ATLANTA (AP) -St. John’s has not asked to speak with Paul Hewitt, a Georgia Tech official told The Associated Press.
Hewitt, who is from New York, coached Georgia Tech to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Citing unidentified sources, the New York Post reported that St. John’s will try to interview Hewitt “as soon as possible.” The Red Storm fired Norm Roberts last week.
“I can tell you that we have not been contacted by St. John’s and to my knowledge neither has coach Hewitt,” Georgia Tech associate athletic director Wayne Hogan said Tuesday.
Hewitt said Monday he is not looking for another job.
Georgia Tech (23-13) advanced to the championship game of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament and earned its first NCAA tournament victory since 2005 before falling to Ohio State in the second round.
rity in doubt.
Georgia Tech ended the regular season with two straight losses and five in its last seven.
Hewitt’s six-year contract at about $1.3 million per year has an automatic rollover clause. He said he had offers from other schools when he signed the contract in 2004; one of those schools is believed to be St. John’s.
After the ACC tournament, Hewitt blasted suggestions his rollover contract has protected his job.
“I could have made at least a half million more going someplace else but I felt really strong about the philosophy and mission of Georgia Tech,” Hewitt said.
St. John’s hired Roberts after Hewitt signed his new deal with former athletic director Dave Braine. The contract includes buyout clauses for Hewitt and Georgia Tech.
Hewitt insisted last week he’s not interested in moving.
“If they tell me they don’t want me here anymore, that’s fine, but my family likes it here. I like it here,” Hewitt said.
St. John’s athletic director Chris Monasch said the school is ready to offer a salary competitive with top national coaches.
“Depending on who the coach is we will make the financial commitment and a length of time that is appropriate,” Monasch said last week.
St. John’s (17-16) lost to Memphis in the first round of the NIT. Roberts was fired with an 81-101 record with the school. St. John’s has not been in the NCAA tournament since 2002.
Hewitt is 177-144 overall and 67-93 in ACC games in 10 years at Georgia Tech, including five NCAA tournament appearances.
Hewitt took the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game.
Georgia Tech could lose top freshman Derrick Favors and junior Gani Lawal to the NBA from a team that also included seniors D’Andre Bell and Zachery Peacock.
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