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Georgia Tech Basketball: Will Brian Gregory get yet another reprieve?

By Michael Collins

Feb 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brian Gregory reacts after the Duke Blue Devils took a large lead in the second half of their game at McCamish Pavilion. The Blue Devils won 80-71. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brian Gregory reacts after the Duke Blue Devils took a large lead in the second half of their game at McCamish Pavilion. The Blue Devils won 80-71. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2015-16 Georgia Tech basketball season is done after a loss to Virginia in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, but is head coach Brian Gregory done yet?

Being about the size of a leprechaun, Georgia Tech basketball coach Brian Gregory may be one of the luckiest men on earth in the month of March. Despite yet another lackluster season by the Yellow Jackets, the embattled head coach may still have some life left.

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The Jackets finished their 2015-16 campaign in painful fashion, a 72-52 drubbing by No. 4 Virginia in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament, giving Georgia Tech a 19-14 overall record, going 8-10 in the ACC.

By all accounts, that should probably spell the end of Gregory’s tenure in Atlanta.

Truth be told, this could be a carbon copy of a column from last season, and it looks like the ending may not be much different.

Despite an overall 74-85 record and 27-61 record in the ACC over five seasons, Gregory may receive yet another reprieve to muddle his way through an offseason of recruiting and transfers. Quite simply, he doesn’t deserve the chance, but financially Georgia Tech probably can’t afford to fire Gregory.

The reason?

Paul Hewitt.

Yes, the same Paul Hewitt who coached the Yellow Jackets from 2000-2011, and was sent packing with a massive contract buyout in his hip pocket. The same Paul Hewitt who made $1.6 million dollars this year from his two former employers – Georgia Tech and George Mason – for coaching…nobody (Cue Dire Straits, Money for Nothing).

Brian Gregory apparently timed his 2013 extension with Georgia Tech at just the right moment.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Ken Sigura, Georgia Tech is still on the hook to Hewitt until 2019 for $906,250 per year. If Georgia Tech were to fire Gregory now, they’d still owe him $806,250 next year and $537,500 in 2017-18, per the terms of that 2013 contract extension. Then add to that total whatever they’d have to pay a new coach.

Dec 31, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; George Mason Patriots head coach Paul Hewitt yells from the bench against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma won 61-43. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; George Mason Patriots head coach Paul Hewitt yells from the bench against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma won 61-43. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s hard to imagine the money men at Georgia Tech approving the cash to pay three men’s basketball coaches for two seasons.

While athletic director Mike Bobinski did say he “could have afforded” to fire Gregory last season, everything else points to the contrary. If the 12-19 (3-15 ACC) debacle in 2014-15 wasn’t enough to get rid of Gregory despite any financial considerations, then it’s hard to see how this season would be any different.

This season should really spell the end, but Brian Gregory may have one last gasp with the Jackets, and if he can’t at least break out of the sub-500 club in ACC play next season (provided he’s still around), he’ll most certainly be done. Bobinski and the Georgia Tech financial partners would be able to live with his one-year buyout after next season.

The problem is, this once highly-regarded basketball program has slid into the depths of mediocrity and seems to be stuck in neutral both in terms of recruiting and on-court play. If Bobinski doesn’t break out his slide rule and figure out how to restructure all this money due, it’s going to be an even harder task to get this program back on track.

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Bobinski should rub that rabbit’s foot, pick some four-leaf clovers and perhaps even make a trip to Ireland to kiss the Blarney Stone. He may need all that luck. Bobby Cremins isn’t walking through the McCamish Pavilion door, for any amount of money.