Paul Hewitt Relieved of Duty

Following a fourth losing season in six years, head men’s basketball coach Paul Hewitt has been relieved of his duties after 11 seasons at Georgia Tech. Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich, said that a national search for Hewitt’s replacement would begin immediately.Hewitt’s team concluded the 2010-11 season Thursday night with a 59-43 loss to Virginia Tech in the opening round of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The Yellow Jackets finished 13-18 overall, 5-11 in the ACC.

“I am very appreciative of Paul Hewitt’s dedication to Georgia Tech for the last 11 years,” Radakovich said. “Paul is an outstanding person who has made a positive impact on so many of our student-athletes.”

Hewitt, who took over for Bobby Cremins prior to the 2000-01 season, produced a record of 190-162 in 11 seasons with the Yellow Jackets. His overall career coaching record stands at 256-189 in 14 seasons.

The 12th head coach in Georgia Tech history, Hewitt led Georgia Tech to five NCAA Tournament appearances including the Final Four in 2004. He was the ACC Coach of the Year in 2004 and the Black Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2004.

More recently, however, the Yellow Jackets have suffered three losing seasons over the last four years.

“President (Dr. Bud) Peterson and I have been in constant communication and we both concur that this decision is in the best interest of Georgia Tech and our athletic program,” Radakovich said. “Today we will
begin a quest to re-engage our fan base and set about to bring new energy and enthusiasm to Georgia Tech basketball.”

Hewitt came to Georgia Tech after posting a 66-27 won-loss record in three seasons as the head coach at Siena. Prior to Siena, Hewitt spent five seasons (1992-97) as an assistant coach at Villanova under head coach Steve Lappas.

Previously, Hewitt spent two years (1990-92) as an assistant coach at Fordham, and one year as a graduate assistant under George Raveling at Southern California. Hewitt’s first collegiate coaching position was as an assistant coach at C.W. Post in 1988-89.

Following graduation from Saint John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y., Hewitt spent three years as junior varsity head coach at his alma mater, Westbury High School on Long Island.

Born on May 4, 1963, in Kingston, Jamaica, Hewitt and his family moved to Queens, N.Y., when he was eight years old. He attended Westbury High School, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and economics from St. John Fisher in 1985. Hewitt was a four-year letterwinner and served as the Cardinals’ captain as a senior. He also worked toward a post-graduate degree in counseling and high school guidance at Long Island University and C.W. Post during the early stages of his coaching career.