Patrick Ewing plans to stay another year at Georgetown
Patrick Ewing is in his fifth season as Georgetown’s head coach (Andrew Mills|NJ Advance Media)
Georgetown’s loyalty is unmatched.
Currently seeded 11th in the Big East Conference, it’s safe to say the Hoyas had an embarrassing season. With an overall record of 6-24 (0-19 in conference play) they finished the season on a 20 game losing streak. Despite all these losses, Georgetown announced they are keeping head coach Patrick Ewing for one more year.
“As a university with high standards and expectations for both academic and athletic excellence, we all share the disappointment of a difficult season,” Athletics Director Lee Reed said in a statement.
“In this ever evolving landscape of college athletics we are committed to Coach Ewing, and we are working with him to evaluate every aspect of the men’s basketball program to make the necessary changes for him to put us back on the path to success for next year.”
Any team that has a season like this would give their head coach the boot. But considering Ewing’s history with Georgetown, it’s understandable why they’re not willing to part ways with the NBA Hall of Famer.
Ewing’s Coaching record
In Ewing’s five seasons as head coach, the Georgetown legend has a record of 68–83 and led the Hoyas to a Big East Tournament Championship title.
Aside from being tournament champs, the historic basketball program has only one winning season and one National Invitation Tournament appearance since hiring Ewing in 2017. The Hoyas appeared in the 2021 Division I NCAA Tournament but was a first-round exit after being blown out by the Colorado Buffaloes.
“Not a quitter”
Following Reed’s statement, Ewing tweeted out his own statement regarding his future with the program.
“First and foremost, I am not a quitter,” he said. “My plan is to be back next year coaching at my alma mater and bringing this program back to prominence.”
You have to admire Coach Ewing’s dedication to the team and program but if he wants to bring the Hoyas back to its former glory, he’s going to need a better coaching staff and possibly look into the transfer portal.
one last shot at redemption?
Georgetown’s season is not over yet as they still have to play in the Big East Tournament.
Could they possibly salvage their disappointing season and go on another miracle run in the tourney?
It’s a bit of a tall order since their first opponent is Kevin Willard’s tough, gritty and resilient Seton Hall Pirates, who finished the regular season on a five-game winning streak.
Seton Hall Pirates head coach Kevin Willard (USA TODAY Sports)
But hey, it’s March and anything can happen, ESPECIALLY in the Big East.
No. 11 Georgetown will face No. 6 Seton Hall in the first round of the Big East Tournament on Wednesday, March 9 on FS1.
