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.

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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. Tampa-Pack 03/12/2011 at 11:48 AM #

    And so the first domino in a major conference “officially” falls. Hope we already have our guy all but locked up. Should get really exciting very quickly….

  2. hoop 03/12/2011 at 12:06 PM #

    There sure is a lot of chatter around the name Sean Miller. I hope we get him but if not I hope we also have our next coach in the bag.

  3. Wufpacker 03/12/2011 at 12:09 PM #

    How likely is this (GT moving forward already with letting Hewitt loose) to affect our situation. I know Tubby was rumored for GT, then (sort of) for us, but what are the likelies of whether we and GT really have sights set on similar or even identical targets?

  4. Wufpacker 03/12/2011 at 12:10 PM #

    In other words….should we care that GT canned Hewitt before (apparently) Yow has given Lowe the go ahead?

  5. ClassOf91 03/12/2011 at 12:13 PM #

    Just want to say that I like the way you guys are handling things this time around. Things got out of hand last time with FlightAware, etc. I’m sure Pack Pride and others signed up a lot of premium users during the last search. The best thing this time is to just trust the process and let it play out.

  6. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/12/2011 at 12:29 PM #

    I know this name won’t go over well and I’m not sure he would take the job because of another offer that may be waiting in the wings, but Chris Collins would be an interesting consideration.

    Son of a NBA coach, and has worked under K for 10 years now. I would suspect one of the top assistant coach prospect and someone that knows ACC recruiting as well as anyone.

    If State can’t hit the grand slam, Collins could be a diamond in the Triangle.

  7. StateFans 03/12/2011 at 12:30 PM #

    We appreciate the comments about how we are handling the coaching conversations at this moment. We made a strategic decision to wait until the season was over to start easing into these conversations.

    At this point, I 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.

    Chris Collins? Really?

  8. Bowlpack 03/12/2011 at 12:45 PM #

    ^
    While Chris Collins is an intriguing prospect, I would hope that we’d get somebody with head coaching experience at the college level. I’ll hold out hope that Sean Miller or Scott Drew have interest in the job.

  9. Lunatic Fringe 03/12/2011 at 12:46 PM #

    I personally hope to see little to nothing in the media on NC State job until it becomes more definite on our front.

    I would think GT goes with the up-and-comer type of coach.

  10. eas 03/12/2011 at 12:49 PM #

    I hope this search is kept quiet and we have someone pretty much locked in at this point. I sure as heck hope it is NOT Chris Collins. Not saying he is a bad coach but I think he us an A1 toolbag. Much rather have Wojo if forced to pick from the Duke pool.

    I do believe there are much better picks out there than some of the names recently thrown around.

    I just hope we land an awesome coach and Sid is respected at the same time. I strongly believe both outcomes will happen.

  11. wolfie91 03/12/2011 at 12:49 PM #

    I read somewhere that the timing of the Hewitt firing had something to do with the amount of buyout he received. He’d get more if they waited past 3/15 or something like that.

  12. eas 03/12/2011 at 12:51 PM #

    I think that is correct wolfie91

  13. swamppack 03/12/2011 at 12:58 PM #

    I am energized in my anticipation of THE ANNOUNCEMENT by the fact that mum is still the word. Makes me believe a pro is in charge this time instead of a goofball like last time.

    The waiting is killing me, but the longer things are quiet, the better.

    Is it possible to announce the changing of the guard in one day, or do things not work that way?

  14. Wulfpack 03/12/2011 at 1:08 PM #

    Excellent job.

    Please, no Scott Drew.

    I agree that Collins will make a fine coach one day.

  15. wolfbuff 03/12/2011 at 1:08 PM #

    I was thinking Chris Collins last night too. That’s one heck of a strong coaching tree he comes from. And every great coach started as an asst. somewhere. It’s about time Duke repaid us for Vic Bubas and Bucky Waters anyway.

  16. wufpup76 03/12/2011 at 1:30 PM #

    The longer Sidney Lowe is still officially our coach during this process, the better.

    If Lowe is still our coach, the media can’t really run out and ask everyone including Bill Cowher’s mom if they are interested in our position and they subsequently have to say “I have no interest in the NC State job opening”.

    If Sidney is a party to this plan then God Bless him.

    I’m guessing (hoping) that Sidney’s resignation is announced whenever and then 3 days later we’re having a press conference. Don’t give those little media roaches anywhere to go.

    Then there’s the inevitable “You were searching while he was still here employed!?!” media accusation … Handled by “No, there was a three day window. During that time we executed and completed our search process.”

    “You did your coaching search in three days?”

    “That’s already been addressed. Next question.”

    Every media question for our new coach and staff and our athletics department can be handled easily with a professionally run search.

  17. BJD95 03/12/2011 at 1:34 PM #

    This is JUST a guess, but I expect the announcement to come Thursday morning or Friday afternoon. That way, the glut of games or Duke and UNC’s opening games can distract media attention. Even if some or all of our candidates survive opening weekend, that means only 10 days or so before everyone’s available to get down to brass tacks.

    That also fits with the tidbit of info in the paper this morning (Yow and Lowe to meet this week for his “evaluation”). FWIW.

  18. graywolf 03/12/2011 at 1:38 PM #

    Credible reporting? But, its interesting. They suggest we have 2.5 to 3 million to spend to get the right guy.

    http://packinsider.com/2011/03/the-rumor-mill-if-lowe-is-out-who-will-it-be/

  19. rtpack24 03/12/2011 at 1:43 PM #

    I have read Scott Drew’s name numerous times as a canidate for our job. He is involved with an NCAA violation right now, with more to come. He has no chance of DY having him on the “C” list. Hewitt lost his job because several of their big boosters came up with the money to buy him out, this has been in the works for several weeks.

  20. JEOH2 03/12/2011 at 1:48 PM #

    I really believe GT is going to get a mid-major coach. With the money they have to pay Hewitt for that idiotic contract and the funds related to their new arena I don’t figure they will be able to pay very much.

    GT does have some talent on their team, especially if Iman Shumpert stays. I think they’d be an attractive job to a mid-major coach. Great city, respected conference, etc.

    I hope they get the 2ND best candidate out there haha…

  21. ShootingGuard 03/12/2011 at 2:00 PM #

    Yes, it is a shame the Pack couldn’t even play its way into the NIT to keep things occupied—especially the players—and give the “search” some time.

    At least DY showed some very non-LF smarts in setting herself up well for buying a little time herself with her “wait until the end of the season, look at each game, sit down with Sid, etc etc etc” overview.

    I don’t know if Sean Miller will ultimately be the guy, but he may be the candidate that has it all—successful coaching, great recruiting, style of play, familiarity and connection to State, etc. plus YOUTH…so State doesn’t have to go through the gut wrench again in 5 years or so (unless Sean were to have uber success at State and end up going to Kentucky or something for another new challenge, in which case, Archie might well be ready to be the man then and provide for a smooth transition).

    Here’s hoping Sean wins the Pac 10 tourney today and, thus, would have accomplished ALMOST all you could at a program (reg season & conf tourney). For a unique challenge, Sean, how about trying your hand at winning the reg season & conf tourneys at THREE different major conferences? You would have mastered things at X and the Pac 10, now it is time to go after the big boys in the Triangle—no reason to get bored out west!

  22. NOT A FAN OF BLUE 03/12/2011 at 2:02 PM #

    I agree with hoop. Unless someone can prove otherwise, Sean Miller would be my first choice.
    I (like others above) believe Collins is sharp, and would make a great HC. He has a great pedigree. But can he “jump tracks”? Can he – with tainted “blue blood” – sell out to (and for) STATE? Can he devote himself to destroying his beloved Coach K? Or would he try to use STATE as a resume builder?
    I am not a fan of hiring Tubby. Maybe 10 years ago, but not now.
    Listen, to be successful, especially the first 3 to 5 years, we must hire:
    1) an extremely confident coach … one with his own philosophy/system. A system he believes in. A system he wants to prove against the likes of ACC competiton. Btw, a coach like this will (or should) come after this job. He wants a chance to “get in the game” and prove his ability.
    2) a coach with charisma … a personality that is not only attractive to recruits, but one that captivates and commands attention, respect and complete devotion
    3) a proven recruiter … locally and abroad
    4) a coach who has the ability to develop 2 and 3 star players
    5) a coach who embraces our program history, our fan base our apsirations to return to the top (to stay)

  23. 66pack 03/12/2011 at 2:06 PM #

    WOLFBUFF—-if duke pays us back for WATERS then we will be in very bad shape.

  24. StateofthePack 03/12/2011 at 3:04 PM #

    For those endorsing either of the Duke assistants for our job, I simply ask, can we afford another coach to “learn on the job” for the next 3-4 years?? That to me is why we are in this position to start with. Sendek: first five seasons to learn how to coach/recruit in the ACC, then marginally acceptable results the next five seasons. Ten years with one respectable finish in the tournament. Lowe: five seasons trying to learn how to coach college players vs pros, establishing recruiting ties, and managing a program in general. Last in the conference during that time for total wins. No NCAA tournament berth.

    If there was ever a time the program needs an established coach at a relevant division I program to come to Raleigh, now is the time. Another shot in the dark this time that fails and this program will officially be D-E-A-D.

  25. 61Packer 03/12/2011 at 3:06 PM #

    Please, not Chris Collins. He’s a Duke man and always will be one. Bo Schembechler got it right when he said he was going to have a “Michigan Man” to coach his Wolverines and gave Bill Frieder the boot.

    And no, please not Vinny Del Negro. The next hire doesn’t necessarily have to be an alumnus, but he needs to be perceived as a coach who will have red blood, not blue blood. We’ve seen up-close how bad NBA coaches do in the ACC. Del Negro had the distinction of not only being fired by the Bulls, but under his guidance, that team blew a 33-point 2nd-half lead at home against the CLIPPERS last season.

    Please, not Scott Drew. You wouldn’t have a clue to who he was had his brother Bryce missed that 3-pointer. Homer, maybe, Scott no.

    As far as Sean Miller, yes. But if he comes, please no more Larry Harris. As for Tubby Smith, I think he’d jump at the chance despite what he’s stated publically. I could live a short time with Tubby. But Miller, Billy Donovan or Mark Turgeon to me would be better choices. So would Rick Barnes, but our school and boosters don’t have big oil money to throw at a coach. Won’t EVER happen.

    If Miller says no, it might be another root canal of a head coaching search. Just sayin’……..

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