Paul Hewitt Fired by George Mason

When Jim Larranaga departed for the University of Miami coaching job, the George Mason Patriots knew they faced the difficult task of replacing one of the program’s finest coaches. The athletic department settled on Paul Hewitt, a high profile selection, but the decision failed to live up to expectations.  On Monday, Hewitt was fired from his position manning the bench after four disappointing seasons.

“Mason made a significant commitment to its athletic programs, especially men’s basketball, when the university moved to the Atlantic 10 Conference two years ago,” athletic director Brad Edwards said in a statement. “The university has high expectations for the program and thus determined a change was needed.

“Paul has always been a tremendous advocate for the sport of college basketball and we are extremely appreciative for the manner in which he has represented the university and for his service to the student-athletes and to the program.”

During his time, Hewitt struggled to a 66-67 recording including three consecutive seasons with a below .500 record.  Hewitt was hired after 11 seasons with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, where he made five NCAA Tournament appearances including one runner-up finish.  Still, the veteran coach was unable to translate the success he had in the Colonial to the difficult A-10.  In 2014, the Patriots finished 9-22, the last straw for the entire program.

The firing makes Hewitt a likely hot commodity on the job market, and with more availabilities set to come, on-lookers shouldn’t expect to see Hewitt out of a job for much longer.

*Section Photo credit to Streeter Lecka, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Kim Klement, USA Today Sports

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