Latest coach brings in a new approach

Stoudamire trying to help bring Jackets back to excellence

ATLANTA — Damon Stoudamire is hoping to succeed at a place where three others failed before him.

Once a perennial college basketball powerhouse, Georgia Tech has struggled for nearly two decades to become relevant again.

Now that burden falls to Stoudamire, a longtime NBA guard who took over as the Yellow Jackets’ coach after the firing of Josh Pastner.

Stoudamire is focusing on all aspects of the program, on and off the court.

“Usually, if you’re doing something wrong inside the lines, you’re not living right outside the lines,” he said. “I always tell ‘em, ’If I come over to your apartment right now, do you make your bed in the morning? Did you wash your dishes?’”

Georgia Tech’s problems go way beyond dirty dishes.

Since reaching the national championship game in 2004 under Paul Hewitt, the Yellow Jackets have made only four NCAA Tournament appearances — with just two wins.

Hewitt had that one memorable season, but the program was in clear decline by the time he was fired in 2011. Brian Gregory was dumped as coach after five forgettable seasons, and Pastner managed a single trip to the NCAA Tournament during his seven-year tenure.

That one-and-done during the pandemic-marred 2020-21 season is the only NCAA appearance for the Yellow Jackets in the past 13 years.

Returning starters: The Yellow Jackets have four returning perimeter players who got extensive starting time on Pastner’s final team, which went 15-18 overall and 6-14 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Miles Kelly was the top scorer at 14.4 points per game, while Lance Terry was the only other player in double figures at 10.1. Deebo Coleman (9.5) and Kyle Sturdivant (8.6) are also in the mix.

“Miles Kelly has to play at an All-American level,” Stoudamire said. “I think that’s key for us. He has be a shot-maker.”