he does sing and then leaves, I say PH goes after next year. Either way, we cant shoot free throws, shoot jump shots, and close out games when we have the lead. Dan R has proven he can find winners. If we can win a National Championship in women’s tennis,(no disrespect intended) then we should be able able to win in big money sports. I think PH should donate some of his salary to the progrmas that are winning on a MUCH SMALLER budget than this lost soul gets.

By bearcasey

December 16, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

Crittendon screwed Hewitt, pure and simple. Everyone with an IQ above 100 knew that Thad Young was a “one and done.” But, Crit was supposed to be the second coming of Jarrett Jack. Too bad, Crit’s mom needed a house so Crit’s off to rot on the bench in the NBA. Sad for him and for GT. But, Crit’s mom has a house!

CPH is a good man who has just about worn out his welcome. Is he a social worker or basketball coach? In his defense, GT’s depth problem this year is due to Bell’s illness, Clinch’s grades and Dickey going to the Ukraine. Nothing CPH could do about those things.

By Real Fan

December 16, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

I hope some of you fans stuck on this whole, “CPH deosn’t recruit white players” don’t forget about Luke, Isenhour, Ed Nelson, the JR college transfer from last year, Sheehan, etc. Where does this stuff come from??? I think we have our share, less only to Duke which has their picks from the cream of the crop. While I don’t think it’s racist to point the race make up of teamout, I think it is small minded, and makes you wonder. Those people probably not happy about the new president elect either. Regardless of the race of our players, I hope all of our fans can root for them all!

By ga_tech_92

December 16, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

No. We have the same issues every year. Not enough small/quick guards…not enough true centers… We get out quicked and beat off the dribble, because our guards are tall, but slow. We get out rebounded, because we don’t have a real center. We make the same stupid mistakes year after year: can’t imbound the ball, offense looks chaotic, defense looks slow footed and dumb (ie…leaving guys wide open who are known to be shooters).

Year after year we recruit top ten guys, but they are all 2-3-4 spots…and we don’t seem to coach the fundamentals like crunch time offense that works play after play. It seems to be left up to an individual to make a play. Look at Duke…they always play smart…fast…and it’s year after year…the exact opposite of GT…what’s the commonalities?…coach.

By ga_tech_92

December 16, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

BTW - I don’t care what color the players are. What I care is that our guard play is always too slow to keep up with small quick ACC guards. What I care about is our team never EVER seems to have a MASTERMIND offensive play coming out of a time out. How many times do we have a time out and CAN”T EVEN IN BOUND THE DAMN BALL!?!?!? It’s all this same stuff YEAR after YEAR. We recruit great 2-3-4’s, but always seem to be ‘hurting at 1’…and never have a true 5. UGA has more 5’s than we do. Nuff said.

By yellarjacket4life

December 16, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

bearcasey- I could agree with you more regarding Critt. Paul Hewitt definitely thought he was going to get at least two years out of him, which is why our non conference schedule was so brutual last year. Hewitt thought he was the next Jack and he might have been a better overall player if he would have stayed around. Anyone who follows this program closely knew Thad Young was one and done though. The only reason he came to Tech is because of the NBA rule that any player must be at least one year removed from high school.

I will agree that Dickey leaving, Bell getting hurt, and Clinch are things that Hewitt could not control, but he should have more than just Shumpert coming in this year. We lost three very important pieces to our team via graduation (Jeremis Smith, A-Mo, and Causey). Hewitt should not have counted on Dickey or Clinch this year. Both players have burned this team with academic issues in the past. Now Dickey bails on the team to go play professionally in Ukaine and Clinch is ineligible again.

A couple of years ago, Hewitt was praying that Jack would stay, instead he leaves and Austin Jackson decided to play baseball instead of coming to Tech, so the team has no point guard and takes a beating and we finish well below .500.

The next year we underachieve with 3 legit NBA players on our team.

Last year Dickey can’t make the grades, Critt and Young leave early, and we have the one of the toughest non conference schedules in the country.

This year is more excuses of bad grades, injuries, and an early defection to play pro ball. Will this ever end???

By the way, why does Hewitt insist on recruiting a player like Sheehan? The guy is slow, goofy, and he has no business playing in the ACC. He definitely doesn’t fit the mold of the typical Hewitt recruit. Hewitt does not coach “up” any of his recruits anyway, so why bring in a guy that requires so much coaching just so he can try to compete in this conference? It doesn’t make sense. I do not mean any disrespect to Brad, but the guy in not an ACC caliber player. Shumpert on the other hand is pretty dang good. Lawal and Shumpert have definitely been the bright spots on this team so far.

By Jo Bling

December 16, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Way too many excuses for Hewitt in these comments. These are excuses that good programs simply don’t make.

The only thing you need to know is that Hewitt’s ACC record is 58-70. The year we went to the championship was Tech’s highest ACC finish under Hewitt - and we finished third that year! We’ve never even sniffed a regular-season ACC title under Hewitt. At least Cremins had six winning seasons in the ACC, and won the conference twice. Hewitt’s ACC performance is simply unacceptable.

And whoever said that coaching doesn’t matter in basketball like it does in football is a fool. Look at the elite programs in college basketball and it’s always the same coaches - Pitino, Calipari, Williams, Krzyzewski, Olson, Few, Calhoun, Self, etc. These guys know how to build and maintain PROGRAMS. They don’t just throw together willy nilly teams that might get lucky every once in a while. They have a system - a pipeline - of bringing in top recruits, coaching them up, getting them to the Sweet 16 and beyond, and then sending them on to the NBA.

To those who make excuses for Hewitt because Crittendon left after one year, I would ask you why that happened. UNC had at least three, and probably five players who could have gone to the NBA last year but chose to stay in college instead. Don’t their mothers need new houses, too? Everybody knew Crittenton wasn’t ready for the NBA. Hewitt even said the same thing in the paper just about every day. But in the end, he had so little influence over his player that he couldn’t convince him to stay one more year? What kind of mentor is that? Either the coach is lacking in leadership skills, or he is recruiting the wrong kind of players.

The pressure is on, so Hewitt better get cracking this season and turn this team into some winners in a hurry.

By SouthBendJacket

December 16, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Question: How many good players have stuck it out for 4 years since the runner-up team? If you can come up with someone, I will listen to your complaints. Problem #1. Our great players are leaving early for the money. Is that PH’s fault, or do you want him to stop recruiting the high school All-Americans? If you want to be good immediately, then you have to recruit studs. Unfortunately for us, all of our studs have jumped early to the NBA. Do you think the Ohio State fans are asking for their coach to be fired? Doubt it. Is the offense a little undisciplined, yes. Were you people complaining 5 years ago? DOUBT IT! Look at all of the 3 and 4 year players we had on that team! Maybe that’s the difference. Instant gratification only happens at Duke and NC. We need to see what happens with talent that sticks around. Do you really believe Peacock is really that amazing of a player? B/c he is the experience we have. That says something about our depth. Be bigger than the NOW society we live in and see the bigger picture.

By Richard

December 16, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

SouthBendJacket,

This bigger picture you’re talking about is that since 2004, we have made the tournament once and lost the only game. We have not had a winning conference record since then and this was with a roster with NBA talent (Crittenden, Young and Morrow).

That’s not even good enough to be called mediocre.

By Jo Bling

December 16, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

SouthBendJacket -

Let’s assume, for the sake off argument, that you are correct and the bulk of Tech’s problems stem from the early departure of young talent to the NBA. In that case, what do you propose we do about it? Continue the cycle? So far it has produced nothing but losing seasons in the ACC (except for one 9-7 five years ago that turned into a crazy, lucky run to the championship game - a season that was clearly an aberration and not the norm). This is a strategy you would like to see Tech stick with indefinitely? The way I see it coaches today have three macro choices for running a successful program:

1. Recruit non-NBA talent and coach the heck out of them (i.e., Duke, Gonzaga, etc.)
2. Recruit one-and-dones, but replace them with elite recruiting classes at least every other year. (UNC, Memphis, etc.)
3. Recruit future NBA talent, but convince them to stick around a couple of years, especially in cases, i.e., Crittendon, where it clearly is in their best interest, (UConn, UCLA, UNC last year).

Does Hewitt fit any of these descriptors? I guess the closest is No. 2, but I haven’t seen enough of the elite recruiting classes at Tech. Either that or the off years have been really, really bad. Whatever the case, it’s just not working for Hewitt. By the time we get to see this much-hyped incoming class in action, Lawal will already be off to the NBA and he’ll have missed again.

By GT66

December 16, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

No one that I have read here has said that not recruiting good white players is why we have been bad. But it is certainly fair to point out the facts and the facts speak for themselves. To correct INDY GT and Real Fan Cremins recruited Ed Nelson and Causey walked on and was not recruited. Hewitt ran Nelson off by not playing him the second half of the season after he led the team in rebounds during the first half of the season. Also, why would anyone claim someone is playing the race card when that person simply points out the facts. How can you argue with the facts during his tenure? Lastly, the reason that Tech and virtually every other Division One baseball program does not have many black players is because so few play high school baseball anymore. They concentrate on football, basketball and track.

By Richard

December 16, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Look, I support Hewitt up to a certian point, and I give him a lot of credit for the 2004 run.

But this is the reality: In 2006 there were 3 teams in the country that had at least two first round picks on their roster:

Florida - Won National Championship Ohio State - Runner up to National Championship (they were one and dones) Georgia Tech - Lost in round 1 to UNLV

Interesting list?

By Jo Bling

December 16, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

That is an interesting list. But I’ll bet you a dime to a dollar that both Florida and Ohio State will be back in the Sweet 16 or better well before Tech is.

By BuzzFan

December 16, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

Dan Radakovich,

Replace Paul Hewitt with Pitt’s Jamie Dixon after he again coaches another talented team to fall short of their combined abilities.

Dixon has a 132-40 record in five seasons. The Panthers won Big East tournament titles in 2004 and 2008. Despite rarely attracting Top 50 recruits, Pitt has averaged nearly 27 victories per season under Dixon, including records of 31-5 in 2003-04, 29-8 in 2006-07 and 27-10 last season. Only one of his teams failed to win at least 25 games. The Big East is arguably as competitive as the ACC.