Yow’s preference and Paul Hewitt’s departure from Georgia Tech

Given her druthers, you will see Debbie Yow attempt to find ways to prolong the announcement of Coach Lowe’s imminent departure from NC State for as long as she can. As we alluded to in this conversation, NC State would like as little time – and therefore media attention -to exist between Lowe’s ‘official’ departure and the hiring of the next coach.

The prospective coaches that comprise the current ‘list’ that serve as Yow’s ‘top tier’ will all be playing basketball at least through next weekend. So, it will be of benefit for all potential parties to create as little of attention to each other as possible.

At this point, we don’t have any reason to believe that Georgia Tech’s job opening will have an impact on ours or our potential candidate pool. That could change. We will let you know.

While you are here…we think you would enjoy reading this entry and also spending some valuable time on our vibrant message forums.

Link

Paul Hewitt has been let go at Georgia Tech.

According to sources, the Yellow Jackets coach – who has spent the past 11 years at the school – was informed of the decision this morning.

Hewitt finished his career with a 190-162 mark and led Georgia Tech to the national championship game back in 2004.

The Yellow Jackets were 13-18 overall this past season and 5-11 in ACC play. They lost to Virginia Tech in the first round of the league tournament.

Hewitt had an opportunity to take the St. John’s job last offseason, but turned it down to remain at Georgia Tech.

There was some thought that Hewitt would be retained since he is owed $7.2 million and the school is rebuilding Alexander Memorial Coliseum. However, athletic director Dan Radekovich decided to part ways with Hewitt – who signed a contract after getting to the national title game that included an automatic rollover.

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127 Responses to Yow’s preference and Paul Hewitt’s departure from Georgia Tech

  1. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/14/2011 at 9:51 AM #

    Reading an article after Stevens extension last year make is sound like he is getting about 1 million a year. It also sounds like IU is where he will probably want to be and his just waiting for the chance…

    http://www.ibj.com/the-score/2010/04/09/butler-making-high-stakes-gamble-with-stevens-contract-extension/PARAMS/post/19228

    Looks like Donovan is currently making about 2.5 minus incentives. Contract goes through 2012-2013 with last year worth $3.4 From 2008…

    http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2008/10/billy-donovan-f.html

    Miller is making about $2 million base plus plus got a million signing bonus. His deal was for 5 years in 2009

    http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4050454

    Looks like Barnes became a $2 million dollar man in 2007. This may be the time for him to move with Texas probably beginning to grow tired, some may of been in 2007.

    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/big12/2007-04-16-texas-barnes_N.htm

  2. JasonP 03/14/2011 at 10:06 AM #

    If you think Sean Miller coaches like Sendek then I question whether you’ve watched any college basketball in the past 5 years.

    He’s the perfect hire for NC State. Who knows if we get him or not. A deep tourney run by Arizona would certainly hurt our chances.

    GT will have to hire from the mid-major ranks and they’d be complete idiots if they don’t ask Cuonzo Martin if he’s interested. But the contract they gave to Hewitt already proves they’re idiots so I won’t be surprised if they whiff on this.

  3. wolfie91 03/14/2011 at 10:15 AM #

    ^We may also end up hiring from the mid-major ranks, which would not be the end of the world.

  4. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/14/2011 at 10:15 AM #

    Steve Lavin
    $1.6 -$1.8 per year for six in signed last year. With the return of the Red Storm to the NCAA’s I would suspect a bump this year and the only reason Lavin would leave would be for significantly more money.

    http://www.aolnews.com/2010/03/30/steve-lavin-likely-at-st-johns/

  5. Daily Update 03/14/2011 at 10:36 AM #

    Adventuroo: Your post conflicts everything we have heard.

  6. albunde6 03/14/2011 at 10:43 AM #

    Thanks, tcthdi- puts these guys into perspective. Don’t feel any worse about Barnes, but think Donovan is out of our price range. Stevens desire to go “home” may turn possible financial fit, to an impossible goal fit. Miller appears to be the big fish in the PAC10 pond. Don’t see him coming to ACC unless a big check is written. Don’t think we have dollars or the timing to make this happen. Just one pack fans opinion, going to increase my anxiety meds to get through this.

  7. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/14/2011 at 11:12 AM #

    It does appear that Arizona has locked in Miller unless someone had very deep pockets for someone that hasn’t shown much loyalty yet in his career. I’m sure AZ would come up with a few more bucks if State made an offer.

  8. ADVENTUROO 03/14/2011 at 1:16 PM #

    I DO profess and have not made it any secret that I support Coach Lowe….as does many of our EX players, who have MORE insight into our program and what it needs than we “experts” here.

    Having said that, I have always been honest and open in my posts….if it was opinion, I would state it.

    The information that I posted about what I heard at the ACC Tournament comes from about 12 hours or tailgating or cocktail receptions with a variety of attendees. Most were from the NC ACC schools, but there were folks with contacts at some of the others.

    Now, were they ALL telling the truth or were they just spouting stuff to show their importance. Don’t know, but many of them are casual golfing partneres (in the charity events) with the AD’s, the EX AD’s, Assistants in the AD department as well as the same folks in the booster’s clubs….as well as some prominent coaches. There was also a smattering of players and relatives and former coaches of some big time players.

    So, I only reported, without bias, what I heard…as a matter of fact, I tried to UNDER REPORT it because it surprised me.

    The were three comments that everyone made or agreed with…

    Coach Lowe is handling this entire “thing” with the utmost professionalism and NO ONE had a bad word about him.

    Coach Williams was in the EXACT same situation last year, but since he is a TWO RINGER, he had a stack of “get out of jail cards”.

    The team, during the past month, has felt the pressure almost as much as Coach Lowe and it has impacted their on-court performance. One person, who wants a change, made the comment that the Freshmen really are feeling it since they made the comments last year to “hold on….we’re coming….” and they are very upset that THEY have not lived up to their reputation.

    Finally, the most prominent name, supposedly on the short list and having been contacted, has NOT been mentioned here….so who knows….if that name surfaces later on, then all the prattle at the tournament was correct….if it does not, then there was a little too much alcohol loosening the tongues at the Tournament.

    All are free to decide what is going to happen….I CAN say with some credibility that there have been some declines in “gifts”, but there has not been an overwhelming “we will double our donations….if you get rid of Lowe” from the folks who write the checks. I personally do NOT know the financial stats within the AD’s department….so maybe the money will come from there. Right now, I do not believe (opinion….based on some limited input) that the WPC is ponying up the big bucks like the Ram’s club did to hire the two stars that they have….

    The comment was made that we need a Law, Med & Dentistry school to get the donations needed to hire a REAL coach….and THAT came from a cross section of the folks affiliated with the three Triangle schols…

    In the interim, we will just have to wait or start tracking Wendell’s planes….

  9. bradleyb123 03/14/2011 at 2:24 PM #

    Adventuroo, I apologize if I misjudged you. But you wrote that the sort list is getting shorter, almost as if to imply we’re already getting turned down left and right or something. I read from several different sources, and no one (even the ones with sources) has said we’re being turned down by people.

    Can you name any of the name(s) that have already turned us down? You seem to have some sources of your own.

  10. wolfie91 03/14/2011 at 2:51 PM #

    “The comment was made that we need a Law, Med & Dentistry school to get the donations needed to hire a REAL coach”

  11. wolfie91 03/14/2011 at 2:51 PM #

    “The comment was made that we need a Law, Med & Dentistry school to get the donations needed to hire a REAL coach”

    Strikes me as an odd thing to say.

  12. ADVENTUROO 03/14/2011 at 3:10 PM #

    As I said, a LOT of the names that have been mentioned here and on PP, perhaps as much as with LUST compared to being a REAL candidate, are not interested in coming to Raleigh. The original list(s) that were bandied about had all the usual suspects, but the folks that mentioned them said that if you were starting with a clean sheet of paper, you would write down a LOT of names (but they said you did not need to stress over not being able to spell Coach K or Huckaberry or Billy D…). They did emphasize that it would take some big buck$ to bring in a name that was worth the change and they did not know if the AD or the WPC had the re$ources.

    Other folks said that a certain NC Native, born in my home county, and wearing Orange, as he did when he was in the ACC, is really a WANTEE, and NOT on the short list….but, YOU NEVER KNOW….they felt he did not have the fire or desire to take on our two neighbors….but that he might change his mind if he felt “unloved”….who KNOWS about that one?

    Therefore, I can’t say for certain how many were “seriously” on the list or just a “WISH” list. What DID come across, and not from ALL folks, was that the REAL list was diminishing and that Ms. Yow looked like she was having a tough time “recruiting” candidates.

    Now, if they are right, she really has some tough decisions to make. I will leave that up to her as we hired her to make improvements and that is why she is making the big bucks….

    The only REAL name (school) on the list, which supposedly has been contacted, would probably be a good choice, but based on his record, I am not sure if there is THAT much difference in credentials, except he has always been in the College ranks and has a long loyalty to his current job. It would be a BIG change for him….

    I will wait until his name pops up….but so far it is not here or on PP…..so it TOO, may just be an unconfirmed rumor. A lot of chatter from a lot of folks…..some really interesting comments and insights as also some historical comments that lend credibility to their information…..but Ms. Yow and Mr. Purcell were not at the functions I attended and making small talk.

    I believe that she is really trying hard to find a suitable replacement and not just CHANGE for the SAKE of CHANGE…..and, if I am correct in that, then she is also weighing the pros and cons of NO CHANGE.

    This will not set well with a lot of folks….but they, at least in the circles that I frequented in Greensboro, were in the minority. The VOCAL Majority sometimes does not represent the REAL Majority (folks that write checks)….so who knows which way this will go.

    I don’t understand ALL the concern about NO NEWS….

    If a coach worth having has made up to mind to leave and is going to the NCAA, why would he BLAB that….? Remember Roy’s “I don’t give a Feces about UNC…” comment.

    SO, if we are going after the $uper$tar$ and have the $$$’s to attract them, they are (or should be) focused on their NCAA preparation….

    Let the games begin and if they go home early, then they will obviously have time to think and answer phone calls….

    Jimmy V. often commented that the way to keep your phone ringing AFTER the season is to PROLONG your season. He said that he KNEW when he pulled off a couple of big upsets that when he finally did lose, he would get calls within 24 hours….that happened three or four times and that is how we ended up with him.

    SO, if we want a heavy hitter, the longer we take to get him, the better off we will be…but without any name to speculate (salivate?) over, it gets BORING.

    Just gotta wait and see….

  13. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/14/2011 at 3:47 PM #

    It isn’t change for change sake. I have supported Lowe as much as anyone over the last few years and felt he should of been here last year.

    Clearly, he isn’t a college basketball head coach. His team came out with as much passion in the first round of the ACC tournament as an 80 year old nun. A team that was supposedly fighting for their coach pretty much looked as if they wanted him gone. A team of without emotion or fight.

    If the team didn’t feel the need to fight for Lowe, I don’t see why anyone else would at this point.

  14. Rick 03/14/2011 at 3:54 PM #

    “Coach Williams was in the EXACT same situation last year, but since he is a TWO RINGER, he had a stack of “get out of jail cards””

    It is impossible to take seriously anything you post when it contains this. RW has proven he is a championship caliber coach. Lowe has proven he is a bottom of the ACC coach. If you think they are in the “EXACT same situation” you are delusional.

  15. ringo 03/14/2011 at 4:12 PM #

    ^That’s what I’m thinking, just disregard what this dude says amongst his drinking buddies.

    “The only REAL name (school) on the list, which supposedly has been contacted, would probably be a good choice, but based on his record, I am not sure if there is THAT much difference in credentials, except he has always been in the College ranks and has a long loyalty to his current job.”

    This sentence makes no sense either. How could a long time college coach have not much difference in credentials as Lowe? Has he never been to the tourney either? Why would this guy enter the conversation? No sense at all….wish I hadn’t read this guy’s posts.

  16. Rick 03/14/2011 at 4:17 PM #

    Given his loyalty to Sid as opposed to NCSU, I am not surprised by his posts. They are contrary to what everyone else is hearing, go against all logic and they support his “pro Sid” agenda.

  17. JasonP 03/14/2011 at 4:23 PM #

    Adventuroo, if you’ve read the pages from this post in the forum:

    http://www.statefansnationforums.com/topic.php?id=3927

    And still say that the coach’s name you’re aware of hasn’t been posted, then whoever it is ain’t worth consideration.

    You’re describing a behind-the-scenes debacle, with name after name after name turning NC State down. I don’t believe you, or rather don’t trust your sources.

    But if by some miracle you’re correct, and State either keeps Lowe or hires a no-name left field coach, then I’ll know for absolute certain that basketball at NC State is dead.

  18. VaWolf82 03/14/2011 at 4:39 PM #

    I DO profess and have not made it any secret that I support Coach Lowe….as does many of our EX players, who have MORE insight into our program and what it needs than we “experts” here.

    Anyone that can’t see and admit that the Sid-experiment has failed miserably should not be allowed out in public without adult supervision.

  19. ADVENTUROO 03/14/2011 at 5:33 PM #

    Thank you, VOCAL MAJORITY, for your insight and feedback. I do NOT make up stuff and I do NOT believe everything that I read on this or any blog….so you are free to NOT believe as much as you want…

    Supporting Coach Lowe and comparing his situation to Coach Williams is a comparison that many folks are making….so choose your own expert…Mike Warren made it in the N&O article last week.

    I have been fully certified to go out in public without any supervision since I was 16….and don’t intend to stop now…..

    Fully believing that Three Incoming Freshmen would make us a number 4 or 5 ACC Finisher THIS year is a disease for which there is, as of yet, NO CURE. Those believing that are also found wandering around pumpkin patches and looking for the Easter Bunny’s eggs. I have found the Easter Bunny’s eggs, but I hid them first for my children and grandchildren….

    As to the unnamed coach….here are some tidbits….you figure it out…..

    About the SAME age as Coach Lowe.

    Was a Star HS Point Guard

    Has been a Head Coach for 10 years and guess HOW many times he took his team to the NCAA?

    Never played COLLEGE Basketball…nor ANY Collegiate sport.

    Only Coached at ONE School and LIKES his neck of the woods….which ain’t CLOSE to Raleigh.

    Have at it…..that should be enough for all the experts here to “out” him with one half their brain tied behind their back to make it fair….

    NOW….THAT is the ONLY name that has come up, in several conversations, that we SUPPOSEDLY have contacted the school and asked for permission.

    I guess all the folks were lieing…..Some had had two drinks or so….none were rip-roaring drunk or doing anything that would cause an officer to run a sobriety check….

    These conversations were NOT held at a bonfire in one of the fields outside the parking lot of the ACC Tournament…..

    But think what you want….I am going to Crabtree tonight….there will be several folks there….come on out….see if you can spot me….

    BTW…you folks DO know that Tubby is being linked to Arkansas….list keeps getting shorter….but, what do I know?

  20. Rick 03/14/2011 at 5:56 PM #

    “Supporting Coach Lowe and comparing his situation to Coach Williams is a comparison that many folks are making”

    Please tell me who is making this comparison besides you?

  21. Rick 03/14/2011 at 5:57 PM #

    I am going to Crabtree tonight….

    Show how “in the know” you are.

  22. Wulfpack 03/14/2011 at 6:44 PM #

    Adventuroo’s posts sure are full of adventure…and perhaps some imagination. I appreciate his insights and his willingness to share an opposing view, but I do not share it. This is not at all what I am hearing. And I do not for one second buy the only 25 percent want Sid gone analysis. I roll with many Wolfpackers, and know of zero who still want him as our head coach. Some were still with him as late as January, but not any longer after collapse number five in the ACC.

    So feel free to keep sharing opposing perspectives, whether true or not. We will all believe what we want to. But again, none of it meshes with what I am hearing. We are going to end up with a fine coach.

  23. ADVENTUROO 03/14/2011 at 7:39 PM #

    You guys are really into this…..so come one….

    NCSU cancelled the “live” show at Crabtree tonight due to the fact that they did not want the “crowd noise” in the background that they had had for the last several weeks and then moved the show to the studio. Probably a pre-cursor to a decision, but obviously there are OTHER supporters such as myself. They apologized and said that GoPack had not been updated, although they had updated their site. Their sponsors are getting a “break” for tonight’s change.

    Rick,

    Perhaps you need to listen to some of Roy’s pressers from last year and this year and also on Sunday. WRAL ran a bit tonight where ROY said that the team had reverted back to YOUTHFUL mistakes and that you could NOT take a YOUNG team and win in this league….and that he hoped they could regain their maturity and poise that they had prior to the ACC Tournament. If I recall, the sports writers in print and on TV have commented about the Pack’s lack of experience and maturity. So if Old Roy lost because of youthful inexperience, then I think it is assume that we ALSO lost due to the same issues.

    Still waiting for someone to OUT the person that I was told about…..what’s taking you guys so long?

    I guess that the 50 or so State Fans that I talked to at the ACC Tournament and less than 10 or so expressed the need for a change don’t count….

    Again, I report what was said….not what I read or thought I heard.

    Sid just signed off….it was a fascinating show…..we will see if they need a new banner next year….and if Crabtree “re-ups” their contract and advertising budget……the Crabtree Management folks over there tonight were NOT in the best of moods….to say the least.

    Ric

  24. motorhead 03/14/2011 at 8:24 PM #

    I think that name has been mentioned a few times……

  25. bTHEredterror 03/15/2011 at 3:44 AM #

    Mark Few. And I have seen several mention his name, usually with some doubt that he’d atually leave the woodlands of Washington State. And he is younger than Sidney, by a decade or so.

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