Georgia Tech Fires Paul Hewitt as Head Coach; Could Bobby Cremins Return?

Two days after Georgia Tech was dismissed from the ACC Tournament, Georgia Tech fired head coach Paul Hewitt.

Despite 11 years on the job, Hewitt could never recapture or build upon the success he had in 2004, when he led the Yellow Jackets to the national championship game.

In those 11 years at Georgia Tech, Hewitt managed only one season with a winning conference record. Hewitt’s overall record was 190–162, and his record in the ACC was 72–104.

While Hewitt was a good recruiter, he often seemed to have a hard time keeping those recruits in college more than one year. Chris Bosh, Thaddeus Young and Derrick Favors were among those one-and-done players Hewitt coached. It was hard for Hewitt to build upon success he had because he was constantly turning the roster over from one year to the next.

What may have hurt Hewitt the most was the fact his team was playing in front of half-empty crowds at the once rowdy Alexander Memorial Coliseum, aka “Thriller Dome.” With Georgia Tech expecting to open a new arena in 2012, it was important for the athletic department to make a move that would re-energize the fan base.

Hewitt had an expensive $7.2 million buyout, but it was important to have a new coach in place before the move to the new arena. Short-term it sounds a bit daunting, but long-term? Relieving Hewitt of his duties now makes the most sense for all parties involved.

So what’s next for Georgia Tech? Every year it seems a hot-shot young coach leads his team to the NCAA tournament and becomes the next “it” coaching prospect.

A few names come to mind:

Chris Mack, Xavier:

With just two seasons on the job, Mack has excelled at Xavier. Several coaches, most recently Sean Miller, have used Xavier as a springboard to a more high-profile job and succeeded.

Scott Drew, Baylor:

Drew has done an amazing job rebuilding the Baylor program. He took the job when very few would have considered it due to the mess that former coach Dave Bliss left behind. While Drew has resisted overtures in recent years, could the luster of the ACC attract him?

Brad Stevens, Butler:

Perhaps the hottest coaching prospect in all of college basketball, Stevens led Butler to the championship game last season and came within seconds of a monumental upset of Duke. By the way, Duke plays Georgia Tech every season.

While Stevens received a lucrative extension after last season, is it presumptive to think he may find it hard to resist the challenge of coaching against the likes of Duke and North Carolina every season?  

While each of those names—

and others—may come to light and all would be excellent hires, another name comes to mind: Bobby Cremins.

That’s right. Bobby Cremins, the legendary former Georgia Tech coach and now the head coach at College of Charleston. While Cremins isn’t the young choice many fans would crave, his name would instantly sell tickets in a city where is still beloved. The court at Alexander Memorial Coliseum is named after Cremins.

Cremins was the greatest coach in Georgia Tech history, winning 352 games and also producing several future NBA stars. After retiring in 2000, Cremins went into broadcasting until 2006 when he came out of retirement to coach College of Charleston.

Perhaps Cremins wouldn’t even be interested, but one has to wonder if athletic director Dan Radakovich wouldn’t place a call to Cremins to gauge his interest.

An ACC job, a large market and a new arena are attractive options for any prospective coach. Georgia Tech will be an ideal destination for someone, but will that someone be Bobby Cremins?