Paul Hewitt to George Mason

According to Jeff Goodman, the most connected writer in college hoops (the Wes without the Mess of the media?), former Georgia Tech head coach Paul Hewitt will be taking over for Jim Larrananga at George Mason. (Here's a full breakdown of all the head-coaching movement from this offseason.)

Hewitt took the Yellow Jackets to the national title game in 2004, but he once again struggled this past season. Tech finished the season 13-18 (5-11 in the ACC) and Hewitt was fired.

The situation he lands in at George Mason, however, may actually be better. The Patriots are coming off of a 27-win season and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They return everyone except for Cam Long and will be the preseason favorite to win the CAA and, in all likelihood, a top 25 team. Georgia Tech almost assuredly cannot say the same thing.

What is interesting about this move is that Hewitt has always had the reputation of being a recruiter more than a coach. He brought quite a bit of talent through Atlanta -- Derrick Favors, Thaddeus Young, Javaris Crittendon, etc. -- but with the exception of the 2004 run, Hewitt seemed more adept at getting his players fast-tracked to the NBA than at winning basketball games.

Also of interest is the ripple effect that Mike Anderson's decision to leave Missouri -- or, for that matter, Matt Painter's decision to stay at Purdue -- has had. Almost assuredly, if that Missouri position was filled, Frank Haith would still be at Miami, Larrananga would still be at George Mason, and Hewitt would be looking for a job as an assistant or a broadcaster.

I guess that's why they call it the coaching carousel.