Georgia Tech Basketball: 8 candidates to replace Josh Pastner as head coach

Pat Kelsey

These types of lists always include a certain number of names: the hot mid-major coaches that could be looking to take a big step forward this year and take over a power conference program. While Georgia Tech would certainly be a step up for these types of coaches, it would also be an intriguing fit for a coach with previous experience in the ACC.

Kelsey’s collegiate coaching career began with eight years on staff at Wake Forest, including five as a full-time assistant. After being Xavier’s associate head coach under Chris Mack, he spent 9 great seasons leading Winthrop, taking the Eagles to a pair of NCAA Tournaments in his first run as head coach. Kelsey was hired by the College of Charleston in 2021 and has exceeded expectations in a major way, taking the Cougars to a 31-3 season, a trip to the NCAA Tournament, and their first appearance in the AP Top 25 in two decades.

Who wouldn’t want that type of energy and success at Georgia Tech? Obviously, winning in the ACC is significantly more difficult than in the CAA, but Kelsey has seen this conference in his career and knows what a good Georgia Tech program looks like. He’ll be a favorite for nearly every power conference job that opens up in the coming years; why not take the challenge of turning around a team stuck as a bottom feeder in the ACC?