Some of Georgia Tech's former players reached this week agree on what they would like to see in the next coach to take over the men's basketball program.
Who they would like to see considered is different, but each candidate has either a tie to the school or city. Two are fan favorites. The other isn't out of the box, but it's certainly in 3-point territory.
The Yellow Jackets are looking for a coach because athletic director Dan Radakovich fired Paul Hewitt on Saturday after 11 seasons leading the team.
The players questioned want what most Tech fans want: someone who can re-energize the program, get students back camping out for tickets as they did during Tech's nine consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament, and get the alumni out of their seats at games. They also want someone who can keep the good recruits coming, develop them, continue to re-connect with the past players and understand the balance between academics and athletics that Tech demands.
Drew Barry says he knows who could accomplish all of those things:
"You don't make a bigger splash than a Mark Price or Craig Neal, who have been there and done it and know what it takes," said Barry, who played at Tech from 1993-96.
Price declined to comment on the job, other than to say by text that "he wants whoever is the best for GT."
Neal has been less reserved, saying Sunday, “That’s my dream job. That’s my school.”
There are differences between Neal and Price, who played together from 1984-86. Neal has been an assistant coach on the collegiate level for the past seven seasons, working with Steve Alford. His current team, New Mexico, defeated Texas-El Paso in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday.
Price has been asked for by fans for several years as Tech's next coach. He has been a head coach on the high school level and for an Australian pro team, and has spent the past four seasons as a shooting consultant with three NBA teams, including the Hawks. He's currently with the Golden State Warriors.
Price was a three-time All-American at Tech and served as an assistant with Bobby Cremins in his last season. Price played for 12 seasons in the NBA, including the first nine with the Cavaliers. Tech and Cleveland have retired his jersey.
Barry said he's not concerned that neither Price nor Neal have collegiate head-coaching experience. What they don't know, or feel is a weakness, Barry said can be improved with the hiring of the right assistant coaches.
"I think that's all overrated," Barry said. "[Price] has played at every level and been highly successful. If you don't think he doesn't know basketball and can't teach it, you're crazy. Coaching is all about knowing the game and getting the maximum about every players you have.
"I've trained with Mark, I know he's capable of doing that. I've worked out with Craig Neal, I know he's capable of doing that. You can't go wrong in hiring people like that."
Radakovich said Saturday that candidates with experience at Tech is a plus, but it's not a necessity.
Brook Steppe, who played at Tech in 1979, ‘80 and ‘82, threw out a candidate that no one has mentioned so far: former Hawks coach Mike Woodson. The two played together for Kansas City when it had an NBA team. Woodson led the Hawks for six seasons, posting a 206-286 mark, increasing the win total each year from a 13-victory start.
He declined to comment on the Tech job, saying he doesn't promote himself. He did say that he hasn't been contacted.
Steppe said he also would like to see Neal considered, but was most enthusiastic about Woodson.
"He brings instant credibility and a track record of success," Steppe said. "He learned under ... Cotton Fitzsimmons and Larry Brown, got the Hawks turned around in the right direction."
Barry, Steppe and Kenny Anderson stressed they just want someone who can turn Tech into a consistent presence in the ACC.
"I would just like to see Tech get back to its roots, see Tech basketball get back to its roots," Barry said. "Ever since Cremins left there's been a lot of change. Hewitt had success, but what Georgia Tech basketball was it really is no longer.
"Nothing against Paul, who did a tremendous job, got to the national championship game, but it's time to get the people back."
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