Technical Tidbits 7/18: Chasing Coach Cremins’ Legacy

ESPN continued its “Chasing Ghosts” series with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Tech’s legendary coach Bobby Cremins has remained an iconic figure in the basketball program’s rich history. Easily, he can be considered one of the best coaches of the program.

Since his departure in 2000, the Yellow Jackets have had three coaches, including current coach Josh Pastner (2016-present). ESPN ranked Pastner third among the Tech basketball coaches who have tried to step outside of the shadow of Cremins’ legacy.

Ranked second was Brian Gregory. With zero NCAA appearances between Pastner and Gregory in their combined eight years at the helm of Tech’s program, it’s understandable that they wouldn’t make the top spot. That honor, instead went to none other than Paul Hewitt, who was the Yellow Jackets head coach from 2000-2011.

In his 11 years as head coach, the Yellow Jackets made the NCAA tournament five times. This includes an appearance in the national championship game in the 2003-04 season. It makes sense that Hewitt would top this list. Personally, he’s one of my favorite Tech coaches, though I like Cremins as well, and, understandably, he remains the most iconic.

Quick question, if you had to choose between Cremins and Hewitt as Tech’s coach, who would you choose?

In golfing news, two Yellow Jacket golfers have qualified for the United States Amateur Championship that takes place next month. Tech golfers Andy Ogletree and Luke Schniederjans both qualified for the event.

Tech golfer Noah Norton will also be part of the field of golfers in the 119th U.S. Amateur. He qualified automatically due to his prior qualification for the U.S. Open tournament last month. Good luck to the three of them. The tournament takes place at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C. on Aug. 12-18.

Another article projecting less than stellar results for the Yellow Jackets football season. Both S&P and ESPN’s FPI projections have Tech at 3.7 victories. Interestingly, “change” is attributed as a weakness for the Yellow Jackets. Yes, there are a lot of changes that the team will have to endure in what will be the team’s first year with head coach Geoff Collins at the helm.

To be fair, though, I think the level of enthusiasm and excitement displayed by the team speaks volumes of their desire to implement these changes. It should make for an intriguing season.